Tire Size Dilemma, Help me decide.

[CRSmith]

I've been going back and fourth for the past few days among the nitto 315/75, nitto 305/70, and nitto 295/75. I'll be putting them on stock aluminum 8" rims with the 2" steel spacers in the front and 2" AAL in the back. The 315 is about a 35 12. 50, the 305 about 33 12. 50, and the 295 a 34 11. 50. Well, guys & gals, help me choose! Pictures are always nice. I'd appreciate if anyone could direct me to a member's gallery w/ these mods.



Here's the problem. The 295 would probably fit the 8" rim the best, without wearing out the center of the tread. The 305 and 315 are wide, which would look good. I'm thinking the 315 might look a little "stuffed" though. Right now I'm leaning toward the 295. It's load cap. is only about 115 lb less than the E rated 305. I just don't know and I'm driving my wife crazy w/ all this tire talk. She, of course, is supportive but really doesn't give a rat's butt when it comes to an inch of tire size difference.

 

[Diesel Dan]

reduaram,

There are a lot of factors involved in making suggestions for your delima. we need more data to help.



1 location of where you live ie... southwest = sandy softer soil would require wider tire for more floatation. Snowbelt = muddier/ snowier conditions require narrower tire for better dig-in ability for better bite. etc



2 useage of the truck. what are you going to do with it? Towing ?

How big of trailer and what percent of time towing?



3. axle ratio. if you have 3. 55's i don't recomend 315's ( i had 3. 55's and ran 295's and it was great. Went to 315's and it was more sluggish. I changed to 4. 10 and everything was great again)



any of the three sizes will work on the 8 inch rims. Answer these questions and you will probably be able to solve your delima.



Best regards



DD

 

[cmckinney]

How much more sluggish are we talking about with 35's? I would think that with all of the torque these engines put out we shouldn't see a significant difference.



I too was thinking about 35's for my truck.



-CM

 

[Diesel Dan]

cmckinney,

I love the looks of the 35's. enough that i spent $1400 on changing the ring and pinions. My experience was with a stock motor. with your mods it might work. also how much do you tow?



i gained apx 10 % rpm increase when i tent to the 4. 10 's if you have stock 265's expect to loose at least 10% of rpm's w/ 35's



2100 rpm drop to 1900 is enough to make a change in the responsivenes of the 24v motor.



tough call



DD

 

[CRSmith]

The only 4wheeling I do is on the beach. Flotation is pretty decent now w/ the stock 265's, so any of the choices would be a bonus improvement. I've got 4. 10 gears. Flotation and sluggishness don't really factor in then.



As much as I hate to admit it, the main factor here is looks.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Then my choices are as follows.



1, 35's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



2, 305's



3, 295's not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



DD

 

[dshawhan]

I have the 305's and love them. They are as big as I could go for I have no lift but I didn't notice any loss of power on the stock truck and now that it is bombed all I do is slip them and the factory clutch. The 305's seem to hold up great when towing they don't bag out bad or anything and I have pulled a 25k trailer with them. they look awesome too. They stick out enough to throw some serious mud and rocks at my paint though. the only downside is all the chips in my paint but I wouldn't change a thing and won't the next time I need tires. Hope this helps.

 

[Cooker]

With the 5 Speed I would be overly concerned about the truck being sluggish. JMHO

 

[CRSmith]

I decided on the 315's. Thanks to DieselFreak and Mactruck. DF has the 315's and MT has the 295's in their reader's rigs galleries. The 315's don't bulge too bad and the 295's don't really fill the wheel well enough (no offense MT, just my taste). Thanks for the replies.