Another tire thread!

[AbnMike]

We made it to WV. I can't get the Discovery into the garage in its current config, it is about an inch high (without the RTT but that's not an issue, I'm going to build a scaffold I can put together and take apart to raise it up on there when necessary).

It is currently running BF Goodrich Radial MT KM2s, 255-85-R16 with an OME 2" lift. There has been some cutting to fit these, obviously, so I don't want the new tire to look like a hotdog in a hallway, so to speak.

Looking for recs on a good tire for it, esp considering the new kind of terrain, weather, etc. Didn't have to deal with much rain (or mud except during Spring melt) in Montana and will deal with a lot of rain here in WV. Will still have to deal with some snow and ice and Morgantown is very very hilly. This is a daily driver and will still need to get up fire roads, trails, some off-roading, but probably nothing extreme as well as deal with general road trips, esp on two lane country roads.

Going to keep the rims it has on it. Requires a lot of weights on the tires to balance them and I don't think they get very balanced.

I was thinking about 245/75-16's based on threads I've read here. I assume they will drop it at least an inch so I can get it in a garage when I need to work on it and through the winter when it won't have the tent on top. The tent may eventually make it to a utility trailer that we can haul behind the Discovery or the wife's Mazda.

Also curious how a smaller tire is going to affect top speed, acceleration, etc, if at all.

 

[old school]

how about 235/85 or 265/75?

 

[Howski]

Take the tent off the roof before you go buying new tires. If you want to play Camel Trophy and DD with the tent drop down to 235's.

 

[Jimmy]

If you only need to get it into the garage to work on it, and for longer term storage during the winter, have you considered letting as much air out of the tires as needed to get it to clear the door opening, then drive it inside? For the longer storage, pop it on jack stands or air the tires back up.

 

[fishEH]

245/75/16's will look dumb on that truck. Just let some air out of the tires.
Or, have you tried disconnecting the chain drive on your garagw door opener and pushing the door higher by hand?

 

[mgreenspan]

Or ratchet strap the axle housings to the frame to compress the springs... or something ridiculous like that.

A smaller tire will be quicker. It doesn't change your top speed but changes the rpm at higher speeds. Smaller tires will have higher rpm for the same speed. Your truck should auto disintegrate before your are at a speed limited by any governor or Rev limit in the highest gear.

 

[SCSL]

Why not just get a small metal carport, the kind that's for sale at feed and tack stores all over Appalachia. Cheaper than a new set of tires and you can keep your height, or even go bigger in the future should you choose to.

 

[Devildog01]

You moved to the rite state for sure. You'll fit rite in.

 

[Ed Cheung]

Just let some air out of the tires.

This is the most cost efficient solution. I rather spend the money on an air compressor to pump the tires than buying another set of tires of different size just for getting the Disco in the garage.

 

[AbnMike]

No room for a shed.
Yes letting air out is fine but it's a stop gap solution.
I want to be able to pull into a garage since I have a garage, esp like being able to start a warm car in the mornings, or not getting into a broiling aquarium. I've never had a garage, I do now.
I will need tires soon enough.
The current tires make the thing 84" high to the top of the rack. Putting anything up there makes it extremely top heavy so I want to lower the center of gravity somewhat.

I'm just looking for recommendations on a good tire for this area people are happy with and looks good with a 2" lift.

Thanks

 

[Timmy!!!!!!!]

235/85s will be perfect on your rig. Then I would take your rack and tent off.

 

[fishEH]

Then 235/85 is what you want.

No room for a shed.
Yes letting air out is fine but it's a stop gap solution.
I want to be able to pull into a garage since I have a garage, esp like being able to start a warm car in the mornings, or not getting into a broiling aquarium. I've never had a garage, I do now.
I will need tires soon enough.
The current tires make the thing 84" high to the top of the rack. Putting anything up there makes it extremely top heavy so I want to lower the center of gravity somewhat.

I'm just looking for recommendations on a good tire for this area people are happy with and looks good with a 2" lift.

Thanks

 

[AbnMike]

Then I would take your rack and tent off.

Well the tent is already off, I knew it would never fit inside a normal garage. Why would I want to take the rack off?

 

[Timmy!!!!!!!]

It helps overall drive ability. It looks cool though. I had one on my 99 for the longest time till I sold it to Stu. Plus if you are concerned with fitting in the garage I would take the rack off to be sure you can fit.

 

[AbnMike]

It helps overall drive ability. It looks cool though. I had one on my 99 for the longest time till I sold it to Stu. Plus if you are concerned with fitting in the garage I would take the rack off to be sure you can fit.

The rack has my lights on it and since I usually go camping for 3-5 days, with a wife, and two dogs, and a motorcycle on the rear hitch ...well the rack has to stay...

I'll check out the 235/85s though. Thanks.

Once I get these, which may not be for a month or so, I'll probably be letting the 5 BF Goodrich Radial MT KM2s, 255-85-R16's go for cheap or trade for something or other if anyone in the area has a trail rig they want to put them on.

 

[old school]

hit me up on the tires when you let them go. I may be interested in them

 

[KyleT]

285/75r16. Slightly shorter than your 255's.

 

[fishEH]

285/75r16. Slightly shorter than your 255's.

I don't think he's going to gain an inch of clearance that way. He may not even gain an inch with 235/85's. I'm sure you know this but you have to take the overall height difference and halve it, that's how much clearance you'll gain.
Or just remove the rack!! Keep the tent mounted to it and use your scaffolding to drop the whole thing on.

 

[Discojunky]

245/75/16's will look dumb on that truck. Just let some air out of the tires.
Or, have you tried disconnecting the chain drive on your garagw door opener and pushing the door higher by hand?

I did adjust my garage door stops as well. There are limit switches and I was able to get the door higher than the opening. So then I took off the roof rails & need at least a 1/2 tank of gas to get mine in the garage with the 35's.

 

[AbnMike]

So I had to let almost all the air out to get it into the garage as a test. Pics show the tires. Measured from the ground to the top of the tire it was 30"