7" Wide Wheels and Narrower Tires

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Blue Truck

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Probably in the minority here, but I'm a huge fan of narrower tires. Picked up some OE Ram 17" x 7" wheels recently (see attachment) and am thinking of running the 255/75-17" tires. The one bummer, is that most of these are P-rated instead of LT-rated. Trying to do this cheaply, so I've been looking at Jeep takeoffs for the tires.

Recently, I started seeing some 255/75-18's on Craigslist. Are there any 18" x 7" wheels available in the 5 on 139.7 pattern?

FWIW, I have the 5.9 and 3.55 gears. The tires on it now are 275/60-20, and it's a bit of a slug. The 255/75-17's bring the diameter down a little and the weight a lot. The 255/70-18's will be the same diameter overall, but the wheel/tire combo will be heavier than the 17's.

It would be cool if there were some 18" x 7" wheels that fit, then I could pick up some 18" tires that are heavier duty as take-offs from a 3/4 ton truck. If those aren't available, maybe I'll just plan on sticking with the 17's. Bridgestone Dueler Revo 2's do come LT-rated, so I'll hope I can find some of those. Am I worrying too much about getting LT-rated tires vs. P-rated? My 275/60-20's are only P-rated, and I see a lot of 1/2 ton trucks coming new with only P-rated tires.

Thoughts and recommendations? TIA.
 

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  • Ram 2016 Wheels 17x7.jpg
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dapepper9

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I too am a fan of narrower tires. Better in the mud and snow.

I don't know about amy 18x7s off the top of my head BUT another option if you're not dead set on those 17s is 255/85/16.
 
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Blue Truck

Blue Truck

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I too am a fan of narrower tires. Better in the mud and snow.

I don't know about amy 18x7s off the top of my head BUT another option if you're not dead set on those 17s is 255/85/16.

Thanks for the reply! Should have mentioned that I love the 255/85-16 tires, but they are rarely available used, and the new ones go for $250+ apiece. If some pop up, I would definitely grab them and go find some 16" wheels to fit. Another advantage of the newer take-offs is that I'd be getting tires with date codes within the last year or so. The last thing I want to do is buy some 7-year old tires from a rig that sat around.
 
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dapepper9

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Thanks for the reply! Should have mentioned that I love the 255/85-16 tires, but they are rarely available used, and the new ones go for $250+ apiece. If some pop up, I would definitely grab them and go find some 16" wheels to fit. Another advantage of the newer take-offs is that I'd be getting tires with date codes within the last year or so. The last thing I want to do is buy some 7-year old tires from a rig that sat around.

Looks like you have a first gen; I just sold my '92 W-250, Cummins, Getrag, Ext Cab. Cool rigs!

That's true didn't think of that.

Nah i have 2001 2nd gen lol
 

dapepper9

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I'm sure if you keep sound around local tire shops someone is bound to have some 255/75/17s takeoffs in LT rating. Craigslist be a good place to check too
 
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Blue Truck

Blue Truck

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That's true didn't think of that.

Nah i have 2001 2nd gen lol

Caught that and was fixing it while you responded...D'ohhh! I must have been thinking of a whole bunch of things at the time and brain farted.

I'm sure if you keep sound around local tire shops someone is bound to have some 255/75/17s takeoffs in LT rating. Craigslist be a good place to check too

Good idea...thanks! How do you feel about the P-rated tires vs. the LT-rated tires? Since most of these are Jeep takeoffs, it's unusual to see LT tires for sale.
 

dapepper9

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Good idea...thanks! How do you feel about the P-rated tires vs. the LT-rated tires? Since most of these are Jeep takeoffs, it's unusual to see LT tires for sale.

They ride a little nicer. I had P245/75/16 Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armors on until August when i had a puncture. 36-40k miles on em still looked to have another 5-10k. They hauled half ton truck rated weight around just fine but if you're going to be doing heavy loads hold out for LTs
 
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Wouldn't you know it, but I found a great 33" tall tire, a Cooper Discoverer ST Maxx 255/80R-17 at Discount Tire for $208 each. The bummer is that I discovered how much of a dog my truck is for towing with the 3.55 gearing and 33" tires. Looks like I'm going to go with the 255/75R-17's to take the diameter down a little.
 
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