285/70-16 vs. 33??

[StressPuppy]

285/75-16 vs. 33??

Ok. I am looking at putting the OME 2" lift Light/Medium duty suspension on my 97 LC. Once it is up a little, I am assuming from measuring and searching/reading the archives that 33s will fit fine.

But what is the real difference between a 285/75-16, which has a height of 32.9 +/-, and a 33, which has a height of 32.7 +/-? (Measurements taken from tirerack.com and the BFG ATs). Is it simply the tread, or is there other things, like sidewall strength?

On a side note, I currently have almost brand new Michelin LTX M/S's on my rig. If I change to something bigger, how easy/hard would it be to sell these tires and what should I expect to get for them?

Thanks!!

 

[StressPuppy]

Oh, and while I am at it, what tire would you recommend for a daily driver with light to moderate wheeling?

(Yes, have been searching, but haven't found exactly what I am looking for......)

 

[firetruck41]

But what is the real difference between a 285/70-16, which has a height of 32.9 +/-, and a 33, which has a height of 32.7 +/-? (Measurements taken from tirerack.com and the BFG ATs). Is it simply the tread, or is there other things, like sidewall strength?

I think the only difference is one is measured in metrics and one in standard units, some specific tires may only be available in one or the other, but the way it is measured will not make a difference in tire quality performance. I think the common size is 285/75-16 not 285/70-16. 285/75/16 (33") will fit a stock 80, so you will be fine with a lift. I have the Goodyear MT/R's in that size and like them, I have only used them on road so far, they are not very noisy (I was expecting much more noise) and look awesome, thay have good sidewall strength and are supposed to do well off road.

 

[StressPuppy]

Corrected the mistakes above (size and tires I have now). Sorry.

Maybe another question (and cheaper question) would be should I just put the stock height OMEs on there and leave the Michelins, moving to a 33" tire on the next change?

What do I really gain by the height increase for someone that is only doing light to moderate off-roading?

(Sorry for being OT, but hey, it's my thread!!!!)

 

[Doc]

Check out the Firestone Destination MT tires. I got 33's in that variety, and they fit very nicely under the stock suspension.

LINK!

click the above link to take you to the thread where I'm putting 33's on my stock suspension'd 80.

 

[Doc]

What you gain by going to the larger tire size is
1. Ground clearance
2. extra insurance for your tranny/other vitals


Plus, it looks beefier- which is a plus in and of itself.

 

[MoJ]

StressPup-

Had no trouble selling my nearly-new Mich's. Just post something in the for sale section. I did however sell them cheap ($200 for 4).

 

[StressPuppy]

I can see I am going to have a hard time with this one!

I have been reading and such trying to figure out what to do with the suspension. Needs to be done and my dad always said "If you're gonna do something, do it right!" So the lift was something I started thinking about. Even took a jack out and raised the rig 2" to see what the OME 850/863 setup might look like. Then there was this space in the wheel well. So I started wondering about tires. But with new Michelins on, it is going to be hard to convince the wife of spending another $700-800 on tires!

Can anybody tell me if there is an OME kit for stock height?


To lift or not to lift, THAT is the question!!!

 

[pound3151]

I vote to lift it the 2", but that's just me. I think you'll be glad you did. As far as tires go, I've got Bridgestone Dueller REVO's in 33's. they are a great daily driver with a little bite and they have a heavy load rating, not cheap though.

 

[firetruck41]

Can anybody tell me if there is an OME kit for stock height?


To lift or not to lift, THAT is the question!!!

There are "stock" height OME springs which give about 0.5" IIRC. Personally I would love to get the medium lift even though I don't go off road, but I keep thinking I may some day, plus it just looks good

 

[cruiserdan]

What you gain by going to the larger tire size is
1. Ground clearance
2. extra insurance for your tranny/other vitals


Plus, it looks beefier- which is a plus in and of itself.

It is not important to be good, it is important to LOOK GOOD


(Man I wish I had a set of Mickey Thompson Alcoas in 16x10 and some 315/75/16 MTR's THAT would look MARVELOUS. Donations gracefully accepted )

 

[MoJ]

I can see I am going to have a hard time with this one!

Can anybody tell me if there is an OME kit for stock height?

Yes, there is (raises 1/2 inch) and does not need the caster correction. I was considering it at one time but then decided WTF do I want to do that for.


Oh yeah, www.sleeoffroad.com carries it.

 

[StressPuppy]

Yes, there is (raises 1/2 inch) and does not need the caster correction. I was considering it at one time but then decided WTF do I want to do that for.

That is kind of my thought!

Maybe I "stage" this and do the lift now, and replace the tires later.

How do 275/70-16 Michelins look with a 2" lift? Anybody doing it and have pictures??

 

[cruiserdan]

I am set-up with 850/863 and a one inch packer on the front. I regularly switch between my OEM 275/70/16 Michelins and my 305/70/16 GY M/T's. The rig looks a bit odd to me when I first put the 275's on but after a day or so it seems "normal". When I switch back to the GY's it's like "Ok, thats better "

From an apperance standpoint the 305's win, hands down. From a hiway driveability, comfort and fuel usage angle the Michelins can not be beat, period.

 

[StressPuppy]

C-Dan,

Got any pictures of your rig with either (or both) sets of tires on it? I'd like to see that!!

 

[Junk]

Here's an idea. If you don't know if you want it lifted, then why not drive it awhile till you figure it out?

Seriously, if you need to spend money that badly, then dig a hole.

 

[alaskacruiser]

I second the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos in the 33" size- excellent all-round tire

 

[StressPuppy]

Here's an idea. If you don't know if you want it lifted, then why not drive it awhile till you figure it out?

Seriously, if you need to spend money that badly, then dig a hole.

Ummmm, BEEN driving it and it needs new shocks in a bad way. So I need to get something fairly soon before I get to death (93k on original shocks I believe). So it is not a matter of having money to throw in a hole, it is that something needs to be done and I don't want to do it twice!

But I get your point.....

 

[hoser]

I second the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos in the 33" size- excellent all-round tire

YES, the REVO in a 33"---well, that's as big as they make them. Great tire for your purpose.

 

[Beowulf]

StressPuppy,

I'll make this easy for you.
1. Buy the 851/860 OME springs and a matching set of OME shocks.
2. Buy the OME castor correction bushings.
3. Buy a full set of five 305/70R16 or 285/75R16 Goodyear MT/R's
4. Sell the Michelin's for whatever you can get for them
5. Take a step back and admire your truck & regain your masculinity by doing something for YOURSELF.
6. Have a few #6's and repeat step #5.

Quit vacillating and JUST DO IT.

-B-