It is time to consider backcountry upgrades. Yes I have read all the previous wheel mod threads. For the P model, the Airglas fork makes the most sense for getting bigger tires.
First question - For backcountry, yes it is a 182, do bigger tires or the Wing X mod make more sense? When taxiing the bigger tires would be a big help but for TO and landing, it would seem slower might trump tire size?

Assuming we go down the slippery slope of big tires, some questions;
Airglas fork w STC, $3200, not cheap but no realistic option today.
Nose wheel - We have a spare Cleveland 40-77 but the STC calls out a Cleveland 40-76A nose wheel, Airframes price is a bit higher than say Aircraft Spruce but Spruce is currently sold out. Best to just backorder it?
For main wheels I have spare Cleveland 40-113s. They should be fine.

On to tires. First size. The consensus here appears to be 8.50 mains with 8.00 nose, however the STC allows no cg change if all tires the same size but pushes forward cg back .65” with the 8.50 8.00 combo. Is that because of the tire weight difference? And is it worth the difference given the plane is nose heavy?

Then which tires, tubeless or tubed? And what brand? Lots of out of stock (May 2022). I did find Desser standard tires, retreads, available in both sizes for pretty good prices. But the retreads are heavier, significant or no? And then what tubes.

And last, the nose gear tube. If I make up the fork with an old tube for quick change ability, do I do just the lower tube or the whole assembly? I think I have a useable lower tube.

Sounded easy before running down the slope.

I would buy the Airglas fork kit, and install 8.50 x 6 mains and 8.00 x 6 nose tire. That retains the stock relationship, and makes it easier to keep the nose off during landings.

Use natural rubber tubes. They may have it fixed now, but I know of a few “leak guard tubes” that split on a seam right away….junk.

Before you go with wing extensions, measure your hangar door……just sayin.

MTV

Big tires before wingx for sure. As MTV said, 850 mains and 8.00 nose. Thats what I have on my 182. I had 850's on all three and like the one size smaller on the nose.

This site is a great resource. 1 more question
Tire ply? Do the 4 ply tires flex enough more to matter on rough ground? Or just stick with 6 ply tires?

Not a surprise, but while the Airglas fork is in stock, the rubber bits are in short supply. 8.00x6 and 8.50x6 tires are very hard to find right now. If anybody has a lead on some, please post.

And I am still wondering if there is a softness upside to a 4 ply nose tire?

The aeroclassic 4plys are definitely softer than 6ply, and they’re significantly lighter. That’s pretty directly inverse to things like puncture resistance and wear so it’s not all good.

The sidewall softness/flex you’re after only comes into play at low tire pressures. At “normal” pressures (>20psi maybe?), the air pressure in the tire dominates the softness of the tire.

8.50s get the Goodyears, they are very tough, and don't wear quickly, maybe a bit more expensive, but worth it.

Definitely go 8.50s unless youre going to be landing on real off airport. Then the 850s sometimes feel like theyre shaking the airframe apart. One thing I messed up when modding my 182 was not paying enough attention to CG. I think if someone did a test showing how CG qualitatively affected plane perfrmance then maybe people would think of proper CG as a "mod" rather than spending more money on other gadgets. Larry did a good job by keeping a 7.00 on the nose and still did so much. That weight savings up front is really nice. Point being, dont go 850 up there.

So this seemed straightforward a month ago. Order the Airglas fork, new tires and a used 40-76A wheel.
Though not cheap, I managed to source all those except the wheel. There are none used to be found anymore and the new ones are all sold out.
Who would have guessed even a year ago that a used 206 nose wheel would be impossible to find?
Does anyone know if a different wheel is acceptable rather than the 40-76A.

So this seemed straightforward a month ago. Order the Airglas fork, new tires and a used 40-76A wheel.
Though not cheap, I managed to source all those except the wheel. There are none used to be found anymore and the new ones are all sold out.
Who would have guessed even a year ago that a used 206 nose wheel would be impossible to find?
Does anyone know if a different wheel is acceptable rather than the 40-76A.

Preferred Airparts carries a lot of NOS parts.
They might have one.

*

Did you try Airframes Alaska? They show “in stock”.

When I was shopping I kept my eye on eBay. One finally showed up.

Call Beegles Aircraft Service. Let them know you are looking and to call you once one comes through. Their customer service is first rate.

I have one on order from Airframes AK but despite the website showing in stock, a subsequent phone call revealed backorder and a stated August delivery.
Now working the used market hoping to find one. Turns out bearings are back ordered.

Maybe Beringer will get on that bandwagon.

I think I have found and ordered a used one from Texas Air salvage. I say think because I had one elsewhere and then they pulled it at shipping saying it was bent.
So in theory I now have all the parts coming, wheel from Texas, nose tire from Alaska. I have received the Airglas fork and 2-8.50x6 main tubes from Alaska and 8.50x6 tires with Nose tube from Desser already. Pricing and availability are wild these days.

PNW Flyer wrote:I have one on order from Airframes AK but despite the website showing in stock, a subsequent phone call revealed backorder and a stated August delivery.
Now working the used market hoping to find one. Turns out bearings are back ordered.

Yep. End of July for those bearings from Spruce. Shits gettin’ real!

Sooo what seemed like a simple task of ordering some parts and getting the mod done has turned into a bit of a challenge. The latest, after giving up on the back ordered nosewheel from Airframes Alaska, is shown below. I found and purchased a used one from Texas. The copy said “as removed” so I wasn’t expecting pristine, given the photos but I am concerned this may be beyond serviceable. If it is useable, I plan to re-paint it white along with the other wheels.

PNW Flyer wrote:Sooo what seemed like a simple task of ordering some parts and getting the mod done has turned into a bit of a challenge. The latest, after giving up on the back ordered nosewheel from Airframes Alaska, is shown below. I found and purchased a used one from Texas. The copy said “as removed” so I wasn’t expecting pristine, given the photos but I am concerned this may be beyond serviceable. If it is useable, I plan to re-paint it white along with the other wheels.

Ouch! That chunk out of the rim is kinda ugly. What a crazy world we're living in right now!

Sorry for your pain....

MTV

If the price was right, look for another 1/2 wheel on eBay to replace the bad half. That’s pretty bad. Did they reflect that damage in the images when purchased?