Desert Dog Tires

[Sledsel]

I recently bought a set of desert dog tires and wheels from that site. These things are HUGE. Definitely not what I wanted. I know there is a 1/25 scale desert dog that is smaller, but not sure where to find them. Anybody have a clue?

Pic is a comparison to the Firestone tires from my Super Stones truck

[Casey]

As you discovered, there are two sizes of MPC Formula Desert Dog PCV tires, found in various kits. Generally speaking, the larger size was included with the '84 GMC Pickup, Dodge D-50, Jeep Commando, and 1/20 scale Highjacker Ford Van.

I added two images for comparison, so hopefully someone can help you out with a set of the smaller tires, as I only have one.

[Khils]

I have some from the older MPC kits.

Approximately 30" (1/25 scale)

[Plowboy]

Those small Desert Dogs came in just about every MPC 4x4 kit every made at one time or another. But, they're not as plentiful as one would think. Somehow I managed to hang on to a set from the Hombre issue of this kit.

[Sledsel]

1 minute ago, Plowboy said:

Those small Desert Dogs came in just about every MPC 4x4 kit every made at one time or another. But, they're not as plentiful as one would think. Somehow I managed to hang on to a set from the Hombre issue of this kit.

 

  Nice build. Yea, seems the 70's and 80's kits had the smaller tires

  

[Tom Geiger]

I agree the Desert Dogs are huge! In fact when I pulled a set out of my Jeep junk box, I thought they were from the 1:20 scale Jeep!

An alternative is the Suburbanite snow tires that were in a lot of MPC kits. The centers of these are small and I’ve had to hollow them out a bit with an exacto to get some rims to fit!

These are Suburbanites..  

[Sledsel]

1 minute ago, Tom Geiger said:

I agree the Desert Dogs are huge! In fact when I pulled a set out of my Jeep junk box, I thought they were from the 1:20 scale Jeep!

An alternative is the Suburbanite snow tires that were in a lot of MPC kits. The centers of these are small and I’ve had to hollow them out a bit with an exacto to get some rims to fit!

These are Suburbanites..  

Those look good for that Jeep.  Is that the old Revell Mork and Mindy Jeep?

The Linbergh F150 has some nice tires too.

[Tom Geiger]

Yes, it’s one of the versions of the Mork & Mindy Jeep. This one was molded in blue. 

[peteski]

Interesting.  What is the inner diameter of the smaller Desert Dog tires?

[Casey]

43 minutes ago, peteski said:

What is the inner diameter of the smaller Desert Dog tires?

.666"

[peteski]

3 minutes ago, Casey said:

.666"

LOL!  The number of the beast!  Thanks!  They look useful for one of my future projects.

[slusher]

12 hours ago, Casey said:

As you discovered, there are two sizes of MPC Formula Desert Dog PCV tires, found in various kits. Generally speaking, the larger size was included with the '84 GMC Pickup, Dodge D-50, Jeep Commando, and 1/20 scale Highjacker Ford Van.

I added two images for comparison, so hopefully someone can help you out with a set of the smaller tires, as I only have one.

What did the smaller set come on?

[Bainford]

8 hours ago, slusher said:

What did the smaller set come on?

They seemed to be quite common back in the day. I know they came on the early 80s Broncos and the late 70s Dodge stepsides with 4wd (Warlock and Fire Fighter, etc). Some of the Dodge D50 kits had them, and the Datsun tow truck thing had two of them. Some jeep kits as well, but one must be careful as I think some Jeep kits came with the larger tires, too (maybe the Jeep Commandos).There were several others as well.

[crazyjim]

Doesn't Fireball make some Desert Dogs?

[Sledsel]

On 1/6/2021 at 10:47 AM, crazyjim said:

Doesn't Fireball make some Desert Dogs?

I think so, I will need to check and see if the sizes are listed

 

Thanks for the replies guys, I was able to trade off the tires I have, but when I need more, I know where to check.

[peteski]

Can anybody confirm whether the MPC Ford Van came with the smaller Desert Dogs?  I'm about to make trade - want to make sure those are the tires I want.

[Plowboy]

23 minutes ago, peteski said:

Can anybody confirm whether the MPC Ford Van came with the smaller Desert Dogs?  I'm about to make trade - want to make sure those are the tires I want.

Yes. Both of the MPC 4x4 vans came with the small Desert Dog tires.

[peteski]

On 1/8/2021 at 12:35 PM, Plowboy said:

Yes. Both of the MPC 4x4 vans came with the small Desert Dog tires.

Thanks Roger!

[peteski]

On 1/5/2021 at 9:08 PM, Casey said:

.666"

Hmmm . . . using the info you provided I posted a request in the Wanted section, found a person willing to trade with me and I received those smaller Desert Dog tires.   Unfortunately they are way too small for my model.  They have inner diameter of 0.620" - not 0.666". Bummer!

[Tom Geiger]

Can you hone them out to fit your wheels?  I just went through same thing with some Suburbanite snow tires. I patiently worked tiny bits out of the core with an exacto knife, checking fit often, until they worked! 

[Casey]

1 hour ago, peteski said:

Hmmm . . . using the info you provided I posted a request in the Wanted section, found a person willing to trade with me and I received those smaller Desert Dog tires.   Unfortunately they are way too small for my model.  They have inner diameter of 0.620" - not 0.666". Bummer!

Fight! Fight!! ?

Caliper don't lie. ?

What's the O.D. (at the bead) of the wheels you are using, Pete?

[peteski]

3 hours ago, Casey said:

What's the O.D. (at the bead) of the wheels you are using, Pete?

OD at the bead? I measured it at the edge of the tread.

A also measured the tread width. It is 0.400".

[Casey]

11 hours ago, peteski said:

OD at the bead? I measured it at the edge of the tread.

I meant the O.D. of the wheel you are trying to find a tire to match. If the .620" I.D of the tires you were sent is too small, you must be looking for a tire with a larger bore diameter than .620", so I can measure other tires I have if I know the specific dimensions you need.

[Bainford]

18 hours ago, peteski said:

Hmmm . . . using the info you provided I posted a request in the Wanted section, found a person willing to trade with me and I received those smaller Desert Dog tires.   Unfortunately they are way too small for my model.  They have inner diameter of 0.620" - not 0.666". Bummer!

Curious. Intrigued by this disparity, I measured some of my own. I have ten in stock, and I know eight of them came from two different issues of the MPC early 80s Bronco. A couple measured as small as .610", and several measured between .630" -.640". I also found that the tires feel more firm than when new, and wonder if the vinyl is hardening/shrinking over time.

[peteski]

5 hours ago, Casey said:

I meant the O.D. of the wheel you are trying to find a tire to match. If the .620" I.D of the tires you were sent is too small, you must be looking for a tire with a larger bore diameter than .620", so I can measure other tires I have if I know the specific dimensions you need.

I wanted to use these tires on Revell GM Scottsdale pickup (Billy Carter, Ice Patrol, etc.).  They come with really c-r-a-p-p-y Good Year Wrangler tires. The rims are smooth (no bead) and the OD of the rim at the front edge is 0.683".

I warmed one of the Desert Dog tires in warm water and was able to stretch it over the rim. But that makes the sidewall baloon out, and the tire looks funny.  I might try to harden the vinyl (put it in the freezer) then mount it in my lathe and cut the ID of the tire larger.

Or I might try using the 2-piece styrene tires from the Rescue Blazer. Those woudl have to have the ID enlarged too, but styrene is easier to machine. But those tires have poorly done tread.