Installed 315's -impressions

[swivel]

Just installed 315/70/17 BFG's on the stock wheels after adding a 2" Daystar kit.



Since the truck will do triple-duty, Daily driver, some back roads, and haul the Jeep/Quads, I wanted some better treads than the stockers. Was a toss up between 305's or 315's. I must say that the truck is a monster now on 315's. . I'm 6'2" and I have to "jump" in. (so much for ever getting a 5er on there).



Did seem to take some of the "get-go" (Edge on 3) away as well as need a little more brake pressure to stop. If anyone does lots of towing or has a short garage - I would say that something shorter may be worth looking at. The big ones sure did fill up the wheelwells though! And it's almost funny to watch the kids try to climb in now, but I'm thinking maybe bigger might not always be better - at least for those of us with 3. 73's and a 48re.

 

[JEvers]

Would you post a picture when you get a chance.

 

[brickerd]

Did you look at any 305's and the clearance? What I'm trying to determine is will you have to do the 2" lift up front to get even 305's on? I've been looking at the MT/R's for when I switch tires and would like to keep the stock wheels.



Thanks, Don



P. S. I would also be interested in some pic's.

 

[MojaveJoe]

315s vs fifth wheel

Swivel,



Your comment about "forget the fifth wheel" concerns me. How much higher does your truck sit with the 315's? My memory was that the tires are 3" taller, so max 1. 5" hieght increase. Do you think your truck will now fit in a garage door that is 82" high?



I was hoping to improve my mileage and appearance running the 315s with an HO 4x4 and 2004 48RE combination. My sense is that you wouldn't recommend it.



Inquiring minds want to know



Thanx

Joe

 

[Maddey]

I am currently pulling a 5'ver with 315s and have had no problem. My clearance from the bed rails has decreased to about 6" from about 7. 5"-8" on my '01 with 305s, which is about the bare minimum for my setup. I think there are a lot of 5'vers out there that will have plenty of clearance or can be modified to fit. I have pulled mine six times so far and the only time I have come close to pinching is backing into my own driveway. I don't have a leveling kit on the truck and probably won't add one either since the truck levels out perfectly when I pull my 5'ver or gooseneck. I don't like the sagging rear look. As far as the garage, my truck will fit in my standard garage with no problem, except for the garage isn't long enough for the truck, oh well. Hope this helps.

 

[Blakers]

Originally posted by brickerd

What I'm trying to determine is will you have to do the 2" lift up front to get even 305's on?

Lots of guys say they're running 315's without the 2" lift up front.

 

[swivel]

roof is 80. 5 inches (roughly). No pics yet sorry

 

[swivel]

I'm not saying that 315's are bad (I like them) But if somebody is on the fence over 305's vs 315's - and does a lot of towing, I would vote for 305's. Again, just my impressions based on my running around for a day. I really like the way it looks but wish I had the 4. 10's though. My deciding factor was that the 315's are cheaper and lost of guys are running them.

 

[dPierce]

What effect to the 315s have on mileage, as you'll notice in my signature, I also have H. O. with the 48Re and 3. 73. Really want to go with bigger rubber when the stockers wear-out, but don't want to see a drop in mileage. I am going on the assumption that the "taller" gearing effect of larger diameter tires could offset (or darn close) the drag of the extra width?



Would really like a good reply on this before I drop coin on new tires and/or wheels.



Pierce

 

[GSaltzman]

Hey brickerd!

I will be installing my Goodyear MT/R's thursday the 14. I will see what it looks like without the 2" lift for the front but will probably install it anyway to level the truck. I'll post to let you know how it does without the lift.

 

[brickerd]

GSaltzman, Thanks. If you can take some pic's along the way.

 

[GSaltzman]

Brickerd, no problem! I'll try to get it done asap after I get them installed. Have you ever run the MT/R's before? I ran some smaller ones on my last truck. 265-16 on my half ton quad cab and was very pleased with them. Down here in south Louisiana if you go offroad any you need a decent mud tire. For pure pulling power you can't beat a super swamper. But the older I get I can't stand that harsh ride. This is what really supprised me when I switched to the MT/R 's. The ride was very good and the noise was not bad for this type of tire.

 

[brickerd]

GSaltzman, no I haven't ran teh MT/R's yet, but have the same concerns as you do with the noice, ride, etc. I travel the interstate ~150 just to/from work in Ohio and want something also good for the road. From what I've read on them they should be good in all conditions, including snow. Can't wait to see your pics since it's going to be a few months before I get mine. I want to wait until I have the stock tires used up. Thinking about spending some $$ on an AeroTurbine later today.



Don

 

[swivel]

I'm running 35" MTR's on my Jeep. Switched from BFG AT's. A slight increase in noise but less than I expexted. I would call them quiet compared to BFG MT's I have run. They are a bit softer compound so you probably want to rotate them sooner.

 

[Maddey]

I'll second that on rotating the MTRs sooner. I had 305/70/16 MTRs on my '01 2500 4x4. They were great for about the first 15,000 miles and then got to be very hard to maintain. I think the weight of the diesel was too much on the front tires and caused them to start cupping very early. I would say to rotate them every 3,000 miles to keep even wear. I think these tires are better suited for 1/2 tons. I've had the BFG mud terrains also and they seemed to wear better. I really like the 315 ATs I have now, they are a little taller than I wanted, but just couldn't pass up the price.

 

[JHardwick]

Originally posted by Maddey

I am currently pulling a 5'ver with 315s and have had no problem. My clearance from the bed rails has decreased to about 6" from about 7. 5"-8" on my '01 with 305s, which is about the bare minimum for my setup. I think there are a lot of 5'vers out there that will have plenty of clearance or can be modified to fit. I have pulled mine six times so far and the only time I have come close to pinching is backing into my own driveway. I don't have a leveling kit on the truck and probably won't add one either since the truck levels out perfectly when I pull my 5'ver or gooseneck. I don't like the sagging rear look. As far as the garage, my truck will fit in my standard garage with no problem, except for the garage isn't long enough for the truck, oh well. Hope this helps.

I'm with you on the leveling kit!



All my younger years of off roading, I always liked the a** to sit up a bit ... ... ... now that I am hauling horses and race cars, I like the way the load levels it out!



I do have a question though.



My GS-A factory rubber is about to wear out @ 22,000 miles, looks decent, but is getting slippery on wet pavement. If I put big rubber on this, is my warranty *****?



I'm pulling this thing on Labor Day, so I am going to a more aggressive tread pattern anywho, just curious, I thought I read that somewhere.



-Jeff

 

[Bill Littlefield]

315's

I had 315's on my 95. Here is some things to consider:



1) If I had it to do over again, I would have gone with 305's

2) The 315's rubbed on the 2nd gen (not sure about the third gen). I ended up putting the 2" lift on front to solve the rub.

3) The 315's were wider than the truck. Everytime I got off road in the mud it ended up all over the truck including the windshield. You may have to consider fender flairs.

4) I had the 410 rear end. That was a good combo with the 315's.

5) I have 34" tires on my 03. I wouldn't want to go any taller with the 373's.

6) The bigger and wider tires are harder on your front end joints. I wore mine out in 50k miles. I hope the 03 is tougher in that respect.

 

[Blakers]

Anyone know the diameter of the 305s? How about 285s? I hope they start make some 75 series tires for the 17" rims so we can go taller without having to go wider.



Blake

 

[Bill Littlefield]

Size

I don't know the exact size. It will depend on the model, brand, and other numbers on the tire. Here is a guess that will get you close.



The 305's should be about 32. 5 inches in diameter.

The 285's should be about 31. 5 inches in diameter.

I'm assuming they are both 70 series by 17 inch.

 

[lawdog1]

If you go to tirerack.com, they have a metric conversion chart for tire sizes. Just put in the tire size (i. e. 315/70/17) and it will spit out the tire size in inches. Just go on the site and go to truck tires, it will give you a prompt for the conversion calculator. Hope that helps!