Armoring passenger cars has become big business, especially in places such as Brazil, where the murder rate is five times that of the big, bad U.S. of A. Although automakers have tiptoed into the bulletproofing game—BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and for a time, Ford, have offered bulletproof versions of their products—the vast majority of cars are modified by aftermarket companies like International Armoring Corporation (IAC) of Ogden, Utah, which has armored more than 5500 vehicles since 1993. The company will make bullets bounce off a new BMW 750i for a minimum of $52,500, though that tab can rise above $100,000 should the owner opt for defenses such as smokescreens and electric shocking. By the way, we’re only kidding about bullets “bouncing off” armored cars—the armor actually works to absorb gunfire. Here’s how it’s done. DOORS, BODY, AND INTERIORThe first step is to remove all of the components from the car’s body (interior trim, wiring, carpet, seats, etc.). Then the doors and all other cavities (such as the pillars) are cut open so various materials can be stuffed or welded into those voids.

Depending on the level of protection desired, the doors and pillars might be bolstered with steel plates, a combination of ballistic nylon and Kevlar (similar to the material in bulletproof vests), or both. If the doors get too heavy, a third hinge is added. The fire wall and rear bulkhead can be steel-plated, too, but the floor and ceiling are generally lined with ballistic fabrics. The stock bumpers, designed to crumple and absorb energy during major impacts, can be reinforced to allow the armored car to, for example, bash through an improvised roadblock without damaging the radiator. The goal of armoring is also to make the car appear to be unmodified, inside and out. GLASSIn the bulletproofing biz, glass is referred to as “transparent armor.” It is not a thicker version of the safety glass found in the side windows of standard cars but rather a sandwich of polycarbonate (a type of plastic) and leaded glass. The thinnest option—0.8 inch—will stop subsonic rounds such as those from the popular 9mm handgun, while the thickest glass—2.0 inches—should emasculate a single shot from a high-powered .30-06 rifle.

If necessary, the electric window motors can be replaced by beefier ones. TIRESConventional run-flat tires can’t stand up to gunfire because bullets could shred the stiff sidewalls these tires rely on for support. IAC uses a Hutchinson-made Composite RunFlat tire, which is a polymer donut custom-built for each application. It is clamped around the centerline of a wheel, inside the tubeless tire, and the working principle is similar to the Michelin PAX System’s: If the pneumatic tire loses pressure, the polymer ring provides support that allows 60-mph speeds for more than 60 miles. SUSPENSION AND ENGINEEven the lightest armoring adds at least 500 pounds to a large sedan. With the greatest level of protection for a large sedan adding 1400 pounds, it is necessary to modify the chassis and occasionally the drivetrain. To maintain drivability, damping and spring rates rise, and air springs slot in if needed. Most modern engines in large sedans have enough power to sufficiently cope with the extra weight, so engine modifications happen only if specifically requested by the customer.

Three-quarter-ton trucks and SUVs are the only vehicles with underpinnings capable of bearing the roughly 2000 pounds of the highest level of protection without any modifications.At Errol’s Tyres we are committed to giving you the ultimate online shopping experience. We offer the most convenient way to buy your car's tyres, battery, alloy wheels and accessories. Read more about our outletBuying tyres online is as easy as We deliver to your door - throughout South AfricaTyresWheelsBatteriesShocksAccessoriesTrailersRoll Bars, Grill Guards, ...jeep tire covers blackhawksSpecialsTyre Load and Speed IndexesTyre Load IndexThe European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation Standard.LOAD INDEXKG PER TYRELOAD INDEXKG PER TYRELOAD INDEXKG PER TYRELOAD INDEXKG PER discount tires baltimore 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 Speed IndexThe KM/H is measured at sustained used rims and tires fayetteville nc

SPEED SYMBOLSPEED (KM/H)E70F80G90J100K110L120M130N140P150Q160R170S180T190U200H210V240W270Y300Z & ZR240+The sidewall of your tyres is filled with important information that tells you everything you need to know about your tyre. The numbers can be a bit overwhelming to the untrained eye, so the best way to understand tire markings is to take an example and break it down, bit by bit. Below are tips and information to help you learn how to read tyre size and other tyre markings commonly seen worldwide including South Africa. : Original tyres for BMW: All-season tyre: All-terrain tyreB: Bias construction, typically for motorcycles.C: Commercial / passenger car tyre: Black SideWallC: Commercial; tyres for light trucks. Similar to LT (below): Tyre approved according to ECE-regulations. See The E Mark below.: Extra Load; tyre for vehicles of heavier standard weights: Flange Rib - the area above the bead of the tyre that acts as a protection for the outer lip of your alloy wheel against light contact with kerbs etc.: Highway/terrain tyre.

For SUVs and 4x4s - less aggressive than full off road tyres - design for some use on-road: Light Truck tyres.: Original tyres for Mercedes-Benz: Mud and Snow - see car tyre types ...: Country of production: Max Flange Shield - a rubber ring around the tyre designed to help prevent damaging the wheel flange when close to a kerb: Mud/terrain tyre. Similar to A/TN(number): Original tyres for Porsche.: Outline White LetteringP: Commercial / passenger car tyre: Raised Black Lettering: Reinforced tyres: A rubber ring around the tyre designed to help prevent damaging the wheel flange when close to a kerb. Same as MFSRW: Raised White Lettering, or Inner: Side Facing Inwards; inside of asymmetric tyres. , or Outer: Side Facing Outwards; outside of asymmetric tyres. tyre for normal usage and loads: SUV / 4x4 tyre: Tubeless Tube-type, tyre must be used with an inner-tube: Tread Wear Indicator.: White SideWall: Extra Load; tyre for vehicles of heavier standard weights. Same as: Denotes rotation direction for directional tread.