Off Roading Wanting to upgrade to 46 or 52" tires

[GBrock]

I presently have Michelin Military XL tires; 39" tires on a 16" wheel. I want to go with the same tires but in a 46 or 52 inch size on a 20" wheel.



Any comments here?



Some say that size tire is too much weight for my '01 Dually 3500 axles.

 

[FordCummins]

53's would be too much, but 46s have been done on 1 ton axles plenty of times. In fact, I even have a set of 46" Michelin XLs in great shape that I'd sell if you are interested. PM for more info.

 

[DieselNasty]

GBrock, this thing sounds huge! Were are the pics?

 

[Nate]

With the power the Cummins puts out I would think about Rockwell axles with tires that big. . I don't think the 1 ton axles will hold up.

 

[FordCummins]

Petersons 4wheel and Offroad ran 46" Michelins on one of their Project trucks. It was an 02 F350 (maybe 250, but the axles are the same) D60 front, 10. 25" rear with several performance mods done to the PSD as well. The axles handled it well considering the power, tire size and type of 4wheeling being done. I wouldnt hesitate to run 46s on it, and if the axles do start breaking parts, then downgrade to a smaller tire, like 41s, or 43s, or upgrade to Rockwells.

 

[Bob4x4]

I presently have Michelin Military XL tires; 39" tires on a 16" wheel. I want to go with the same tires but in a 46 or 52 inch size on a 20" wheel.



Any comments here?



Some say that size tire is too much weight for my '01 Dually 3500 axles.

I have over 1000lbft of torque on my manual trans truck and have done a bit of damage to frame,brackets and mounts with 35's no way would I go that big on tires with out being prepared to do a lot of repair work after any playing.



Bob

 

[DieselNasty]

The front wheel bearings/ hub are not going to hold up. If you do the dynatrac hub conversion you could get away with it. I just bought the stage I kit, but they have not arrived yet.

 

[CyberRanger]

Unless I'm mistaken, Michelin military XLs are only rated for a top speed of 55 or 60 mph. Most military vehicles are governed to 55 mph or used to be.

 

[Simplysmn]

Unless I'm mistaken, Michelin military XLs are only rated for a top speed of 55 or 60 mph. Most military vehicles are governed to 55 mph or used to be.

use to be is the word except for the gearing in the cutvee chevy 6. 2 with 456 gears n 235/16 tires thats the max u wanna run that truck is 55 I've never seen a govner on any of the late style trucks or 151 jeeps .

 

[FordCummins]

The speed rating is in place for the tires when loaded to max. capacity. Without much weight on the tires, virtually no heat is generated and the tire can be run at a higher speed with much less risk for a blowout. However, at these much higher speeds, tire wear increases exponentially, regardless of weight. I dont know the exact formula, but have talked with Michelin engineers, who have told me that the tire wear/weight/speed ratios are fairly complex. But with Michelin surplus prices being what they are, you could run at a higher speed, and wear out a good number of tires, while still not spending too much money.



I ran 41" Michelin XZLs on a 94 F350 for almost 2 years, putting 20k on these tires, most of which was highway driving at 65 mph. The tires wore VERY well, and rode excellent compared to the garbage Swamper TSLs I had before.

 

[GO 4LO]

Where did you get the 41" XZL's at? All I've found in that size range has been the XL pattern...



Chris

 

[FordCummins]

New through Michelin. I know a guy who can get them at manufacturers cost to me, so that really helps on the price. If I didnt have that deal, Id be running surplus XLs.

 

[DWitcher]

GBrock, this thing sounds huge! Were are the pics?

Yeah, lets see some pic's.

 

[ESchoon]

Petersons 4wheel and Offroad ran 46" Michelins on one of their Project trucks. It was an 02 F350 (maybe 250, but the axles are the same) D60 front, 10. 25" rear with several performance mods done to the PSD as well. The axles handled it well considering the power, tire size and type of 4wheeling being done. I wouldnt hesitate to run 46s on it, and if the axles do start breaking parts, then downgrade to a smaller tire, like 41s, or 43s, or upgrade to Rockwells.

I thought they kept breaking stub shafts on the front 60?

 

[BigPapa]

A buddy of mine was running 52's on a '96 2500 show truck he built. I think he put @80K miles on it with them. Like I said, it was a show truck, I don't know that he had it off-road much, but he was running a 10" lift kit and a 3" body lift. He's dropping back to 45's, I think, removing the 10" lift, and going with a 7" lift to turn it into a daily driver.



Scott

 

[MarkMiller]

I presently have Michelin Military XL tires; 39" tires on a 16" wheel. I want to go with the same tires but in a 46 or 52 inch size on a 20" wheel.



Any comments here?



Some say that size tire is too much weight for my '01 Dually 3500 axles.

The stock axles will handle those tires, for awhile if you don't abuse it off or on road. If you are just driving it around town and through sand or snow you will probably be fine for awhile. They will wear out the bearings more quickly. Period, thats what big tires do. To really make it stable and sound for the long run go with rockwell 2. 5's. they can be had rebuilt for a very reasonable price from boyce equipment and will take any abuse you can dish out. If you need even more beef look up overson engineering on the web. they make the 2. 5 ton even tougher.



By the time you break the 40 inch mark in rubber its all over but the fun. Just watch that first step getting out of the cab :--)

 

[Spunkys Ram]

I would also be VERY concerned about upgrading your brake/rotor assembly!!!