Just thought I'd share for anyone that was interested. Truck is a 2004 2wd. Installed a CST 4" Spindle Lift, and Edlebrock IAS Shocks on all 4 courners. Before the lift there was exactly a 4" difference between the front and rear. I didn't have to install blocks in the rear to maintain level.

The tires that are installed right now are 265/70/17. Debating on what new size to go with. The overall size of these are about 31". I'm looking to go 305/70/17 with an agressive AT. Anyone think i'll have any issues? The overall size would be a little under 34".











GROUND CLEARANCE IS AMAZING

 

Lookin good. Some new aggresive rubber is going to make a big difference. 305 70 17 doesn't offer you many options. Goodyear makes an MT in that size. If I'm not mistaken you should be able to get away w/ a 33 12.5 17. That will offer you some more options. Dick Cepek offers an mt and at in that size...and cheaper than the goodyear.

 

I know, I don't get why more companies don't make more in 295/70, 305/70, 315/70 on a 17" rim? Toyo's Open Country MT is what i'm leaning towards right now. They're just a little steep on $$$

 

Look at fierce attitude mt

 

Toyo M/Ts are a very good tire, will wear a little quick on pavement, but not bad compared to most M/Ts. Mickey Thompson MTZs would also be a good M/T choice that tends to have longer life and better highway characteristics than most true M/Ts.

You give much thought to an A/T - M/T hybrid? They have aggressive M/T side blocks but more A/T like center tread to give better pavement performance and a longer life.

Popular choices in a hybrid would be Cepek FCIIs or Super Swamper M16s.

Any real good tire is gonna cost $$$. I get lip from folks everytime I go buy a set of Mickey Thompson or Dick Cepek tires, but the guys who give me lip about spending $100 more a tire than their "bargain" tires seem to buy at least two sets to every one set I buy, mileage wise...

 

I have really been doing alot of research about the hybrids. I really like the Mickey Thompson ATZ, but they don't make the size I want. Sise jumps from a 285/70 to a 35x12.5.

The Dick Cepek FCII look like great tires, but there 33x12.5 runs a little short on overall height, it would be only about 1" taller overall, and I don't think it will fill the gaps as well as I would like.

The Super Swamper M16 have the size I want, 295/70/17 but the design is a little cheesy to me, with the rounds on the side and stuff.

Right now I'm torn between a few differnent tires with a wide variety of features. Nitto Terra Grapplers, Cooper STT, Toyo Copen County MT. Also been looking at ProComp, but their tires are expensive, and I have yet to hear anything good about wear for them. A buddy of mine showed me this company called "Treadwright" that re-treads tires. Been reading about thier process and it seems pretty legit. The tires are 1/2 the cost, have the look and size I want, but I don't know anyone that has had experience with them. I have a few months left on the tires currently on the truck, so I have time to dig a little more.

 

Here's a link to the tires I was looking at from them:

http://www.treadwright.com/shopnow/p...guard-dog.aspx

Anyone have any luck / unluck with retreads?

 

I wouldn't touch a retread, personally. They swear they are better than they used to be, but I've seen a whole lot of tread separations back in the day, not to mention, yeah it may be a new tread, but the belts, bead, etc. may have 100,000 miles on 'em. No thanks! Maybe in a weekend play truck, but not a daily driver AND NO WAY in a vehicle I'd put my family in.

If you are looking at the FCIIs, yeah like everybody else they are under what the rated size are and I think Mickey Thompson/Dick Cepek even over-rates them a little more than most. My "35x12.5x17" FCIIs measure a hair over 34" with normal air (for me that's 42# out of a max rated 50#. Got a buddy with Mickey ATZ, he loves them but he wishes he got bigger. His 33x12.5x17s actually measure a hair BELOW 32" so he knows he could have gotten the 35s to stuff under his leveled Ram.
It's very possible you could fit the 35s.

I ain't never been a big fan of Pro Comp tires. A lot of guys in my hunting club jumped on the bandwagon about four years ago when a local shop picked them up and offered VERY competitive prices on them. I don't think there is one guy (out of at least 15 or so who got them) who would buy another set. One dude in particular put a set on his sons Wrangler, 33x12.5x15 Pro Comp A/Ts and had to replace them at 18k miles as they wore to pure slicks!
Toyos are good, Nittos are good and the Cooper STTs are actually the first tire that the Mickey Thompson engineers designed after Cooper bought out Mickey/Cepek. I don't know anybody with a set, but the reviews are great on them...

 

Add a 2 inch spacer and 2 inch block in the rear and get some 35's

 

word if its that bad trying to find tires thats what i would do too, good call oe....