Since my inspection is due end of July and I don't think the highway treads on the truck now will pass, I have a great opportunity to upgrade. Few things crossing my mind, what are your opinions and recommendations?

My problems now are 1) I get stuck on anything but dry pavement 2) rides extremely rough for a 2wd and 3) the front sits way too low... So

Tires
Being 2wd I get stuck in wet grass and it sucks. Looking for something aggressive, but comfortable and not crazy expensive. Looking at General Grabber AT2's, anyone have experience? Noise, grip, life etc?

The other issue is size, I'd like bigger (who doesn't?) I don't want to buy new rims, so will 285 or 295 be a good alternative to the stock 265? (16 in rim). Which brings in another problem, the bigger are only offered in 8 ply (D). That cause problems? I don't tow anything heavy, and would like to soften the ride, but I don't want to limit my capabilities.

I think 2 and 3 go together. On the highway the truck rides great, but slowed in town or over rough/ gravel roads, it's crazy rough. Like bone jarring. Since it's quite obviously a 2wd, I'd like to level it, any good kits that could help with ride quality? The front sits so low I fear it may be bottoming out.


Recommendations?

Pic because all threads should have at least one (pre cab lights)



Cliff notes

Want bigger aggressive tires on stock rims
Want to level and improve ride quality

Thanks

 

I have 285/75R16 Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor in load range e rated at 3800 lbs per tire, so the larger ones are still available with high ratings. Just thought I'd share that.

 

The 285s all come in a LRE variety.

Depending on budget and what you do with the truck I would look into the BFG rugged terrain or the Michelin ltx AT2. Those are both AT tires that have a slight edge towards the highway.

I would suggest you look into a rear traction aid as well. Truetrac or locker that would help a bunch with your traction issue as your only 2wd.

The ride quality will probably stay the same if your just using spacers, but that could be helped by the pressure you run.

 

I guess I shouldn't have said don't come in an E, but must be ordered as am E from the local shops. They have the D's in stock. As I don't tow much of anything I hoped the D would help the ride.

Eventually I'd like to do an air locker or some other selectable. But that's on down the road. I'll just deal with the stock limited slip for now.

 

By your description you may have the plow package or camper package...and if so the nose down look. I wouldn't waste money on leveling. As for larger tires...a larger tire won't improve ride quality by that much nor traction on anything but dry pavement with a 2wd. And if it's for appearance you would have to increase the size significantly to get what you want, not recommended. Increasing tire od significantly adds stress to suspension and braking system.

However, new tires will improve ride quality as all new tires do...added tread depth provides more cushion and thusly reduces feedback.

 

I had the same situation with slipping on wet grass as my highway treads got older (9 years) and the rubber seemed to become harder. Last summer I put Cooper Discoverer ATP's on (http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/tir...32605&pc=15942) and could not be happier.

They look good, are quiet (I used to run a lot of loud mud tires), and grip extremely well off pavement. I wanted to up the size, but stayed with 265's since the price difference was a lot for load range E tires as they get bigger.