Since this is the "Newb" forum I'm hoping the "Big trucks are ghey" & all will be left out for now. It's not a hard core trail rig, a serious mud truck or a show truck. It's what I drive on Sundays or after a good rain and I want to play in the mud or when I'm just bored and want to see how many times I can get pulled over. It's an '86 Crew Cab K30 Chevy with a '93 6.5TD, T400, NP205, open 60 front, Detroited rear 14 bolt, 4.10's. About 14" springs & lowered hangers in front, an ORD shackle flip in rear with around 18" springs. It was all professionally done and cost me way too much. But, since I was a kid I wanted a truck with 44's. Since then 49's came out (& now 54's) but I got the 49's before the 54's came out. I could finally afford to do it and now I have what I wanted. Now, I'd like to get it to drive a little better so my question is....
Do the Military spec Michelin's ride any better than the 49" Irok's? I'm assuming balancing either is basically out of the question and that's fine. But will the Radial Michelin's (around 200lbs each) ride any better than the Bias Irok's (169lbs each)?
Again, this is a 3rd vehicle that doesn't get driven much. I have SEVERAL more questions about other stuff (Cutting & turning the F Dana 60, rear disc conversion, Hi-Flow PS pump to better handle the hydro steering assist, etc. etc.) but want to tackle the tire question first. THANKS!

I would stick with the iroks cause the xmls are very skinny while the irocks are wider which is maybe something to consider

As far as ride goes, it might be worth it to try airing the 49's down a bit (not a whole lot, start small, and see how it goes). I would expect the XML's would "ride" even worse, as the sidewalls are thicker/stiffer, although i have no personal experinece with them.

i have the 37" iroks, they can be balanced, but i doubt your could be for obvious reasons, i've read on here somewhere about the most redneck tire balancing ever including airsoft bb's, golf balls, or the real stuff that actual does balance it for the most part. they sell thoes beads at usa6x6, it can only help right?

also, stability wise, you'd want the wider tire, less chance that you could roll, wasn't part of your question but just something tothink about. and

Since this is the "Newb" forum I'm hoping the "Big trucks are ghey" & all will be left out for now. It's not a hard core trail rig, a serious mud truck or a show truck. It's what I drive on Sundays or after a good rain and I want to play in the mud or when I'm just bored and want to see how many times I can get pulled over. It's an '86 Crew Cab K30 Chevy with a '93 6.5TD, T400, NP205, open 60 front, Detroited rear 14 bolt, 4.10's. About 14" springs & lowered hangers in front, an ORD shackle flip in rear with around 18" springs. It was all professionally done and cost me way too much. But, since I was a kid I wanted a truck with 44's. Since then 49's came out (& now 54's) but I got the 49's before the 54's came out. I could finally afford to do it and now I have what I wanted. Now, I'd like to get it to drive a little better so my question is....
Do the Military spec Michelin's ride any better than the 49" Irok's? I'm assuming balancing either is basically out of the question and that's fine. But will the Radial Michelin's (around 200lbs each) ride any better than the Bias Irok's (169lbs each)?
Again, this is a 3rd vehicle that doesn't get driven much. I have SEVERAL more questions about other stuff (Cutting & turning the F Dana 60, rear disc conversion, Hi-Flow PS pump to better handle the hydro steering assist, etc. etc.) but want to tackle the tire question first. THANKS!



I own a set of "46.5 (395/85 R20) Michelins XML's and those weigh approx. 250lbs PER TIRE!! So those "54's have to be pushing close to 350lbs each :eek:!

And I wouldn't dare run the "54 on anything less than Rockwell axles.