Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) How large of tires can I run?

[hdm48]

Greetings,

My truck has those pizza cutter tires on it (215's) and I would like to go to a larger tire, however, I have been told I cannot do that unless I run a later model rim on the rears so the tires will not touch.

Any one here with a 1 ton try to run larger tires? I do plan on hauling some weight in this rig (that's why I got it) and i don't want to fight a tire problem.

I would be greatful for any input



Thanks



Dave

 

[Eric_B]

I have run 235 85 16 on my 96 3500 2wd with no problem. IMO looks better too.

 

[WadePatton]

I thought 235/85 was the 6-wheeler standard. Anyway, them'll work.

 

[DonTX]

According to the 97 3500 dealer brochure, they came that year with 215/85R 16 tires. Have you got a photo of yours Eric? Also, did this have much effect on the accuracy of the speedometer (mine reads about 5 mph slow, I think it is because my tires are about worn out)? I am considering going with the 235 myself, for no really good reason.

 

[MAleksandrowicz]

My 02' has 235/85/16s on it. They are the recommended tire size on the tag inside the driver's door.

 

[moparguy]

94 thru 00 or 01 stock is 215. If it has 4 slot wheels, then 215, if it has the 8 hole or slot wheels, then 235s were stock.



From a old TDR mag, the max cross section width that will work with no problems is 9. 4 inches.



I've ran 235s on my truck since the first change of tires. If I'm hauling or towing heavy, it's necessary to air em up to 80lbs to prevent contact. I do try to stay with narrow tread tires. The best I've ran to date is the Mich 235/85/16 XPS Ribs. Currently running Uniroyal Liberators from Walmart. They are just OK.



One thing to be aware of if you have the older rims and run 235s, you'll have problems if you try to run chains. I haven't tried chains, but in looking, I don't think they will work.



Good luck, RR

 

[hsmith]

Tried XPS 235,s on mine and the inner walls would rub no matter what pressure with the tt sitting on it. Went back to 215,s and will stay there. Don't need a blowout from overheating.

 

[Skydiver]

My 3500 would get stuck at the sight of soft dirt with the narrow front 215's. I am now using Wrangler 245/75R16's on the front and running Goodyear G90 7. 50/R16 10 ply on the rear. The G90 is very aggressive and so far I can dig my way trough the mud.

Anyone else heard of the G90 from Goodyear ?

 

[KAlder]

On my wifes 00 3500, We put on some 255/85-16 Cooper Discoverer S/Ts. We haul a steel 4 horse gooseneck around w/no problems. we put the tires on two years ago and no problems yet

 

[Big Best]

Tire Size Dodge Trucks

Hope this helps,

My truck is a 2000 Dodge 4x4 extra cab SLT. The stock tires were 245/75R with 16x7. 5 rims. I ordered my truck with 16x8-inch rims as an extra. I have put the following tires on my truck 285 75R-16/8 these tires fit perfect no rubbing anywhere, 4x4 and sharp turning no problem. The set I just put on are 305 70R 16/D2. They look pretty cool they don't look like they would rub anywhere. But they do, not on the plastic rear or front, but the fronts rub on the these steel supports. I don't know what you call it but it's part of the suspension, and when you turn sharp like I do, trying to back up my bass boat down a boat ramp they rub. I look back now and think I blew it by getting these larger tires.

 

[hdm48]

I have heard that if I run a later model (00 or newer) I can run the larger tires. As I understand it, the newer rims have an offset that is more pronounced. I guess I had better check this out.

Thank you all for the replies



Dave

 

[DonTX]

Gosh, these answers are so confusing! It makes me wonder if Dodge used several different wheels with different offset? Or is it difference between different brands of tires? Or maybe some have never checked to see if they are rubbing? Whats a guy to do?

 

[moparguy]

Don, as I alluded in my eariler post, Dodge did use two different offsets.



I could be mistaken, and if so I appoligize, but my guess is that Big Best has a 2500, hence the larger tire sizes he's running. KAlder's truck came with the wider offset wheels and 235s stock, so when he moved up to 255s, one size larger it's like our older trucks going to 235s.



RR

 

[DonTX]

Thanks MOPARGUY,that cleared it up quite a lot after several more re-reading exercises.

I think from all that, it would appear that 235's would work OK for me, since the rear wheels will never see much of a load from my use, or at least there is a 66. 6% chance they will work based on responses, and based on HSmith experiences, they won't work. . Anybody else got experiences with 235's on a 1997 model 3500?

 

[SEmerson]

on the smaller rims 235's will work easy

on the larger rims 265 will work ok

 

[MGarland]

I have Firestone Transforce 235/85/16 an my 96 in my sig. and I tow a 32' enclosed gooseneck that weighs around 12k and I have never had an issue with the duals rubbing. i would not recommend these tires because they are not wearing very well, I think that my next set will be a Michelin of some sort.

Mark

 

[sleon]

how large a tire?

My 94 3500 has 235-85-16 for the last 250,000 and no problems. It had 215's from the factory. I went to costco for a set and they would not put the bigger tires on. Said they got a bulletin from BFG saying not to do it. I had to go to America's tire. They didn't have a problem with bigger tires. Go figure.