New tires & suspension/steering

[SmithvilleD]

Sorry-family stuff the last couple of days. E rated are a much harder compound and stiffer sidewall so they aren't near as forgiving as the D ones. I wouldn't run these if I drove gravel much either. KOs LOVE rocks... They swallow 'em like popcorn and spit 'em back out. Guy I work with drives several miles of gravel every day and went through a set of E rated 265 KOs on PYO wheels in 35k. He complained and got another set and in 30k ruined them. He does no maint, doesn't understand the concept of rotating tires, never checks pressure and drives like an idiot. He's a nice guy and is a gifted inventor/engineer though so he's got that going for him.
Yes, I'm 95% highway now that I don't actively farm any more and I keep the tires at around 43-45 psi with this combination of weight, tire size, and rim width.
I don't have a closeup of the 78k tread at hand right now but if I get time later I'll grab something out of my phone and see what I can do. I think you'll be surprised at how good it looks.

I run a set of General AT-2's in 285/75-16 in the D range so fairly similar. Absolutely agree with the harder compound & stiffer sidewall comment. I could live with the stiffer sidewall & gain the bumper trailering stability you get from the stiffer sidewalls. But I've yet to drive a set of E range tires that were even close to comparable in wet & snow traction. Not saying most E-range pickup tires are dangerous, & they stick fine, when run near the loaded weight they're rated for. But when running empty, I find there's a worthwhile traction advantage with the load range D tires (in the same size & tread pattern) over load range E.

Since I mostly pull a gooseneck, the side-to-side stability towing isn't as much an issue and the D's really improve the ride. Got a complete set of urethane bushings (body & suspension) going in, so hoping the lr D tires will also help take the edge off expansion joints etc. with the stiffer suspension & body bushings. Going from stock 245 sized LR E's to 285's in LR D increases the tire size enough that tire weight rating isn't compromised at all.

 

[tanman_2006]

I run a set of General AT-2's in 285/75-16 in the D range so fairly similar. Absolutely agree with the harder compound & stiffer sidewall comment. I could live with the stiffer sidewall & gain the bumper trailering stability you get from the stiffer sidewalls. But I've yet to drive a set of E range tires that were even close to comparable in wet & snow traction. Not saying most E-range pickup tires are dangerous, & they stick fine, when run near the loaded weight they're rated for. But when running empty, I find there's a worthwhile traction advantage with the load range D tires (in the same size & tread pattern) over load range E.

Since I mostly pull a gooseneck, the side-to-side stability towing isn't as much an issue and the D's really improve the ride. Got a complete set of urethane bushings (body & suspension) going in, so hoping the lr D tires will also help take the edge off expansion joints etc. with the stiffer suspension & body bushings. Going from stock 245 sized LR E's to 285's in LR D increases the tire size enough that tire weight rating isn't compromised at all.

Very true, a 245E has nearly the same rating as a 285D

Sent from: Source Unknown

 

[btfarm]

I noticed after these were on that I had some tire shake at 65 mph and up. Took it to them today to re-check balance and they found the LR was out of round somewhat. Put a new one on and that took care of it.

BTW, here's what I have of the RF at right around 78k miles

 

[Ed HD]

IIRC, the E's have a shallower tread as well, and I know they're not rated for "severe snow" or something like that.

 

[tanman_2006]

Those dont look too bad. I just checked tirerack and load E has 15/32 and load D has 17/32, those are BFG KO #'s

 

[Big T]

Those dont look too bad. I just checked tirerack and load E has 15/32 and load D has 17/32, those are BFG KO #'s

That's 13% more tread. Explains some of the difference in wear.

I used to run D rate BFG ATs on my '73 Bronco and get 40K miles out of them.

 

[btfarm]

Gave it a good cleaning today. I like it now with the polished bars and black walls. Of course we got caught in a storm 3 hours later but ya gonna do? :dunno:

Looks pretty damn good for 223,000 miles eh?

 

[NVW]

Looks like a new truck Mike.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Looks real nice Mike! :thumbsup: Better than mine, and I only have 98K.

 

[tanman_2006]

Takes mine to the cleaners. I get compliments for being a nice high mile Oklahoma farm truck but I can't hold a candle to yours.

Recently had a hail storm hit an ding mine up as well as pop paint off in 4 places, now it keeps flaking.

Sent from: Source Unknown