Picking out wheels and tires

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SGT0311

SGT0311

Joined
Dec 29, 2004
Messages
175
Location
Ft Collins, Colorado
Looking to get some new wheels and tires and would much appreciate suggestions finding the right style and size!!!

The tires I'm leaning towards are 35's / 315's in 16 or 17 inch, with a mud tread.

The wheels, would be 16 or 17 inch, 8 or 9 inch width. Back spacing from 3.25 to 3.75. Maybe even 4 if it was a 17.

My first thought is Walker Evans wheels.

Here is a picture of the 40 they will go on.

Thanks in advance for the input...
IMG_0296.jpg
 
i just got my new km2's last week. they look like a great mud tire. i got 35/12.5 on 15x10 classic locks. i think 17's would look to big on a 40. 16's would be max i would go.
 
I think your truck looks absolutely PERFECT they way it sits right now. What lift are you planning with the 35's?
 
dgangle said:
What lift are you planning with the 35's?
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I had a set of Alcan's made (not pictured). I need to send them back in for a little tweaking.
 
My initial question is if going with all new wheels/tires why 16 or 17's over 15's based on $$price$$ alone? On my 40 which is very streetable but mostly a trail rig the 15" combo is SO much cheaper! If I where to buy new tires/wheels right now I would personally still go with whatever tire I can get 5 of for the best price. My first choice based on quality would be the new BFG KM2 and whatever basic Aluminum rim I could put beadlocks on. I currently am running 10" rims but would go to 8" next time with the bead locks. After being reminded how much lighter Al rims are steel is still great but unless going SUPER remote I'll save the weight and go Al. Second choice for tires be Good Year Wrangler MT/R but so much more $$ and no real advantage. I think my backspacing is reverse 2.5" and no rubbing anywhere but I have the 3" wider fenders. On a side note if this is mostly an "on-road" cruiser and looks are paramount/fast freeway travel just admit it now..;-) Nice rig though!
 
The walker evans wheels are very nice but turns into SO MUCH $$ SO FAST, but if you got it why not? I estimate for 5 of them with rubber about $3000...little less if spare is "ugly stepchild." That is about double if go with 15 inch instead. Depending if you already have lockers and....(the list that doesn't end;-) However, no use in buying stuff you won't like!
 
I'm still rolling on km1's but when these wear out i'm probably going to buy a set of km2's . bfg's never let me down .

i think those rims look good , i wouldn't go bigger then 16's just because of price unless you need the 17's for bigger breaks .
 
I know where you can get rid of those springs.............................ME !!
 
It all depends..... Looking at your SWEET cruiser it is most likely not a trail rig so I am assuming your are basing your decision off of looks vs. must right? Do you like the big wheel look?? I just purchased 17's because I wanted KM2's and in my size 17 was as small as they go.... When talking 17's your backspace is limited you probably wouldnt find a rim that you like in the 4" and probably end up with 4.5 which would surely work because the 17's would have the needed clearance that 15's wouldnt but you may still rub on the back of the tub on flex (not sure you care) One thing to think about is that with 17's and 35's your gonna have the look that all the 20's on 37's have and I am not certain that is going to look great on a cruiser..... It could though?? I (thanks to Camcruiser) am going to order steel wheels with custom backspacing around 2.75 give or take whatever they can do and not have reverse mounting.
 
heres my 15x10 MT classic locks and 35/12.5 KM2's. sorry for the crappy and small pic used my cell phone. mounted, balanced, included lugs and caps, shipped to my door $1468

n1495017324_30074772_1221174.jpg
 
Hi All:

X2 what "dgangle" wrote!

E5-0311, what are your intentions for this rig? Light-wheeler, weekend driver, or more hard-core trail running?

Semper Fi,

Alan

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dgangle said:
I think your truck looks absolutely PERFECT they way it sits right now. What lift are you planning with the 35's?
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Thanks so far for all the comments.

For sure when we (Dad & I) started building this 40 back in the 90's... :doh: Haven't touched it for years, it snowballed and became a restoration versus a trail truck. So it probably will see less trail time and more weekend touring.

I just really want the right stance and appearance, kind of retro but still a little modern.

My old 80 had Alcoa's that I powder coated black chrome with MTR's it looked cool plus they were high quality. Giving that some thought...
DSC00007.jpg
 
I am not sure what size tire you have on there now, I would guess 33x12.5x15. I think it looks right with the tire size on there now. going to 35's with no additional lift will look odd in the back.

IMO, with your current lift the tire size you have looks correct. I would suggest staying away from shinny/aluminum/chrome wheels or anything modern. OE steelies, wagon style, or basic black steel wheels look the best IMO. And 15" or 16" only. But hey, if everyone has that syle then we would all look the same guess. Just my two cents and a pic of mine just cause
IMG_1221.jpg
 
I agree that some cheap White Spoke 15in wheels look the best on a 40, kind of matches well with the white top if you have one.
 
don't go to 17....my 15's are perfect for everything, plus affordable in almost any wheel.
what suspension setup do you currently have on there?
 
personally, I think this is the right "stance" and "apprearance" for a 40. 5-6" of lift and 37's. As for wheels, I love the Walker Evans wheels but they are $$$. I think 40's look odd with larger diameter wheels unless your tires are 38" or larger. I would stay with 15" wheels if you plan on using 35's.

IMG_3104sm.jpg


here's some wheels that I like a lot! 17" Champion Beadlocks with 37's.
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Box Rocket said:
personally, I think this is the right "stance" and "apprearance" for a 40. 5-6" of lift and 37's. As for wheels, I love the Walker Evans wheels but they are $$$. I think 40's look odd with larger diameter wheels unless your tires are 38" or larger. I would stay with 15" wheels if you plan on using 35's.

IMG_3104sm.jpg


I agree, the 40 you posted a picture of has a great stance. I am going to run 35's for sure. The Walker Evans wheels are at the moment leading my choices with KM 2's in a 35 x 12.50 x 17.

I am still trying to figure out what backspacing. Either 3.75 or 4.00???
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