Do'em right on the truck. Car tires are harder but still possible.

 

Well that was a satisfying weekend! Breaking the bead turned out to be the most challenging part but a little technique added to brute force did the trick. I first did a test run on my spare using my Harbor Freight Motorcycle tire changing attachment (item 42927) that I mount to my Workmate and my stand alone HF bead breaker. It has the metal tire stop removed to handle motorcycle tires which made it a little difficult for truck tires. I got it done but decided to bite the bullet and get the HF Portable Tire Changer item 34542. I mounted this on a piece of 4’X4’ ¾” plywood as I really didn’t want it permanently mounted to my garage floor or bolts sticking up to trip on. After bending the bar on the bead breaker trying to get the inside bead broken, I discovered that you have to push down a little, rotate the tire, push down some more and 3-4 reps later it’s ready to come off. You cannot break it loose in one step. A lot of NAPA tire lube and the just the HB tire bar pops off the tire pretty easily, much easier than my bike tire. I have a Mojolever (pictured below) which does a great job on motorcycle tire and it made mounting my truck tires a piece of cake! The first side pops on about halfway without tools and I used the HB lever to pry it about three times and it slides right on. The second side I put the Mojo on it, give it long pull and it pops right on. The Centamatics mounted on my 2005 without needing any spacers, “B”s on rear and “A”s on front and seem to run out very smoothly although I haven’t put the truck on the interstate yet.
The whole process took a little over 2 hours with the learning curve but I expect my next set to be done in less than an hour.

 

When I was young and dumb I did one for a spare tire. it was a bear without the right tools.

 

we do it on all of my big trucks

 

Another way to get that bead set when you have the new tire on the wheel is to take out the valve stem, spray starter fluid around the bead on one side and then light on fire. beleive me it works. and it makes a pretty good noise when it sets. Then all you have to do is put back the valve stem and add air and continue on down the road.

 

I always run a large ratchet strap all the way around and hook it down. Then just tighten down til the beads of the tire are on the wheel. If it's really tight and they are close, but not touching you can take some wheel bearing grease and smear it around the bead to fill in the gaps. Believe it or not it will allow the tire to hold pressure enough to help seat the beads.

 

I just did a set of 34x10.50 superswampers. Tire spoons, and soapy water as stated above. I've even used WD40 in a pinch instead of the soapy water.

 

we do em all the time on the side of the road. Every thing from super singles down to a 16" tire by hand. We got a machine at the shop, but ya can't take it with ya out on the road. I actually have an easier time with a 16" rim than a 19.5" Those things are so stiff they get difficult at times. We have big air tanks with a ball valve to seat beads, makes it very easy