I have been thinking of replacing my Firebombs. Trying to decide between the stock 245's and 265's. What are the pros and cons to each? Also, will I lose "power" and fuel economy?

Thanks!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

The only con I could see of going to a 265 is you're limited to what tires you can get in the E load range. My dad won't go up sizes because of this, he pulls a 14klb 5th wheel, and I see you have one too. Just something to think about.

Con's: Slightly lower mileage was seen initially, but I think it was more driving habits.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


Pro's: Higher load carrying capacity with E rated tire. Better wheel well fit.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


Didn't notice any power loss. Infact, it seems to keep going up the more miles I get on it.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

Terrain Twister,

How many miles do you have on your truck? I have about 16.5k on mine now.

I almost bought a set at sears this past weekend. They have a General all terrain tire (load range E, 50k mile) that looks similar to the Bfg all terrain kos. The 245's were $102 a tire and the 265's were $104 a tire. I really like the looks of the 265's better!

Any thoughts?Edited by: cdhd2001

I'm right at 15k.


Do the 265's. I don't regret doing it for a minute. I really like the REVO's. Not the cheapest but they handle real good both wet and dry. Haven't done the snow with them yet. At 60 mph your going about 62 according to the gps. Not enough of a difference for me to worry about.


How is the noise level with it straight piped? Have you towed with it that way and if so how is the noise/drone?

Terrain Twister,

How many miles do you have on your truck? I have about 16.5k on mine now.

I almost bought a set at sears this past weekend. They have a General all terrain tire (load range E, 50k mile) that looks similar to the Bfg all terrain kos. The 245's were $102 a tire and the 265's were $104 a tire. I really like the looks of the 265's better!

Any thoughts?


wow that sounds like a good deal, I'll have to let my dad know about that.


I'd go with the 265's also. They look so much better than the stock 245's. I have 265's on my truck for winter tires, plowing so I can't have my MT's and 305's for summer, both look 100x's better than my dads stock 245's.

Terrain Twister,

I had the straight pipe done in august 2003. I have towed to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas from Austin, Texas, and many 200-300 mile trips. The exhaust does not drone in the cab at any rpm. Actually, it is very quiet in the cab. Outside is a different story, sounds kind of like the dump trucks on hwy construction sites. My wife likes it and thats all that counts!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif

I am seriously thinking of buying those 265 Generals next weekend!Edited by: cdhd2001

I'd recommend 265 load range E's. On average rated for 3400lbs, considerable improvement over 245's. My .02

I just went with Michelin LTX 265's and love them http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif. Will never go back to 245's.

I'm personally thinking of dropping the Firebombs for 285 BFG AT's on the factory alumimum wheels. Anyone see a problem with that? Will the 285's wear out in the middle on the 7" rim?

265 load range E Bridgestone Revo's!

Good time to do Bilsteins too!

The problem with bigger tires on these trucks is that the stock rim is only 6.5", not 7" wide like the half ton trucks. It think this is stupid, but then again, they have the 245 tire in mind for these trucks, and nothing else. I bought Amercian Racing wheels for mine (16x8) for about 98.00 a piece. They look sharp, and the tires (285/75r16) look like they should, with no bulge around the outside, or high-center. To me, it makes nmore sense to get the wheels that fit the tires. Just my $.02

http://www.centerlinewheels.com/images/wheel_deals/70_SHADOW_hi_451x421.jpg

just bought pro comps 265-75-16 all terrains to go with the centerline wheels. national tire and wheel from carl, the tires are buy 3 and the forth ones free to end of march. the wheels are centerline, bought them direct for $109. a wheel. there on there closeout list at 70% off and $70. dollars ship anywhere in the states.

I have a buddy that runs some tire & accessory stores that fixed me up with a set of Ford take-offs from a dealer that he does upgrades for. If you know someone like this, can find some bargains.


Swapped even for a set of WL 265 Firestone Steeltex A/T's load-rated E. These come on 3/4 T Fords.


Look much better than the 245's and ride great. Have a little tread now when I get off road. Turkey season around the corner.

It is my understanding that factory aluminum wheels ARE 7". Anyone know for sure?

i was told 6.5 by gm

Alcoa, 16x6.5. I have contacted Alcoa to inquire about the possibility of them making the same wheel in a 16x7 or 16x8. They said the 6.5 width is the only size they make in this style of wheel.


steve stiller, I looked at those centerlines. The site says they are rated for 1999 lbs. I don't think I would be able to use them. That's too bad because they look good and that is a good price.

265 load range E Bridgestone Revo's!

Good time to do Bilsteins too!


Amen!

Well, I bought the General All Terrains in 265/75R16 load range E. They seem to be doing great! Work well with the Monroe Reflex shocks I installed!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

A quick question for cdhd2001, RaceHemi, and SonnyBear.

All you guys bought 265/75-16 load range E, right?

Both the General Tire and Bridgestone Tire websites FAIL to list the ACTUAL weight rating in POUNDS. They simply list them as E rated.

I've seen E rated 265's range from 3000lbs to 3450lbs...Thats A big difference.


On another note....

Still waiting for a quality tire manufacturer to make me a 255/85-16 load range E with a least a 3400lb rating. I don't care for the D rated tires. I haul too much weight.

The General AT 265's are load range E @ 3417 lbs. per tire.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

Thanks, how about those REVO's?

Thanks, how about those REVO's?




Really like minehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Thumbs Up.gif


285/75's I think they ride better than the Firestones but I only had the Stones on a couple weeks. They looked like spare tire donuts on these trucks IMHO.


The 285/75's on the stock 6.5 Alloy rims, now have 22k miles on them and are wearing very evenly across the tread. NO CROWNING or wearing in the middle like everyone seems to think they will. I rotate every 10,000 miles. Wet traction is where the REVO's do their best in. They are a new tech. tire that renews the rubber as it wears, the tires never get hard. I use to only run BFG A/T's and M/T's but they are an old tire design and wanted the latest greatest on my new truck.


Once you go with the wider taller tire you may never go back to the 245's. The truck now feels planted to the ground. The 245's would make the anti-locks kick in at the slightest sign of a hard stop. Now the truck just flat stop fast and hard with the anti-locks kicking in only on snow, ice, wet or very hard stops.


I turned my torsion bars up 3 full turns more for looks than any clearance problems.Edited by: HD-Nate

Thanks HD-Nate, but I was specifically looking for weight ratings on the 265 size REVO's.

While I got you though, what do your sidewalls say the single load capacity is and at what PSI?

3415 lbs @ 80 psi single.


3085 lbs @ 80 psi dual.Edited by: Terrain Twister

We have put both 265 and 285/75r16 on the late model trucks withot any wear problems.some 4wd applications we bump up the torsion bars.The michellins ride the best,Goodyears better lateral stability BFG the most popular in this area-suburb of Atlanta

I am looking into getting new wheels and tires for my 2500 D/A as soon as it comes in. I have noticed that most people are staying with 16" wheels. Any reason other than price or preference ? I was gonna go with 285/60/18's, they are almost identical in height to the 265/75/16's, but are an inch wider. I have always liked the 18" wheel on a big truck. I know they are a little heavier, but not much. Is there any mechanical reason not to get the 18's ? If not, what would be the minimum load capacity per wheel to look for, as well as per tire? The most weight I ever haul is about a 5000lb car trailer.

Thanks for the replies guys.


jjs3788,

The weight capacity of the tire and also the wheel would steer (no pun intended) me away from 18's.

In a D/A truck many are exceeding 4600 lbs on the front axle with a cab full of occupants.

Gotta watch the rear axle too. One small load of mulch or dirt and you could easily exceed the wheel man. weight capacity.

Thanks Lawnboy, what about the Weld Evo series ? I think they are rated at something like 3400 lbs per wheel. I think that what I read.

They sound pretty beefy to me. What about tires? Whats available weight rating wise in 18"?

I havent looked into it that far yet. I was still in the process of figuring out what wheel I wanted.

I have BF Goodrich 285 T/A's on mine . Really like the looks of the tire and makes the truck sit a little higher. Have them on stock rims with no problems. I had the dealer trade them in and install them before I took the truck off the lot. They sold them in there parts shop and the guy behind the counter recommended them. The 285's have limited clearance on the front air dam but you can trim it back a little. You will loose the capabiltiy of using your lower winter cover since it hooks over the lip of he lower air dam where you need to tim it back.


My 2001 HD Gasser had 265's on but the 285's really dress up the truck. I thought about keeping my American Racing wheels Python's but here in Nebraska the salt and car washes really stained them and took hours cleaning them to make them look good. So I will some day but a different rims but that will be awhile.