Anyone running the Vision 19.5 wheels?

[SShafranko]

Yep, they stick out too far and make it look like a Chevy wannebe dune hopper. As many problems as these fornt ends have that just adds to the issues. Not enough back space to make it worth while.

I think you may be exaggerating just a little. I had a 96 GMC and this isn't nearly as bad. Some of the pics may be a bit deceiving. Look at the second to last pic it has a pretty good view of it. They are pretty much even with the fender flares.

 

[cerberusiam]

I think you may be exaggerating just a little.

LOL, maybe just a little. :-laf

 

[RodMorris]

I don't know the prices, but Stockton Wheels looks to able to fab 19. 5 steel wheels with any backspacing you want.

 

[CDonaldson]

So when you say way better, what's way better? How would you describe the difference?

First and foremost, to me it's about several things related to driving conditions, our roads here in New Mexico get pretty HOT beginning in May and stay that way through September/October, also the roads have that drainage curve to the right side, so the right side tires scrub faster, then there is the part about the poor quality balcktop that almost all our roads are made of, then add to that a high percentage of gravel roads - all this adds up to tire eatin' roads. I haul heavy loads of hay and equipment with a GN, and also tow a heavy 32' bumper pull TT. A set of stock load range E tires might make 35K, they 'scrub off' rubber pretty fast. They are pretty spongy too. Time you air them up to the weight demands, front and rear demands with a heavy engine and a heavy tow, they are not all that great of a tire to have a blowout with at road speeds, and many people have had nightmare stories about blowouts. Going to the 19. 5's gave me a more durable tire, better/stiffer sidewalls, longer life span possibilities, and I am seeing my tires hold up perfectly to all those horrid road conditions, in fact, I have over 35K on them, they basically still look new, I have yet to rotate them, they wear like iron. I air them up when towing, I air them down a little when running empty, not all that different a ride over the stock ride, a 1-ton is a 1-ton, rides a little stiff, trucks do you know what I mean? I'm running what's called a delivery tire, it has a good tread pattern similar to an all terrain type, but has good grip, not like a steer tire with a few lines cut out of it that are directional. My fuel economy on hot roads increased a couple mpg's also. After the initial investment on the wheels, the 19. 5 tires are really not any more expensive than the 17's, and from what I am seeing in tire wear, I am going to see 3X the overall mileage out of a set, saving myself from buying 2 more sets of tires over the same mileage going down the road, even if it was a break even deal, the sidewall safety alone makes it a major safety improvement. From the visual aspect, the 19. 5's fit the look and size of the wheel wells, my Mega does not look like its running on roller skates anymore. I ran 35's on my 17" wheels for a while as well, they did not get the fuel economy these 19. 5's do. I have no loss of winter traction due to the harder rubber and the delivery tread design.





CD