Tires...skinny look

daveIT · 08-19-09, 07:07 PM

I always liked the look of the old Dodge Power Wagons with the skinny tractor tire look. I want to buy some new 31" for my truck. I see most seem to come in a 10.5 I'm wondering if the 9.5 would give me the look I'm looking for or if I should go skinnier. Any disadvantages? Any recommended brands?

My rig will be mostly a DD & weekend camping rig in Colorado...I don't plan to do any hardcore 4x4ing

liljlandon · 08-19-09, 08:37 PM

Im looking for the same thing you are and beleive its rather difficult to find a 31x9.5 in a decent tire. I havent asked my tire guy, but hes gonna send me in the metric world im sure...

missouriman · 08-19-09, 09:59 PM

Super Swamper 31x9.5x15 TSL Radial, Max Load 2160, Ply Rating 6, O.D. 30.7 - TSL Radial - Off Road Unlimited

700-15 NDCC MILITARY - Coker Tire

H8PVMNT · 08-20-09, 01:05 AM

I dig skinny tires too... I am thinking of some 7.50 R15 co-op grip spurs for my '80. They are about a 31 and are really agressive and skinny. I really like the 33x9.50 BFGs as well, had probably 4 sets over the years. If you are going to go with a swamper you might as well look at the 32x9.50 tsl bias. I ran the radial swampers in a 32x10.50 and I really don't think they ran any smoother down the road than the 34x9.50 bias tsls I have now do. I do think the bias are quite a bit better off road though.

Bogo · 08-20-09, 10:36 AM

You may want to consider going to a 16" rim and tires like the 235x85r16. Section width I've seen for them is 9.3" on a 6.5" wide rim. It's also 32" in diameter. Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 2 is in that size, as well as the BFG KM2. I have no experience with either. I just remembered seeing them listed in the company specs pages.

daveIT · 08-20-09, 04:35 PM

Kinda hoping to stick with stock rims, but if I went to 16"...Would those fit on my stock 89 Ext Cab Pickup?

Bogo · 08-20-09, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveIT

Would those fit on my stock 89 Ext Cab Pickup?

They are load range E tires. What's the size on it? Both my full sized pickups use 245x75r16 tires which is a bit smaller in diameter and wider.

Jukelemon · 08-21-09, 07:41 AM

They also make a 30x9.50 that would fit a stock wheel quite nicely.

I owned the TSL 31X9.50 tire. Great tire. Note, they are a bit bigger than 31". But I dont see an issue with them fitting.

I have a set of 31X10.50's on stock wheels that I used to use for hunting. I know that it is not advised to run a 10.50 tire on a 7" wheel, but I have had no issues with the bead or tread cupping.

Bogo · 08-21-09, 11:39 PM

BFG KM2 in 31x10.5r15 is rated for 7" to 9" rim widths.

I don't see the issue. I also don't see why it would cause cupping. Cupping usually comes from worn or bent suspension components.

liljlandon · 08-22-09, 02:35 PM

Can someone define "cupping"? I feel like an idiot for not knowing...

Bogo · 08-22-09, 07:22 PM

Cupping is the scalloped wear that happens at the edge of the tire. It usually only happens to one side or the other, not both. Center wear is greater wear down the middle of the tread. Usually due to over inflation, or mounting on a to narrow of rim.

Bogo · 08-22-09, 07:27 PM

Do a google on "tire wear patterns".

digital · 08-22-09, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveIT

I always liked the look of the old Dodge Power Wagons with the skinny tractor tire look. I want to buy some new 31" for my truck. I see most seem to come in a 10.5 I'm wondering if the 9.5 would give me the look I'm looking for or if I should go skinnier. Any disadvantages? Any recommended brands?

My rig will be mostly a DD & weekend camping rig in Colorado...I don't plan to do any hardcore 4x4ing

I recently went with 15x7's and the BFG 33x10.5 KM2's, they look great and don't stick out the side, I'll post some pics here soon when I get a chance.

daveIT · 08-23-09, 10:48 AM

Please do...I saw a 30x9.5 one on their website...I might go with that to not lose any mileage. This is mostly a DD & weekend camping rig.

digital · 08-23-09, 10:59 AM

I'm actually getting about 19mpg with the 33's and stock 4.10's. It's a little slugish in 1st gear but I just installed a LCE header so it may help a little. I will be regearing to 4.88's as soon as I get my play money saved up. I kept my 31's for daily driving and put the 33's on when I take the rig out on trails, good luck!

Here you go, these pics were taken before I got the alignment so the camber is way off, they tuck under the fender ok..

daveIT · 08-23-09, 06:10 PM

Look tight on the front near bumper...do you have a lift or just the torsion bars cranked (maybe some beating on the pinch welds etc)?

Joe_E · 08-23-09, 06:31 PM

They look great on you truck dude.
I've always been a skinny tire fan as well. Enjoyed the BFG 33X9.50 on my 60 very much.
Just painted a set of the old school PU rims dark grey for my 92 . The one that came as a spare in the early nineties.
Trying to save some coin to put on 31X10.50's. Need them before hunting season and before winter.

digital · 08-23-09, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveIT

Look tight on the front near bumper...do you have a lift or just the torsion bars cranked (maybe some beating on the pinch welds etc)?

Just the 1-1/2" BJ Spacers & AAL's & removed the front valance. They rub slightly when stuffed, not too bad though..Next time I have them mounted, I'll see what they rub on and let ya know..

Thanks Joe_E! Hunting season can't get here soon enough man, I've been ready the whole summer

Jukelemon · 08-24-09, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogo

BFG KM2 in 31x10.5r15 is rated for 7" to 9" rim widths.

I don't see the issue. I also don't see why it would cause cupping. Cupping usually comes from worn or bent suspension components.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogo

Cupping is the scalloped wear that happens at the edge of the tire. It usually only happens to one side or the other, not both. Center wear is greater wear down the middle of the tread. Usually due to over inflation, or mounting on a to narrow of rim.

Bogo: I think you contradicted yourself. Suspension or over inflation = "usually" ( :

Just giving you sh-t.

I never had an issue so no complaints here with a 7" and a 10.50 tire.

Joe_E · 10-17-09, 06:24 AM

Finally got my new sneakers a few weeks ago i was yapping about. Got 31X10.50 Bridgestone revos from my local tire shop. I absolutely love them and the way they look on my mini.
It's nice when something finally comes together and turns out like you had hoped and planned.

Also picked up a like-new cap with $400 Yakima rack set up from the local camper place for 5 bills mounted. It's now the perfect woodduck hunting rig.

NorCalBorn · 10-17-09, 07:42 AM

FWIW 31" BFG TA-KO's.

daveIT · 10-17-09, 08:24 AM

Nice, that's the size I'm going when my current set wears out.

raevenzero · 11-03-09, 06:49 PM

Pic #1: Stock with 31/1050/15's (rubbed a little at full stuff and turn).

Pic #2: 32/1150/15's with lift and loaded down rear (no rubbing

hoping to fit 35" KM2's soon)

corax · 11-03-09, 08:27 PM

'88 4runner, 1" body lift, never touched the front torsion bars, rear OME leaves (minus 1 overload with stock length shackles) on 15x8 with 4.5" backspaced rims wrapped with 33x10.5 BFG KM2s - I haven't rubbed yet, but I haven't really been offroad since I got these either. The body seam looks close up front, but I might be able to just squeak by without hammering it flat