Rim options for a '96 4wd

[la350]

I've got a '96 CC LB 4x4 that I use on the beach in Alaska. Right now I'm running stock tires and rims and I need more flotation in the soft stuff. The tire shops up there said they'd have a tough time finding a wider rim with the correct offset for this application and I find that hard to believe. I'd like to go with something no smaller than 285's on a 16" rim. What are my options with stock suspension and then with a 2" body lift? I don't need additional ground clearance, just a wider tire....

Thanks
Lance

www.alldrinsalmon.com

[DmaxMaverick]

Centerline and other brands offer a wide variety of widths and offsets. I use Centerline Extreme Duty (HD) 16x8x4-5/8", with 285/75/16 tires on my 2001. 305 and 315 tires are also an option, but may require a wider wheel (also available from Centerline).

I don't recommend it, but some folks have used 285's on the stock 6.5" wheels. This won't be a problem, in itself, if you aren't loading heavy.

[la350]

I load heavy, sometimes with 3-5K of salmon on the flatbed. I'll look for something with 4 1/2" or so of offset and see if that will work.

[DmaxMaverick]

I load heavy, sometimes with 3-5K of salmon on the flatbed. I'll look for something with 4 1/2" or so of offset and see if that will work.

That's not "heavy" (unless you mean the "flatbed", is the truck bed, in which case, is too heavy, in any case). Heavy is a 10K+ RV for extended trips. The problem with wide tires on narrow wheels, is a slightly reduced maximum capacity, and less side load stability (sway).

[la350]

Yes, a flat bed on the truck with 4 totes of fish on board.

[DmaxMaverick]

Yeah, that's [over]loaded. I've done as much a few times, short haul (25-35 miles), no traffic and slower (than highway speed), hauling loads of oil pipe (for fence). The OEM tires and wheels aren't rated for that load, in any case. Aftermarket would be safer (or, less unsafe), but still well above the load rating. The greatest advantage to upgrading to larger tires, is greater tire capacity. The OEM tires, 245/75/16E, are rated for 3042#. 285/75/16D are rated for 3305#. 265/75/16E is rated for 3415#. Upgrading to any of these larger tires (with compatible wheels) will help your safety margin, as well as improving the flotation.

[AKMark]

It seems like all the tire stores anymore are unwilling to sell you anything they cannot guarantee will fit properly. Had one up here in Fairbanks tell my coworker that in order to use 17" rims on his F-350 he needed a lift kit. Yeah those guys suck.

Find what you want, get it, keep your old stuff so if you have fitment, rubbing, or other issues, you can put your old stuff back on, lift the vehicle (if that will fix the issue) and then put the new stuff on.

[la350]

I guess my best bet is to see if any of my buddies have similar sized rims/tires in an 8 lug and see if they fit with no issues and then check the back spacing and go from there.

On my 01 Dmax, I have 285 Geolanders, in I believe, an E rating. On this 2wd, daily driver truck, I've got 40K miles on them with little to no wear! I just had the truck into America's Tires a few weeks ago for rotation and the guy couldn't believe how little tread was gone and how many miles were on the tires. I may look into some more of these for my AK truck if I can find rims to work.

[Kennedy]

Look for a set of H2 hummer takeoffs. Pretty popular and they often come with 315-17 tires. The ply rating may be a bit low, but we run them for truck pulling w/o issues.