max tire sizes / spare tire fit

[.44 mag]

I would like to know what the best tire size is to jump up a bit in height from the stock rubber without clearance problems both in the suspension and also not have trouble in carrying a spare.

I want to run a mud grip like the BFG. It seems that the 255/85r16 and the 285/75r16 are popular. Which one seems to be the most readily available?

Thanks.

 

[Gordon Maney]

Henri,



Lots of people on this forum seem to be using the 255/85-16 tire. The 255 size has not existed as long as the 285, but more and more manufacturers are producing a 255. Firestone, Goodyear, Dunlop, Cooper, Remington all offer this size.



Your question is interesting about the spare. I just ordered a set of Coopers, and did not order five. Obviously having a same-sized spare is the best. I will have to look under the truck to see if the 255 would fit.

 

[Skyjacked Ram]

(see signature) tires fit just right and I have a full spare under her tail... I know you are using 16in rims however the over all size is the same. Les Schwab will mount new tires on a side of you truck to check it out if you ask them... . they did it for me at least.

 

[GFoley]

I asked about 255/85/16 tires in the 2nd Gen column. After a couple of replies I am aware of:

1 - they will tend to wander less than 285/75/16s.

2 - those running 255s (that replied) live in northern parts of the US



My choice will be deteremined in part by my next duty assignment. I am currently running BFG AT in 245/75/16 LRE. I sold my trailer so I won't be loading the rear like I did before. I will have to dig out my old weight ticket to be exact, but I exceeded the truck rating by nearly 1000# during my move south. The load range was a big deal but no so much any longer. Another piece of info from Bob Swails (EarthRoamer.com) advised me to look at load rating # on the tires instead of taking the letter. He said some tires in LRD will more than suffice for our needs.

 

[DennyDay]

Hank:

285's are readily available, and will fit in the spare location. It's a very tight fit, and will not fit if you have both a trailer hitch and an oversized diff. cover.

Denny

 

[Chace TX]

285's worked perfect on my 97 4x4. But would not fit under bed because of the 4" exhaust. My exhaust was from Jardines, but other manufacturers exhaust may fit differently.

 

[Diesel Dan]

i am runninn 315's but the max spare that i can use is 265's(4 inch exhaust and trailer hitch spider gears in the diffs will resolve the difference but you should not hot rod if the spare is on. Also don't go with the mudd terrains unless you have an absolute need as the new at ko's are much better than the old bfg's in the mud and wear apx 50% better and are far superior on the pavement which is where we spend most of the time anyway.

just my . 02 or in this case maybe . 05



Diesel Dan

 

[Swamp Donkey]

My 285's fit as a spare nicely. I just took one of my best used tires and put it on the spare rim. I think a tire with full new treads would be a real tight fit.

 

[Gordon Maney]

fitting a spare....

Henri, it is true the 255-85 will not fit where the spare goes, I tried it tonight. It seems the only thing to do is to put the spare in the bed. I am curious if there are any aftermarket spare tire holders that are worth owning... .

 

[TboneMan]

Does anyone have a photo of their rig with the 255/85 16 installed?



I'm leaning this way for my next set (probably early fall) and would like to see how they look.

 

[Oasis-3]

285's

I have 285's on my truck and I think they are grate. I needed a good mud type tire and wanted 10 ply. And that is what I found in the TRXUS made by Indaco or Super Swamper same co. I have 5,000 miles on them and doing fine so far. You can see pictures in my sig.

Hope this helps

Cliff

 

[Cryppie]

I have a Goodyear Wrangler 305/70R16 in, and it's a tight fit, but it'll go.

 

[TSielski]

Got a 285 mounted under the bed. Fits between frame rails with about 1/4" clearance. JRE 4" exhaust is not even close to it. Had to fabricate an offset bracket to hang the spare and clear the Mag-Hytek diff cover though. Without the bracket, whenever the suspension squatted, or the axle travelled up while driving, cover would hit the tire. Trailer hitch is not a problem.

 

[stg2500]

I would like to install a larger set of tires but can only find LR E in the 265/75/16 sizes.



Is the load capacity reduced significantly by going with a LR D tire?

 

[CumminsPower98]

Truck Pic

Here is a picture of my unfinished truck with 33x12. 5x16. 5 BFG A/T KO's. See sig. They seem to work great. My BALD spare just fits with about . 5 inch stock exhaust clearance.



#ad

 

[John]

I copied and pasted this here from a previous post I made on the 2nd Gen. forum

Several years ago (before this BB or the CDW BB were launched) I remember reading on the Happy Campers BB that a NEW 255/85R16 spare will not fit between the frame rails. I believe the poster used 2x2s to space the spare lower to eliminate interference with the frame rails. I believe another poster said after using the tire for a little while it would just barely squeeze between the frame rails.



I do know this, I have a NEW, full size BFG 285/75R16 All-Terrain mounted on a 5th M/T Alcoa Challenger I have installed in the stock spare tire location... it just barely fits between the frame rails. A 295/75R16 A/T would be out of the question thus, my motivation for going with the 285s. A spare smaller than the other four is useless as T on a B... especially when you are off-road, hundreds of miles from anyone.



..... if you don't have a good spare make sure you invest in a GOOD pair of walking shoes.



BTW, that's one of the little tricks the Washington State Patrol likes to pull... check for an "adequate" spare on trucks with BIG wheels and tires (many municipalities do this as well). I've been pulled over numerous times in the past with lifted 4x4s (I'd previously owned) for a check although, I've never given them the pleasure to offer me a ticket. Motto: always be prepared.



Also, if you have a 285 spare AND a Mag-Hytec differential cover you WILL either need to relocate the spare OR (as I did), fabricate an offset mount so the tire clears the differential cover as the suspension cycles, also staying away from the exhaust system.

 

[pcorssmit]

I run 255/85R16, and still have the stock spare. While I would like to eventually get a full size spare, I'm not overly concerned about still having the stock 245/75R16. Just remember to put it on the front if you have a rear LSD, and don't use 4WD unless you really have too (in which case the different tire size won't do any damage to the truck).



Pete

 

[Diesel Dan]

when i first looked up there it seemed that there was not much extra room for a larger tire than my 265 but to my amazement a 295/75r16 that had about 20% rubber left on it fit with 1/16 of an inch to spare even with bully dog 4 inch exhaust. the tire butts up to the exhaust hanger which keeps the pipe off the tire i am very happy to have a spare that is so close to the size of my 315"s