I have an '06 Mega Cab w/ the 11.5" rear end. I have a set of the old 16" rims (factory dodge) will they fit my truck? I know, I know- who wants to go down in rim size. Well I do- the tires have a higher load rating than the 17" radius tires AND they are cheaper.

But- will it fit over the brakes? Anybody know?

 

nope. won't clear the calipers

 

they wouldnt even fit on my dads hemi.... no room for the brakes... of course you could switch all you brakes over the a 2nd gen brake set up then they would fit!!

 

Bummer- I'd rather run the less expensive and better tire (higher load rating) but I'm not going to reduce my stopping power to do it. That would be crazy.

I guess I have a really nice set of wheels to sell.....

 

ive never looked but what is the difference in load rating? same brand of tire?

 

I was looking at BFGoodrich All Terrains

Specs are here:
http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/specs...t-a-ko/44.html

Note that the LT285/75/16E is rated for 3750lbs at 80psi and the LT285/70/17E is only rated for 3195lbs at 80psi.

Tirerack.com prices for each tire put the 16" tire cheaper by $22 per tire. That's $88 a set. I figured it was worth it.

I was also looking at the Michelin LTX A/T2 and it was a very similar story (naturally they are the same company).

 

What about 16.5" rims will those clear the brakes?

 

not sure on that one. arent 16.5" tires more expensive?

 

16.5 won't clear without some work. Some people have trimmed down the brakes a bit, but still not worth it IMO. If it's mostly a higher load rating your after, you can still find it. I have 20's that are good for 3600lbs each.

 

I found some used 16.5" rims with nearly new BFG's at a steal of a price- that's why I asked.

I know I can get more load out of bigger rims- 18's or 20's but they are even more expensive yet. I was trying to be cheap.

Being in Central MN with salty winter roads I was also considering only running my factory chrome rim's in the summer with some nicer highway Michelin's. Then switching to winter rims (rims I care less about) with the more aggressive BFG for the snow, salt and ice.

So going to 18's or 20's would mean having nicer rims yet- not sure if I want my nice chrome factory wheels to become "winter beaters".

Maybe I'll just bite the bullet and spend the $1100 on a new set of Michelin A/T2 in the 285/75/17 size and be done with it for another 80k miles.