Posted by Caleb in Kansas [108.162.221.145] on Friday, June 16, 2017 at 13:20:52 :
In Reply to: Re: 8 lug 16 in radial wheel posted by clueless [162.158.122.39] on Friday, June 16, 2017 at 12:49:58 :
I would just grab the spare off of a pre 03 truck to make sure they fit AND bolt down over the caliper without rubbing. They might clear...the proof is in the pudding there. I know on my 01 that I had very little clearance between the wheel and caliper and on a couple of the Jeeps I built for folks, they told me it all fit but in their excitement they didn't have the caliper installed on the rotor and there was no way in hell the wheels would have ever fit...unless you didn't want working brakes up front.
As far as what is the best tire? Well that is a topic that has literally no right answer!! Depends on what he is wanting to do with the truck and how long he wants the tires to last. Personally, my favorite all around tires are General Grabber AT II's, have had only those on my wifes Jeep Grand Cherokee for almost 10 years now (Im on my 3rd set of course). I didn't have the freed up finances available when I put tires on my 01 but I have been pretty happy with my Hankook AT's in 285/75/16 Load range D. They are completely worthless in mud though. I havent run them on my own trucks, but I have several friends who swear by the Goodyear DuraTrac tires and I will admit they have impressive traction and are a good mix between a mud tire and an all-terrain, but they are so soft that I would think a heavy truck would just eat them up in a hurry.
If he wants a more correct looking tire, then look at Interco. The Swamper LTB is a bias tire and might be available in the 17" wheel size. Bias ply tire selection is very small here in the US. I did find a set of 35x10.5-16 BFG MT's several years ago for a friend but apparently they were a very limited run and in the old tread pattern. The came brand new through a wholesale tire outfit in Kansas City and were ordered/shipped through the local Big O Tires in Gardner, KS.
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