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84 jimmy best wheel size for highway?

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Screamersusa

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Greetings
I have an 84 Jimmy with a Hmmwv engine but it has 12 inch wide rims.
I need to change them for a more highway friendly size. I was thinking 10"
Any suggestions for the most economical and usage balanced tire setup.
I'll also be looking for affordable steel wheels and will trade the original 12's..
It's either that or I have to lose my "get to colorado (from florida) through the whatever is in the way" truck and buy a rice burner to go to work. 100 miles a day.
Thanks
 
need input...

so weve got the 6.2 diesel engine, youre already off to a good start for good mileage and offroad ability.

now we need... what trans, tcase, axles, gearing, and all that jazz.

In general, i would stay at a 33in tire or less. on as narrow a rim as possible. no higher than 4.10 gears, although thats up for debate with the 700R4.

the rule to obey is that the diesel should like an 1800-2000 rpm cruising speed for best fuel economy. if youve got the 700R4, you can get away with some deeper gears due to that overdrive.
 
Actually I dont know.
It was originally a 84 jimmy 6.2l with the internal 4wd (you dont have to get out to switch over). It has the stock trans which is amazingly smooth for its age. VIN 1G5EK18CXDF527459. The engine blew so the guy got the surplus hmmwv engine through his son. The guy I bought it from actually installed the engine.
It a touch rough, the steering seems loose a single knock when turning to one side or the other. Nothing appears bad underneath. Runs well though. Rear wheel fell of bringing it home, idiot used the wrong lug nuts and stripped the studs. I fixed that already. Gas pedal feels like an old Uhaul.

I got offered a trade for an 83 supra which I know that car quite well. They are awesome highway cars. But not survival capable. Tough call as my caravan daily driver died today and no cash on hand.
 
Get some 15x8's or 16x8's and run a Load Range D or E tire of your favorite height.
 
33x10.5 is a decent compromise. It will fit without lift, and the narrower tire will help with fuel economy. Economy is all about cruise RPM, drag, and rotating mass. Run it on an 8 or 10 inch rim.
 
He's got 12" wide wheels on there I bet it's already lifted.
 
I suspect it may be lifted but possibly factory. Current tires are 33x12.5x15. From the ground to the bottom of the body under the door is 19" high. I don't see any obvious blocks or after market lifting accessories. It is a Sierra Classic with all the nice gauges, a remote trailer brake, electric drivers seat (needs replacing), and the electric windows. I want to change that back window to manual.
It's got eagle rims which I was told came with it stock. Rally lights, dual exhaust and I put a new tank in it cuz some moron drilled it to steal the gas not realizing it was diesel not gas. With all those diesel badges no less:haha:.
I had to put it on the road today or lose it so I guess I'm committed now.
I'll get some pics as time permits. I really don't like the clearance between the sway bar joints and the front rims...it's really tight.
Unfortunately the drivers side door sticker is unreadable so I can't tell if it was a factory kit or not.
 
There was no factory lift kit.

Do the front springs curve down or are they flat/curved up?
 
i can't see you even driving around with 33's and 12" rims without any lift, not without rubbing on bumps. are the springs arched positively or negatively?

EDIT: slow typer i am AJM
 
Sorry I'm a gas guy and electronics/pro sound tech. But I'm learning this diesel thing. I'm starting to like the beastly growl this makes and the smell, which by the way is not as bad as the diesel pickups around here.

The front springs arch upwards. There appears to be some 4" brackets from the springs to the frame but they' ve been there quite a while judging by the oxidation which matches the frame. I would think it would rub but perhaps the fender was trimmed.

Hmmm looks like they originally had 215/75/r15. Should I consider lowering it for stability?
 
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So the springs look like a frown? If so then you have stock springs.

Pictures would help a lot. The brackets you mentioned sound like the stock spring mount.

Smaller tires wouldn't help with stability and I'm not sure your truck is even lifted. In fact I'm betting it's stock.
 
Why has no one mentioned 17" rims.. The tires will be much cheaper and okay for offroad use. Not to big but good for economy. I know we prefer more sidewall for a larger footprint but for on road use. 17" wheels will allow for some KM2s at a much lower price or an AT Tire at a lower price than a 15.
 
Suecyde said:
Why has no one mentioned 17" rims.. The tires will be much cheaper and okay for offroad use. Not to big but good for economy. I know we prefer more sidewall for a larger footprint but for on road use. 17" wheels will allow for some KM2s at a much lower price or an AT Tire at a lower price than a 15.
Click to expand...

You seriously think that 17" tires are cheaper than 15's? Cruise on over to a tire site like TireRack or equivalent and give me one example of a tire in which a 17" tire in a similar size (height and width) is cheaper than the 15" version.
 
6.2Blazer said:
You seriously think that 17" tires are cheaper than 15's? Cruise on over to a tire site like TireRack or equivalent and give me one example of a tire in which a 17" tire in a similar size (height and width) is cheaper than the 15" version.
Click to expand...
What he said.
 
Everytime I have gone to buy tires I have found cheaper deals with 17" wheels than 15s. Because 17s are more common, majority or tire shops carry the size. They are more likely to give you a deal than if they have to order it. Now you can go online and find cheaper tires for 15s, true...

Though online tire purchases are increasing in popularity.. majority of consumers still go to tire shops. This is my experience. It was much easier to find a low priced tire when I owned an FJ Cruiser on 17s rather than when I purchased my Blazer.

And from what I have been told. 17s are a bit lighter than 15s... thus making them a better option for DDs or Weekend warriors.
 
The wheels get heavier the bigger they get remember.
 
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