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Quick tire question

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Old May 19, 2017 | 11:22 AM
  #1  
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Quick tire question

I put 1 1/2" level pads on the front of my truck and four new KYB shocks. I have the stock wheels and do not want to change them. With that small level will 33" tires work or would I need a small suspension lift? I don't want to put 31" on as it does not seem to justify new tires. I also would not go over a 4" lift as it does not interest me and a 4" is actually more than I want. My goal with this truck is to have a nice fairly stock truck to just enjoy and maybe take to a car show. I know a lot of you folks use them for work or play but being retired, I just like driving mine around and shifting. Then bringing it home and cleaning it. It didn't look anything like this when I got it. Thanks Sandy

 
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Old May 19, 2017 | 12:10 PM
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I have approximately 1.5" lift up front too, and 33x10.5 work fine but the bumper had to be spaced out some so the corners wouldn't catch. Be aware that larger tires can really make a stock engine/gearing combo feel slow off the line.
 
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Old May 19, 2017 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by GoinBoarding
I have approximately 1.5" lift up front too, and 33x10.5 work fine but the bumper had to be spaced out some so the corners wouldn't catch. Be aware that larger tires can really make a stock engine/gearing combo feel slow off the line.
Thank you. How did you space out the corners of the bumper? Shims? Slow off the line is what I have now. If it were any slower I would have to have a reservation to get on the freeway.
 
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Old May 19, 2017 | 01:12 PM
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If you have 2.72 gears I wouldn't even consider increasing tire size unless you plan to regear to 4.10 for 33" tires. I have 3.55 gears with 33" tires and a mildly built 351W and it is acceptable; not great but not bad. Yes I put spacers between the bumper & it's mounting plates; about 5/8" is what I did. Alternatively, you can trim the bumper corners.
 
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Old May 19, 2017 | 01:34 PM
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Yep I have 2.73 gears. It really is slow so I need to consider the 4.10's before the 33's. I have never done gears. I don't mind trying to do it. Or should I let a shop do it. I could use some gitty up and 25MPH is about tops in 1st.
 
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Old May 19, 2017 | 01:51 PM
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I just read about changing gearing and it seems to be a job that is well above my skill level. I'll make some phone calls to rear end specialist.
 
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Old May 19, 2017 | 03:18 PM
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I bet what you have runs empty down the interstate nicely. Gear swaps can be pricey if outsourced. They require attention to detail; you don't want to source it out to the lowest bidder. 3.55:1 with 31" tires or 4:10 with 33" should work. On a 2x4 it might be better to go the 31" route. The bigger tire you use the more fuel economy and performance drops, but you won't be able to take advantage of what a 33" is good for: four wheeling. So it gains looks but hurts everything else. Guess I'm just saying, you have a very nice truck, and I'd hate to see you modify it in a way you end up regretting.
 
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Old May 19, 2017 | 03:55 PM
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My vote would be for 31 10.50.
 
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Old May 19, 2017 | 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by GoinBoarding
I bet what you have runs empty down the interstate nicely. Gear swaps can be pricey if outsourced. They require attention to detail; you don't want to source it out to the lowest bidder. 3.55:1 with 31" tires or 4:10 with 33" should work. On a 2x4 it might be better to go the 31" route. The bigger tire you use the more fuel economy and performance drops, but you won't be able to take advantage of what a 33" is good for: four wheeling. So it gains looks but hurts everything else. Guess I'm just saying, you have a very nice truck, and I'd hate to see you modify it in a way you end up regretting.
I understand. The thought of the 33's and then the gears sounded like a win win. Better looks and more low end, My truck does the highway great. I can use OD at 50mph if I want, no problem. Back to the real world (like you suggested) for what I am doing I have no real issues. Probably best to suck it up and stay stock. I don't want to get rid of this one. Thanks for the advice and your knowledge. Staying Stock Sandy
 
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Old May 20, 2017 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by sandymane
I understand. The thought of the 33's and then the gears sounded like a win win. Better looks and more low end, My truck does the highway great. I can use OD at 50mph if I want, no problem. Back to the real world (like you suggested) for what I am doing I have no real issues. Probably best to suck it up and stay stock. I don't want to get rid of this one. Thanks for the advice and your knowledge. Staying Stock Sandy
My F250 has Wrangler Duratrac 235/85-16 tires, about 32" in dia. with 4.10 gears. I can get into overdrive at somewhere around 37 mph.

Offered for your reference.
 
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Old May 20, 2017 | 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by raystankewitz
My F250 has Wrangler Duratrac 235/85-16 tires, about 32" in dia. with 4.10 gears. I can get into overdrive at somewhere around 37 mph.

Offered for your reference.
I have 235/75/15 with the 2.73 gears. I was using 50mph with OD just as an example. I don't know what speed I can use OD in but I was just implying that it ran good and that OD worked with slow speed. Are you suggesting I do something different? I would like to hear your opinion as I would like bigger tires but I am so slow in lower gears already. Obviously I am a novice about this so any help is really appreciated. I really like the DuraTrac and have had them before. Thanks for your reference. Sandy
 
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