New wheels

[RangahDanga]

So I've attempted to do some research, but everyone seems to have a different opinion on rims. i just bought some Kenda Klever KR29's (285/75/16) and I'd like to get some new rims to go with the smexy new tires. I've currently got them mounded on the stock 16" ranger rims which i believe are 16x7.5? I'd like to get a set of Pro-Comp Alloys but i'm not sure what i should do for offset and backspace? Some say 3.5" some say 4.5". Basically i want to know if these fit (see link below). any help would be appreciated as the stock rims just look... well, stock.

I've got a 1.5" T-bar crank so the 33's fit with slight rub when i max turn left or right.

http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Comp-Alloys-Polished-Wheel/dp/B002TUTB0O/?tag=959media-20

 

[bmerr98]

I wouldn't change a thing. I love those stock 16s. I was trying to find some a couple years ago and ended up settling for some black steel spokes. Tires look nice n beefy too!

 

[TrueTarzan]

"Stock Backspacing is usually 4.5 inches.

Recommended backspacing on a 15x7 wheel is 3.75 inches with -6mm offset.*

Recommended backspacing on a 15x8 wheel is 3.75 inches with -19mm offset.*

Recommended backspacing on a 15x10 wheel is 4.00 inches with -38mm offset.*

(* = Information provided by American Racing)" - TRS Tech Library

Correct me if i'm wrong, it's been a long week, but the lower the backspacing measurement the farther the wheel will stick out away from the vehicle. So its all personal preference. Both will probably fit fine, you could measure the stock backspacing and look at where your tires rub and buy accordingly. if they rub on the wheel well i would buy a rim that stuck out more but if they rubbed on the front bumper valance then i would buy a rim that tucked in a little more to the vehicle

 

[RangahDanga]

I wouldn't change a thing. I love those stock 16s. I was trying to find some a couple years ago and ended up settling for some black steel spokes. Tires look nice n beefy too!

Mostly i want to run a wider rim so i don't get crowning. In all reality, the stock rims are fine rims. I pulled an engine from another ranger and i told the guy i'd only pay full price for the engine if i could trade my crappy spare for one of the nicer mag rims. so now I've got a full-size Kenda MT on the mag mounted in the bed.

As for the tires, I got a killer deal ($166 each new, free ship). They are the QUIETEST mud terrain i have ever seen, 80 on the highway and you can barely hear them. They ride like shit, cause they are 10ply E rated, but hey, "comfort, traction and looks... choose two" i'm sure you can guess what i chose And because of the thick sidewall i can run like 8PSI on the trails and not blow a bead. maybe i'll stay with the stocker rims. Anybody else seen Kenda MT's around?

 

[TrueTarzan]

I was actually thinking about buying them (235/75r15) for my truck when the funds came up. For $125/ea that's a great deal for mud terrains. People say Kenda makes great bike tires but I have yet to try them. Your review helped a lot. Thanks, have you had them off road yet? Or in other adverse weather conditions?

 

[RangahDanga]

I've had them on for about a week, so i can't comment on how long they'll last. But i have ran them almost every day on the trails this past week. They're a really really stiff tire, so air them down to like 15 or less PSI. I've run them as low as 8 without an issue (yet) not sure i'd go much lower than 8PSI without beadlocks. In mucky stream crossings they don't even slow down, sugar sand they pull good, and over rocks they're pretty good too (again, air down). would i suggest them? Absolutely.

Value 10/10
traction 8/10
looks 9/10
tire hum 8/10 (10 being silent)
comfort 4/10 (10 being a cushy street ride)

Overall 8/10 for a nice, "mostly stock truck" MT

 

[Dune Runner]

I saw a set of those stock 16" they were powder coated black with the area around the holes left polished. They looked great.

 

[RangahDanga]

Just got the first snow here in New England, only about a half inch that melted in a day, but i have to say that the new Kenda's weren't the greatest. I would have to guess its cause they're just so wide, they float on top of the snow and slide around. If snow is an issue get a skinnier Kenda, cut thru the snow a little more.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Just got the first snow here in New England, only about a half inch that melted in a day, but i have to say that the new Kenda's weren't the greatest. I would have to guess its cause they're just so wide, they float on top of the snow and slide around. If snow is an issue get a skinnier Kenda, cut thru the snow a little more.

There was a huge difference when I went from 235/75-15 Dunlop Mud Rovers to 31x10.5-15's Destination MT's in snow, it is darn near helpless in 2wd. I put in a trak-lok rear and it helped a little. Now it mainly wants to just kick the rear out to the side...

With the Dunlops I could feather the throttle and still sneak around, no dice with the Firestones. This the packed stuff on the street, it is still pretty tanklike when I am cutting my own trail off road.

In the grand scheme of things my 31's are pretty small, I am really curious how guys with bigger mud tires survive the winter...

 

[bigmark303]

In the grand scheme of things my 31's are pretty small, I am really curious how guys with bigger mud tires survive the winter...

Tire pressure and load Range is everything. Load Range C at the max on a light truck otherwise its like running a solid rubber tire with anything more than 10psi in the rear. The ride is horrible, traction suffers, and tire wear is never even.

I cant imagine running a load Range E tire in any weather on a light truck. Either kiss fuel mileage goodbye and air them down so they wear even or kiss the center tread goodbye and air them up so fuel mileage isnt terrible.

You could get away with a stock x7 wheel with a 285/75/16 if you had load range C tires but with load range E youll need a x9 just to stretch it out so you dont have to air down to 15psi in the front just to get even tread wear.

Load range E is way to stiff for a light truck.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Mine are load range C, not many MT's out there that are much lighter than that.

I think they just get too much float for a Ranger sized truck, my Dunlops were a much cruder tread and discounting ground clearance I think they would get me farther than the 31's will.

 

[RangahDanga]

Mine are load range C, not many MT's out there that are much lighter than that.

I think they just get too much float for a Ranger sized truck, my Dunlops were a much cruder tread and discounting ground clearance I think they would get me farther than the 31's will.

I have to agree, there weren't many MT's that were less than range E, and they weren't really in my budget either. But even with a softer tire, the torsion bar crank to fit 33's make it a stiff rough ride. I went with these tires fully knowing they were going to be stiff. as long as your not looking for air-ride suspension, i'd still recommend these.