2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 315/75-16's and gearing

[AFoulk]

what gear ratio would I need to run tires this size and have the truck perform as it did with the stock 3. 55's? I have the 6 speed with 3. 55's and factory 265's right now. Also, if I were to go with these tires without regearing, how much would it hurt my acceleration since my truck is still basically stock? And can i run those tires on my stock steel wheels? If I can't i'll just go with 285/75's for now and move up to the 315's and 16x8's when I have the cash.

 

[EBung]

You can run stock wheels no problem with 315s. You will get a slight rub on your control arms though. I would'nt change the gears though especially with the 6speed. If you want stock like performance with 315s you can A) put in 3. 73s B) put in 60hp injectors. Do the math and see which one is cheaper.

 

[AFoulk]

Yeah, I know, but I look at like, imagine how much more power I'd have if I did the injectors AND the gearing

I was worried about the tires "ballooning" in the center to much on the steel rims. I thought read some where that they are only 6. 5" wide where as the factory aluminum rims are wider than that.

 

[DWeiler]

35's should be mounted on 8'inch rims(stock aluminum),i did the 315/75/16 last year and like them at first but decided to sell them and go back to my 285----better acceleration/more clearance for the fiver. The 315 were a 10 in the look factor department+my Kore Recon,but with the 6speed/3:55 it was a pig to drive when starting out --1,2,3,shift,but once i got it rolling it did ok in the upper gears. Mileage dropped to around 16MPG average. If i had 4:10 i think i would of kept them,but it would of been real close with the fiver for clearance---right now with the 285 i have 7 inches between the rails. Hope this help----each person has different likes and dislikes,unfortunately they did not work for me---My 2 cents. DW

 

[EBung]

Yeah, I know, but I look at like, imagine how much more power I'd have if I did the injectors AND the gearing

I was worried about the tires "ballooning" in the center to much on the steel rims. I thought read some where that they are only 6. 5" wide where as the factory aluminum rims are wider than that.

Sorry I missed the part about stock STEEL wheels. I would'nt put them on those just like you said baloon city. If you like 3. 54s and stock tires 4. 10s and 35s will be to low.

 

[AFoulk]

Ok, so I'll just go with the 285's until I have the cash for wheels as well. So 3. 73's would probably get me pretty close to stock gearing with 35's?

 

[NVR FNSH]

I've been running 315s on my stock alum wheels since day one - I do wear the center of the tire slightly faster due to balloning and I run very low tire pressures in the rear to get the most even wear pattern. Do not run the 315s on the stock steel wheels.



I have 4. 10s and the gearing is perfect when I'm towing - when solo I'd prefer 3. 73s even with the 315s and I do have a VA CPC but the truck is otherwise stock.



Have you considered a 255/85R16 - basically a 33x10. 50 tire? I ran them on my '96 with the stock steel chrome wheels for years to help offset the 4. 10 gearing.



Brian

 

[Chief USA]

BF Goodrich makes a real nice 295/75 R-16 TA that fits good with just a little rubbing on the front lower control arms. Excellent tires so far. I have them mounted on the stock aluminum factor wheels. I think the 315's would rub much more and limit turning radius too much. I do a fair amount of off road work so I need to be able to make tight turns.

 

[JustinLee]

I just put 315s on mine with no issues. I haven't been off road with them yet, but they haven't rubbed. And I have stock rims, 3. 54 and 5 speed. It is a little more sluggish now, but a jump from 285s to 315 will do that. Looks great!!:-laf



Justin

 

[FDNYMOPARGUY]

I just went with 315/75r16 on factory 16x8 rims. At 7000 miles, they seem to be wearing evenly. I have already rotated them once. I show a 10% error from the speedo/odo per GPS. The computer is calibrated for 265/75r16. I run 60 psi front and 50 psi rear. I have run as low As 40 psi rear on the street, but the ride gets a little too mushy for me. The ground clearance is fantastic, and it's great not to have to air down when going on the beach. Oh yeah, 2 inch levelers in the front and air bags in the rear, for when I still want a "raked" look.

 

[MYeary]

I have 315s stock rims, just use a programer to calibrate your speedo for tire size & the shifting will be corrected. it will shift just like it did with the stock tires, I did it with a Superchips programer.

 

[VolsFan]

I had 285/75's on the stock steel/chrome plated rims. Yes, they are 16x6 1/2", i think it says it on the side of the door. Looked ok, but had a balloon effect, couldnt imagine what 315's would have looked like. I got Mickey Thompson 16x8 rims, i think they have a 4" backspace, something like that, 285/75's look awesome on them, big difference with same tire over crappy stock rims. Also mine is 4. 10 auto, the new shift kit really helped out with the bigger tires

 

[JerryNelson]

I run 315 on stock wheels with a 3. 73 with a little rubbing on lower control arm not to bad even witha plow

 

[Ahopper]

i have the Bf goodrich at 295/75/16 on an 8inch rim. not much ballooning here. i have a 2inch leveling kit and the tires do not rub anywere no matter what do. (off road/ on road) i wanted to go up to 315 but for towing i would need bettergeering. as it is keeping the engin in my sweet spot (2k rpm) requires me to do 75mph up the hills.

 

[dclassens]

Look at my signature. I have had 315/75/16 on all three of my Dodge diesel trucks. I have had steel and aluminium rims and LOVED the way they drove. Look at my photo/reader rigs. Great trucks with great gearing(all had 3. 54) and tires. Next second gen I get will also get that size tire.



Dave

 

[AFoulk]

Well, I finally saw what 315's would look like on stock steels. My new neighbor has a 2nd gen 12v with that size on his stock steel wheels. I gotta say, it does look a little scary how much they ballon. I think I'm gonna go with 285/75's for now until I can afford bigger wheels.