Wow. You folks are an incredible help. Thank you!

As I understand it:
Super Swampers are the best tires for my off-roading in VERY rugged, rocky terrain. (I'm near the Four Corners in SE UT) From what I can tell there are only two sizes of Swampers that are narrow (9.5") and fit on the stock 15" rims:

SAM-14 34x9.50-15
SAM-38 32x9.50-15

Questions (But first, please excuse my frugality--I'm living on disability after falling down a mountain and shredding my skull. I'm not supposed to be alive):

Q1: Is there a 33x9.50-15 Swamper tire? As rxinhed stated:
"I've run 33x12.5's on my 87 Raider with no lift."

Q2: If no lift is necessary for 33x12.5's do I need a lift for the SAM-38's (32x9.50-15)?

Q3: Can I run the SAM-14s without a lift as they're 3" narrower?

Q4: If the only difference between the SAM-14 and the SAM-38 is 2" in diameter, and if the SAM-38's don't require lifting the body/suspension, is it worth lifting the body or suspension for those extra two inches? (I understand that this is a very subjective question!)

Q5: If a lift is worth it (and it may well be) for the SAM-14's, what is the simplest and cheapest way to do the lift? (As there are so many different pages on this forum for gaining lift.)

And finally:
Q6: As I'm in Southern UT, what's the cheapest way to get a set of Super Swampers?

Thank you all SO MUCH for your help!

Okay, but now your new questions lead to others from us. If you're swapping to a larger tire, your consideration of 32" vs. 34" also bears drawing out. I am currently running 32x11.5-15 Sport King (made in Korea) all terrains on stock rims, no lift, no modifications at all. Therefore, if you're looking at 32x9.5's now, you will need no modifications beyond what you desire for traction control purposes. But, all the above mentioned parts will definitely aid your cause.

1. If you're going to wheel in SE Utah, than I believe most of what you'll encounter is Colorado Plateua sedimentary rocks with scattered volcanics from whatever orogenic event (sorry, can't recall name (oh, orogenic means 'mountain building')). So, if Moab is your destination (for example), consider other tire brands in your search. BFG offers 33x9.5 and 33x10.5. You could swap to 16" or 17" rims and go with some Dick Cepek or Mickey Thompson, Goodyear, Toyo, Pit Bull...for some different tire sizes.

2. If you're set on Swampers, check out 4 Wheel Parts Wholesaler website. You can see the different models: LTB, TSL, etc. there. I believe they and National Tires Wholesalers will be your best bet for mail order.

3. If you're looking at real jagged, sharp terrain, and you're not interested in paved road, you also can look into small diameter implement tires. I've seen 33" tires on backhoes that have a 20-ply carcass and about 1.5" thick sidewalls.

4. We forgot to mention beefing up skid plates and adding rocker protection. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


Photos below show stock ride height when I was running 33x12.5. The tires stuffed in the wheel wells fine, skinnier 33's (or less) would do the same.

First off about the 9.5" wide tires. Those are skinny tires yes, but if your looking for any size tire that won't extend outside the fenders, you could also go with 10.5" . I am running 31"x10.5" tires, and they don't stick out past the fenders (if any a cm or 2). If you get anything narrower than 10.5 your not benefiting from it because the body of the truck goes out so far anyway, in my rational anyway.

You won't need a lift to fit a 32" tall tire. There are 32x9.5 tires in the Super Swamper TSL (Bias Ply). A body lift is worth the extra money if you plan on needing the clearance. The largest 9.5 tire I found were the 34" Super Swampers, but there is a 35x10.5 Super Swamper TSL aswell.

And as far as buying the tires, as mentioned www.4wheelparts.com is usually a great place to go to order tires. And if there is a local shop in your area you could just buy them there if you wanted. Also any other reputable tire shop should be willing to special order them for you, but you won't get the best price that way.

Just put some shackles on the rear, and maybe some addaleafs, and crank the torsion bars on the front. Put a 2 inch body lift on it, and put your 34 inch swampers on.

You'll be OK. Stock wheels are fine though they may rub the tires a tad on the inner fender wells in the rear when flexing.

You'll want lower gears for low range, but cross that bridge when you get there. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

89 V6.....coils.

Ohh nice. Coil spacers then. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Be glad you got a v6 truck. You'll thank yourself later. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Gen2 rear coils with a torsion bar crank and 2 in body lift will clear 34s.

"I am suffering from severe brain damage"

I figured we would eventually get another USPS employee here on the board, but never dreamed we would get a supervisor!!

Welcome.

Wow. What a great help all of you are!

OK, IÆve been taking your deeply appreciated advice and looked at: Super Swamper TSLÆs

They state that the SAM-38Æs are only 1.5ô less in diameter than the SAM-14Æs which, (I believe) not requiring a lift for the SAM-38Æs would allow for an earlier start on saving up for the ARB Air Lockers!

My status: IÆm camped out between 7,000-9,000 feet, year-round (the accident has left me homeless--which is the least of my worries), so I deal with lots of snow in the winter, the inevitable ômud season,ô all on top of endless sandstone.

The Swampers look like theyÆve got the most aggressive tread, which is why I been planning on going with them. I have no interest in taking ôRebecca the Raiderô on asphalt other than refueling. Is there any better tire than the Swampers for what I need? On that note:

Rxinhed offered up:


Now youÆre getting me excited! <pant, pant>

Where can I find such delightful donuts?

Thanks!!

LiveLife,

Just an observation here, but I don't know if dropping a bunch of money on Swampers is really the right direction... considering your homeless. Even if you'd rather spend your time in the woods and off the grid, couldn't that $$ be better spent on something more important? Work or no work, I really hope your situation works out. I'm not trying to be an ass, seriously.

Good luck man,
David