After several years of wanting to go this route I finally pulled the trigger.On a normal camping trip I am between 5800-6500 on the rear axle, generally at 6000 with careful loading. Since I have 6390 lbs worth of tire I have been wanting more "buffer" room, short of a few tires there are really few options for more than 3195 lbs/tire in 17".Additionally LT tires are too soft, and tire life was dismal at best with how/where I use my truck, mainly where... lots of dirt and towing on dirt. I really don't get more than 25K useful miles out of a set of tires.This is why I started researching 19.5s a few years back. They are plenty strong, the wheels are strong and the rubber is hard enough they should last at least 60K miles.I ordered my wheels yesterday. I went with the Vision Type 81 cast aluminum, 19.5x7.5" rated at 4,500 lbs. I went with the black ones, and ordered 5. They should be here next week.For tires I will be going with Toyo M608Z in 245/70R19.5 LRG tires rated for 4,540 @ 80 psi. They are a 33" tire and roll at 624 rev/mile, 1 rev/mile different than my winter tires and should improve 5th gear towing while and empty cruise in 6th.I also have a set of Centramatic wheel balances on the way, as well as a set for the travel trailer.More to follow when they get mounted around the new year.

I put about 100 miles on them today. They do transfer more road feel to the truck, but are not rough at all. They track straight on road that are decent or better, and the truck is very stable.

I should get a few miles of towing in this week.

When are you getting your installed?

I got the rims sitting in the garage and I ordered the tires and they are in also.

 

However, I haven't gotten them mounted yet becuse I am going to have my wheels spray coated with some good clear coat before I mount the tires.  The wheels have clear coat on them now but it looks pretty non-existant in some places, so I am going to have them all sprayed with some good quality stuff before I install. 

 

I was thinking about spraying them myself but with the cold weather it make be a month or so before I actually get them mounted.

 

As a side note (not to hijack this thread) I got my Spyntec hub kit in last week so I am thinking I will probably try and install those before I put the new tires and wheels on too.

The spyntec kit is a good idea to do first, the larger bearings are better for the increased weight of the wheel/tire.

I did about 20 miles of towing the other day, and took loop that involved a short 6% grade, 70 mph, bumpy roads, and a little winding. Even without the W/D hooked up its amazing how stable the truck was.

It's very easy to see why people say they never want to go back to light truck tires, I know I don't.

Ya,  I am looking forward to the added stability you should get with the stiffer sidewalls.  I like the add in stability that I got with the Bigwig but I thinking this is going to be another big step up in stability.

 

Any perceived difference you can feel in rolling resistance due to the stiffer sidewal?

 

How is the road noise on the toyos compared to your LRE tires?

The truck does seem to roll easier, but it's hard to quantify and since the engine and tuning are new in winter weather the mileage isn't going to tell much.

These tires have little to no road noise, I think they are quieter than the LTX's but I haven't ran them since October. I was enjoying how quiet the entire truck is at 65 on the way home today.

I have the standard hellwig anti swaybar and these didn't increase the stiffness like that did but it's a close second. It's just a different feeling too, I am guessing that they really compliment each other and can't wait to do some windy towing (like up to Idaho City area).

This is why I went with dynamic wheel balances on the truck and trailer, and this isn't the worst I have had.

ya know,  I'm at a crossroads  here  on my  project truck.  I've  thought  I'd just   dual up the  rear,  and  keep on truckin..

Now,  I see  it's  not  quite as easy  as just  bolting on the  rims..   apparently the   3/4  ton  rear brake drum is   a little  larger on the  OD  than the  'made for duals'   1 ton.    So,  a very expensive  spacer is  required.   The  rim will hit the  drum before it's  all the way on..

Not to mention  I'd have to  carry  2 spares, unless I  convert the  front axle too..     I'm aware the  1 ton axle is  already  4 inches  wider than the  3/4 ton,  but  apparently the  backing plate/drum configuration is  different!   Then,  spring to tire clearance  is  minimal too.

Another thing,   our  2000  ram  is  worthless as  **** on a boar when its  unloaded,  and  when in  sand.  Thank goodness it's  4X4...  

After reading  about   your  conversion,   I'm wondering  if  going  this route  would be  smarter for me?     

Main reason for the duals?   stability  when loaded.   OK OK<    duals  look  'cool'...     especially  under a  flatbed...   

Main reason for   no duals?    well,    fuel economy,    and  ability to  'cut trail'  in   muddy/sloppy/snowy  conditions! 

As  far as  ride quality.... I'm  seriously  considering  air seat suspension  and  the best seat money can buy.  My  back  can't take it anymore!

(whole 'nother subject/thread there!)

Thanks  for  your  thread! 

Methinks  I've  probably answered my own questions!

 

 

Ok,  20 minutes  later,  and  I see  those  same  rims  on Ebay  for  795  for a set of  4,   and  additional  160  for trucking.

Not as  bad  as  I was expecting!

Tires  too  were  only a  'tic'  higher than  what  I've been  buying for  the  '00.   (235  80  16's )

$119  for   the  245  70  19.5,   F  rating

$133  for   the   G  rating

$149  for the    H  rating.

(treadwrights)

Edited April 28, 201410 yr by rancherman

I do like the look of duals, but for me that's as close as I will get. They are not very practical for how use the truck.

I really don't think the single 19.5 leaves much on the table for stability, but it have nothing to compare to. I just know that I don't have perceived tire flex anymore, what little flex I have feels like suspension and even that is minimal.

Thanks  John ..

What's  your  axle ratio?

I have  the  3.54  on the  '00,   Seems  just about right for  what I'm doing..  

and  have  a  choice  of either the  3.54 or  4.10's  on my project truck.. (getting the  nv5600)

I have 3.73s, which with the 245/70R19.5 is about perfect. Overdrive could be .5 lower when towing but 65 is only 2500 in 5th if needed.

I still really want a 7 speed manual with double OD's, a .85:1 and a .68.1.

Ok,  20 minutes  later,  and  I see  those  same  rims  on Ebay  for  795  for a set of  4,   and  additional  160  for trucking.

Not as  bad  as  I was expecting!

Tires  too  were  only a  'tic'  higher than  what  I've been  buying for  the  '00.   (235  80  16's )

$119  for   the  245  70  19.5,   F  rating

$133  for   the   G  rating

$149  for the    H  rating.

(treadwrights)

 

If there is an American Tire or Discount Tire in your neck of the woods you should be able to get the Vision 81 style rims for $180-185 each and no shipping.

My ebay rims where under 1K for 5 of them, with lugnuts and 2 extra open center caps.

My tires where quite a but more than what you posted, I am not sure I would trust a $133 LRG tire...

these  Vision  81A  are  a steel rim  riveted to an aluminum  center disk?

More  searching  found  me   several  sets  for  what you said...  180  each  'delivered'.     

 

Their open  cap  clears  the   spyntec hubs ok?

They are all aluminum.

 

The open cap fits a Yukon hub perfectly, as shown above (if you can see thru the mud).

Gotcha!   Thanks man.