Wheels/rims and ride quality question

[Catterman]

Hey all. I have 33" mudder tires on my 1990 B2 Auto 4x4 and a 6" lift. Seems like every bump in the road I can feel in the steering wheel. On top of that, my tires are very deep lug, and I just don't need it like that even though it looks cool. I would much rather have some 31" or 33" that are less aggressive and quieter and better for on the road.

What size is the bolt pattern, or what other common rims would fit my truck? I.e. would current model F-150 rims work? Jeep rims? Or what?

I would like to find something then sell these tires/rims... Hey! Anyone want to trade tires!!!???

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

If you were closer I'd love to swap rims and tires.
5x4.5"x15" I believe a 3.75" backset.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Ranger to '97, Explorer to '94 are a direct swap.

Up to '01 on the Explorers (and a few years later for the 2dr Sports) and '11 on the Rangers may swap... watch the center hole for hub clearance though.

 

[Shran]

How much air are you running in your tires?

Have you considered a steering stabilizer?

Shocks? What kind and how old?

I had the exact same tire in a 35x12.50x15 and adding a steering stabilizer helped a LOT.

Lifted truck, large tires and tires inflated to near their max rating will be a bumpy ride no matter what. You could try a set of less aggressive all-terrains but I think it will make very little difference.

 

[Catterman]

I have just standard shocks, nothing too exciting. I have about 30psi in the tires.

How can I get a steering stabilizer? That sounds good to me!

 

[4x4junkie]

Since you mentioned being lifted, check that the angle of your steering linkage isn't pulled up out of line with your axle beams (your pitman arm being too short). This can also cause some of what you're experiencing (feeling bumps in the wheel).

IMO, you should not need a stabilizer on it, just good shocks (nitrogen-gas-charged), and a good angle on the linkage. I run 35x12.50 tires on mine.

 

[Catterman]

I will try and take some pictures and post for you guys to see what I got...

 

[Catterman]

Here is my front suspension, I don't see any shocks! Is that normal? Would they have been taken out for some reason???

The last picture is my rear shock.

Thanks!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You know, I think you may be on to something there...

They would have been taken out if the previous owner was an idiot, slap some shocks in there and enjoy your truck.

 

[veefer800canuck]

Wow, no shocks. That'll do it.

As for tires and rims, as you go larger diameter on the rim (like 20's) and lower profile on the tire, you have less sidewall, and the ride quality suffers.

I went with 17" rims and 33" tires to keep lots of sidewall, for ride quality. Also, I specifically sought out P-metric tires instead of LT rated tires, as they ride a lot nicer. The load rating of the 285/70-17 tires is a lot higher than the stock 255/70-16 tires anyhow, so......

And my truck is a daily driver and doesn't get purposefully off-roaded, I bought a 4x4 specifically for winter conditions, so I don't need bigass mud tires, etc.

 

[4x4junkie]

Yep, no shocks 'll definitely do it lol.

FWIW, it does look like your front suspension height is also sitting way low (pivot brackets too long/coil springs too short). If you were to move your axle pivot bolts up 2" or so (drill new holes in the brackets if needed) would improve the geometry of that frontend a lot (camber readjustment will of course be needed afterward). Something you can look into doing if you still are noticing any quirks after you put a set of shocks on it (this shouldn't change the height of your lift too much, maybe would add ½ - ¾ inch or so).

Ideally the axle should sit like in this pic: