View Full Version : Will BFG 235/85 All Terrains fit on a 3500?
I just can't stand those puny 215's that came on my 3500 dooley.
Since I understand there aren't any aftermarket wheels available at the moment that properly centers on the hubs, I was wondering if I can at least move up to a set of BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A kd's for now.
From looking at their web site, it would appear that their LT235/85R16/E will fit on the stock 6" rim. They are also rated at 3042# @ 80psi.
I guess my main question is if the rears will touch each other under load without a spacer?
bbattrell
08-29-2002, 15:06
I know Michellin 235/85E Traction touch with a heavy load. I would assume BFG's would to. I talked to Dennis with South West Wheel he says Alcoa's new wheel has pasted their test, so they should be out soon. If anyone is interested in some 500 mile used Michellin's email me I am going to 19.5's. bbattrell@aol.com
Best Regard's
Bill
bbattrell ,
Ah if you were only closer the freight will be murder...Just what I'm looking for to put on my steel rims......Traction too .....SOB
MAC :(
[ 08-29-2002: Message edited by: mackin ]</p>
Good news on the Alcoa's. Perhaps I'll wait a little longer.
Looking at
http://www.southwestwheel.com/wheels/alcoa/chevy2001current.htm
it would appear that they are 16x6.5 like the stock wheels, is that correct? Also, there are different part numbers front and rear. Is that because the 'other' side is polished on the rears or is the offset different?
I guess that makes rotating all 6 impossible?
Further, I'd be limited to run 245 or perhaps 255s if the rim is only 6.5 inches.
Nice looking rims though.
Peter
c5dura,
This is a quote taken from an email I received from Southwest Wheel 1/25/02:
"The New redesigned Chevy 2001-2002 Alcoa HotShot Wheel
The new Chevy dual wheel has finished the design process and is getting tooled up for production. The wheel is still a month or two away, but will be worth the wait. The wheel has a larger center hole than the earlier models. Also, they have widened the wheel from 16x6 to 16x6.5, but they have move the offset in so you will still have to run a LT21575R16 tire."
You will not be able to use two aluminum wheels per dual since the mounting hub flange is not wide enough for dual aluminums, and the studs are not long enough....
I busted out the BFG 235/85 All Terrains. While they are not that much larger than stock, I really like the new look of the truck and I'm sure I'll be much better off in the snow this winter than with the factory "off-road" tires.
I'd really have to pull a heavy load before the rears will touch since there appears to be almost an inch of clearance at the moment.
Is it possible to get the PCM re-calibrated for the taller tires so that my speedometer will be correct like you can on late model f-bodies and corvettes?
American Racing has some wild looking rims that fit our duallies that should fit 235 real well.The local GMC dealer has them on one of theirs. They put the 215s back on that truck but there is more space between the tires. Supposedly they have put 235s on these rims, Ella has never steered me wrong before.
On Tuesday I will check that they have the proper wieght rating, if they do then I'll be installing them with a set of BFG 235/85s. I'll post pictures and give details.
Here's a link to the rear rims on AR's website:
http://www.americanracing.com/wheels/details.asp?wheelid=81&name=D-8%20Dualie%20Rear&type=1-piece%20alloy,%20chrome%20plated&picture=Dualie655
bbattrell
09-01-2002, 22:34
Ask if they are rated for a 4x4. American Eagle has forged dually wheels, but won't garantee them on a 01 4x4 GMC 3500. I believe Eagle is a part of American racing.
c5dura --am I correct in understanding that you have the 235's on the stock 3500 wheels, with 1 inch clearance between tires? How much air pressure?
Big O - Yes. This was just by eyeballing it. I'll take an exact measurement tonight and report back.
Ok, the actual gap between the tires is just a hair over 3/4 of an inch. (not meassured at the ground)
I'm running 65 PSI in the rears.
[ 09-03-2002: Message edited by: c5dura ]</p>
c5dura --
That is great news. It looks like that when I wear-out the Goodyears A/T, I will get a set of the BFG 235/85 All Terrains. Do they have a more aggressive tread that the Goodyears? I would think that 3/4 in. @ 65#, would still leave a gap when carrying max weight with 80# pressure.
The tread is quite a bit more aggressive, but I haven't noticed much increase in road noise. I think the combo look great as well. I'll see about uploading some pics soon.
They definately do better off-road. I went up a very steep trail today and I was able to get up without switching to 4x4, something I wasn't able to do with the Goodyears unless I really punched it as I approached the incline. I just climbed right up as if I was on blanktop. Heck, my tractor can't even climb this hill without 4 wheel drive engaged if I have my bucket on and no implement out back.
Thanks Peter. When you take the pics, would it be possible to get some under max load?
I took a couple of pics of the BFGs w/ my Hudson trailer loaded with my JD 4700 tractor. This was enough weight to drop down onto the seconday leaf springs, but obviously not max load.
http://www.cstone.net/~dk/duramax4700rear.jpg
http://www.cstone.net/~dk/Hudson.jpg
http://www.cstone.net/~dk/BFGGap.jpg
Even though it is hard to see, there is still more than 1/8" gap between the rears. Remember this is at 65#.
c5dura --Thanks for the pics. Any idea about the tongue weight? UNRELATED--How much does the JD weight, what's the HP, and what size bushhog can it handle?
My guess is the tongue weight is over 1000 lbs, perhaps 1500 lbs since most of the weight on the trailer is towards the front. Notice the 360 lbs of weights on the front of the Deere.
Big 0 - The tractor weights 3400 lbs dry. Add the 360 lbs of weights on the front and the fact that the rears tires are filled with liquid, and I think the weight is a bit over 4000 lbs. The bush hog weights about 1500 lbs by itself.
The tractor is rated at 50 hp and thats a 6' hog which it pulls with no problem, even through thick brush.
My 8' disc is probably the implement that challenges the 50 hp tractor the most.
Put the AR rims on Tuesday with BFG All Terrains. The 235s have lots of room with these rims. No pictures yet, haven't been able to keep it clean long enough to get pictures. The first place I went to load after putting on the wheels the guy comes over and says "Nice ####ing truck!" The next guy to see it says "WOW, nice truck". I just grinned and say "Thanks."
bbattrell,
No concerns, they install them on their 4x4 duallies. They are rated for 2600lbs which is higher than the 215s were rated but a little less than the 235s.
C5dura and Big O,
The BFGs are more aggressive than the Goodyears yet very quiet. I ran the same A/Ts on my old truck. They have great traction even in ice and mud yet are are very quiet. Quiet is important when you drive for many hours or even days continuously. True mud tires drive me insane in less than an hour between the noise and the lousy steering control.
The dealer got the ABS reprogrammed today but the speedo is an issue and they haven't got an answer back from GM yet. They said the 1 ton is programmed differently than the other pickups and doesn't have the tire selection thats in the other computers.
Hey HotShot
If you can, get some pics up ASAP
Cheers
Bear
Hotshot--
What model AR rims, and how much? From what dealer? Did you use 4 or 6?
Hi Bearman,
Been awhile. Stayin busy I hope. I took some quick pictures before it got to dark, I'll get some better ones up soon, especially of the truck. These will look real wild on your CC Dually. The pics are at:
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=6&uid=699928&
Hi Big O,
They are the D-8s. I bought 4, used the stock steel inside on the rears. Here are links to the rims on AR's site:
Front: http://www.americanracing.com/wheels/details.asp?wheelid=80&name=D-8%20Dualie%20Front&type=1-piece%20alloy,%20chrome%20plated&picture=Dualie654
Rear: http://www.americanracing.com/wheels/details.asp?wheelid=81&name=D-8%20Dualie%20Rear&type=1-piece%20alloy,%20chrome%20plated&picture=Dualie655
They cost almost $600 Canadian (about $1.47 US)at the local GMC dealer.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.