New tires

[Albee]

I am looking at getting some larger tires for my 2500HD. I am needing to keep my stock rims, (like them anyway) and am wondering if anyone knows if a LT255-85-16 will fit in the wheel wells without rubbing during sharp turns. I looked at the 285-75-16 and the width looks to be a little wide for such a narrow rim. The 255-85's are just a touch taller than the 285-75's but about an inch narrower. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

[hunter98]

Have the Kelly Safari AWR 255x85R16 and love them. They work fine, no trimming required, fit the rim well. The left front does rub occasionally on the rear wheel well liner, where it is pressed forward by the Emergency Brake Cable, but I haven't had to zip tie it back yet as others have done successfully.

Go for them, you will love the size.

Hunter

[Bill McGouirk]

Albee,
I have a 2001 D-Max 4x4 and I have BFG 265-75-85 on the stock rims. They lood gerat! Hoverever they do rub just a little when backing up with the wheel turned to max. But no big deal just had to turn the T bars 4 turns to get some extra room. I would go for it.
Good luck Bill

[taarciag]

Albie,
285/75/16 on mine w/no rubbing issues, 4k miles and no abnormal wear, you can check out the pics on my sig.

[ThePend]

If you want to see what the 255's look like on stock rims, find a post by SoCalDMAX and look at the pictures in his profile. They look nice but a bit too narrow for me.

Im trying the Mickey Thompson Classic II 16x8 with Yokohama Geolander A/T LT285/75/16's. Should fill the void pretty well. The M/T's have a 4 9/16" backspace so from Ive read on this site I shouldnt have a fit problem.

[torque]

I've had 255's on mine for 5500 miles and the only complaint so far is that my dealer refuses to reprogram my computer for these tires (the usual crap about not changing tire size).
My 4x4 sure looks a lot more serious after I took the original dime size tires off, too.

[MaxRock]

Albee,

First, let me welcome you to the site. You will find this place contains a wealth of information!

I have a set of Dunlop Radial Rover AT 255-85x16. I really like the tires, fit the stock rims very well and help fill the massive void in the wheel wells...sort of (my opinion the truck would look better with taller/wider tires). I have not had any rubbing issues and have not turned up the torsion bars...YET! I have 15k miles on the tires and are holding up pretty good. I do notice some unusual wear on the inside of both front tires. I guess it's about time for a front end alignment.

If you look at the rim width tire mfgs recommend, the 255 is the widest tire some mfgs recommend for our skinny little 6.5" rims. See pics on how the tire looks on a CC, LB 2WD.

Hope this helps!

MaxRock

[ 05-10-2002: Message edited by: MaxRock ]</p>

[Albee]

Thanks to all who replied to my post. I went and bought some new tires. Went with the 285-75-16 BFG All Terrain TA's. They fit with no rubbing issues at all. Look great! I am apprehensive about the width of the wheel, but, they do look good. What have you all found as far as speedo diffrences between stock and the tires you are running. I am figuring around 5mph diffrence. Am I off? I timed it on the interstate and hit the mile marker with still a tenth of a mile to go on the speedo. I went with the 285-75 cause I did not know if I would like the thinner tire. And the money we spend for these things it is best not to have apprehensions on appearance. Thanks again. smile.gif

[mackin]

Albee,

This will give you a accurate speed, with your tire change........ I think you'll be more like 10 MPH off (faster)
-------&gt; C/P below html tag .........


http://www.intercotire.com/html/calculators.htm

MAC

[ 05-11-2002: Message edited by: mackin ]</p>

[Albee]

Thanks Mackin, I went to the web page and did the calculations. The 245's were 30.6" dia and the 285's are 32.9"dia. this puts me 5.3mph faster at 70mph. About 2mph faster at 25mph. 3mph faster at 40. It is really helpful. Appreciate it. I will call someday and ask the dealer how much to recalibrate the speedo for me.

[Vincent]

Albee,
What sort of RPM's are you turning now at say 75 mph?

I realize that your not exactly sure what 75 is now with the larger tires.

However, if you could approximate and let me know what your turning at that speed it would be a big help.

Im trying to decide if I want to upsize or if doing so will lower my effective towing RPM too much.

Thanks

[DmaxMaverick]

Albee

The 285's on my truck cause a 7.8% difference on my truck. I did both, calculated the difference by the numbers, and measured the circumference and came up with the same number. To say it is off by 5 MPH is not accurate except at only one speed. It will be progressive. Less when slower, more when faster. Figure 7.8% at any speed and it will give you an accurate conversion. Also use this figure when you calculate your mileage. The difference between the wheels (yours and mine) should be so slight that the figures won't matter enough. Good luck getting the dealer to help you with the calibration job!

[Alli-max]

yea, but if they DONT recalibrate, then hey, thats about another 8,000 miles you will get of FREE WARRANTY!!!!! :D :D :D

[Albee]

Vincent, I just made a run to Denver today. At 75 mph (70 on my speedo) I was turning right at 1,950 rpm's. I think I used to be at about 2,150 rpm's with the 245's, Hope this helps.

Allii-Max............that is so true!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Iowan]

did any of you guys have to crank up the torsion bars? how much... and then an alignment is in order, correct. I am going to jump up in tire size as well, but info I read is conflicting... one member says 265's rub, and the next guy says 285's don't... any feedback would be helpful.
thanks... I am looking at the yokohoma geolander in 285 size

thanks
Iowan

[odoh]

Alli-Max ~ re your comment about free warranty. When I picked up my truck last week, the dealer had a statement for me to sign about running gear changes possibly affecting my warranty. Either voiding it or pro rating. ~ odoh

[SHOPMAN426]

Hey Iowan,

The reason for the conflicting info is caused by different size wheels. The guys that are keeping with the stock rims are keeping the tires sidewall in closer. I am running 265x75 16 on 8x16" rims with the same off set as the stock rims. Even though I have the stock offset my tires stick out and inward because of the inch and a half differents. I too have cranked the bars up a little. I have seen a few trucks that have the bars up much high than mine, wondering what this is doing to the CV boots as far as the longevity. One would think this would be hard on the joints, but I am no expert on this issue.


SHOPMAN426,

Mike. ;) ;)

[DmaxMaverick]

Iowan

3.5 turns on the bars. This leveled it out with my 5'ver. I tried to pay for an allignment, but GM wouldn't let me. Found out that the tie rods were too sloppy, so they footed the bill. They even complimented the new tires and wheels. Cheers

[Forced Induction]

How wide of a tire can we actually get away with on the stock rim? I know many are running 285's, does this cause excessive buldge over the rim and does it effect handling or drivability? The 255-85 would give the same overall height as 285-75(almost) with the narrower tire. I am looking to get some new tires and was leaning towards 285-75's but am now considering 255 or 265's witha taller side wall. I know there are probably a million threads on the topics of tires but I figured I'd ask while its on my mind.
Thanks

Jason

[woundedbear]

Forced Induction,

Unfortunately, the widest tire that any of the tire manufacturers that I have looked recommend is 255mm. I am not about to sacrifice safety and handling for the, in my opinion, better look of a wider tire. Parameters are set by the tire manufacturers for a reason. If I ever want a wider tire that 255mm, I will buy wider wheels. That is why I am leaning toward 255/85.

Just a comparison:

245/75R16 - Width: 9.65" Height: 30.47""
255/85R16 - Width: 10.04" Height: 33.07"
Hence, your speedometer/odometer will be 92.1% of indicated speed/distance.

Thing is, I cannot justify wasting usable rubber, so my purchase will have to wait until the OE Steeltex's wear out. The good thing is that by then, I will actually be able to afford the tires, 'cause the truck will be paid for. :D

[ 05-22-2002: Message edited by: woundedbear ]</p>

[midwestdmax29]

I spent alot of time trying to decide what tires to put on my 02 while I was waiting for it to come in. I left the stocker steeltex's on my 01 and was very disappointed with their grip off road muchless the whimpy looks. I liked the rugged style of the BFG KO's, and a friend had the 285's on his HD, but I pull alot of gooseneck and 5th wheel and didn't trust the sidewall on the narrow rim. I went with the 265's and really like them. I'm usually not over 2,500 on the pin weight, so the load range is livable, and they definitely ride better. After levelling the truck with the torsion bars, it looks great. If you swap tires immediately, the price isn't so bad, I traded mine with a tire dealer on the way home.

[mdrag]

Moving topic to 2500HD/3500 Accessories Forum.