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LARGER TIRES?

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I HAVE A 93 W350 WITH STOCK WHEELS. I HAVE RECENTLY ADDED SKYJACKER 2. 5 SPRINGS UP FRONT TO LEVEL THE TRUCK. NOW I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS THE TALLEST TIRE THAT WILL FIT USING MY WHEELS. IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEAS PLEASE BE SPECIFIC CONCERNING BRANDS. I WOULD PREFER ALL TERRAIN TIRES. THANKS.

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lowell,
I'm running dulop 255-85-16 radial rover rv 33" tall 9" wide so far i've had no problems with the tires they fit well on stock rims with plenty of clearance.
on the other hand i started out running 285-75-16 bfg at's after 10000 miles nobody could ballance them they were over 1" out of round and bfg would not stand behind them, even though the tires still looked new, you'll get alot of differne opinions on the bfg's but i would'nt have another set IMHO stay away from them ... ... ... ... RD
 
RICK,MY TRUCK IS A DUALLY. IS YOURS? PRESENTLY WITH 4. 10 GEARS MY RPM AT 55MPH IS ABOUT 1900 RPM. WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS A TALL NARROW TIRE TO KEEP MY CLEARANCE RIGHT IN THE REAR AND ALSO LOWER MY RPM AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HOPEFULLY A MEMBER OUT THERE HAS GONE THROUGH THIS BEFORE. MY PRESENT TIRES ARE REMINGTON 245'S THAT CAME WITH THIS TRUCK. THANKS FOR THE REPLY.
 
Hey guys. I recently went up to the 255/85-16, Wild Country TXR. This gave me the traction I wanted and gained 1. 5mph @60mph. I had always run 235s before. I've had the same promlem as Rick had with his 285s. I had to have the 255s re-balanced SIX times in the first 1000K. Then they replaced two tires that seemed to be causing the problem. Then they were OK for about 2K then out of balance again. I also had clearance problems in off road situations and had to modify the factory black wheel well trim around the front wheels. I believe the 255s and 285s are the same highth just different width. I was going for looks, speed, and smoother ride. I would not do it again. 255s are only available in 6pl in a traction tire. Noticeably less stable when towing! I never had any problems with my 235s. Don.

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'93 W250, CC, 4x4, 5spd. , 4:10, Cummins w/ Mild mods, K&N, 16cm turbo, Custom straight exhaust, Lund visor w/lights, 5th wheel, Gooseneck, H. D. rear hitch-pintle and ball, Aluminum everything, Cobra 148GTL W/mods.
 
I can attest to the 255/85/16 tire size. It works well with the 2. 5 inch lift. Fills the wheel wells and lowers the gearing to decrease approximately 200 rpm in fifth. I list Alcoa wheels but they are stock size, width and off-set.

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'89, CC, SB, 5sp, 3. 54, 16cm2 housing, maxed fuel, KN, Banks exh w/muffler, Autometer liquid filled gauges, Factory tach option, 100% Dyna-Mat, Horton fan clutch, Firestone air bags, Chrysler V-twin air comp, 2. 5" lift, Rancho Shocks, Alcoa LTS, BFG 255/85/R16 MTs (33. 3")
 
I have a set of All Terrain BFG 265/75-16 on some aluminum American Racing wheels. I had to remove the running boards as the tires rubbed when turning sharply and hitting a bump. The tires are the pretty much the same height as the stock 235/85-16's but are about an inch wider. I will say my next set of tires will most likely be Michelin 235/85-16 as the BFG's ride like crap compared the old Michelins that were on there. Live and learn.

Pat
91 4x4
 
Lowell I have a 4x4 dually also. I have 235/85 16's, the rears don't touch each other but they're close. I don't know if you could go any larger with out the rears touching.
Gene
92 350 4x4
 
SINCE MY LAST POST I'VE MET A SHARP TIRE GUY AT THE LOCAL SAM'S CLUB WHICH DOES SELL TIRES. THE TIRE THAT SHOULD BE ON THE TRUCK IS A 235/85/16 LOAD RANGE E. THIS TIRE IS 31. 8 INCHES TALL. MY PRESENT 245/75/16'S ARE 30. 5 INCHES TALL. THIS WILL HELP WITH MY GOAL OF LOWER RPM,S AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BUT I,M STILL SEARCHING FOR A LITTLE MORE HEIGHT. SAM'S HAS A MICHELIN X RADIAL LT FOR $109. 99 WHICH SEEMS REASONABLE FOR THE QUALITY. DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW THE FINAL DRIVE NUMBER ON A GETRAG 5 SPEED? THANKS FOR THE REPLIES.
 
SINCE MY LAST POST I'VE MET A SHARP TIRE GUY AT THE LOCAL SAM'S CLUB WHICH DOES SELL TIRES. THE TIRE THAT SHOULD BE ON THE TRUCK IS A 235/85/16 LOAD RANGE E. THIS TIRE IS 31. 8 INCHES TALL. MY PRESENT 245/75/16'S ARE 30. 5 INCHES TALL. THIS WILL HELP WITH MY GOAL OF LOWER RPM,S AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BUT I,M STILL SEARCHING FOR A LITTLE MORE HEIGHT. SAM'S HAS A MICHELIN X RADIAL LT FOR $109. 99 WHICH SEEMS REASONABLE FOR THE QUALITY. DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW THE FINAL DRIVE NUMBER ON A GETRAG 5 SPEED? THANKS FOR THE REPLIES.
 
Dunlop makes a 255/85/16 Radial Rover AT, E rated, that is 32. 5 or 32. 6 inches tall and is not that much wider than the stock 235s. My brother had them on his SLT 2500 and loved them. Not sure about the exact dia.

CoastyA8R makes a good point about wide tires. When going to wider tires all little abnormalities are multiplied. If shocks or other components are worn you will feel it now where as before you did not. Air pressures greatly effect ride, the bigger and wider the tire gets. Also, a new tire will ride rougher when new compared to an old worn in set. I air my tires up and down constantly, depending on the load. My trucks are loaded heavy most of the time. This is my eleventh set of BFGs. Ten were truck tires. I have had one flat with them in 24 years. One set on a half ton got 61k miles. Many a time I have sat waiting for others to change out tires in the wilderness loaded with hay, wood or livestock. So until I get burned by BFG that is all I use. The tires listed below are the perfect size for a 2. 5" lifted 1st generation truck. The only problem is that they only make it in a Mud Terrain style. It does wonder on the pavement some, but the performance off road is unbelievable. I can only hope that they will make it in an All Terrain style before these wear out.

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'89, CC, SB, 5sp, 3. 54, 16cm2 housing, maxed fuel, KN, Banks exh w/muffler, Autometer liquid filled gauges, Factory tach option, 100% Dyna-Mat, Horton fan clutch, Firestone air bags, Chrysler V-twin air comp, 2. 5" lift, Rancho Shocks, Alcoa LTS, BFG 255/85/R16 MTs (33. 3")
 
Hey Lowell!

I have also just installed Skyjacker's 2 1/2" front leaf springs & their "Hydro" shocks on all four corners to clear the Goodyear MT 305/70R/16's (load range D). These tires are about an inch taller (32. 7" x 12") than the 235/85R/16 (E's) Goodyear "Workhorse" I took off and a load range less. I feel these tires might be too aggressive for your application, but from an appearance standpoint, they really fill out wheel nicely after the lift. I have always felt that the 235/85R/16's looked out of proportion with the truck even before doing the springs.

In hind sight, I guess I would of opted for the 255/85R/16's mounted on 8 x 16 wheels. My only concern for your application is that I don't know if anyone offers 255/85's in a load range E in an AT tread pattern. I did enjoy the Goodyear Workhorses I took off in regards to traction & road noise, I just thought they were too skinny. If I were set on the 235/85's I would definately revisit this tire again.

I don't know if I have helped w/ all my rambling but I just wanted to present the 'Big Tire' option. I have had no clearance related problems with my combo, even off road.

1992 W250 5 spd 3. 54 gears, Banks "Stinger Plus" kit consisting of a 14cm2 wastegate housing, 3 1/2" exhaust/muffler, K&N, pyro/boost gages. 2 1/2" Skyjacker front suspension lift to clear 305/70R/16 Goodyear MT's
 
THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLYS. SOMEONE AT WORK OFFERED $350 FOR MY REMINGTON 245/75'S TODAY SO I HAVE TO MAKE A MOVE SOON. SO FAR I'M LEANING TOWARDS 255/85,S BASED ON ALL THE POSITIVE COMMENTS. THANKS AGAIN.
 
OK GUYS,NEW PROBLEM. WENT WITH A 255/85/16 WILD COUNTRY TIRE. TIRES BALANCED WELL AND THE RIDE AND NOISE ARE NOT BAD FOR A MUD TIRE. WHAT'S CONFUSING IS THAT GIVEN THAT MY NEW TIRES ARE 3 INCHES TALLER THAN MY PREVIOUS TIRES I WAS LOOKING FOR A CHANGE IN RPM AT A SET SPEED. BEFORE CHANGING TIRES I TOOK NOTES ON RPM'S AT 55,60,65 &70 MPH. WITH THE NEW TIRES THE RPM'S ARE EXACTLY THE SAME. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A SIMPLE EXPLANATION FOR THIS. THANKS IN ADVANCE.

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93 W-350, 4x4, 4. 10's,2 1/2 skyjacker front springs,255/85/16 wild countrys. K&N filter,muffler removed,16cm turbo housing, auto meter guages.
 
Your speedo may say you are going 50 mph @ 2000 rpm (this is an example) but you are actually going going more like 57 mph due to the fact your tires are 3" taller which will equate to about a 10-15% gearing change depending on the size of the stock tire compared to the size you are running now. If your stock tires were about 30" and now you have 33" tires, your gonna show about a 10% error on your speedo as well as your odometer.

Pat
 
OK, THAT MAKES SENSE. NOW I'LL GET MY FACTORY STOCK TIRE HEIGHT AND MY NEW TIRE HEIGHT AND GET THE PERCENTAGE DIFFERENCE. HOPEFULLY I CAN CALCULATE SOME SPEEDS AT CERTAIN RPM'S. THANKS AGAIN.

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93 W-350, 4x4, 4. 10's,2 1/2 skyjacker front springs,255/85/16 wild countrys. K&N filter,muffler removed,16cm turbo housing, auto meter guages.
 
Gone Duplex for 93 D350

I'm running Interco TrXus STS RXS-11R (36x14. 50R16. 5LT) on a 16. 5x12 rim. Max load is 3640. Rides smoother than duals as it only has two sidewalls and easier to keep in balance.



Wheels are PowerWagon Special from Stockton Wheel. www.stocktonwheel.com. I drove down to pick them up. Highly recommend them.



I've had 1. 25 yards of sand on the truck without even coming close to rubbing.



Only downside is carrying two spares.
 
255/85/16's are nice tires, used them for years as they were a (not as good) replacement for 900 16's which lasted a long time. I ran 8-19. 5's on them and they were nice but wear out pretty quick. That is the prob with the 255's, that and that they have a lot of sidewall so they 'roll around' a bit on the road. They are also only load range D, usually 3000 lbs. The best tire I have found to date are the 245 70 19. 5 tire, as they are tall, not real wide (wide tires sucks up the fuel, kisses each other on duals, and can get you stuck real quick if you are not in a floatation-needed environment). The only thing you do not want these tires for is serious offroading where you would want to air the tire down real low, as they would peel off (bead is like a 16. 5)

The 255/85/16 I am glad has seen some popularity as when I ran them no one even heard of nor carried them, had to special order a lot. Get them capped and they will last for a long time (several hundred thousand miles if you get the right rubber compound). Stay away from Badyear (only the FIRST year is good, the rest are BAD --- BADyear)
 
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