Does anyone run the 315-70R17 BFG's on the stock rims, and have the rear fender liners? I was skidding some logs this weekend for the camp fire, and got nice and crossed up traversing a particularly deep ditch. Didn't think to snap a photo, but I did check the clearance between the rear fender liner and the back side of the tire; not much to say the least [undecided]. That's got me thinking that if you actually use your 4x4 with the 315's on stock rims, and you have the rear fender liners, you might just be up a creek???

 

I've got the 315's on the stock rims and do take my rig 4-wheeling. No problems yet. ;D<br><br>But, I know I would not feel comfortable running chains. 'Course, with these tires, I just don't see chains as doing that much good.<br><br>Best to y'all<br>Bill

 

UTAH - I think I remember you as being the pioneer for the 315's, and me wishing my truck could sport them too!! So you have the full rear wheelhouse liners and no rubbing problems? I sure didn't feel much room between there with the little stockers, but if you say so... ;D

 

[quote author=TWZMYJP link=board=17;threadid=15214;start=0#142960 date=1054129827]<br>UTAH - I think I remember you as being the pioneer for the 315's, and me wishing my truck could sport them too!! So you have the full rear wheelhouse liners and no rubbing problems? I sure didn't feel much room between there with the little stockers, but if you say so... ;D<br>[/quote]<br>He lost them and don't know it yet. <br>DM01

 

I thought the liners were rather close to the 315s as well. but I haven't taken mine off road yet. No rubbing but I'd say it's less than an inch clearance. <br>What I wonder is why, when I stop at a stoplight, everyone in the car next to me stares at my front wheels. Are they just that big and I'm used to it or what? After someone does the stare-at-the-wheel thing, I get home and check it out to see if somethings wrong... Maybe they're just jealous...

 

O.K., let's look at this issue from another perspective. 8)

As those of you who have installed the liners know, the liner sides fit right up against the existing half-liners. So, there's really no significant loss of room on that dimension.

What I'm trying to say is, if the fully-articulated tire/wheel is coming close to the liner - it would have come just as close to the half-liner.

Now, having said all that, if we're going to take our trucks 4-wheeling - I'm assuming we would not do so while loaded up. In other words, if I'm trying to tackle terrain capable of getting me &quot;crossed up&quot; I'm doing so with only a light load or no load in the bed.

If, for some reason, y'all think you might be in situations where you're &quot;loaded and stuffed&quot; (sounds like a great saturday night, eh?) you could lower your bump stops about 1-2&quot; just to be on the safe side. Installing overload springs would have a comparable effect as well.

I'm not trying to minimize the issue here, boys. I think our friend TWZMYJP has pointed out a legitimate issue worthy of our consideration. As with similar issues, check it out if it's a concern. Find a berm or ramp you can use to fully stuff your tires and have a friend checking clearances. I have my wife shoot pics with a digital camera while I go through these little exercises up a local canyon.

My greatest concern regarding contact between the truck and tires remains in the front. Watch for adequate clearance between the front tire and the back lower edge of the wheel well - in my opinion, that's where our trucks are most vunerable to contact. And, if you choose to stuff the front end to check clearances, remember to turn the wheel BEFORE you stuff the tire. Turning the wheel while it IS stuffed creates an incredible load and could damage a component and/or throw out your alignment.

Best to y'all
Bill

 

UTAH brings up a great point. However, to further clearify my specific situation... <br><br>Unfortunately, I don't fit into the norm of &quot;unloaded four wheeling&quot;... There have been, and will continue to be, more times than I can count in which I am 'wheeling just get a job done. That is, 2 ton of hay in the bed, easing across a seemingly frozen pasture, only to find that irrigation ditch... Or in the mountains, with a cord or so in the bed, tromping back down the moutain (on the trail of course!)... I've got a Jeep, several actually :, for my &quot;normal four wheeling&quot;, but I have the truck to work, and work it does. <br><br>This internet stuff is great; UTAH I'm sure has 'wheeled his truck as hard as I can expect to, and now I know the 315's will work! Didn't even have to beg a local tire shop for a test fit! ;D

 

;D Enjoy that truck, TWZMYJP - you'll like the 315's. ;D

Not only do the 315's look great, but they take the edge off the ride due to increased air volume capacity and subsequent lower PSI's. I run my front tires at 47 PSI and the rear at 32 PSI (unloaded mostly, I do keep my stock tires in the bed for &quot;ballast&quot; which also helps to soften the ride).

And, traction with the 315's is a great improvement over stock. I don't chirp the rear tires as much now and off-road performance is a major improvement.

I don't see in your specs what gearing your diffs have (mine are 3.73). But, I'll tell you, this truck does not seem to have lost any get up and go with the larger tires. In fact, when in 6th, she could still easily pull another gear. The larger tires also do not seem to be hurting my MPG either. I'm running between 19 and 20 MPG (unloaded) consistently (I do correct my calculations to include the different tire diameter). The lowest MPG I've seen in the last six months is 19.4 MPG.

Man, I love this truck!

Bill

 

;D Geez, just checked out tirerack.com (where I bought my tires) and they're now selling for $125 each (!!!). I got mine from them for $138 each and thought that was a steal.

BFG TA/KO 315/70/17

Shipping to my house was $75. But, I still saved hundreds of $ over my local prices. If you call tirerack.com, they'll tell you what shipping would be to your place.

Oh, and another thing, after I placed my order a rep called me and said, &quot;we're not sure those tires will fit your truck - you still want 'em.&quot; I told him I knew what I wanted and to ship me my goll-darned tires. They were sitting on my porch in about 7 days.

Bill

 

I've checked Tirerack.com a few times, and noticed the same price!! That's just awesome!! ;D I paid more than that for a set of 31&quot; off-brand mud terrains a couple years ago!! <br><br>I do have the 3.73's, and was wondering how the larger meats affected drivability. Didn't think it would be bad, as you have noted for me. Do you pull a heavy trailer very often? Any effects there? Seems like I've always got something strapped on, so I have only seen the 19mpg range a few times (just over 13k total miles now). My combined average since the 4 mile mark as it rolled off the delivery truck is 17.76mpg.<br><br>As for the ride, I still can't believe how much better it is than my 2001!! This thing is like a Caddy! And now your telling me it gets better?! ;D

 

[quote author=TWZMYJP link=board=17;threadid=15214;start=0#143964 date=1054328501]...was wondering how the larger meats affected drivability. Didn't think it would be bad, as you have noted for me. Do you pull a heavy trailer very often? Any effects there?[/quote]<br><br>No problems, bro. Probably has something to do with having the 6-speed. Heck, if you can't pull 6th you can run in 5th (which is about where the &quot;old&quot; pre-new-tire 6th was in gearing). I have not heard about this issue from owners of the auto trans yet - I wonder if they &quot;hunt&quot; more on uneven terrain with the larger tires(?).<br><br>Bill

 

I'm thinking of the 315 BFG's, but have two questions: <br>1. should I get the levelling kit (most posts say not needed but...)? I plan on some bush work - hauling wood on an acerage, so I'll be loaded off-road like TWZMYJP. Also I plan on a slide in camper and yes, we'll head off to some remote places in the mountains. I'll stay within the GAWR.<br>2.should I also consider a small lift on the rear or air bags or ??? for more clearance? <br>Downside of lifting is a high center of gravity with the camper, so I need to be conservative here.<br>

 

I'm planning on the leveling kit, just to help ensure my front fenders don't eat it. As for absolute have to or not, I can't answer that? [undecided]<br><br>For the rear, as I understand it, the camper mfg's don't rely on the rig squatting under weight to maintain stability, so I would think airbags are a fine choice. In fact, I plan on installing some as well, just to keep the rear level when hauling heavy after the front leveling kit goes on. I despise the nose-high look, and I really despise getting brighted at night &gt; If you don't want to raise the rear under load, maybe your answer would be a good swaybar setup, just for control purposes? But I don't think any rear lift is necessary for clearance, it's all looks.

 

[quote author=TWZMYJP link=board=17;threadid=15214;start=0#145284 date=1054664877]I despise the nose-high look, and I really despise getting brighted at night[/quote]<br><br>Good point. I re-aimed my headlights after installing the front leveling kit.<br><br>Bill

 

I run BFG 35x12.50x17 ATR's on my stock alloy wheels with a 2-1/2&quot; leveling kit. I have taken the ride on some rutted and rocky mountain trails and never had any clearence problems. I believe there would be some problems running them on a stock suspension configuation (mainly on the front). The 315/70 are 34.4&quot; tall and 12.4&quot; wide. :