Tire Sizes

[DKasper]

Hi Guys,

OK, it's just about time to replace tires on the w350. It's got the 3. 54 LS rear end with an automatic -- a SunCoast unit that the manufacturer says is good to at least 300 hp. Right now it's making 18 lbs of boost, which I hope will go up a couple of pounds when I put the new turbo housing on(as soon as my dislocated shoulder heals up) Don't ask -- it had something to do with a horse! Tax return looks like it might pay for a set of PODs!! Wahoo!!



I'd like to go to a 235/85, which is 1. 5" larger than the stock 215/85. My hesitation is that when I called Suncoast to check with them about how the transmission would like a larger tire size, they would only say "we only recommend stock tire size, you won't be happy with larger tires".



I tow 6k 80 miles or so about once a week in the summer, about half that in the winter



What do you guys think?? Would the larger tires degrade performance that much or be too hard on the driveline?



Dave

 

[tugboatphil]

Dave,



I've been running 235 85 16 for 2 years. Don't tow much, but haul rock and small logs fairly regularly. I just replaced the steers today after 25,000. I had a little more wear left, but don't take chances with my tires.



There is still a one inch gap between the drives. I run almost full pressure and even loaded down I've never noticed any rubbing.



As far as I know, the guy before me ran the same, as that's what was on when I bought her.



On this note, does anyone run onboard wheel balancers?

 

[dpuckett]

Go for the 235s- wont hurt a thing. I have run 235s on my pickups the whole time, with no ill effects. I think they seem to run a little longer than 215s- Mom cant get 40K out of a set; I hardly get less than 50K.



I dont know why everyone gets so up in the air over tire sizes- the 215s are an inch chorter than the 235s, thus not worth all the fuss, IMO. Swapping gears has a LOT bigger effect than tire size, unless you go from a 215 to a 305 with the same aspect ratio.



Daniel

 

[1stgen4evr]

2.35s

Do it. I have the whole time since the first set. On my Sunday driver 93, the front springs are a bit low from toting a camper (first owner) and sometimes the left front will touch the piece added to the inner fender that holds the running board. NOTHING else to consider.



1stgne4evr

James

 

[AlK]

235/85/16 is what my 92 4x4 truck came with from the factory.

 

[JVanvuren]

Dave,



Go ahead and run the 235's... that's what came stock on the 2wd dually's, with no changes in transmission or axle gearing to compensate. They look a lot better that way, in my opinion. I was really close to putting 235's on that truck anyways



When are ya gonna post some pics in the reader's rigs gallery?



John

 

[phillips5]

My brother and I bought a pair of 89's in december of 88 they came with 235's. His auto 307 gear. Mine 5 speed 354 gear.

 

[EZGZ]

I have been running 265/75 Micheline on stock steel wheels for years.



It really helped the ride in my 4X4

I vary the pressure for the work being done.

 

[tugboatphil]

EZGZ,



Is that for a W350? Do you run spacers between the duals?

 

[dpuckett]

265s on a dually would make the tires rub, at least without wider wheels, bigger offset. 265/ 75s are the same height as 235/ 85s, at least on paper. Shouldnt be too different in relaity, either.



Daniel

 

[1stgen4evr]

Tires rubbing together

I know a guy who runs tires that rub all the time. Inside of the duals have black ring where they touch. Never has been a problem according to him.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[jlast]

i run 255/85r16 bfg muds, two 1/4" spacers between duals.



can change to a different rim to run anything bigger.

 

[MMiller]

I went from stock to 33x12. 5x16. 5. The only time I had problems was when towing 25,000 lbs. But the truck was stock settings. Grabbed the fuel screw removed the stop and screwed it in a couple of turns. Smoke came out the pipes and problem solved. I ran the truck that way for probably 4 years without a pyro or boost gauge. When those were installed it showed I was running 27 lbs of boost and 1150 or so on the pyro. Not much testing was done after the gauges were installed. Then I put in some Bosch 185's( before they got expensive ) and I can pull overdrive 25,000 down the interstate in Iowa. Not mountains, but not Nebraska either!



On another note, I just installed some 305 something BFGs. Hauled yesterday and had problems. Can't decide if the tires were a whole bunch differnet, or of the 30 mph head wind had anything to do with it



You're talking about 12,000 total wieght(truck and load) I don't see why it would be a big problem.



I have this motto. Ain't nothin a little more fuel can't solve!!



Michael

 

[LV-CTD]

Has anyone changed from 235's to 285's on a W250? What did it do you your mpg's and the way the truck rides? I need to get new tires soon and am thinking about going up instead of staying stock. I had a BigO AT come apart last week and need to get a whole new set. Not going back to BigO, mabey WallyWorld for the Liberators. Thanks

Tom

 

[DKasper]

Thanks everybody, for sharing your experiences. You've helped make up my mind to go ahead with the 235's!



I know several guys in the local 4 wheeling club with the BFG ATs and they seem to have pretty good luck with them -- I think I'll try a set. Still have about 6-8k to wear off these, but that won't take long!



John, I'll post some pics after I get my running board project done. There's a Dee Zee outlet here in town where you can get seconds from the factory for half of the new price. So, seeing as how it's about impossible to find any running boards still made for our rigs, I'm trying to find a set of diamond plate boards that are about the right length and fab some brackets for 'em.



Then I've got the gauge project -- transmission and air temp to add to this rig. The only problem with having 2 of these trucks is as soon as you figure out something cool to do to one of them, then you have to do it to the other one!



Thanks again guys!!



Dave