After reading a thread on NLOC about traction, they are saying that a *smaller* rim with a *larger* tire which has more sidewall will provide better traction since the sidewalls are more elastic.

If that is to be considered, does it make sense to maybe drop down a rim size (18 or 19) and get a slightly larger tire sidewall to increase traction?

If this were done, the 18" forged boyd rims would weigh even less than the boyd forged 20s. The bigger tire will take up some of that weight, but not much.... I am guessing that the 18" will probably run in the low 20s to maybe 25 which would drop over a 100 lbs in rims for sure. My NET loss of weight after the swap will def. be over a 100lbs which should net me some time down the track in both traction and weight.

The boyds I mentioned before are available in an 18x8.5 and pirelli makes their scorpion zero in a 285 50 18 which is very close in outside diameter. What do you guys think?

I would really like to avoid slicks if possible since I want the truck to be able to "run" on the street what it does on the track. It may make the ride a little more plush with more sidewall...

Ken

 

Ken,
I've been considering getting the 20" timeless Boyds. I don't know if I would put 18's on the HD because of how they'll look. I'm sure whoever is selling the boyds would mount 18's on the truck so you can see what it looks like, assuming you're not ordering them over the net or mail order... I think you have to look at the final result in what you would gain at the track. Is the additional loss of weight between 18's and 20's going to save you that much?
To me, and again this is me, it would not be worth having 18's and be a tenth faster.....
Also, I wonder if you can play with your air pressure in the rear wheels to gain that extra time... just a thought

 

o geez, 1st you take the HD rims off and want to get different 20's, now you want to get smaller rims? thats like 2 cardinal sins right there or something LoL!

anyway, you know what i'm gonna say, so i probably don't even have to bother posting it

but post pics if you do it. 18's would look...well...interesting.
I say go with the 20" boyds, but its your truck and you're trying to save every ounce you can it seems. how about some 16's? LoL! j/k

keep us updated on what you decide, and post pics of the rims you get if you dont get the timeless 2's.

 

I probably won't go 18s.... just curious. The L has 18" rims and it looks just fine. We are talking an inch at each side so I can't imagine that they would look funny, but who knows...

The boyds are custom order only, so I won't have a chance to look at an 18 on it.

Ken

 

yeah, but the HD's are about 2 feet longer than an L. its alot bigger of a truck, and the rims would look smaller i'd think. unless you slam your truck (3/4 drop) the 18's would look too small. 20's look just perfect on these trucks i think, and 22's as max size.

2 inches can make a big difference

 

or at least that's what she said....

 

Ken, It appears that you and I have the same problem--lying in bed at night thinking about what we can do to the truck to make it faster!! My wife is actually thinking about starting an organization called WAAMP (Wifes Against Aftermarket Parts).

Anyway, why don't you keep your stock rims and tires and just buy slicks for the track; I know that you have contemplated this in the past. This will save you money, and allow you to buy additional bolt-ons!

 

Ken, I know your trying to satisfy your "need for speed", but I gotta protest here. 18's are not going to look good on your truck. The 18's wouldn't look so bad if these trucks didn't come with 20's. They will always look small, regardless of the size tire you put on.
I have seen your truck, and know that you are concerned with looks as well as going fast. Stay with the 20's for street, and splurge on some light weight wheels, with sticky tires for the track...

 

I had pretty much decided to go 20s and get some lightweight 16s with hoosier drag slicks for the rear. That will drop the weight around town and even further on the track and I can use my goodyears thereby saving money on tires.

Since i will have a set of slicks for the track, the goodyears will be just fine on the truck for everyday use and I don't have to go looking for an affordable, sticky tire.

As I said in the original post, just an idea and I wondered what you guys would think... though I already knew...



Ken

 

I have a 01 L with harley 20's (32 vs 50 lbs per wheel). You can notice a difference in acceleration. I still have my original tire/wheel combo set. It looks so much better, I wouldn't think of going back!

 

hmm, you have the HD reps right? i wonder how they compare in weight to the oem ones. probably not a huge difference, but would be interesting to see if there is a slight weight difference between the two just for hte heck of it.

the HD rims weigh 80 lbs with the stock tires though


pics for just about everything

 

from what I can see (my friend has a 02 harley), they are the same.

 

The 22’ billet Boyd’s I have coming weigh about half what the stock cast wheels weighs. I was given a weight of about 23 pounds for a 20’ billet wheel (no tire) and about 25 pounds for a 22’ wheel.

Personally, I think anything over a 20’ wheel on a regular cab truck looks sort of funny. However, with the SuperCrew, I think 22’ is perfect. JMO

 

Wheels are getting so ridiculously huge 22" don't even have the sam shock and whoa efect that they had even a year ago. I am sure they will still look tight.

 

Why do you think you see so many Ls at the track with a 15 on the back and a tire with huge sidewall?

Ever wonder why you never see a low profile slick for a 20" rim?