Big tires....little to no lift.
 

A few people seemed interested in my project from the gearing thread so....

Here is a small update.

Attachment 75650

The truck is getting the fenders sectioned 6" horizontally. The truck needed the body work redone anyways, as you can tell, so I decided to take it a little farther by doing something unique. The fender modifications are going to allow me to run a 37-40" tire with nothing more than a leveling spring in front. As you can see in the pic I still need to fill the gap in the inner fender, but the tire fits and turns lock to lock without coming even close to rubbing. The front of the fender was bobbed and is getting a new wrap around tapered front bumper. The rear end is getting the same treatment along with some tubbed wheel wells to let the tire move around a bit. I may also have enough room after the tubbing to outboard the shocks. If you want to follow the buildup more there is a hotlink in my sig to the buildup thread. The tires shown on the truck are a 325/85r16 Michelin XML which measure out a true 38.5" tall ( 121" cir ).

If you have any questions/comments let me know.

Not bad


Pretty good idea. I got 1/2 ton that needs that done to it so I can put those tires on it Might be something I need to try.

How much do those tires run? We use those on our off-road forklifts and troop carriers and they work awesome. Where can you buy them?

That is a very nice job on the go!! Thanks for putting the thought in the back of my mind!!

If you keep an eye out for surplus ones you can find them sometimes. I ended up getting mine used with about 90% tread for $600 (4 tires ).

I got mine on ebay shipping was like half of what the tires were lol

I ended up driving about 2000 miles over a weekend to get the tire and a shell for the truck....worth it, but still a TON of driving. The truck did great though. It averaged over 20mpg for the entire trip with a best of 24.5ish.

I can't say enough for the sectioned fender idea. It really adds something unique to the truck. I only wish that someone would come out with a fiberglass inner and outer fender that was bolt on using the same concept. I think that would be SWEET. The bedsides would be a little harder to do in fiberglass, but I think it would be very trick. There are still some old molds from Walker Evans dodge desert trucks floating around. I don't know how big the opening where though?

I am about at the max wheel well opening now. I still have both lower bolts in the rear of the fender. Any wider and I would loose one. I think I could run most 37-40" tires without anything else other than leveling springs in front.

Once I get all the body work done and painted with the new fenders on I think its going to be a nice little stealth modification. Of course I don't know how 'stealth' 39" tires are??

GREAT idea , should be worth the effort. keep posting.

I roughed in the rear this weekend.....

Do these tires make my girlfriend look small? :)

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More details in the sig line buildup link.

Those are a true 38.5" tall tire ( same as most 39.5s and 40s ) with plenty of room to move around and ZERO lift.

lookin good!

Any idea what kind of wheels those are?

slick looking... I cut my '85 crew cab inner fender past the mounting bolt under the rocker panel and welded some extra metal to the inner wheelwell to help my 37x13.5x15 dick cepek not rub I have a skyjacker install as well. I could see making a set of these fenders too.

I belive they are older american racing rims..I have them on my truck to.Ezra.

I have no idea on the wheels...they came with the truck when I bought it.

I like this modification. I don't know why people don't do it more....oh wait, yes I do...because its a lot of WORK! :) I think its original, functional, and unique however. I haven't seen too many of the 1st gen dodges on 38-40" tires, let alone without a lift!

I'll post up when I get the tires all on.....I'm getting excited!

Another quick teaser...

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I almost have all 4 tires on now! I like big tires and no lift.....

One more fender to go....

I also did a test drive with the big tire in the back only for gearing theory. You can check it out in my sig build thread.