Tire/Wheel suggestions

[Saga]

I'm curious what people who are far more mechanically inclined than myself might have to offer as advice.

 

[mwmorph]

The agressive tread patterns wil lalways give you lower life and higher noise and harshness. I dont see why you'd need off road mud tires if you dont ever plan to use them fully to their designed purpose.

 

[Saga]

I live in Nebraska. Summer doesn't mean that much, but come Winter I quite frequently find myself driving through 2-3 foot drifts of snow and my normal "commute" is 40 miles of unpaved road which in the event of moisture is mud. For all extensive purposes I drive off-road daily.

 

[iamwiz82]

If you really want looks, then Super Swamper is the only way to go.

Keep in mind that the noise of any aggressive tire is going to be extremely loud as well.

I have owned KOs, KM2s, Super Swamper TrXus MT, Super Swamper LTBs, Pro-Comp M/Ts, and Yokohama M/Ts. My favs were the LTBs and TrXus, followed by the KM2s, all the rest sucked. The Super Swampers were best at cleaning themselves.

EDIT: I just saw the price of the Mud Grapplers! WTF?!

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
If you really want looks, then Super Swamper is the only way to go.

Why would you buy a performance tire like that just for the looks? If he's cool he'll get Thornbirds
😱





Anyway, if you aren't doing any off roading such as thick gooey mud or rocks go for a AT tire that will last longer and give you better traction in the winter. I haven't run a single M/T tire that works anywhere near an A/T in winter performance. No matter how much they were siped, there just isn't enough contact with the road.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
If you really want looks, then Super Swamper is the only way to go.

Why would you buy a performance tire like that just for the looks? If he's cool he'll get Thornbirds
😱

When I say Super Swamper, I really meant Interco Tire. 😱 Like Tissue versus Kleenex.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Izusaga
Have an 07 Sierra 1500 Denali with a 6" Fabtech. Just got our first snowfall of the season and the package-equipped 20" Eagle TS2's are most definitely not cutting it for ice, snow, or hell even just rain for that matter.

No shit? Really? :roll:

BTW-They probably aren't doing much for your stopping distances or cornering ability either...not that a big hog like that has much more cornering ability than a bus to begin with.

I'd get some decent snow tires on a set of steel wheels or some cheap alloys. Save the useless bling wheels for summertime.

Edit-I'm curious why you went with 20" wheels when you knew most of your driving would be on rough unpaved roads.

 

[Saga]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Izusaga
Have an 07 Sierra 1500 Denali with a 6" Fabtech. Just got our first snowfall of the season and the package-equipped 20" Eagle TS2's are most definitely not cutting it for ice, snow, or hell even just rain for that matter.

No shit? Really? :roll:

BTW-They probably aren't doing much for your stopping distances or cornering ability either...not that a big hog like that has much more cornering ability than a bus to begin with.

I'd get some decent snow tires on a set of steel wheels or some cheap alloys. Save the useless bling wheels for summertime.

Edit-I'm curious why you went with 20" wheels when you knew most of your driving would be on rough unpaved roads.

Jules, I tend not to dislike you overall - but when I already admitted to not being the most mechanically inclined person, why would you feel the need to bash me for it? I'm here looking for information because I spend all day playing with computers, not trucks.

To answer your question, the truck was used with 3k miles when purchased. I wasn't involved in the setup or configuration of the package.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Izusaga

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Izusaga
Have an 07 Sierra 1500 Denali with a 6" Fabtech. Just got our first snowfall of the season and the package-equipped 20" Eagle TS2's are most definitely not cutting it for ice, snow, or hell even just rain for that matter.

No shit? Really? :roll:

BTW-They probably aren't doing much for your stopping distances or cornering ability either...not that a big hog like that has much more cornering ability than a bus to begin with.

I'd get some decent snow tires on a set of steel wheels or some cheap alloys. Save the useless bling wheels for summertime.

Edit-I'm curious why you went with 20" wheels when you knew most of your driving would be on rough unpaved roads.

Jules, I tend not to dislike you overall - but when I already admitted to not being the most mechanically inclined person, why would you feel the need to bash me for it? I'm here looking for information because I spend all day playing with computers, not trucks.

To answer your question, the truck was used with 3k miles when purchased. I wasn't involved in the setup or configuration of the package.

Point taken. Just get some good snow tires on a set of OEM style wheels and you'll have no problems...as I said in my post. Put the 20s in the garage until springtime. :beer:

 

[Saga]

Well, the huge issue I'm running into is the cosmetics right now. I just got done being completely schooled in wheel dimensions at a local shop by a mech kind enough to take some time out to (attempt to) educate me.

As it stands, the 20's that are on the truck are very likely going to look extremely goofy after the fabtech 6" lift has been installed. Right now I'm browsing a bit on the Pro Comp website checking out some cast-blast wheels to possibly stick some BFGoodrich A-T T/A KO's, or possibly KM2's and just using those all year around when I'm in the part of the state that is all pavement, and just picking up something like a Latitude X-Ice for the winter (or even something more simple).

I suppose from a completely street/rain perspective, by adding the lift I basically have to change out the factory wheels for aftermarket, and if so will additionally have to find either some very good winter tires or reliable and long-lasting all-terrain that fit said wheels.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Izusaga
Well, the huge issue I'm running into is the cosmetics right now. I just got done being completely schooled in wheel dimensions at a local shop by a mech kind enough to take some time out to (attempt to) educate me.

As it stands, the 20's that are on the truck are very likely going to look extremely goofy after the fabtech 6" lift has been installed. Right now I'm browsing a bit on the Pro Comp website checking out some cast-blast wheels to possibly stick some BFGoodrich A-T T/A KO's, or possibly KM2's and just using those all year around when I'm in the part of the state that is all pavement, and just picking up something like a Latitude X-Ice for the winter (or even something more simple).

I suppose from a completely street/rain perspective, by adding the lift I basically have to change out the factory wheels for aftermarket, and if so will additionally have to find either some very good winter tires or reliable and long-lasting all-terrain that fit said wheels.

Are they going to upgrade your brakes at the same time? Because larger/heavier wheels will decrease your stopping distance, not to mention all the other added stress it puts on other components. Why add a lift at all? Doing so will make the vehicle more prone to rollover and if you get into an accident with a normal car you risk doing more injury to the people in that car because your bumper is sitting up so much higher than stock.

 

[Saga]

For this particular vehicle it's probably half cosmetic and half function. Brakes have already been upgraded from factory - rear drums swapped for discs as well. Overall I prefer the visual style of a lifted truck, and it tends to be superior for throwing on muds if I have to go and spend time with a drill crew struggling in the field in the middle of nowhere.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Izusaga
Well, the huge issue I'm running into is the cosmetics right now. I just got done being completely schooled in wheel dimensions at a local shop by a mech kind enough to take some time out to (attempt to) educate me.

As it stands, the 20's that are on the truck are very likely going to look extremely goofy after the fabtech 6" lift has been installed. Right now I'm browsing a bit on the Pro Comp website checking out some cast-blast wheels to possibly stick some BFGoodrich A-T T/A KO's, or possibly KM2's and just using those all year around when I'm in the part of the state that is all pavement, and just picking up something like a Latitude X-Ice for the winter (or even something more simple).

I suppose from a completely street/rain perspective, by adding the lift I basically have to change out the factory wheels for aftermarket, and if so will additionally have to find either some very good winter tires or reliable and long-lasting all-terrain that fit said wheels.

Personally, I'd go with 17" wheels at largest. 15" is the normal and the price of tires with this size is much more reasonable. I also prefer the look of black American Racing wheels. I'd also stay with KM2s if it were me as they have the best ride/wear of the mud terrains out there, in my opinion. They will hum a good deal, but they don't track like other tires.

Get them siped and you will be all set.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Izusaga
For this particular vehicle it's probably half cosmetic and half function. Brakes have already been upgraded from factory - rear drums swapped for discs as well. Overall I prefer the visual style of a lifted truck, and it tends to be superior for throwing on muds if I have to go and spend time with a drill crew struggling in the field in the middle of nowhere.

Fair enough.

 

[Saga]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Personally, I'd go with 17" wheels at largest. 15" is the normal and the price of tires with this size is much more reasonable. I also prefer the look of black American Racing wheels. I'd also stay with KM2s if it were me as they have the best ride/wear of the mud terrains out there, in my opinion. They will hum a good deal, but they don't track like other tires.

Get them siped and you will be all set.

Hm. Everyone keeps recommending smaller wheels - is there any reason other than price that I need to be aware of? I've been glancing through at different models, Pro Comp mostly. I really like black-finish, though I have a white truck. I dislike chrome or blinged out looks with a passion. Mind throwing me a link to something you'd use so I can eyeball it if you have time?

And newbie question, but siped means?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Izusaga

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Personally, I'd go with 17" wheels at largest. 15" is the normal and the price of tires with this size is much more reasonable. I also prefer the look of black American Racing wheels. I'd also stay with KM2s if it were me as they have the best ride/wear of the mud terrains out there, in my opinion. They will hum a good deal, but they don't track like other tires.

Get them siped and you will be all set.

Hm. Everyone keeps recommending smaller wheels - is there any reason other than price that I need to be aware of? I've been glancing through at different models, Pro Comp mostly. I really like black-finish, though I have a white truck. I dislike chrome or blinged out looks with a passion. Mind throwing me a link to something you'd use so I can eyeball it if you have time?

And newbie question, but siped means?

People recommend smaller wheels because you want sidewall, not rim. Sidewalls add traction, are tougher, and can flex.

Siping is when cuts are made across the tread, adding tons of wet traction.

Siped tread

Here are the most common offroad rims.. Very tough. I had chrome that looked like hell when they were clean because of the rocks and dust that battered them for many miles offroad.

Here they are. 35" BFG MTs in front and 35" Pro Comps in back

 

[Saga]

If I went with a decent pair of 17" wheels and snagged some very good snow/mud tires for winter use, would it be reasonable to find a good solid replacement summer tire that can be used on the stock 20" wheels? I was told that with the lift the factory wheels would look extremely strange, but I'm not fully understanding why.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Izusaga
If I went with a decent pair of 17" wheels and snagged some very good snow/mud tires for winter use, would it be reasonable to find a good solid replacement summer tire that can be used on the stock 20" wheels? I was told that with the lift the factory wheels would look extremely strange, but I'm not fully understanding why.

The wheels would look too small. It is entirely aesthetics. It would be the difference between this and this.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
If you really want looks, then Super Swamper is the only way to go.

Why would you buy a performance tire like that just for the looks? If he's cool he'll get Thornbirds
😱

When I say Super Swamper, I really meant Interco Tire. 😱 Like Tissue versus Kleenex.

Interco also makes the infamous, worthless, Thornbirds. Unfortunately.

 

[Saga]

Pretty sure I've settled on the following:

http://www.procomptires.com/pxa7089.html
http://nittotire.com/#index%2Etire%2Eterragrappler

Now I just have to hope that black wheels won't completely clash with a white truck with stainless exhaust, rails, steps, and grille guard.