Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) need QUICK advice on tires...

[zman]

Hey guys,



I'm getting ready to order some tires today and need some advice. I've settled on Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo's since they are so highly rated and have a 50,000 mile wearout warranty. They are having a big one day sale this Sunday (buy 3 get one free, plus $5 road hazard warranty).



I can't decide whether to go with the stock 265 size or get the slightly bigger 285's. The 285's are D rated for 3305 pounds and the 265's are E rated for 3415 pounds - not much of a weight difference.



My big concern is more noticible lag with the 285's. Given my setup (see sig), do you think I will see much more lag with the bigger tires than I already do? The tight DTT converter and the 3. 55 rearend is a hell of a load to overcome and I don't want to make the lag much worse.



Also, does anyone know for sure what the PCM ranges are for tire size and revolutions per mile? I saw a post somewhere that 285 was now an option, but I can't find anyone to confirm that. I really don't want to spend another $150 to get the speedo to read right...



Thanks for your help!!



Steve

 

[MJawsman]

I went with the 285's on my truck, and I noticed little difference in lag. I would definitely do it again.

 

[fj40charles]

Steve,



Is the sale local or is it a Bridgestone promotion? I need some tires too.



I'm running 285's and it is okay. I guess you don't notice the lag with some upgrades... .



Charles

 

[duaneparks]

Heck, I run BFG AT 295/75/16's and didn't notice much "power loss" at all.



I did notice a small decrease in fuel economy though... these BFG's must have a higher rolling resistance than did the Michelin MTX's.



Hope this helps.



Duane

 

[Cummins4Life]

Went to 285's from 265's and didnt notice anymore lag. Stock truck.

 

[zman]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I guess I'll order the 285's.



fj40charles - I assumed that the sale was a national Bridgestone promotion. The sales guy told me about it last week when I was in nosing around for tires. The deal had to be rung up on the sale date (Oct. 13), but tires could be installed later if they needed to be ordered. Today was the cut-off date to get ordered tires in the shop by Sunday.



I'm getting ready to call about ordering my tires, so I'll check on whether the sale is national or regional or local.



Steve

 

[zman]

fj40charles - looks like the different dealers are having different specials on the 13th, but the promotions may be limited to my region (Indianapolis) - the sales guy wasn't sure. I'd call around to see if a dealer in your area is planning anything.



Steve

 

[fj40charles]

Zman,



Thanks for the info. . I called a firestone dealer and they were not aware of the promotion. Must be a local thing. I've heard good things about the Bridgestone Dueller revo tires...



Charles

 

[athompson]

Go with the biggest that will fit

I went with Goodyear MT/R 315/75R16s and notice very little loss of power and an increase of about 4% in MPG. These tires are definitely more aggressive that what you're looking at. You shouldn't even notice the difference with the 285s.

 

[Turbo Trucker]

IMO the 285s look funny on the stock rims.

 

[PROSTAR190]

Athompson, did you have to put a lift to accomodate the 315's? I have had 285's for somtime but am thinkingof going to 315's.

 

[777 MECHANIC]

Your speedo will be about 8% off. Running 295's, mine was allmost 10% off until I installed the Abbott correction box

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Re: Go with the biggest that will fit

Originally posted by athompson

I went with Goodyear MT/R 315/75R16s and notice very little loss of power and an increase of about 4% in MPG. These tires are definitely more aggressive that what you're looking at. You shouldn't even notice the difference with the 285s.

Did you fit them on a not lifted truck? I was looking at the MT/r's too. How do you like them?

 

[777 MECHANIC]

I know a couple of guys that run the 315's with no lift and they say it only rubs on the control arms when wheel is in a full turn or hitting a big bump while turning.

I could see a little of the meat takin off the outer edge of the tire where it was hitting the fender during a turn over a bump.

 

[athompson]

I have no lift. The 315s rub the lower control arm just before full lock. With the MT/Rs aggressive tread, it makes quite the racket when they rub. I have also had the tires rub on the inside of the wheel well, but only while off-road. If I were doing any rock crawling with the Ram, I would have to lift the front and move the wheels out a bit to stop the rubbing. I may still move the wheels out a bit.



As for how I like the MT/Rs. I had MT/Rs on my last truck. I will have MT/Rs on my next truck. They ride very well on the pavement (about 85% of my driving). They handle much better on wet pavement than the stock Michelins. I have read here that some of the other members have had problems getting them balanced, but both sets that I have had have ridden smoother than the tires they replaced. The MT/Rs love the mud and have done very well in the snow I have driven in.



In short, I love the MT/Rs so much I replaced the Michelins that had less than 4500 miles on them. It would have been before they hit 100 miles, but I had to payoff my Goodyear card first.