Another Tire Question - Diesel Forum

yanvaryjt · 04-28-2007, 11:10 PM

I know you all have heard the tire questions over and over...I apologize up front.

I've lifted the front of my X with W code springs with a home-made "leveling kit" comprised of an additional long leaf from the rear Excursion spring pack and two shorter leaves ala DR. It rides well and I like the firmness without it being too harsh. Crazy thing - the wife likes it too! The front wheelwells sit at 41 3/4" on a set of borrowed 285/75-16s.

I'd like to put on the tallest tire I can mount with minimal rubbing with the current lift - I expect a little rubbing at the spring and I plan to move the bumper out a little also. I'm eyeing the old Buckshot Radials (Coyote tread pattern) in 305/85-16 or getting a set of some other brand's 315/75-16s. I've used the Buckshots before on my Ramcharger (3 consecutive sets) and liked them. I prefer the tall skinny tire look. Do you all think they'll fit (and I take the chance and order them) or should I just go with the 315/75s?

Awaiting your opinions.

Ty

yanvaryjt · 04-30-2007, 07:00 PM

Nobody touching this one! Okay, let me re-phrase. How are you all with 315/75-16s doing for clearance and how much lift do you have? I intended to run the 305/85-16s on a narrow rim with close to or stock offset to keep them within the wheelwells.

leros · 04-30-2007, 07:33 PM

I think the 315/75-16 are about the equivilent of a 33-34" tire, right? I was running 35-12.50-17 with a DR 4.5" lift and had a slight rub on the leafspring (trimmed the front plastic valance). My buddy is running 315/75-16 tires on his F-250 with a Fabtech 3.5 leveling kit and rubs the front leafs a little.

Hope that helps?

yanvaryjt · 04-30-2007, 09:39 PM

315/75-16s are approximately equivalent to a 35-12.5-16 and measure out at between 34-35" depending on the brand. How's the clearance at the rear of the front wheelwells on your Ex and your buddy's F-250?

**caryt** · 04-30-2007, 11:09 PM

315/75 always is aprox. 34-35" doesn't matter if its a 12" rim or a 20" rim. If you raised the front 4+" ya can run a 35"...might rub in sertin situations.

cary

yanvaryjt · 04-30-2007, 11:28 PM

[ QUOTE ]
315/75 always is aprox. 34-35" doesn't matter if its a 12" rim or a 20" rim.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, the tire sidewall height remains the same but the overall diameter of the tire changes with a change in rim diameter.

For example

315/75-16

(315/25.4)*.75*2)+16= 34.6" tire diameter

315/75-18

(315/25.4)*.75*2)+18= 36.6" tire diameter

Either way, I think I'll go conservative on this first new set and play it by ear for the following based on the fit I get.

Appreciate the replies since the only lifted Excursions in my area seem to be WAY higher and have quite a bit bigger tires than I'm looking for.

Ty

**caryt** · 05-01-2007, 10:45 AM

Oops,Reminder...don't post after a few beers [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Dam metric system...think in inches and the posts metric!

Cary

HEAVYHITTER · 05-01-2007, 03:22 PM

I had a 2003 F250 SC Long bed that I put a Donahoe Racing 3 inch level lift on the front and used F350 blocks on the rear and ran a 315/70 R17 and had very minimal rubbing on the inside of the front leafs in reverse at full wheel lock. FWIW

Very minimal.

yanvaryjt · 05-01-2007, 03:30 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I had a 2003 F250 SC Long bed that I put a Donahoe Racing 3 inch level lift on the front and used F350 blocks on the rear and ran a 315/70 R17 and had very minimal rubbing on the inside of the front leafs in reverse at full wheel lock. FWIW

Very minimal.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for your observations, this helps.