Tires Again

[Dennis_MN]

I know this has been hashed over before but...

I told a tire store that I was looking for a replacement radial to replace 6.00 x16 tires.

He recommended 215/70/16 instead of the 215/85/16 that most folks are using. He said that the 70 is closer in width to the original.

He has Cooper at $83 or Dunlop at $104

What is the argument against the 215/70/16??

Thanks

Dennis Sullivan

[Young Ed]

Dennis You should be ok with those 70 series. They are going to be a little shorter then the 85s which means less MPH at a given RPM. The price seems much better. I paid 100 each for my 85series ones and I got fleet farm tires. The brand names ones were about 150 each and this was 5 years ago.

[grey beard]

Thed 215 x 85 x 16 are considerably thinner in profile - look much more original - and will steer a lot easier when parking. Once you're up and running, the difference will be negligible.

Teh 85's should be really easy to find and cheap, as well, since they are used on GMC and Chebby dualies everywhere. Check it out . . . . . .. LOL

[Guest 51plymouthod]

Thed 215 x 85 x 16 are considerably thinner in profile - look much more original - and will steer a lot easier when parking. Once you're up and running, the difference will be negligible.

Teh 85's should be really easy to find and cheap, as well, since they are used on GMC and Chebby dualies everywhere. Check it out . . . . . .. LOL

Discount Tire, Tire Rack & the afore mentioned farm supply houses are among many outlets for the 215x85x16 tires.

They have the advantage of being larger in overall diameter than the 70 series, which will be a big advantage over the shorter tires with your probable 4.1 rear axle ratio at highway speeds.

Be sure and get the radials. If you've never driven a B series Dodge pickup with radial tires, you will not believe the difference over bias ply tires.

I did a quick check. You can get the 215x85R-16 tires for around $100.00, installed.

[Young Ed]

Dennis I should have my truck back early next week if you want to see it in person with the 21585r16s. Just send a PM.

[Dennis_MN]

Tires are on order for installation on Friday morning. I went with the 215/70/16 radial using the steel valve cores. Hopefully tubless will work with my rims.

I'll check the speedometer with my GPS on Friday afternoon and have a chance to check out the ride.

Dennis

[Jeff.P_46]

Here's a good link to a tire calculator.

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

Jeff

[Dennis_MN]

After a little bit of problems this morning with the tire install, we have a new plan. A fresh set of 215/85/16 are on their way to Monticello. Should have them installed this afternoon.

First of the problems was that the kid couldn't figure out how to start it. Key only had one position and there was no way to turn on the starter. I figured that they couldn't find reverse or know how to use a clutch. I had them start with the right side so that they had a little longer to figure the left had thread.

First problem was that my rims weren't designed for radials, "You could turn a corner and the tire can roll right off the rim" I said that I'll take the risk, this isn't a sports car afterall. Next they couldn't get it to spin balance with out coming off the rim. I said that I have lots of contacts that have installed tubeless radials on rims just like this without problems. But they have all used the larger 215/85/16. Maybe we should try that, but I didn't want tubes and I didn't want bias ply tires. Figure it out.

So I await to hear from them to see what happens. I notice that there is a LT215/85/16 meaning light truck. Does that give a stiffer sidewall? This seems to be the issue with the General tire that was installed.

Dennis

[Young Ed]

Dennis

You should be able to get those tubeless radials to work. I had to pay a little extra for the bolt in stems so they would seal but otherwise it was fine. However I will tell you this. I just brought 5 rims to the store and said I want these tires. I never told them what kind of vehicle they were going on.

[Guest xpebrian]

i see that 215 x 85 x 16 tires are what is recomended what rims are being used with thease tires will they work with the arginal rims or dol i need difrent rims thank alot for te help:(

[greg g]

Actually the mopar rim featured a safety seal design on the rim which was actually verymuch like the bead interface of modern rims. The only what for is that with a radial more force is directed outwards during cornering due to the sidewall design. With your application and "conservative driving and loading" it shouldn;t be a concern. There is some concern with the width of the rim at 4 and 1/2 inches that makes mounting a wider (70 and lower series designs) a problem. Your choice of the 85 aspect is likely more compatable withthe narrow rim than the 70 series. MOst modern rimes are 5 1/2 inches wide at minimum. I am running radials with two piece valve stems and have had no issues in three plus years.

[Dennis_MN]

Picked up my truck today with the 215/85/16 radials on it. Rides nice. It sure was helpful to be able to tell the tire guys that other people have installed on these same rims with no problems. Ed was right that I should have just brought in the wheels. I did bring in the picture of the two piece valve stem and got those. I ended up paying $400.35 for the four tires with them balanced and installed and the two piece metal valve stems. They charged me the same price for the larger tires that they quoted me for the smaller 215/70 that didn't work.

Thanks to everyone for their input.....

Dennis Sullivan