I am in need of some new tires (was figuring I'd last the winter, but with these snow storms constantly I am throwing in the towel), and have several options I am looking at.

First off, the truck is a 99 extended cab XLT 4x4 offroad. Pretty sure it doesn't make a difference, but it is a 5 speed. The truck has the stock 16's on it with a 245/75 tire.

Basically I am looking at a few options. I will either replace just the tires or get a set of wheels with them. If I just get tires from what I understand on the stock suspension I can go as large as a 265/70/16 without cranking the t-bar, if someone could let me know if my research is correct I would appreciate it.

My other thought is dropping down to 15's. It seems like if I get a 15 with somewhere between 3.5-4" of backspacing and a -20 to 0 offset I would be able to run a 31/10.5/15 tire as the largest tire with stock suspension and no t-bar cranking. Again this is based on some research and I am just looking for confirmation that this is true.

If there are more ideal backspacings or offsets for the 15's I'd like to know. I am not looking for a ton of tire sticking out of the fenders (but also not opposed to it), just a good fitment that allows me to run a bigger tire. If you'd also like to show off some of your stock suspension bigger tire pictures with different backspacing/offsets I certainly wouldn't mind.

 

Since I am getting no responses, maybe I will simplify it a bit.

Here is one option I am considering:

15x8 with -19 offset with 3.7" backspacing with duratrac 31x10.5 tires

Any opinions on this? I am confident with my research on everything but backspacing and offsets.

 

You can run up to a 32" tire with no tbar cranking. (265/75/16)

I would suggest cranking your tbars however. 32s and a leveled ranger looks great IMO. Also duratracs seem to be a great tire and you should love them!

 

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate the info. Do you have any opinions on offset? I have found some wheels with an offset in the -44 range that I like, but am afraid of not clearing brakes, etc. after more research back spacing in am now confident with

 

I'm not really sure about offset. -44 does seem like it will be too close to the frame and such. Don't quote me on that though. Also if you like the rims that much, spacers are always an option too.

 

True, would rather take a wheel that I like a little less just to stay away from a spacer though. The wheels are on a jeep site so I am guessing that's why the offset is so different. Doesn't seem to be anyone on here that runs an offset like that

 

I see what you mean and I think that's a smarter choice.

I just have heard too many horror stories about spacers.

 

So I ended up just going with a safe bet so I know I wont need spacers. I ordered the summit racing 84 D series in black.

Was looking to get tires mounted, but I will just price match tires to a local discount tire and then I can be lazy and let them rotate my tires instead of doing it myself. I will be getting duratrac 31x10.5x15. Looking forward to better traction and a better looking ride.

 

Stick to 15" rims and tires.

Better ride with lower load rating on 15" tires.

 

I have stock 16's on it right now. Once I began looking into tires I knew 15's was the way to go. Heck buying the summit wheels and the tires was only $50 more expensive than just buying the same size tires in 16s INCLUDING SHIPPING! Anyone who sticks with the 16s is crazy unless they are buying junk tires.

Wheels are supposed to get here tomorrow already, so hopefully on Saturday before all the snow hits I can get the tires mounted and go test them out.

 

I expect pics to come!

 

Hopefully get them today and be on tomorrow for the snow. Will get pics up. ASAP

 

I just wanted to throw my $.02 and clarify something here...

A negative offset will push the wheels out further, not in further. A -44 offset, depending on the width, has more of a chance of rubbing on the fender than anything if you're not cranking your bars.

 

Ahhh. I see. I had it mixed around. Thanks for the clarification.

 

Now that you bring it up i can't believe I didn't think about that. I was thinking the wheels on my GTO were a -43 offset because there is very little room on the outside, but they are a +43. So those wheels I was looking at with a -44 and and 4" back spacing probably would have been fine. Ah well, went with the safe bet and they were under $200 shipped so can't beat that.

Thank you for helping set me straight on the offset

 

I don't think they still would have worked. You could have had clearance issues from the tires sticking too far out.

 

But with the extra .5" of back spacing I think it'd be close.

Anyway, just got them mounted up. It is also currently snowing. Traction is 100x better. Slight rub on full left turn (suspension in front is show so not a big deal)

Before

 

After (won't let me load two pictures for some reason)

 

Looks great!

 

Did you crank the T bars? I ask because I am going with 31x10.5x15 myself and I like how it sets now but I am gonna crank my T bars.