Help me decide 295 vs 315

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LX Avalanche

LX Avalanche

10 Year
Joined
Nov 2, 2014
Threads
30
Messages
384
I've been doing a lot of research on both sizes here on forum and reading everyone's opinion on the subject, but I'd like to hear the local guy's opinion on the subject since AZ terrain is pretty unique. This vehicle is my daily driver, and I plan on exploring many of the trails around AZ and hopefully more of the west. I have a trip planned to Baja with a buddy next fall also. Never have been in to rock crawling so I don't have any plans to add a bunch of armor outside of skid plates and weigh this already slow vehicle down anymore so the added clearance of the 315's is appealing. I had a Titan Pro4x with 35's and rear locker and it got me through everything I wanted to without any body damage (except once) and it was a longer and wider vehicle than the LX.

Here are the pros and cons of both so far


295 Pro's:
Fit in stock location (I think) which will save space in the interior and save money so I won't have to buy a LCP tire carrier
Won't feel the need to regear as badly as with 315's

295's Con:
Less clearance
Less cool
$5 more per tire than the 315's in the brand and style I'm looking at (BFG KO2)

315 Pro's:
More clearance
Less expensive by $5 ;-)
Looks better IMO

315 Con's:
Won't fit in stock location and will take up space in the interior
Will affect performance more so than the 295's causing me to want to regear


Vehicle info:
97 LX450
Rebuilt engine within the last 10k
2.5" TJM Progressive Springs
Icon Stage 1 shocks
Aussie Locker in rear (soon to be installed)
CDL
No Armor
Winch (soon)
 
I'd go 315s for many of the pros you mentioned. Having had 295s on my 80 previously, I can say 315s look way better. Looks aren't everything, but they do matter. As you know, it's slow. I run stock gearing with 315 KO2s. I'm getting 16.5 hwy mpg calculated. Only time I really notice is steep long hills. I think you'll be happier with the 315s. And you can always find them! And you can make it fit in the stock location relatively easily.
 
Really it can fit in the stock location? In that sticky thread on tires it says 305 is the max size that'll fit there. Anything you have to do in order to get it to fit?
 
I did have to remove my factory excavator. Aka tow hitch. Then relocate the winch higher to tuck. Just make sure you're not touching the rear Panhard bar
 
Re-gearing worth it or no? Looks like gears are $250 per diff plus another $250 per for the install kit plus install.
 
I would not reqear but that's just my opinion.
 
315s, my brother had 295s and the tranny hated them. The extra inch is a huge advantage in the local terrain.

Look at Nitto Trail or Terra Grapplers. Good all purpose tires for AZ.
 
I am on 315s, would not go smaller. If you want more power, rebuild the engine! Rebuilt mine and the power increase is very noticeable. I am getting 13.5 MPG on mixed driving. Towed a heavily loaded rig and tent trailer up north to Seligman for an Elk hunt in November. I did not take 17 up but going through Prescott via Wickenburg was not bad at all. Gearing probably would have helped but it is far down on the list of things I need for the truck.

Go with the 315s and don't look back. Also, I am running Pro Comp xtreme muds on mine. Less than 3000 on this set and nothing terribly rough on them so I can't judge their true off road ability yet.
 
Azca said:
I am on 315s, would not go smaller. If you want more power, rebuild the engine! Rebuilt mine and the power increase is very noticeable. I am getting 13.5 MPG on mixed driving. Towed a heavily loaded rig and tent trailer up north to Seligman for an Elk hunt in November. I did not take 17 up but going through Prescott via Wickenburg was not bad at all. Gearing probably would have helped but it is far down on the list of things I need for the truck.

Go with the 315s and don't look back. Also, I am running Pro Comp xtreme muds on mine. Less than 3000 on this set and nothing terribly rough on them so I can't judge their true off road ability yet.
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Engine was rebuilt less than 10k miles ago and thank you for your input. I guess I'm just still getting accustomed to the slow family cruiser. I use to have a truck that could run high 13's on 35" tires so everything after that has just felt like a sloth.
 
LX Avalanche said:
Engine was rebuilt less than 10k miles ago and thank you for your input. I guess I'm just still getting accustomed to the slow family cruiser. I use to have a truck that could run high 13's on 35" tires so everything after that has just felt like a sloth.
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If you are looking for fast, this is the wrong vehicle short of a 200 series. I have become accustomed to driving slower and enjoying the trip as of late with the 80 when we take longer trips. When I laugh is when I am passing people in Rubicons that are built for crawling and they are driving 70 and bouncing themselves to death. I drive by at 75-80 with leather and the ability to carry on a conversation in the car. The 80 isn't fast but its hard to beat for what it can do on and off road.
 
jclarke450 said:
If you are looking for fast, this is the wrong vehicle short of a 200 series. I have become accustomed to driving slower and enjoying the trip as of late with the 80 when we take longer trips. When I laugh is when I am passing people in Rubicons that are built for crawling and they are driving 70 and bouncing themselves to death. I drive by at 75-80 with leather and the ability to carry on a conversation in the car. The 80 isn't fast but its hard to beat for what it can do on and off road.
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Not looking for fast, just hard getting used to being slow. I have a family now, so I needed to slow down with precious cargo on board.
 
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LX Avalanche said:
Engine was rebuilt less than 10k miles ago and thank you for your input. I guess I'm just still getting accustomed to the slow family cruiser. I use to have a truck that could run high 13's on 35" tires so everything after that has just felt like a sloth.
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Its a tractor engine...I don't think your gonna get the aceleration no matter what size tire you put on it. Go with 35.
 
Where does everybody get their tires? I've always gone with Discount but if there is someone else you guys go with let me know.
 
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