2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Concerns with fitting 315's

[Got Smoke?]

Ok I'm looking at putting 315's on my truck. 1/2 the people I talk to say I can clear them with Skyjacker D25 2. 5" coils, and 1/2 say they still won't clear.



I plan on installing the D25 coils, but am still worried the 315's will rub.



Had a 98-99 2500 come in my shop one time thought he could clear 315's stock! Told him about the D25's... heard the next week he installed them and the 315's still rubbed.



Also have a buddy with a 94 2500 with 2" BDS spacers and he says he clears his 315's fine.



I know everybodies trucks are different, but is there any special I should look at like rim backspacing or something else to make these fit decently?

 

[Scrappy]

315's

My experiences with 315's is that they rub on the control arm when turned to near full lock if they are on the stock wheels. there is a good chance that they will rub on the fenderwell if mounted on aftermarket rims.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Mark, you can put a 12" lift on your truck and it still won't help the tires from rubbing the lower control arm. In order to elimiate the lower arm rubbing, you need to move the wheel out, like different off-set wheels. The only rub I had with the stock wheels and 315's was at full lock, it was more annoying than anything. The other option, (which I did until the new wheels were on) is to install steering stops on the knuckel, it doesn't take long to do, and only cost about $2 (if you don't have the parts laying around the garage), it will limit the steering travel slightly, but the tires will not rub.



If your wheel off-set is less than 6" (roughly what my stock '01 aluminum wheels were) you may not have a rubbing issue. If the tires stick out of the wheel well to far, with the 315's without the new springs, you may rub/ smash the lower rear part of the fender. If I remeber correctly, you have aftermarket Eagle's, which are a lower back spacing than factory, those with the D25 coils and 315's, you should be in good shape, no rubbing, anywhere.



BTW, I had 315's on my truck 2 days after I picked it up from the dealer, bone stock, only rubbing was on the lower arm. It wasn't till later I installed the springs, when they came available.



Rob

 

[athompson]

They will rub at full lock and full stuff unless you change the backspacing and move the bump stop. Raising the truckwill not help at all.



For me, rubbing isn't a big deal. I backoff the steering wheel when I hear the tires rub. Since I have MT/Rs I can hear and feel the tires rub. As for full stuff, I don't push it that much off-road. That's why I have my Sami.



IMO, if you're just lifting the truck to clear the tires, don't bother. If having tires rub bothers you, go with 285s.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Wasn't really concerned with the control arms fellas, hell didn't even really think of that. Was more concerning with rubbing inner/lower wheelwell area.

Originally posted by athompson

I don't push it that much off-road. That's why I have my Sami.

Don't take my truck off-road except for occasional farm field..... basically I just wanted 315's and don't want them to get chewed up by the fender/wheelwell.



I also have a playtoy that's for off-road only. 79 K20 on 35" mudders

 

[Got Smoke?]

Originally posted by Rob Thomas

Mark, you can put a 12" lift on your truck and it still won't help the tires from rubbing the lower control arm. In order to elimiate the lower arm rubbing, you need to move the wheel out, like different off-set wheels. The only rub I had with the stock wheels and 315's was at full lock, it was more annoying than anything. The other option, (which I did until the new wheels were on) is to install steering stops on the knuckel, it doesn't take long to do, and only cost about $2 (if you don't have the parts laying around the garage), it will limit the steering travel slightly, but the tires will not rub.



If your wheel off-set is less than 6" (roughly what my stock '01 aluminum wheels were) you may not have a rubbing issue. If the tires stick out of the wheel well to far, with the 315's without the new springs, you may rub/ smash the lower rear part of the fender. If I remeber correctly, you have aftermarket Eagle's, which are a lower back spacing than factory, those with the D25 coils and 315's, you should be in good shape, no rubbing, anywhere.



BTW, I had 315's on my truck 2 days after I picked it up from the dealer, bone stock, only rubbing was on the lower arm. It wasn't till later I installed the springs, when they came available.



Rob

Yeah Rob I have aftermarket Eagle's but sadly 16. 5's Downsizing to 16's because I'm wearing out 33's like crazy (2910lb rating) with all the driving I do. One reason I want 315's they have a 3460lb rating.



I know 315's would rub horribly on my truck right now casue the nose sits noticeably lower than the bed. I only have like 1/2" clearance at full lock with my 33's.

 

[mediccummin]

315's

My recent experience is this. I had 2. 5" spacers when my new tires (315's) and wheels came in. I had all my parts, D25 coils, DT +1/2 links, DT trac bar, dual shock kit, etc. etc. sitting in the garage. My wheels are 17x9 with a 4. 5" back space and tires are 315/70/17. When my tires were mounted up to the wheels I had the shop test fit them before I put my other suspension parts on. With just the 2. 5" spacers there was no way the tires would fit without major rubbing on the fender well especially on drivers side. Could not even turn full lock unless you took out the fender. Threw them in the bed and headed home. A week later after I installed all my new parts the tires fit, EXCEPT even with the +1/2 longer DT links I still rub on driver side fender well slightly, It appears though that most of this rubbing is against the molded mud flap only and not against any body metal or fender plastic. Once I get a chance I plan to shave away that particular area and see what happens. This happens on hard turns and not all the time. Like others said to this all depends on your truck, brand tire, because some sizes are a little different, and backspacing of your wheels. Good luck.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Re: 315's

Originally posted by mediccummin

My recent experience is this. I had 2. 5" spacers when my new tires (315's) and wheels came in. I had all my parts, D25 coils, DT +1/2 links, DT trac bar, dual shock kit, etc. etc. sitting in the garage. My wheels are 17x9 with a 4. 5" back space and tires are 315/70/17. When my tires were mounted up to the wheels I had the shop test fit them before I put my other suspension parts on. With just the 2. 5" spacers there was no way the tires would fit without major rubbing on the fender well especially on drivers side. Could not even turn full lock unless you took out the fender. Threw them in the bed and headed home. A week later after I installed all my new parts the tires fit, EXCEPT even with the +1/2 longer DT links I still rub on driver side fender well slightly, It appears though that most of this rubbing is against the molded mud flap only and not against any body metal or fender plastic. Once I get a chance I plan to shave away that particular area and see what happens. This happens on hard turns and not all the time. Like others said to this all depends on your truck, brand tire, because some sizes are a little different, and backspacing of your wheels. Good luck.

I'm not quite understanding what made them fit? You had a 2. 5" spacer and you went to the 2. 5" coils? It didn't raise the truck anymore than it already was did it? Also I don't understand what DT +1/2 links are how did this help you clear your 315's? If I could clear my 33's new lock to lock... I would think that I could surely clear 315's with rims with the same backspacing and D25 coils?

 

[mediccummin]

To answer your ?

When you put the 2. 5" spacers in it brings your axle back towards your fender well approx 1/2" or so, and to the driver side approx 1/2" or so. The result of this is that you have less room for your tire to fit without hitting the fender well on both sides and less for the tire to hit the link on the pas side at full right lock. That is where the +1/2 DT links, and adjustable trac bar come into play, they move your axle 1/2" back forward to the stock position when you have the 2. 5" spacers or the D25 coils. The DT trac bar brings your axle back to center side to side so you will have the same amount of clearance between the tires and links on both sides and the axle is centered. The 315 depending upon brand are approx 2" taller than your 33's and wider depending upon size. And one more slight difference is the links also raise the front about 1/4"-1/2" more from what I have noticed.



DT links are just the brand of links I purchased, the same company as DT trac bar. You can get them plus 1/2' for those running a level kit or D25 coils or you can get stock length. Check my reader rigs gallery and you see them. Good luck I hoped this answered your ? if not shoot me a PM.

 

[mediccummin]

Got smoke

What size wheels do you have and what is the backspacing??

 

[Got Smoke?]

Re: To answer your ?

Originally posted by mediccummin

When you put the 2. 5" spacers in it brings your axle back towards your fender well approx 1/2" or so, and to the driver side approx 1/2" or so. The result of this is that you have less room for your tire to fit without hitting the fender well on both sides and less for the tire to hit the link on the pas side at full right lock. That is where the +1/2 DT links, and adjustable trac bar come into play, they move your axle 1/2" back forward to the stock position when you have the 2. 5" spacers or the D25 coils. The DT trac bar brings your axle back to center side to side so you will have the same amount of clearance between the tires and links on both sides and the axle is centered. The 315 depending upon brand are approx 2" taller than your 33's and wider depending upon size. And one more slight difference is the links also raise the front about 1/4"-1/2" more from what I have noticed.



DT links are just the brand of links I purchased, the same company as DT trac bar. You can get them plus 1/2' for those running a level kit or D25 coils or you can get stock length. Check my reader rigs gallery and you see them. Good luck I hoped this answered your ? if not shoot me a PM.

Could you PM me the prices of both the DT links and trac bar.



As for my rims I am currently running 16. 5x9. 75 Eagle Alloy 589's, not sure about backspacing. Want another set of Eagle's in 16x10 but $$$ is tight, may have to go with something cheaper.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Re: To answer your ?

Am I understanding you right that either 2" spacers or 2. 5" D25's will both move the axle back a 1/2" like you stated? Or is it just the 2" spacers?

 

[Scrappy]

spacers-vs-springs

the coils will set the axle back more than the spacers will because of the 1/2" additional height

 

[mediccummin]

coils vs spacers

Got smoke my spacers were 2. 5" same as the coils. Although the coils gave me a little more than the 2. 5" plus the links added about another 1/4"or so. When I get a chance tom. I'll take a pic of how close my tire is to the wheel well and you will see how there was no way they would of fit without the links.



Got Smoke did you get your PM?

 

[Got Smoke?]

Re: coils vs spacers

Originally posted by mediccummin

Got smoke my spacers were 2. 5" same as the coils. Although the coils gave me a little more than the 2. 5" plus the links added about another 1/4"or so. When I get a chance tom. I'll take a pic of how close my tire is to the wheel well and you will see how there was no way they would of fit without the links.



Got Smoke did you get your PM?

Yes I got your PM's thanks a lot for all of your help. I looked up DT's site and saw the prices for all of the things that you ordered. :--) WAY more $$ than I have to spare right now. As it looks right now I can't afford a set of rims and tires. So looks like I'm gonna get the coils, stick with my 16. 5 wheels , and see if I can clear 35x12. 50xR16. 5 BFG AT's. I can get them discounted through my work.



Will let ya know how it goes.

 

[DToy]

I'm running Goodyear MTR 315's on my '99 with a 2" spacer in the front. Wheels are Eagle 16x8's. No rubbing at all, on the control arms or the rear of the fenders. After 10K miles the tires are still wearing evenly... even with the 8" wide wheels.

 

[mediccummin]

12.50

You will probably get some rubbing with the 12. 50 because they are wider than 315's. Good luck let us know how it comes out.