Tall narrow tires: help...

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I'm looking for some advice/information on tall narrow tires that would be suitable for the 2500 4x4 Diesel. I just wore out a set of 255/85 Mud Rovers (45,000 mi) and want something about the same width but taller. I want them to be load range D or E (8-10 ply?), and mount to a wheel with a safety bead, i. e. 16" or 17". I had finally decided to go with Gumbo Mudder 9. 00-16 (35. 6" O. D. , 8. 6" tread width) even though it is an obsolete size, but Gateway only makes them when they get orders for 128 tire at a time. I only need 4. I also found a 'tactical vehicle' tire, the Michelin XL 9. 00-16 that is often seen on Unimogs, but I don't know how suitable they are for everyday driving or where I would find them. Anyone know of other tall narrow tires suitable for use on the big Ram?

Craig

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1998. 5 BE7L33 4x4, NV4500HD, 3. 54s, 255/85-16 Mud Rovers, Cummins uprate kit, VDO gauges

 

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I know that Buckshot Mudders come in those narrow sizes. Just check out a National Tire & Wheel advertisement in "FOUR WHEELER" magazine.

You could try a 9. 00x16 SWAMPER, but I doubt they would last very long, considering the front-end weight of our trucks.

 

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Here is the link for National Tire & Wheel
http://www.natltire.com/pages/mudders.html

They probably have the biggest tall & Narrow selection around. The Buckshot & Denman Coyote line are priced VERY good.

I run the Denman Coyote LT305/85R16`s. About 36" tall and 9" wide. They are only a 6 ply tire and a load range C. I would`nt tow with them.

You don`t want a bias tire. Go Radial.



[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 12-12-2000). ]

 

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I run the Michelin 235/85/16 XPS Traction. Load range E and the only tire I have found to have a steel belted sidewall. I have less flats and longer tread life than with other brands. For the on-road driver they offer a XPS RIB that should be quieter and last longer.

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01 Excab 4x4 Driftwood, agate interior, Potect grilleguard, DeeZee FX black, Weatherguard crossbox, Montezuma tool box, Honda air compressor, fold down g/n hitch.

Geno's pillar mount combo guage, deactivated wastegate, custom exhaust, 5"
chrom tip, PE EZ, Hot PE box, DDIIs, Dunrite TC, Transgo shift kit, and K&N air filter.

Performance Diesel Dealer

 

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Save yourself some money and maybe your life, Buckshots will not handle heavy trucks or high speeds. It is not IF they will come apart it is when. If you want tall and skinny and dont exspect more than 15 or 20k miles of life then try Q78 Super Swamper or a 9. 00x16 power king, I have had both and they pull super off road.

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99 2500 QC SB 4x4 driftwood, 5sp. 3. 55 lsd, 9000lbs Warn winch, 33x12. 5x16. 5 BFG mud terrains, no muffler and 0880 K\N, Autometer gauges, Poweredge

 

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Busyman,

If the Power Kings are 9. 00-16, then they are probably 8-ply, better than the Q78's six ply for our heavy trucks, yes? I searched on the 'net for Power Kings and couldn't find them. Who makes them (not Cooper? I checked. ) Who sells them?

We just had 14" of snow in one day and I regret that I had to take off my taller worn-out 255s and put the stock goodyears back on. I barely made it back up my driveway last night, diff dragging and axle tubes plowing the whole way...

Thanks,
Craig

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1998. 5 BE7L33 4x4, NV4500HD, 3. 54s, 255/85-16 Mud Rovers, Cummins uprate kit, VDO gauges

 

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I found out that Power King Super Tractions do indeed come in a 9. 00-16, 35. 5"x10. 50"-16, marketed by Multi-Mile, made by TBC corp. They are bias-ply and require a tube. I do a lot of 70mph highway commuting; I don't know how well these would handle given that. I'm going to see if the Gumbo Mudders require a tube. The Michelin XL 9. 00-16 is radial and tubeless, but they rate its max speed at 62mph. Looks like there's no optimal tall skinny tire for a modern Diesel.

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1998. 5 BE7L33 4x4, NV4500HD, 3. 54s, 255/85-16 Mud Rovers, Cummins uprate kit, VDO gauges

 

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Power kings that were made in about the last six months or so are tubeless, I was told the company retooled them. I have run the tube type without tubes and never lost any air pressure or had any problems. The set I have now say tubeless on the sidewall and I run six of them on a dually.

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99 2500 QC SB 4x4 driftwood, 5sp. 3. 55 lsd, 9000lbs Warn winch, 33x12. 5x16. 5 BFG mud terrains, no muffler and 0880 K\N, Autometer gauges, Poweredge

 

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The Cooper Discoverer LT 255-85-16 is the tallest of that size that I have found. Loaded radius runs around 15. 3"; they are D rated for 3000 lb. I don't know if this is much help to you. Getting something taller than that, and rated for loads and speeds, may require larger rims like 19. 5". Let us know if you find anything for 16".

 

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My Dunlop Mud Rovers have a 15. 7" loaded radius, 33. 6" O. D. I liked them very much; quiet, versatile, lasted 50k miles. Had them siped at Discount Tire when they were new. Busyman, any comments on the Power Kings? The tread looks like the old snow tires my dad used to put on his Volare. Are they reasonable for all-season, all-year use? How long do they last? I know beggars cant be choosers, but...
I called Michelin about the XMLs and XLs. I threw the woman for a loop when I said I'm not interested in the stock tire size: "XMLs? Are you sure you have that right? Wait, yes, those don't normally go on Dodges... " Anyway, I'm going to keep digging on the Michelins. I think the XML comes in a 36. 5" narrow version on 16" wheel. Might not be sold in US.

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1998. 5 BE7L33 4x4, NV4500HD, 3. 54s, 255/85-16 Mud Rovers, Cummins uprate kit, VDO gauges

 

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I did some more digging on Michelins. There is an XZL on/off road design in 8. 25R16, 255/100-16, and 11. 00R16. The first is maybe 0. 5-1" taller than a 255/85. The second is 36" tall. The third is 38. 7" tall. All are radial-ply. I found them on the U. K. Michelin page. There are some good pictures of it (the 255/100-16?) on the Safari-Gard homepage, on a yellow D90. The Ford F550 Turtle Expedition truck uses a 335/80-20 version of this tire. I think the 255/100-16 could be mounted to a M/T 16x8 alloy and clear with just 2-3" lift.

[This message has been edited by Craig DeYoung (edited 12-15-2000). ]

 

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I think you can get Super Swampers in 36X12. 5 16's. I don't know if they would work in your application. I like the tall narrow look myself, I may look into those Michilens that were mentioned. Can they be bought here in the states?

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'01. 5 2500 4X4 QC LB ETH/DEE SLT 3. 54, Patriot Blue