Best 19.5" tire for ride and noise?

[DHayden]

I've waited long enough and now it's time to order the 19. 5" wheels and tires. There were a few threads on folks who just got there new tires but no long term updates on them. I'm leaning toward the Michelin XZE or Toyo RY-023. Anyone running those? Any other brand you were particularly impressed with?



I'm also leaning toward the 245's. Some have said the 265's or 285's ride better, how much better? Is it worth it? Do they last much longer than the 245's? I'm leaning toward the 245's mainly to try to keep the bed height down.



Let's hear your favorite sizes, wear habbits, ride comfort and noise stories... and the balancing method you went with and how it worked out for you. Thanks guys

 

[Jeff Clark]

I've only had 245's so I don't know about other sizes in relation to ride quality, but my next set will be 285's to go with the 5" lift I'm installing. I've used Michelins in the past, one set with XZE's in the front and XZT's in the rear and one set with XZE's all around. The front don't seem to matter and I prefer a rib in the front. They last longer. On the rear, the XZT's did better in wet conditions than the XZE's, but they are no longer made. They have been replaced with another model and I don't know the number off the top of my head. Right now I am running Continental's (HSR in the front and HDR in the rear). I won't buy those again. I used to get 80-100,000 miles from the Michelins. I have 10,000 on the Continentals and they are half gone.



As for balancing, I used Equal (not the sugar substitute), but make sure they put enough in each tire. I think most of the people that have problems with the internal balancing agents doen't use enough.



Hope this helps.

 

[DHayden]

Thanks for your reply Jeff, where did you buy your wheels from? I've heard of some problems with the balance beads lately so Equal is probably the best option so far.

 

[Jeff Clark]

My wheels came from Dual Designs back in 1999. They were the first that I can recall to sell a conversion to 19. 5" wheels for 1-ton trucks. I had a set on a 98 that I sold when I sold the truck. These that I have now came from another member that bought them about the same time I did for his 96 and decided not to re-use them when he bought his new truck.

 

[DHayden]

I know there are more running the big wheel's, please share with us.



Is Dual Designs still in business? They seemed to have the best deal as you could get 6 alluminum for the same price as others wanted for 4 alluminum and 2 steel. I really like the Brentz wheels but they are WAY to spendy (must be solid gold core).

 

[Jeff Clark]

www.dualdesignsinc.com



The thing I don't like about Brentz wheels is the same thing I don't care for with Rickson, and that is that it reatains the factory bolt pattern and to me it doesn't look right with that large of a wheel. I like the look of the larger bolt pattern and larger lugnuts.



If Dual Designs is still in business let me know. I've been meaning to call them for a new chrome kit. My rear center cap reatainer ring is starting to rust and I can't find new ones in the right size.



Also, www.chromewheel.com has good prices on 19. 5, 22. 5, and 24. 5 conversions, but I've heard their customer service leaves a bit to be desired. I have sent several e-mails with no reply, but they tell you on the site that most e-mails don't get answered.

 

[chuckwilson]

I have 113. 720 on my XZE's with my dueldesigns kit, I needed new crome and called them at DD but they never called me back. Found stainless pieces at a truck crome shop. I love my tires they dont make any noise at all and wear is great!!!

Love them 19. 5s!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DHayden]

I've placed several calls to the Dual Designs number and only get an answering machine. The machine doesnt identify the number as a business and I have not recieved any return calls so I guess I will assume they are out of business.



I also looked at chromewheel.com as they were comparable in prices. However a google search on them turned up some unsatisfied customers and some pretty ugly photo's of wheel's they recieved being scarred. Not every transaction can be perfect so I'll look into them a little more.

 

[DHayden]

I need to resolve the steel/alluminum issue. Half the places say you shouldnt run 2 alluminum rears, the other half says you can. It ranges from not enough thread length with 2 alluminum to steel wheels wobble to disimilar metals.



Although some places dont recommend it they will happily sell you 6 alluminum for the extra charge. My take is that I want alluminum for weight saving's on rotating mass but if I get 4 alluminum and 2 steel plus adapter's... what's the point in getting alluminum period?

 

[Jeff Clark]

If you are running wheels on the factory studs, like Rickson, that is where they say you don't have enough stud length to run two aluminum wheels. If you use adapters like I do, then they are usually long enough for two aluminum wheels.



In the past I have run two aluminum wheels on the back of a dually with the factory length studs, but they were 16" Alcoa's and the flange width was not nearly as wide as it is on my 19. 5's.

 

[DHayden]

Southwest wheel uses adapter's and told me they don't recommend it. Brentz bolts directly on factory studs and they say you can. I wish dual designs was still around, they had the best deal and it's obvious the setup works.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Southwest wheel uses adapter's and told me they don't recommend it.

Don't recommend what? Using the adapters they sell or running two aluminum wheels in the back?

 

[DHayden]

Running 2 alluminum wheels in back. .

 

[Jeff Clark]

If they are using adapters with long enough studs, I don't see how having two aluminum rears is a problem. I've been running that setup for years.