Nitto Terragrapler Tires

[GBaines]

I just returned fro Baja and used Nitto 305/70R 16 E rated tires. They performed very well, no problems, good traction, not too aggressive for sand, seem to be wearing well. Sidewalls are quite resistant so for to rocks and such. This tire fits into standard spare tire mounting place. Mounted on stock Dodge wheels with 6 inches plus backspacing. Work well when aired down for wash board and way down for loose sand (20 lbs)

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Interesting, GBaines. I have the 295's on mine with the factory aluminum rims and that spare won't fit under the truck even with a bucket of butter and a stick o' dynamite!



Are my 295's that much taller than the 305's? I know, I should look it up. I am just being lazy. I will tell you though, the 295 took a little too much gear out of the truck for towing. Egt's get a bit warm when I try to pull the TT in sixth gear. Used to pull in 6th all the time with the stock Michelins. So far I really like the Terragrapplers. The only place that I have been stuck was at Nowel's Memorial when someone was flagging us out into a pumpkin field when it was raining. There were several makes of tires that would not move in that snot.

 

[nickleinonen]

295's are a bit taller than 305's but not by much, like 5/8" taller

 

[krs]

Diesel Gunner,



If your tires are 75 series they'll be taller than 70s. In 295/75r16

the '295' is tread width, the '75' is a measure of height, the rest you know.



It's entirely possible for a 70 tire to have a larger first number than a 75 (or 85) tire while still being shorter in overall diameter - in fact, I think it's always that way.

 

[Midnite]

Originally posted by KRS

Diesel Gunner,



If your tires are 75 series they'll be taller than 70s. In 295/75r16

the '295' is tread width, the '75' is a measure of height, the rest you know.



It's entirely possible for a 70 tire to have a larger first number than a 75 (or 85) tire while still being shorter in overall diameter - in fact, I think it's always that way.

Not necessarily. The 70 or 75 is a percentage of the width (295mm or 305mm in this case).



So, in this case:



75% of 295 = 221. 25

70% of 305 = 213. 50



Theoretically the 295/75R16 is 7. 25mm taller than the 305/70R16.



The 255/85R16 should be 216. 75mm tall, which is less than the 295/75 above, even though it's a "85" profile tire.



Mike

 

[Fishin Guide]

Theoretically the 295/75R16 is 7. 25mm taller than the 305/70R16.

Actually, it's twice that. You have two sections of sidewall. This is assuming that we are comparing same height wheels.



And using you numbers (should have been 7. 75MM) that would equal 7. 75 x 2 / 25. 4 = . 610"



Formula for tire height is Width x Aspect ratio X 2 / 25. 4 + Wheel height.



So, 295/75-16 is 33. 42"



305/70-16 is 32. 81"



The problem with fitting a 295/75-16 may be just the brand. There is a great deal of height differences between brands and even between different lines from the same manufacture.



Sorry for the useless babbling. Hope it helps.



Dave

 

[Midnite]

Originally posted by Fishin Guide

Actually, it's twice that. You have two sections of sidewall. This is assuming that we are comparing same height wheels.

DOH! Good catch...



Mike

 

[GBaines]

There is very little clearance between the tire and the frame rails, less than 1/2 inch when the tire is against the other rail. Without deflating the tire this is about as large as will fit. I like the 305s because of their width and the Nittos because of the load carrying capacity of this E range tire. I believe these are actually made by Toyo and they make a similar tire, but I got a better price on the Nittos.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Ok, all good info and I appreciate all of it.



My next question to GBaines is, Do your 305's rub at full lock? My 295's will, ever so slightly. I had seen a few other trucks with 305's on the stock aluminum rims that had pretty bad cases of rubbing and wanted to avoid it.



I was also aware that the 305 was E rated and finally convinced myself that the load rating, 3400 something, on the 295 was sufficient. As I stated earlier, the only thing that I am slightly disapponted with is that I miscalculated the effect that the taller 295 would make towing my TT. I am also sure that injectors, a box, and a clutch would solve this problem. However, the next mod I make is going to be the T Rex suspension and I have to save a bit for that. Then, it will be injectors, a box, and a clutch!



Anyway, if the 305 doesn't rub anymore than my 295's, I will try them next.

 

[krs]

Diesel Gunner,



I wouldn't admit to being an engineer if I were one and only posted to try to help with your questioning why your seemingly smaller tires won't fit where Gbaines' seemingly larger ones do.

 

[GBaines]

the 305/70s just barely touch the plastic wheel well liner at hard right turn lock. They do not touch on left turns and I have to be at full lock to the right to touch. Since I would only do this at slow speed, I see no problem with my truck (which has the T-Rex suspension system). This is probably normal because the axil is not exactly centered in the Dodges.

 

[M Evan]

Originally posted by GBaines

I just returned fro Baja and used Nitto 305/70R 16 E rated tires. They performed very well, no problems, good traction, not too aggressive for sand, seem to be wearing well. Sidewalls are quite resistant so for to rocks and such. This tire fits into standard spare tire mounting place. Mounted on stock Dodge wheels with 6 inches plus backspacing. Work well when aired down for wash board and way down for loose sand (20 lbs)

I have nitto grappler 305/70- 16 E like you, only I use them on extreme alloy 10x8 wheels. They work perfect, and spare fit in place of OEM without any clearance left , but is in.

Where you been in Baja ? I spend second half of Dec 03 around San Felipe. I love this place.

M

 

[GBaines]

We spend about 5 weeks arround Christmas and New Years and usually 2 months in Baja in the Summer. This winter we were N of BOLA on roads out to the coast and then went to B. San Fransisquito, Next out to B. San Basilio for a week, then to LaPaz for a visit with our family friends, then out to Tambabiche and finally about a week a Ligui. Since I have been traveling with 4X4s in Baja since befor the road was paved I have been to nearly all places with real roads and many without. I first went to San Felipe in 1959, it sure has changed, but still a nice place when the wind is not blowing. If you are interested in going on off pavement adventures e-mail me.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

KRS



No fowl, no harm. I took everything that was posted as good info. It appears to me now that I will buy 305's next time. I am also planning on the T Rex system in the near future and the 2. 5" leveling that it comes with should go a long way to avoid rubbing. God knows, I'm no engineer.



GBaines



When I get closer to T Rex time I would like to bend your ear a bit about it, if you would not mind.

 

[GBaines]

I am so enthusiastic about this product I would be happy to chat about it anytime you or others are interested. I assume you have seen the very long thread in the accessories forum. Also you are in my end of the state if you want to see how it looks and works contact me, we can get together. Also contact Kent at T-Rex he goes to shows and demos, some may be near you! I met him at the Tulare show.

 

[SpoonPig007]

I too love the TerraGrapplers, but am beginning to become disappointed in treadlife. I have exactly 20k on mine, and don't see getting another 5k out of them. I do not drive aggressively, and am constantly monitoring pressure.

 

[M Evan]

Originally posted by piglet007

I too love the TerraGrapplers, but am beginning to become disappointed in treadlife. I have exactly 20k on mine, and don't see getting another 5k out of them. I do not drive aggressively, and am constantly monitoring pressure.

I em thinking same about treadlife, don't look to me that they can hold 25K. But they spend 80% of the 15K what I put on them to towing something, I give then some credit for it. What is the pressure you guys use for them? I use 45 on front 55 on rear. But I think, they are only one in this size who have E rating

M

 

[SpoonPig007]

I am running higher pressures, but I don't have the 305's. I am running 265 E's because I wasn't sure about rubbing.



If anybody out there can guarantee no rubbing, I am thinking of changing to the new BFG AT size: 285 or 295. Everything I have been readin about Load Range seems to make the importance of the "E" designation less critical when only towing about 700 lb tongue weight with 500 lbs in the bed.



I have never had a complaint with any of my BFG AT's on 1500's.