Wheel size question - gotta get rid of these 33x12,5s!

[ERMiles]

I got my '92 with American Racing 16. 6 x 9. 5 wheels and 33x12. 5 tires. They're real hard riding and real hard to balance. I've tried several combinations of pressure the best seems to be 45lb. in back and 55lb in front unloaded but still have the balance issues and a very bouncy ride. (springs are stock, I think). I'm thinking of going to 16" AR aluminum rims and a 255/75/16 or 255/85/16 tire in a Michelin. Does this make sense? - will it improve the ride?
Also, has anyone heard of the fluid that they use in big truck tires to dynamically balance them? Would that work on 16. 5 or 16" LT tires?
PS. I like the big tire look but this is too much - a female friend commented that the truck looks like a midlife crisis or a testosterone rush! (she WAS impressed, however).

 

[MAX A/C]

I think it's a move in the right direction to get rid of the 33's. I have 235/85/16 Pirelli Scorpion AT's on mine (with the stock wheels). I am very happy with the all around performance of these tires, they make no noise on the road even though they have an aggressive tread for an all-terrain. I have 15K on them now and they don't look worn at all... I'm guessing they're going to be good for 40-50K! The smaller the tire, the easier it will balance and hold that balance for the life of the tire... monster meats are definately over-rated! Can't help on the balancing goop that goes in the tire...

 

[AlK]

smiles,

with reference to the balancing of the tires there is a current thread in the product forum:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19909

---

Al

 

[KEENO]

Midlife Crisis?

Midlife Crisis you say... . Folks have been accusing me of the same recently. Something about coloring my "Flattop" a different hue every other week since I returned from New Zealand 6 months ago. It's been Ultra Platinum Blonde, Ruby Red, Mountain Dew Yellow, Bozo Orange, Gray w/ purple and this week, Jett Black. Kind of a funny visual... Huh, Old School?!?!



Lifes too short to drive a "Gasser" &/or have the same hair color. If you're male, hair is only a temporary status anyhow. May as well have fun w/ it while you have it!



Tires: Oh Yeah! That's the subject... Oops!



Going to the 255/85/16's will give you a 'slimmer' tire but will maintain the 33" height. Most 255/85/16's measure out @ 33. 3" so you will still have a testosterone induced wheel well filling appearance from the side view. The 265/75/16 or 285/75/16 might also give a different appearance but I'm not aware of many 255/75 series tires.



If improved ride was the major concern, my advice would be to install a set of Skyjacker 2 1/2" front springs which would also level the truck perfectly from bow to stern. These were the greatest ride impoving accessory I've added to my truck. These springs, some nice shocks & a "D" rated A/T tire and you should be rolling along in style.



Just Keeno trying to spend your money for you!



PS: I don't worry too much about my "female friend's" opinion about the 35" tires on my truck... . She rolls 36" tires & a 4"lift on her W250 CTD. Don't she? Frank S!

 

[F Simkowski (In Memory)]

KEENO:

Yep I'll bet she rolls that '92 powerhouse right proud!

Speaking of "flattops" I've been sporting a high and tight flat myself for about a month now.

Frank

 

[KEENO]

Frank "S"!



You don't say..... "Flattop" & the 'stash!



That look and the CTD will get you some respect!



Blue Skies!



KEENO

 

[ERMiles]

Big wheels or flat tops???

Thanks, guys - now you've got me thinking that a flat top will solve most of my problems. What length trim & color would you recommend on a 1940 model, 1/10 ton & needs body work?

Back to mechanical vehicles, how about wheels? I definately want Aluminum for salt resistance but Alcoa is way outside of my budget. Are the AR outlaws any good? That seems to be the only option under $100 a copy.

 

[JBell]

Hi guys

My 93 dually had a tendency to wreck my back going over speed bumps. It also had a lot of wheel hop on the road. The effect of all of this was a rough ride that seemed to be caused by out of balance or egg shaped wheels. I put the Roadmaster Active suspension on and it made a big difference. Its amazing how smooth the road is now. the tires don't go out of balance every 4 hundred yards.

JBell

 

[ERMiles]

J;
The Roadmaster Active sounds great - where can I find out more (website?) and what did it cost?

 

[KEENO]

Hey Smiles!



Just had my Flattop "tightened" up yesterday and life is grand! Your 1940's model discription made me chuckle... I'm a 1965 model constantly fighting 'spare tire' storage concerns. Flattops are timeless... . Just pick a color you like & Go For It!



We have American Racing Wheels on both trucks. The former Old School ride has 16 X 8 w/ zero offset and 'tucks' the wheel/tire into the wheel well a bit (see: Frank Simkowski's sig for pictures of the old truck, below his current ride). I have 16 X 10's on my truck and enjoy the wider stance & look. One draw back, the wider wheels & offset have the potential for increased bearing loads. I haven't had any troubles though. Theres a few pictures of my truck if you search for "flares" or "Keeno with Flare(s)" posting on the site. We haven't had any troubles w/ AR wheels and others on the site run them. Many folks also run the Alcoa 'look-a-like' in the Mickey Thompson line. The MT wheels are suppose to have a 3000# plus rating.



You might want to check out the posting in the Products Forum, "I wouldn't purchase American Racing Wheels again" for some more opinions on AR.



Keeno

 

[F Simkowski (In Memory)]

Here's the link...