GMC Tires

B

byron maxwell

New member
Aug 15, 1999
20
0
0
Steve,
My $.02 worth about tires. I have been through larger tires and gone back
to 225/75 s. Because I am still looking for more power. When I realized
that I had negated a large part of my improved final drive ratio by
installing tires with larger rolling diameter, I replaced them. Now I get
the full benefit of my new final drive. Cannot tell much if any difference
in ride or appearance. Many more knowledgeable than I strongly believe that
all steel tires will hold together longer, especially on the rear. I drive
Goodyear G159s and like them. Changed from Michelin XPS Rib. Hear
Bridgestone all steel is good. No personal experience.
byron maxwell/chaparral
 
Byron,
I agree with your remarks on tire size. The larger tires are fine if
you think that your have a better ride. If you are running the stock
3.07 final drive and you go to the larger size tires you could change
your ratio 5 to 9 percent or more, making your 3.07 a 2.85 or higher. I
run the 3.55 final with the 225/75 tires and take full advantage of the
lower ratio.

J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
77 Eleganza II
Michigan

>
> Steve,
> My $.02 worth about tires. I have been through larger tires and gone back
> to 225/75 s. Because I am still looking for more power. When I realized
> that I had negated a large part of my improved final drive ratio by
> installing tires with larger rolling diameter, I replaced them. Now I get
> the full benefit of my new final drive. Cannot tell much if any difference
> in ride or appearance. Many more knowledgeable than I strongly believe that
> all steel tires will hold together longer, especially on the rear. I drive
> Goodyear G159s and like them. Changed from Michelin XPS Rib. Hear
> Bridgestone all steel is good. No personal experience.
> byron maxwell/chaparral
 
Arch and All
I don't have a Tach installed yet, but looking at the chart that I have
my RPM @60 mph is about 2750 to 2800 rpm. I have the 403 and the 3.55
really was noticeable in performance. I also tow a GEO Tracker soft
top, about 2275 It now runs better towing than when I had the 3.07
final without the GEO. I was able to establish 2 benchmarks for
comparison between the old and new ratios. The first one was the day
that I had the drive installed at Buskirks. There is a bridge over the
Saginaw river on I-75 that is about a 6% grade on both sides. On the
way to Buskirks I would top the bridge at 40 mph after running 66 mph on
the flat. On the return trip from the other direction the speed fell
off to only 62 mph. The other example is we went to a GMC GreatLakers
rally at Kentucky Horse park about a 2 weeks before the final was
changed. The hills about Cincinnati were a treat with speed dropping as
low as 40 MPH on some of the steeper ones. (Was not towing the GEO at
that time). In the spring on the trip back from Myrtle Beach we came
back up I-75 and we were towing the GEO and the speeds around Cincy held
at 54 to 55 mph on the steeper hills. The coach is really responsive
when getting on the on ramps and passing. I really think that changing
your final drive ratio is the biggest bang for your buck. I understand
that there are some newer ratio's available as low as a 3.70
something???? The 3.42 is a OK ratio, but keep the stock size tires to
make it work! The 3.55 and above with the stock size tire will be real
peppy. You have to make your choice on which one and what you are
towing. I also believe that the 3" exhaust system upgrade will really
help on the power. I noticed that when I changed my mufflers from stock
to the Flowmaster that my fuel mileage picked up and performance
improved slightly. (They were installed before the final drive) I will
install the 3" tailpipe this spring. Enough of my nickel worth tonight.
It all boils down on what you want and how much you spend.

J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
77 Eleganza II
Michigan

>
> In a message dated 01/12/2000 6:20:28 PM Central Standard Time,

>
> > your ratio 5 to 9 percent or more, making your 3.07 a 2.85 or higher. I
> > run the 3.55 final with the 225/75 tires and take full advantage of the
> > lower ratio.
> >
> JR
>
> Glad to hear this. Could you please tell us what RPM you are running at
> 60 MPH? Yes, I can do the math but I want to hear about reality. How
> much better is the ride with a 3.55? I would like some of you to speak to
> this!
> What do you like about it and what is not so good?
>
> Take Care
> Arch
 
I just put in one of Jim T... 3.55's and I agree with John that is is a good way
to spend
$1100. I like the 3000 RPM at 62mph (by my tach) -- good response and the
engine noise is minimal. I, too, pull a GEO and find that the get-up-and-go on
ramps is much improved.
Gary
North Bend, Oregon Coast

> Arch and All
> I don't have a Tach installed yet, but looking at the chart that I have
> my RPM @60 mph is about 2750 to 2800 rpm.
 
Byron

It's good to have your $.02. I too, went with the Goodyear G159's, only I went
with the 235/85. My reasoning was weight carring. I didn't have the net to
bounce my ideas off of. I am considering changing out my front tires for
225/75 to correct the drive factor and the 10% odometer factor.

By the way, the air bag valves that I bought from you at Ashville, NC work
great. I used to have to block my coach as soon as I got home. Now I just torn
the valve and forget it. The bags have stayed up for months. I even made a
trip with the valves closed , when the air compressor decided to stop running
soon after leaving. Thanks for offering such a great product.

Wayne Newland F9300 75 Palm Beach Columbia, (Brisk) Md

> Steve,
> My $.02 worth about tires. I have been through larger tires and gone back
> to 225/75 s. Because I am still looking for more power. When I realized
> that I had negated a large part of my improved final drive ratio by
> installing tires with larger rolling diameter, I replaced them. Now I get
> the full benefit of my new final drive. Cannot tell much if any difference
> in ride or appearance. Many more knowledgeable than I strongly believe that
> all steel tires will hold together longer, especially on the rear. I drive
> Goodyear G159s and like them. Changed from Michelin XPS Rib. Hear
> Bridgestone all steel is good. No personal experience.
> byron maxwell/chaparral
 
What will this do to the height adjustment for the suspension??

gene

>Byron
>
>It's good to have your $.02. I too, went with the Goodyear G159's, only I
went
>with the 235/85. My reasoning was weight carring. I didn't have the net to
>bounce my ideas off of. I am considering changing out my front tires for
>225/75 to correct the drive factor and the 10% odometer factor.
>
>By the way, the air bag valves that I bought from you at Ashville, NC work
>great. I used to have to block my coach as soon as I got home. Now I
just torn
>the valve and forget it. The bags have stayed up for months. I even made a
>trip with the valves closed , when the air compressor decided to stop running
>soon after leaving. Thanks for offering such a great product.
>
>Wayne Newland F9300 75 Palm Beach Columbia, (Brisk) Md
>

>
>> Steve,
>> My $.02 worth about tires. I have been through larger tires and gone back
>> to 225/75 s. Because I am still looking for more power. When I realized
>> that I had negated a large part of my improved final drive ratio by
>> installing tires with larger rolling diameter, I replaced them. Now I get
>> the full benefit of my new final drive. Cannot tell much if any difference
>> in ride or appearance. Many more knowledgeable than I strongly believe
that
>> all steel tires will hold together longer, especially on the rear. I drive
>> Goodyear G159s and like them. Changed from Michelin XPS Rib. Hear
>> Bridgestone all steel is good. No personal experience.
>> byron maxwell/chaparral
>
>
>
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
 
Al- Bridgestone does makea R187F all steele tire in E range for a 16"
Alcoa rim-LT 225/75R 16, an almost identical diameter tire as the
originals. However if you live in Canada- you may not be able to get it-
at least they do not list it as available in Victoria, BC. I picked up
some in the US.One can get the Goodyear 159's up here however. Whatever
you get, tell them you want as recent a tire manufacture date as
possible stamped on the side, then you know it hasn't been sitting
around in a warehouse for a long time.

Claude in Victoria
 
tell them you want as recent a tire manufacture date as
>possible stamped on the side, then you know it hasn't been sitting
>around in a warehouse for a long time.
>
>Claude in Victoria

Excellent advice. I have seen "New" tires with date codes that showed
they were two years old. This could affect you warranty as well as the
loss of useful life.

David Lee Greenberg
GMC Motorhome Registry
200 MacFarlane Drive PH4
Delray Beach, FL 33483-6829
ww.gmcss.com/registry.htm
 
Gene

No thought was given ahead of time as to height adjustment. When the air is
allowed to seep all of the way out, the T-skirts do touch/rub the tires. All
other clearances seem to be ok. I was real pissed when the mechanic at the
Maryland State Inspection station (a GMC Dealer) didn't pump up the airbags before
moving the coach. He also handed me back my front bearings in small chopped-up
pieces. Guess where I'm not going back.

Wayne Newland F9300 75 Palm Beach Columbia, Md

> What will this do to the height adjustment for the suspension??
>
> gene
>

> >Byron
> >
> >It's good to have your $.02. I too, went with the Goodyear G159's, only I
> went
> >with the 235/85. My reasoning was weight carring. I didn't have the net to
> >bounce my ideas off of. I am considering changing out my front tires for
> >225/75 to correct the drive factor and the 10% odometer factor.
> >
> >By the way, the air bag valves that I bought from you at Ashville, NC work
> >great. I used to have to block my coach as soon as I got home. Now I
> just torn
> >the valve and forget it. The bags have stayed up for months. I even made a
> >trip with the valves closed , when the air compressor decided to stop running
> >soon after leaving. Thanks for offering such a great product.
> >
> >Wayne Newland F9300 75 Palm Beach Columbia, (Brisk) Md
> >

> >
> >> Steve,
> >> My $.02 worth about tires. I have been through larger tires and gone back
> >> to 225/75 s. Because I am still looking for more power. When I realized
> >> that I had negated a large part of my improved final drive ratio by
> >> installing tires with larger rolling diameter, I replaced them. Now I get
> >> the full benefit of my new final drive. Cannot tell much if any difference
> >> in ride or appearance. Many more knowledgeable than I strongly believe
> that
> >> all steel tires will hold together longer, especially on the rear. I drive
> >> Goodyear G159s and like them. Changed from Michelin XPS Rib. Hear
> >> Bridgestone all steel is good. No personal experience.
> >> byron maxwell/chaparral
> >
> >
> >
> >
> Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
> GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
> mr.erf
> http://www.california.com/~eagle/
 
OOPS

I was wondering what would happen to the front height setting with the
smaller tires on the front. The rear would then be higher ??

gene

>Gene
>
>No thought was given ahead of time as to height adjustment. When the air is
>allowed to seep all of the way out, the T-skirts do touch/rub the tires. All
>other clearances seem to be ok. I was real pissed when the mechanic at the
>Maryland State Inspection station (a GMC Dealer) didn't pump up the
airbags before
>moving the coach. He also handed me back my front bearings in small
chopped-up
>pieces. Guess where I'm not going back.
>
>Wayne Newland F9300 75 Palm Beach Columbia, Md
>

>
>> What will this do to the height adjustment for the suspension??
>>
>> gene
>>

>> >Byron
>> >
>> >It's good to have your $.02. I too, went with the Goodyear G159's, only I
>> went
>> >with the 235/85. My reasoning was weight carring. I didn't have the
net to
>> >bounce my ideas off of. I am considering changing out my front tires for
>> >225/75 to correct the drive factor and the 10% odometer factor.
>> >
>> >By the way, the air bag valves that I bought from you at Ashville, NC work
>> >great. I used to have to block my coach as soon as I got home. Now I
>> just torn
>> >the valve and forget it. The bags have stayed up for months. I even
made a
>> >trip with the valves closed , when the air compressor decided to stop
running
>> >soon after leaving. Thanks for offering such a great product.
>> >
>> >Wayne Newland F9300 75 Palm Beach Columbia, (Brisk) Md
>> >

>> >
>> >> Steve,
>> >> My $.02 worth about tires. I have been through larger tires and gone
back
>> >> to 225/75 s. Because I am still looking for more power. When I
realized
>> >> that I had negated a large part of my improved final drive ratio by
>> >> installing tires with larger rolling diameter, I replaced them. Now
I get
>> >> the full benefit of my new final drive. Cannot tell much if any
difference
>> >> in ride or appearance. Many more knowledgeable than I strongly believe
>> that
>> >> all steel tires will hold together longer, especially on the rear. I
drive
>> >> Goodyear G159s and like them. Changed from Michelin XPS Rib. Hear
>> >> Bridgestone all steel is good. No personal experience.
>> >> byron maxwell/chaparral
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
>> GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
>> mr.erf
>> http://www.california.com/~eagle/
>
>
>
>
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
 
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