Need new tires and maybe wheels

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Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby Eck » Mon Aug 22, 2016 4:33 pm

So I need to start looking into replacing my tires. Depending on the tire-- maybe wheels too. My garage door height is currently one of my limiting factors. I currently just barely clear the garage door with the softtop on the Bronco (I rub so there is legit no room left). My current tires are Super Swamper LT 34x10.5x15. The websites say that the overall diameter is 33.6 inches.

My current wheels are 15x10 inch.

I could replace them with the same Super Swampers I have now. I really like the look that it gives my truck and they have great grip in the rocks, but I don't particularly like the bias ply on the street and they seem difficult to balance and a little hard on the street. So I am leaning heavily into getting a different tire.

This is where I run into issues. I REALLY do not want to step down to 33" tires. All of the 35" tires look to be an overall diameter over 34" giving me immediately a minimum of a half inch taller than what I have now (meaning no room to get into the garage with the softtop on). I could look into moving into a metric tire in the 305/70/16-17 range but that will require me to get new wheels. I don't need anything fancy but I am guessing I will need to spend a minimum of $100/wheel to get something.

The other thing I have considered is removing 1" of my body lift. I think I have enough clearance to do this but would also have to lower my fan shroud an inch (which is not a ton of time and work). Anything I am missing in considering this option? If I do this, it should give me the clearance I need to go with 35 inch tires (meaning I can keep the current wheels and save myself $400+ and gain some clearance and more options of tires).

With that said-- looking for any and all opinions on what my best option is. Once I figure some of that out-- I can probably start considering which tires to go with. I am really considering the Goodyear Wrangler MT/R's (the 305/70/16 tires have a diameter of 33.1 which should make them fit into my garage), but have not put a ton of thought into brand and type of tire until I figure out how to solve my garage clearance issues...

Thanks-
Eck
69 Wagon, 351W, Explorer EFI & Serpentine, ZF5, 35" tires, 3.5 SL, 2 BL, WARN 8274
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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby Kinder » Mon Aug 22, 2016 4:43 pm

I'd say reduce the body lift & rock some 35s!
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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby ZOSO » Mon Aug 22, 2016 6:07 pm

You also have to consider you will most likely need a hood to clear the 351.
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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby Gunnibronco » Mon Aug 22, 2016 6:09 pm

I'd say loose the body lift too. But be advised that ZF might not fit so nice. Chop, chop.
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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby Eck » Mon Aug 22, 2016 6:31 pm

ZOSO wrote:You also have to consider you will most likely need a hood to clear the 351.


I think I would have enough room with 1" body lift to clear the 351W. I'm using the dodge Neon cool packs so my plugs don't stick up as far...
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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby Justin » Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:20 pm

35s and a little less body lift. What gears are you running?
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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby Eck » Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:26 pm

Justin wrote:35s and a little less body lift. What gears are you running?


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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby Justin » Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:34 pm

Definitely 35s.
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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby Viperwolf1 » Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:24 pm

You need a minimum of about 1 1/2" of body lift for the EFI 351w with a stock hood. Cut 1/2" out and go with the 35's.
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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby cravenbronco » Tue Aug 23, 2016 5:58 am

Viperwolf1 wrote:You need a minimum of about 1 1/2" of body lift for the EFI 351w with a stock hood. Cut 1/2" out and go with the 35's.


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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby sykanr0ng » Tue Aug 23, 2016 4:36 pm

Chop 1/2 inch and go with 315/70r17 tires?

They're about 34.4 or 34.5 inches.
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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby rt9 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 5:10 pm

Tell your significant other you need a bigger garage. :)
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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby gabe1974 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:00 pm

I have really nice set of Mickey Thompson sidebiter II's
15"x8" in black. (5 wheels). Wrapped in 4 pro comp x terrains. The spare is a different brand. Can't remember what it is. 17/32 of tread
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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby Eck » Wed Aug 24, 2016 10:14 am

gabe1974 wrote:I have really nice set of Mickey Thompson sidebiter II's
15"x8" in black. (5 wheels). Wrapped in 4 pro comp x terrains. The spare is a different brand. Can't remember what it is. 17/32 of tread


I have 15x10" wheels so don't think I would be interested in the wheels per se. I also only need 4 tires cuz I have a brand new spare. What size tires are the ones you have?
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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby gabe1974 » Wed Aug 24, 2016 10:22 am

35x12.50x15
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Re: Need new tires and maybe wheels

Postby Jesus_man » Wed Aug 24, 2016 2:32 pm

Keep in mind that a 1" larger diameter tire only yields 1/2" of extra height.

But another vote here for 35's or a metric equiv.
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