Larger rims
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
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From: Melbourne, Aus
Larger rims
I have to express my dissapointment with Ford (and I believe Dodge and GM are the same) with going with larger diameter rims. I believe the '05 has 17's as standard, and because of the increase in size in the brake rotor you cannot retro-fit 16's.
17's and up may be fine for a boulevard cruiser, but for those of us that want to have a good set of aftermarket tyres fitted for off-road/highway use, I am unable to find any, and even if I did I am sure the cost would be horrendus.
What do you guys think about this trend for larger rims, and lower profile tyres?
17's and up may be fine for a boulevard cruiser, but for those of us that want to have a good set of aftermarket tyres fitted for off-road/highway use, I am unable to find any, and even if I did I am sure the cost would be horrendus.
What do you guys think about this trend for larger rims, and lower profile tyres?
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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Moved to proper forum.
People want better brakes with heavy vehicles so the rotors get larger and the rims must grow also to fit around them.
The tire manufacturesrs will be offering larger tires in all kinds of styles if demand for them is there. Keep looking, I have seen very large tires on large rims around.
People want better brakes with heavy vehicles so the rotors get larger and the rims must grow also to fit around them.
The tire manufacturesrs will be offering larger tires in all kinds of styles if demand for them is there. Keep looking, I have seen very large tires on large rims around.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
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From: Melbourne, Aus
Thanks for moving it Torque1st, maybe next time I will place it in the appropriate forum first... 
I understand braking performance is important, but there are many other ways to improve braking performance without increasing rotor size.
As for large tyres, all I want is some tyres that are the same size as OE tyres, just tyres that provide better traction on dirt roads, I have no need for larger tyres (I tow quite a lot), and it is very difficult here in Oz to get abnormal tyre sizes, It may be fine in the States where around 200-300 thousand Superduties are sold each year, here in Australia they sell around 1000-1500 per year, and I doubt any tyre manufacturer (other than the OE manufacturer) would import a tyre with such small sales expected...
I understand braking performance is important, but there are many other ways to improve braking performance without increasing rotor size.
As for large tyres, all I want is some tyres that are the same size as OE tyres, just tyres that provide better traction on dirt roads, I have no need for larger tyres (I tow quite a lot), and it is very difficult here in Oz to get abnormal tyre sizes, It may be fine in the States where around 200-300 thousand Superduties are sold each year, here in Australia they sell around 1000-1500 per year, and I doubt any tyre manufacturer (other than the OE manufacturer) would import a tyre with such small sales expected...
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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Sounds like importing tires is your option. You might check some of the online tire stores and see if you can get any of them shipped to you or to a dealer.
There are things like improving friction materials and clamping force but the biggest improvements for brakes come with leverage (rotor dia) and swept area. Therefore you get bigger rotors.
There are things like improving friction materials and clamping force but the biggest improvements for brakes come with leverage (rotor dia) and swept area. Therefore you get bigger rotors.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: USA
Being you're out of the country, I can see your frustration. Eventually, that size will become popular and there will be plenty of tires available. Just like when the manufacturers went from 16.5's to 16's, it took the tire companies a while to get on the bandwagon.
As for the increasing brake rotor diameter, there is only so wide they can make the braking surface due to hub diameter and wheel diameter and the only way to get more braking power is to have greater swept area, which means 2 things: increase the rotor diameter (and therefore the total area of rotor contact surface) and increase the size of the pads. Since the trucks are 4-wheel disc, they don't have the option of going to wider rear drums to increase braking power anymore like they used to.
As for the increasing brake rotor diameter, there is only so wide they can make the braking surface due to hub diameter and wheel diameter and the only way to get more braking power is to have greater swept area, which means 2 things: increase the rotor diameter (and therefore the total area of rotor contact surface) and increase the size of the pads. Since the trucks are 4-wheel disc, they don't have the option of going to wider rear drums to increase braking power anymore like they used to.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
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From: Melbourne, Aus
Ok, we have the sourcing tyre situation sorted (thanks guys)
Now a couple more questions.
What about snow/mud chains on low profile tyres?
They are quite likely to damage the rims aren't they?
Also "kerbing" would be more of an issue, this is far more common with low profile tyres, I know you can put wider tyres on, but still you aren't able to put as wide a tyre on when they are lower in profile...
To improve braking performance with smaller rotors maybe I will have to order my next truck with the ceramic brake option...
Now a couple more questions.
What about snow/mud chains on low profile tyres?
They are quite likely to damage the rims aren't they?
Also "kerbing" would be more of an issue, this is far more common with low profile tyres, I know you can put wider tyres on, but still you aren't able to put as wide a tyre on when they are lower in profile...
To improve braking performance with smaller rotors maybe I will have to order my next truck with the ceramic brake option...
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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I can't tell you much about the curbing problem. I hate aluminum wheels and I will only run steel wheels on MY vehicles which limits my selection. The kids and the wife all have those fancy aluminum wheels but I won't replace them if they are damaged. I have a set of steel wheels coming this week for the Ranger I drive occasionally to replace the aluminum ones on it now. It needs tires at all 4 corners so it was a good time to get rid of the aluminum wheels.
As far as tire chains go you may have to test fit some of them and even add links for the side chains to keep it away from the wheels. I have several sets of chains that have not seen the light of day for 20 years.
As far as tire chains go you may have to test fit some of them and even add links for the side chains to keep it away from the wheels. I have several sets of chains that have not seen the light of day for 20 years.
