Wider Tires

hpracing10 · December 10, 2009

My 2003 halfton has LT265/75R16 size tires on it right now, which is what size came on the truck from the factory. I am due for new tires, and I would like to go like one step wider. I don't want to go any taller or bigger around due to clearance and I like the hieght of the tires i have on now, i just want to go one step wider. Is that possible? what whould be the size if I wanted to just go one step wider, but not any taller and keep it on a 16 inch rim? Thanks

Matt_ · December 10, 2009

285/70/16

hpracing10 · December 10, 2009

wouldn't 285 make it taller than the 265 though? I'm sorry I really don't understand anything at all about tire sizing other than the rim size! So a 285/70/16 would be the exact same size tire that I have on now, just one step wider? Also, is it ok to go a step wider on my stock rims? Thanks

hockeypro1411 · December 10, 2009

The first number is mm wide. The second is the percentage of the first, which gives you mm tall of the sidewall. Third is rim size. To find inches... 285 x .70 (199.5 mm)- this is the height on one side of the rim. 199.5 x 2 (399)- this is all the tire height. 399mm / 25.4 (number of mm in an inch) gives you roughly 15.7 inches. Add in the rim in inches (16) and you get an overall height of approx. 31.7 inches. ...If i did it right.

Edit: using the same method of calculation, your stock tires are 31.6 inches.

Matt_ · December 10, 2009

The first number is the width

285 = 285mm wide or 11.22" wide

265 = 265mm wide or 10.43" wide

285/70/16 = 31.7" tall

265/75/16 = 31.65" tall

285/70/16s will be fine on stock wheels

Matt_ · December 10, 2009

The first number is mm wide. The second is the percentage of the first, which gives you mm tall of the sidewall. Third is rim size. To find inches... 285 x .70 (199.5 mm)- this is the height on one side of the rim. 199.5 x 2 (399)- this is all the tire height. 399mm / 25.4 (number of mm in an inch) gives you roughly 15.7 inches. Add in the rim in inches (16) and you get an overall height of approx. 31.7 inches. ...If i did it right.

Here's a shortcut:

( First Number x Second Number / 1270 ) + wheel diameter

Example:

285/70/16

285 x 70 / 1270 + 16 = 31.7"

To get the width in inches you just need to divide the first number by 25.4:

285/25.4 = 11.22"

So.... 285/70/16 = 31.7x11.22

hpracing10 · December 10, 2009

Awesome, thanks guys that is exactly the information I was looking for. I just want to have a little wider tire as it seems that my tires now sit inside the fender wells so much with fender flares on. I don't really want to get a wider rim, just wanted a little wider tire to compensate. Think it will look ok?

I am pretty much dead set on putting Cooper Zeon LTZ tires on my truck, anyone know where I can find an online retailer that sells those Coopers in 285/70R16?

Matt_ · December 10, 2009

Awesome, thanks guys that is exactly the information I was looking for. I just want to have a little wider tire as it seems that my tires now sit inside the fender wells so much with fender flares on. I don't really want to get a wider rim, just wanted a little wider tire to compensate. Think it will look ok?

I am pretty much dead set on putting Cooper Zeon LTZ tires on my truck, anyone know where I can find an online retailer that sells those Coopers in 285/70R16?

The tire is centered on the wheel so by going to a 285 from a 265, the tires will only come out less than a 1/2" further than they sit now. If that's not enough, you may want to look into some new wheels.

As far as ordering Coopers... go here ( http://www.eastcoasttires.com/index.asp ), call the 800 number and ask for Ryan Debari - you won't find a better price AND he'll answer any possible question you have

Edit: it doesn't look like the LTZ's come in a 285/70/16. So you might have to look at other options like Toyo, BFG, Bridgestone, etc

hpracing10 · December 10, 2009

thanks sk1er18, I'll give him a call tomorrow and see what I can find out. I just checked and you are right, the LTZ's don't come in that size I want. I'll talk to your guy on the phone and discuss other options. Again, thank you for your help!

hockeypro1411 · December 10, 2009

The first number is mm wide. The second is the percentage of the first, which gives you mm tall of the sidewall. Third is rim size. To find inches... 285 x .70 (199.5 mm)- this is the height on one side of the rim. 199.5 x 2 (399)- this is all the tire height. 399mm / 25.4 (number of mm in an inch) gives you roughly 15.7 inches. Add in the rim in inches (16) and you get an overall height of approx. 31.7 inches. ...If i did it right.

Here's a shortcut:

( First Number x Second Number / 1270 ) + wheel diameter

Example:

285/70/16

285 x 70 / 1270 + 16 = 31.7"

To get the width in inches you just need to divide the first number by 25.4:

285/25.4 = 11.22"

So.... 285/70/16 = 31.7x11.22

Haha yea I thought my way seemed a little redundant.

michigan2500hd · December 12, 2009

Awesome, thanks guys that is exactly the information I was looking for. I just want to have a little wider tire as it seems that my tires now sit inside the fender wells so much with fender flares on. I don't really want to get a wider rim, just wanted a little wider tire to compensate. Think it will look ok?

I am pretty much dead set on putting Cooper Zeon LTZ tires on my truck, anyone know where I can find an online retailer that sells those Coopers in 285/70R16?

As far as i know they dont make the Cooper Zeon in a 16,17...or 18" ...i wish because i would buy them tomorrow,lol