255/85/16 Tire combo

[GFoley]

Is anyone running this size tire on a 2500 automatic trans and 3. 54 gears? I am considering this or a 285/75/16 (either size mounted on 16x8 wheels) and would lilke to hear from the readership about their exeperiences with either size.

 

[Lug-nut]

I have the 255's. I love them. I tried the 285's on my 96 and I have to say that the 255's drive much better. Most guys seem to like the looks of the wider tire better, but I am after a good handling truck and the 255's don't seem to wander near as much.

 

[LSMITH]

I am running the 285/75/16's now and I can tell you that my next set will be 255's. The 285's look really nice and perform good in the softer ground and sand, but they tend to follow the ruts in the pavement pretty bad. I want a narrower tire next time to get a little better driving qualities. As far as gearing goes the 33 inch or so height makes a noticeable differance in the power you have. It is not bad, but you will notice that you have lost some of the acceleration the truck had. My speedo is off a little over 8%.

 

[TMc]

I run both , 255's in the winter for the snow (stock rims)and 285's in the summer for looks ( on 8x16 wheels ).

The 255's track straighter ( not as wide ) but handle corners like crap because of the tall sidewall. The 285's make the truck handle better because of the width and a shorter sidewall ( I also have an additional inch of offset pushing the wheel farther out which increases handling a bit also.



Good luck !

 

[Dave Fritz]

I ran 255/85R16D tires for several years. The taller tires fit the truck and the stock rims with no trouble, and the high profile sidewall can absorb a lot of impact without jarring the truck. Handling is a little squishier, but the truck still handled the twisted mountain roads well.



The biggest problem I had was that the D rated tires were a bit light for the weight of my truck (10. 5k lb) and tire life was short (20k miles maximum!). To get longer life and better load carrying capacity, I moved up to 19. 5 wheels and G rated tires from Rickson.



If you regularly exceed the 8800 pound GVWR, these tires may not be for you. For a truck that stays under the GVWR, the 255/85 tires are an excellent choice. I wish they were available in a E rating.



Dave

 

[Ted Constantine]

I just switched from 255 to 295's and the 295s handle so much better. They do follow ruts mure but the ride is so much smoother and I am getting used to how they react to the road. The one thing I really like it how much more stable the 295's are in comparison to the high, narrow profile of the 255.

 

[John]

Several years ago (before this BB or the CDW BB were launched) I remember reading on the Happy Campers BB that a NEW 255/85R16 spare will not fit between the frame rails. I believe the poster used 2x2s to space the spare lower to eliminate interference with the frame rails. I believe another poster said after using the tire for a little while it would just barely squeeze between the frame rails.



I do know this, I have a NEW, full size BFG 285/75R16 All-Terrain mounted on a 5th M/T Alcoa Challenger I have installed in the stock spare tire location... it just barely fits between the frame rails. A 295/75R16 A/T would be out of the question thus, my motivation for going with the 285s. A spare smaller than the other four is useless as T on a B... especially when you are off-road, hundreds of miles from anyone.



..... if you don't have a good spare make sure you invest in a GOOD pair of walking shoes.



BTW, that's one of the little tricks the Washington State Patrol likes to pull... check for an "adequate" spare on trucks with BIG wheels and tires (many municipalities do this as well). I've been pulled over numerous times in the past with lifted 4x4s (I'd previously owned) for a check although, I've never given them the pleasure to offer me a ticket. Motto: always be prepared.



Also, if you have a 285 spare AND a Mag-Hytec differential cover you WILL either need to relocate the spare OR (as I did), fabricate an offset mount so the tire clears the differential cover as the suspension cycles, also staying away from the exhaust system.

 

[NVR FNSH]

255/85R16 on the stock spare rim fits fine (no spacers req'd) on my dad's '96 2500 & my '00 2500.



Brian

 

[Josparkz]

rpm's

The gearing change was why I went with the 255's. It dropped my rpms down about 200 or so at 75. If I drive 70, I get real good mileage

I ended up with (I believe) a 3:23 final drive. Doesn't exactly smoke the tires though.

I wish they made the 255's in a load range E, but many of them actually have a higher load rating in lbs.

A well worn spare fits in the stock place. A two tooth change on the speedo drive gear set that right.

 

[GFoley]

The new tires and wheels arrived today and went on when I got home. I took a short ride to check the feel and will now have to determine how much difference I have to consider in the odometer/speedomenter. They really filled up the wheelwells nicely.