[GreenD]

I did some searching, have read about this a bit in the past, but was just hoping for a quick yes/no answer. I'd like to go a bit bigger in diameter but am not sure what'll fit.

My stock R/T tire size is 275/60R17, 30" diameter.
275/65R17 is 31" diameter.
265/70R17 is 31.7" diameter.

I'm pretty sure the 31" tires will fit. Would the 31.7" fit without rubbing? Since they're slightly narrower I thought it might be OK.

Thanks!
David

 

[greendurango]

I had 275/65R17 on my rims before. They were Falkens and are a great choice!

 

[FSTDANGO3]

They should fit fine!
Steve
DOC Pres

 

[GreenD]

Thanks Steve. I figured the 31.7" diameter might rub at full turn, glad to hear it'll be OK.

I know lots of people like the low profile look of the R/T, I prefer a bit more sidewall and wouldn't mind the drop in rpm on the highway either, should be about 150 rpm less.

 

[GreenD]

Tried to have Firestone Destination AT 265/70R17 tires mounted today but the front tire rub was too severe to be able to drive away with them. So I had to put the old ones back on for now. The tire store was great! They took the time to look things over with me and will wait to hear from me on what I want to do.

I know I've read about trimming the bumper a bit. It looks to me like I'd have to trim the plastic bumper and the wheel well trim a bit as well. I think I'd end up with a raw edge rather than the rounded trim look. Has anyone done this? Does it end up looking OK or should I re-think and go back to the stock tires? By trimming I'd lose the screws that hold the inner well and bumper together so it might flap a bit?

The bigger tires looked great. The guy at the store said "I see why you want to do these."

Thanks for any help!

 

[FSTDANGO3]

Put a torsion/shackle lift in, $50, and you can have those tires.

 

[skitzo.d]

I had 32's on before my shackle lift and they rubbed just a bit at full turn but no big deal.

 

[FSTDANGO3]

Those tires should have fit.
Although they're not 31.xx" in size (they're actually 32.14"), they're only 10.82" wide. :?
Steve
DOC Pres

 

[GreenD]

It looked like the tire was actually taller than the spec's. Next to my worn out 275/60R17's the new ones looked 2 1/2" taller and, looking at the driver's side, when the wheel was turned hard right it rubbed and then slid past. When returning it grabbed the bumper and snapped through with some hand help. A little clearance and a bit of tread wear and it'd make it.

I just spent some time searching info on the torsion/shackle lift and it looks easy enough. Is all the front end lift gained by the torsion bar crank? The reason I ask is I could do that now, mount the tires, then do the shackles next week when they come in and I have time. The rears have plenty of clearance anyway. Or does some of the front clearance come from the rear shackle mod?

I'm out of inspection and need the tires to get a sticker and, as usual, I've waited too long to do things the easy way!

 

[FSTDANGO3]

It'll lift the front 1.5" or so without shackles, but it'll look like it's raised in the front a tiny bit.
No front clearance is gained by the rear lift.
Steve
DOC Pres

 

[Neil]

You can easly trim the inside of the plastic bumper in the wheelwell. No one will notice. A number of us have done that.

 

[MWeed]

Or use it as an excuse for a nice new bumper from Kennesaw. With that new bumper there won't be any clearance problems. Dakota's with the Hanson bumper could run 33's with no rubbing at stock height.

 

[Ironworker711]

If my brother-in-law can fit 31's on his Montana, I'm pretty sure you can fit some on your D.

 

[GreenD]

Well, as I said, the guys at the store were great. They mounted the tire and dropped the D down to see the clearance with weight on it when we turned the wheel. It wasn't a little rub, it was enough to grab the edge of the bumper and tear it off! The actual diameter had to be 32", even tho the spec is 31.7", but for some reason it looked larger mounted.

I'm pretty sure I'll do the torsion bar lift and put them on. I really liked the way they looked. I'm hoping I have time tonight.

 

[Big Al]

Tried to have Firestone Destination AT 265/70R17 tires mounted today?

Ok, something's just not making sense here!!

Directly from the Firestone web site:<ul>[*]A 275/60R17 Firestone Destination LE (your old tire size) is 30" x 11"[*]A 265/70R17 Firestone Destination A/T (your new tire size) is 31.7" x 10.7"[/list]So, while they'd be "slightly" taller (+1.7") they'd actually be narrower (-0.3") than your old tires and "should" have fit with little to no rubbing.

Are you sure they didn't put some 285/70R17's on instead?? Those are listed as 32.8" x 11.5" making them 2.8" taller than your old stock tires (which would match your description that they looked 2 1/2" taller better than +1.7" taller would.) And at +0.5" wider AND 2.8" taller, they'd likely cause exactly the sort of rubbing you described.

Not saying this is what happened, but did you actually take a look at the sidewall labeling on the new tires to ensure they were actually the size you wanted. :?

 

[MWeed]

Since 31x10.5 tires were a stock option for the Gen1 body, anything that's equivalent to that should fit with no problem. The problem comes with the 11.5" width and taller tires as there isn't enough body clearance for them with the stock (unmodified) openings. You either cut stuff away, get different bumpers, or lift the D and get bumpers for the looks.

 

[GreenD]

Al, I didn't even look at the sidewall, pretty stupid of me not to verify the size. I'll have to double check that in the morning and make sure they didn't make a mistake.

I just sprayed my torsion bar bolts with PB Blaster and will take them up in the morning.

2 questions on the shackle lift. 1st, I've seen Beltech 6400 shackles referenced here and 6700 on another site. Are the 6400s the correct ones? 2nd, do I need an add-a-leaf to do it or can I use the shackles with existing springs and no AAL?

 

[MWeed]

All you need are the shackles. You'll also need some washers to center the shackles on our mounting bolts/hardware. The bolt is a shoulder bolt so be sure to size them for the fat end. I know a few folks that just used hose washers to fill the gap, but metal ones are much more permanent. You only need one pair as the rear mounts are the only ones you have to change.

 

[greendurango]

that's weird, I've seen people run that size with zero problems? :?

 

[Big Al]

GreenD,

Did a bit of digging thru the forum and found at least two fellow Gen1 D owners who're currently running 265/70R17s with little or no rubbing.<ul>D Tyrone's Ride has 265/70R17 Bridgestone Dueler APTs (EXACT same specs as the Firestone Destination AT) with no rubbing reported.
Siggi Gunda has 265/70R17 BF Goodrich T/As (31.8" x 10.7") and reports "slight" rubbing while backing up at full-lock turns.[/list]So obviously something weird is going on if you're having that much rubbing with Firestone tires that are "suppose" to be the same dimensions!?!?