2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission What would it take to run 38.7 inch tires?

[JHerrlich]

I've been toying with the idea of running tires that are 38. 7 inches in diameter. I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with big tires and how much lift I would need. I would want the minimum required lift necessary.



These are the tires I was looking at:



http://truckus.webmichelin.com/tires/19/specs.html



I'm looking at the 11. 00R16. I know the max speed it 68 MPH, but that doesn't bother me. I cruise at 65 anyway, I'm in no hurry.



I'm probably going to stick with my 315s, but I can dream...

 

[RO'neal]

My personal recommendation would be the Skyjacker 7" lift with 2" spacers on the front coils. Another route would be the SJ 7" lift with a body lift. If it were me (and it very well may be if I can ever wear these 35's out) I would do it gradually. Put the 7" lift on, try the tires and see where you're at. That way you can add the lift necessary. I have the SJ 4. 5" kit and I'm not going to upgrade to the 7". I plan on changing my coils out with the 7" (longer shocks ofcourse) and going from there. I know guys who are clearing 38's with 8" of lift and others who had to go as high as 11". Every truck is different and some tires don't measure anywhere near their advertised height. I had 40" Ground Hawgs on my other Dodge and they only measure 38". That's why I recommend the test fit. Hope this helps...

 

[RO'neal]

Whoops, just read the link you provided and saw that they actualy measure 38. 7". I would still recommend the test fit.

 

[Turbo Horseman]

What would it take? A ladder to get into the truck? Those are some tall tires.

 

[cpeters]

Are those the same size that the earthroamer guy used? When I get home I will look in the tdr mag and check.

 

[JHerrlich]

The ones earthroamer used were 9. 00R16. These are the next size up. I would run the 9 inch ones, but thier max speed is 62 MPH vice 68 MPH for the bigger ones.

 

[B KIRK]

Since they are only 11. 3" wide profile, you could mount them on stock rims. Most tires that tall require a 10" rim because of being wider profile, like 15. 5". Without any extra postive offset, you should be able to use a 4" suspension kit, (with the longer control arms), and a 2" body lift or coil spacer. You would have to adjust steering stops so they would clear control arms. I am able to fit 37", (36. 6") on 8 1/4 " rims, with a 2" coil spacer and 2" body lift. These would only be 2" taller, with 1" being closer to fender. 6" front lift should clear.



Brad

 

[RO'neal]

B KIRK-

It is possible to SQUEEZE tires on a truck but it isn't necessarily functional. It depends on what the truck will be used for. He is wanting a 38" MT tire so he is obviously going to use the truck offroad. When taking a truck offroad you want enough clearance so you do not cut the tires or do damage to the fenders when you are going through ruts or climbing over small trees, etc. not simply going in and out of your driveway. You are running an AT tire which makes a big difference in clearance. There are guys running the same size tires as me with only the 2. 5" leveling kit with no rubbing because they have AT tires. I tried that combo with my MTs and it rubbed like crazy even on a flat surface. Mud terrains will rub more because of the cleats.



I'm not knocking your set up, everyone does their own thing. I just don't want to see him go the minimum, have problems, and end up having to buy a lift after he's already got the tires on the truck and the fenders are cutting in to them. I've seen it happen too many times.



JHerrlich-

Bottom line is if you are just wanting to run a big tire for looks then sure you can get by with a little less lift. But if you intend to use the truck offroad do yourself a favor and get the clearance you need. Suspension is no different than any other mods to our rigs, it doesn't pay to cut corners.



You can click here to see mine with 4. 5" lift and 35 BFG MTs...

 

[B KIRK]

I would want the minimum required lift necessary.

This is the original question that was asked.



The width of a tire plays into clearance problems, as much as height. Any tire that has the exact same measurements, have the same clearances, weather a slick, or a lugger. The BFG MT is about 1/2" taller than a BFG AT, nothing to do with the lugs. I had the 35" BFG for about 6 months. I came across the 37" GS-A at a new car show in 1995. They were on a military Hummer, (wonder if they go off road?). That was the biggest radial for a 16. 5 I could find at that time. Other, and bigger out there now. The GS-A tread on the 37" has lugs inside and center area, less aggressive on outer for better treadwear and less cupping. My truck does its share of off road as I tow a 25K tri-axle with a backhoe and landscape equipment. Have to go into construction areas with no roads while towing. Never got stuck, (yet), and have barley rubbed plastic liner. I will go higher when I get bigger tires, but this works fine for all I do now.



BTW, I have done over 35 lifts. About half I had to make my own kit. Here are 35" BFG on a little Dodge D50 I owned, and they didn't rub.



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Brad

 

[JHerrlich]

I do fully intend to take this setup off-road. I agree with B KIRK, as I figured that with less width on the tire, I wouldn't have nearly the problems that someone with wide tires would have. Usually you see people running 38's and have huge lifts because the tires are so wide. I'm looking for completly functional but nothing really tall and gaudy. I'm running 315s right now on stock rims with no lift and only rub the control arms. That's only because of their shape, if they were round, I would hardly touch them.



If I could get away with a 4 1/2 or 5 inch lift (or less), I'd be happy. I'd almost be willing to do some fender work if necessary. It's not my first choice though. I'm also planning on running these tires on 16x8 rims as to not compromise offset and bearing reliability.

 

[dlange]

I could probably run 37's on my ram with the Skyjacker 4. 5. Any larger and you will need additional lift.

 

[RO'neal]

Originally posted by B KIRK



Any tire that has the exact same measurements, have the same clearances, weather a slick, or a lugger.

Wrong, look at the lugs. They stick out farther than the tread on the AT's and grab the fender.

Originally posted by B KIRK



BTW, I have done over 35 lifts. About half I had to make my own kit. Here are 35" BFG on a little Dodge D50 I owned, and they didn't rub.

Congratulations, I've done my share as well and that is how I know that every truck will be different. For example, the 4. 5" Skyjacker kit actually raised my truck about 6" but it doesn't do that on EVERY truck. I put 40" Ground Hawgs on my 78 Dodge with only 3" of lift and some trimming of the fenders. It works but still rubs in bad situations. I notice that you have 10 inches of lift on your 78 to run the same size tires... . And as for fender trimming the new Dodges, there is only a couple of inches to work with so that isn't much of an option.



Back to the original subject go with what makes you feel comfortable. I've seen a lot of people try to go with "the minimum" amount of lift and end up doing it twice so I was just offering up some advice... . if you can fit 38's with the same lift as mine AND not rub AND be functional offroad I would like to see it.