Tire Size Question

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Dec 16, 2008 | 06:53 PM
  #1  
My 99 Van originally has 225/75/R16 But can I run a 265/75/R16 ? Looking at some Firestone Wilderness AT's

Thank you,
Lee
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Dec 18, 2008 | 04:23 AM
  #2  
Were those not the tires which caused all those rollovers a few years ago on ford explorers? Don't get em used. I don't know if they'll fit.
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Dec 19, 2008 | 01:36 PM
  #3  
Yes you're right. But I thought better of it when I remembered the radius / height increase and what speedometer difficulties it would cause.

Thanks,
Lee
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Aug 21, 2011 | 03:51 PM
  #4  
i am running 245/70r16 on my 03 shorty 1500
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Aug 21, 2011 | 06:48 PM
  #5  
Quote: i am running 245/70r16 on my 03 shorty 1500
Could you post a picture of this? I'd like to see how they look because I'm thinking of plus sizing my wheels and tires from 15" to 16".

Thanks.
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Aug 22, 2011 | 12:03 AM
  #6  
Ran with wider Yokohama Geolanders HT/S. They were 235/75/R16 load range D. Well, they were good for 6 months, bad in the snow and icy roads. They also took a hit against the fuel economy and the van was getting about 12mpg hwy.

This year, switched to BFGoodrich Commercial TAs. What a miracle of a difference! Chrysler had issued a TSB in the past two or three years for our van tire sizes stating that load range E would improve fuel economy and increase the mpg. The BFG's did just that!

The BFG's are a stronger tire, they can inflate up to 80psi, the side walls are firm and do not bubble outward the side wall down by the pavement like many tires do in the XL or D load range. The bubble outward problem causes fuel economy losses.

Now a tip about the BGs. I did read over at the Tire Rack that people didn't like them in the rain or snow. Well, there is something to correct that. Upon having the tires placed on new, it was raining that day. I had followed the advice of a track racer in another forum. He mentioned to do a quick standing burnout on the tires. Well, after that was done, these BFGs grip no matter how much rain is on the road.

Our vans with the HS suspension, 8-lug wheels, and the HD brakes are not the best for MPG. It has taken nearly a year to go from a mere 12MPG hwy to 19.7MPG hwy. Tires were an important part along with a few other mods.

Going with fatter tires will kill the MPG benefits. Going a load range higher improves the MPG and the handling.
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Aug 22, 2011 | 06:58 PM
  #7  
Quote: Could you post a picture of this? I'd like to see how they look because I'm thinking of plus sizing my wheels and tires from 15" to 16".

Thanks.

sure thing.. hit me up direct at wolf77320@yahoo.com no sense clogging up this board with our personal stuff
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Aug 22, 2011 | 07:58 PM
  #8  
Quote: sure thing.. hit me up direct at wolf77320@yahoo.com no sense clogging up this board with our personal stuff
Actually, that's EXACTLY what this forum is for. I'm sure there are others in addition to myself who would enjoy seeing this.
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Aug 22, 2011 | 11:51 PM
  #9  
Hey rusty,

Here's a minor tire size upgrade. From 235/75/15 to 30 x 9.5 x 15



I wanted something with some offroad capability. Hope these Kumho's can deliver.
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Aug 23, 2011 | 08:00 AM
  #10  
Quote: I wanted something with offroad capability. Hope these Kumho's can deliver.
Nice! Looks like the Kumho's will do just fine -- wonder now if the van can deliver...

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