215 85 16 Hassles

fastRob · **Posted:** Thu Dec 03, 2009 1:18 pm

Here in the great state of Maine the tire dealer cannot install 215 85 16's on my Jeep.
It seems they are out of range for the ABS and according to Maine state law they cannot put them on.
However I can bring the tires in and they will install them for me.
Go figure.
Is this worth all the B. S?

4 dunlops for $752.99, road hazard, lifetime align, rotate and balance at VIP

Quicksilversurf917 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 03, 2009 1:43 pm

why would you want 215's? they are really skinny....

fastRob · **Posted:** Thu Dec 03, 2009 1:49 pm

The stock speedometer configuration supports the 215's, for snow, narrow is better.
The torque is there and for highway use the mileage should be a little better.

On sand I may be at a disadvantage towing my Airstream but I am not much of a soft sand guy.

The state allows 2 sizes up but not with anti lock brakes.

geordi · **Posted:** Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:29 pm

215 is not that skinny a tire, the 215/85 will give a taller tire with better mileage, and sand is really the only condition where narrow isn't better. Mud, Snow, Ice... ALL easier to drive with narrower tires.

Try your local Sam's Club and see if they have the BF Goodrich Commercial T/A in the Load Range E. It will depend on the tire guy if they will install them directly, since it sounds like you have a dumb state law in the way. Maybe take a little day-trip to a Sams in New Hampshire or Vermont? It will be worth it, I got mine for $110 each, and they are now selling (2 years later) for $115 each. Cant beat that with a stick, and the 50k miles they should easily last mean that you will EASILY get your money out of them, and then some.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:49 pm

As for sand...unless you go with huge floatation tires the 215's won't make much difference compared to 225's or 235's. When you "air down" for sand it is not the sidewall width that gives you more traction...it is the lengthening of the tread patch...like a tank track. You should be fine and the "85" series should be a higher weight rating than the stock tires.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:30 am

235/85/R16 is an awesome size but I acknowledge that it's only for the serious enthusiast. My MT/R's have been wheeled in all terrains coast to coast from the highest peaks to the lowest swamps and desert in between.

linewarbr · **Posted:** Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:12 am

Good to see you again.

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:50 pm

Your Tire Dealer must be smoking something that grows in the Waste Water Plant Sludge Drying beads near the coast in towns frequented by the Pot Heads from Boston (not Tomatoes either) who drive up to eat Lobsters.
My Tire Dealer tried to tell me all kinds of crap until I told them the 215 85 R16 tires will work on a CRD, put them on.
My Cooper ATR 215 85 R16s don't hydroplane and grip much better on dry pavement than the stock Goodyears.

Print the testimonials from our forum and let the Idiot read it.

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:18 pm

I had the same Issue with Sam's Club when I wanted to go wider. I had the 235-70/16 badyears that were on from new and too worn to make it this winter safely. I wanted 245's. I was ready to buy BFG long Trail from Sam's but they told me they would only install the stock size the book they have says any car or truck should have, That ment I would have to take 225-70/16. If your dealer won't install a different size with in reason I would find on that will. I did just that. If you need to go to NH. with a moto like "live free or die" they should be liberal enough to put 215's on a Jeep.

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:30 pm

mikey1273 wrote:

I had the same Issue with Sam's Club when I wanted to go wider. I had the 235-70/16 badyears that were on from new and too worn to make it this winter safely. I wanted 245's. I was ready to buy BFG long Trail from Sam's but they told me they would only install the stock size the book they have says any car or truck should have, That ment I would have to take 225-70/16. If your dealer won't install a different size with in reason I would find on that will. I did just that. If you need to go to NH. with a moto like "live free or die" they should be liberal enough to put 215's on a Jeep.

NH has no sales tax and closer than DE.

UFO · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:28 pm

Discount Tire installed them for me, in Colorado. I did have to sign a form acknowledging the non-factory size, but that was it. If I'd been told they wouldn't do it, I think they knew I'd find someone who would.

durangotang · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:41 pm

Simple solution... take the wheels off of your KJ and bring the loose rims/tires in... if they ask what they go on, say "these rims"... if they really push it say you're making wall art or something.

BlackLibertyCRD · **Posted:** Wed Dec 09, 2009 5:14 pm

durangotang wrote:

Simple solution... take the wheels off of your KJ and bring the loose rims/tires in... if they ask what they go on, say "these rims"... if they really push it say you're making wall art or something.

Durangotang, that is so funny, I choked on my Diet Pepsi when i read that.

edit: Please road force balance these for me, I don't want the wall to vibrate. :lol:

Silverdiesel · **Posted:** Wed Dec 09, 2009 10:20 pm

This forum can make me burst with laughter sometimes!!

I have these 215 85 16's and when I first had 'em installed the tire shop employees gathered to see me try them lock to lock on the parking lot and no rubbing!
As tall as the 245 75 16 but little under 1/2" narrower
30K miles and going strong

fastRob · **Posted:** Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:22 pm

Picked up a set of Hankook LT 215 85 R16 HKRF10.
Paid $750 with alignment.
I know I paid too much, taxes are high, the tires are too tall, too narrow, blah, blah, blah.
I got what I want.
Ha!

UFO · **Posted:** Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:37 pm

I love the hell out of mine. I ran the same type of tire on my old Scout II, load range E, drove like an arrow down the road, takes the bumps well and excellent traction. Now my Libby feels like that old Scout, but better.

rjmaype · **Posted:** Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:01 pm

fastrob- tell me about the Airstream you are pulling

fastRob · **Posted:** Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:09 pm

1976 Tradewind 25', mid twin.
It has the weakness of the vintage, a weak frame due to rust.
The side panels underlapped the bottom skin, water poured down into the bottom pan where the fiberglass held the water.
It basically just sat for most of it's life.
I just want to go to Az for the winter.

CRD Joe · **Posted:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:35 pm

I would love to run 235/85/16's but I just couldnt do it without getting a ring and pinion change to 4.10's at the same time. I just couldnt do that to my transmission. Of course at the same time Id need a CRD Franken lift so we'd be talking about a large amount of money to get it done.

snowman_crd · **Posted:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 11:16 pm

sorry about the thread jack...but do 215 85 16's fit with stock suspension?

215 85 16 Hassles

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