[bigsapz]

They look ok in that pic. Walking up to the truck in person they look too small imo but, they work as backup tires.

 

[rruff]

285/65 don't look terrible either! I've been wanting to see what that would look like. I am only looking for a 2" lift or so, so that size may fit me well. Of course I would like 295's, but don't know if I want to trim/remove stuff.

If you get wheels with +25 to +35 offset, trimming should be easy.

Also, if you like wider tires, look at 305/65r18. KO2s and Terra Grapplers come in that size. They are a little smaller in diameter than 295/70.

 

[K_Dubbs]

I just put on 295s last month with 6112s on the highest setting and 2" shackles on the rear springs. I haven't had a chance to try them off road yet. Speedometer is actually more accurate now than before, but a little under actual speed. Parking garage is a real issue, but it's a rare one to deal with. Looks like it stands real close to 6' 6". Mine are Ridge Grapplers. Road handling is still good and road noise is barely noticeable. I haven't noticed a big difference in mileage. It does affect acceleration a bit (I have the smaller 4.7 V8). I still have the stock wheels, so no change in offset. The only mod needed was to the skid plate (er, more like a splash guard). I used an angle grinder with a metal cuttoff disk and cut off the rear corners of the splash guard but could have simply bent the corners out of the way with some vice grips. Still, I can't see going back.

Scott

Can you show us some pictures? How close are you to UCA?

 

[derp]

I guess you are going for a "look" because you don't need the offroad capability. Personally I wouldn't pay for the extra gas, lower lifespan, and accept the poorer on-road performance. The Michelin LTX M/S would probably suit you very well performancewise, but it's a street tread. I really wish we had rolling resistance data on tires so we could at least quantify that aspect.

I've been thinking about this, even before posting this thread. This is the first time I've tried to articulate it, so bear with me.

Yes, I want to change the looks of the truck. It looks good as is, but these trucks look a lot better sitting bigger.

Heck, it even works pretty well as is, too. I had it in some decent snow - 8" or more - and it pulled right through, and I never really felt that I was going to get stuck. I've defended the OEM Michelin tires in other threads - they work well, just don't look like much.

So why am I changing it up?

The reason I bought the truck is that I had a little sporty car, and I got stuck in a snow storm with it. And I realized that I was of no use to my family in that moment. I guess it's the same reason why you have a family fire plan, smoke alarms, and fire extinguishers. Why you have dogs, an alarm, and access to the means to defend yourself and your family.

I don't want to sound like crazy tinfoil hat prepper guy (not that there's anything wrong with that), but the more I think about it, the more I want my truck to be ready in case I need it. And not just for the every day commute. But for the outlier events.

I'm not as worried about wet pavement. I'm worried about what if I need to go around stopped/abandoned cars and that means crossing a muddy median in a downpour? I'm less worried about can I make it to work on packed/plowed/salted roads, and more about what if my daughter needs to get to the hospital and my neighborhood hasn't been plowed?

I'm very fortunate to be in a position where I can make upgrades to the truck, to enhance the capabilities. I'm willing to accept some loss of comfort, gas mileage, etc - if it means I have more confidence that my truck can work for me when I need it. I guess I'm trying to find the sweet spot for me in that trade space. How much added capability? How much sacrifice in day-to-day comfort/economy?

Sorry for the rant, hope I didn't side track the discussion too much.

derp

 

[rruff]

I'm not as worried about wet pavement. I'm worried about what if I need to go around stopped/abandoned cars and that means crossing a muddy median in a downpour? I'm less worried about can I make it to work on packed/plowed/salted roads, and more about what if my daughter needs to get to the hospital and my neighborhood hasn't been plowed?

I'm willing to accept some loss of comfort, gas mileage, etc - if it means I have more confidence that my truck can work for me when I need it. I guess I'm trying to find the sweet spot for me in that trade space. How much added capability? How much sacrifice in day-to-day comfort/economy.

You started this thread, so you can do what you like!

If gnarlier tires give you piece of mind then by all means. But I think the amount of practical security you gain is very tiny. If you are trying to stave off that helpless feeling, there will be no end to it. Bottom line, we *are* helpless, and no amount of preparation will change that. Our safety and our family's safety isn't really in our hands. Take reasonable precautions and forget about it.

 

[saramos]

Here's pics.

Note, The mud flaps were not removed because of the new tires. They're off for a couple of other mods I want to do. I want to add a clear vinyl wrap to the sides for scratch protection, and add some flairs.

University of Central Arkansas? if so, a long ways in Los Angeles.

 

[rruff]

Looks good!

UCA clearance?

 

[saramos]

Looks good!

UCA clearance?

Ah, upper control arm. While I haven't measured it, it's pretty darn close. Who knows, maybe in the future I'll add some spacers. It would better justify the addition of the flairs.

Scott

 

[xtyfighterx]

I've ran 295s on stock wheels, stock wheels with wheel spacers,aftermarket wheels with +18 offset and now 0 offset. Only thing I did was trim the inner liner and remove front mud flaps.

Only regret is not going bigger to a true 35" tire.

I'm on 3" of lift to. But I've ran all the above with 2.5in except the 0 offset.

 

[rruff]

I've ran 295s on stock wheels, stock wheels with wheel spacers,aftermarket wheels with +18 offset and now 0 offset. Only thing I did was trim the inner liner and remove front mud flaps.

Great info! Trail Grapplers are "big" 295/70s also.

Didn't even need to remove the rear mud flap? How close is it? No rubbing at full lock even hitting bumps?

 

[xtyfighterx]

Great info! Trail Grapplers are "big" 295/70s also.

Didn't even need to remove the rear mud flap? How close is it? No rubbing at full lock even hitting bumps?

Rear mud flaps are still on. I do light off-roading quiet frequently no rubbing. Maybe if u really stuff the tires u might have possible rub but I don't plan to go that extreme. Trimming hat inner liner a couple inches and removing the front mud flaps took away all the rubbing for me.

 

[rruff]

Your tires are actually 34.6" dia; bigger than some 35s. So with the 0 offset, that is a pretty extreme situation for keeping your rear flaps on.

I wonder if alignment is the reason. The front wheels can move forward and back, depending on how they do it. If the rear cam is positioned out as far as it can go and then the front adjusted for the right camber, seems like that would be the best.

 

[xtyfighterx]

They are narrower tho. There's tons of room on the rear flaps....are U talking about the rear tire rear flaps or the front tire rear flaps?

 

[rruff]

Front rear.

 

[xtyfighterx]

Front rear.

Front rear is removed completely sorry I thought You meant the rear tire mud flaps

 

[chphilo]

I've ran 295s on stock wheels, stock wheels with wheel spacers,aftermarket wheels with +18 offset and now 0 offset. Only thing I did was trim the inner liner and remove front mud flaps.

Only regret is not going bigger to a true 35" tire.

I'm on 3" of lift to. But I've ran all the above with 2.5in except the 0 offset.

You either have done the body mount chop or your truck must be substantially different from mine. I have 3.5 inch lift and with 295/70/18 (with 18 mm offset wheels), my tires are only a few mm away from the body mount. There's no way for my truck to accommodate 0-offset wheels with Trail Grappler of that size.

You have one sweeeeeet truck, by the way.

 

[xtyfighterx]

You either have done the body mount chop or your truck must be substantially different from mine. I have 3.5 inch lift and with 295/70/18 (with 18 mm offset wheels), my tires are only a few mm away from the body mount. There's no way for my truck to accommodate 0-offset wheels with Trail Grappler of that size.

You have one sweeeeeet truck, by the way.

No body mount chop! Just the normal trimming idk how I got away with it but I did I was almost certain I needed to do it before i got the new wheels I almost did the chop then took it in I'm glad I waited.

And thank you!

 

[rruff]

You either have done the body mount chop or your truck must be substantially different from mine. I have 3.5 inch lift and with 295/70/18 (with 18 mm offset wheels), my tires are only a few mm away from the body mount.

You have UCAs though and I don't think xtyfighterx does. UCAs move the upper pivot back. Since the lower balljoint is below the wheel centerline, this will move the wheel rearward a little.

UCAs are one factor and alignment is another.

 

[chphilo]

You have UCAs though and I don't think xtyfighterx does. UCAs move the upper pivot back. Since the lower balljoint is below the wheel centerline, this will move the wheel rearward a little.

UCAs are one factor and alignment is another.

I didn't realize that makes that much of a difference. Thanks for that info.

 

[parker44]

Here's pics.

Note, The mud flaps were not removed because of the new tires. They're off for a couple of other mods I want to do. I want to add a clear vinyl wrap to the sides for scratch protection, and add some flairs.

University of Central Arkansas? if so, a long ways in Los Angeles.

Truck looks good! I really like the looks of those Ridge Grapplers as well. I would love to find some of the newer TRD wheels for my truck, but with aggressive tires, I don't think the steelies look bad.