My thoughts on why I am moving from the chrome 15” to 16” steelies:
The 215 65 R 15’s are just over 25” tire diameter.
The 215 85 R 16’s have tire diameter of 29” and change.
I am not sure why the 215 85 R 16’s seem to turn easier. Perhaps the taller tires have slightly less contact surface area.
John Milliman nailed the real reason I went back to 16” rims (steelies): Steering geometry.
The prior owner didn’t have the axle shimmed for the smaller tire and I experienced a-lot of lane wandering and bump steering.
A plus of the smaller tires was lower top end yet the the lane wondering and bump steering was a bit disconcerting even at the lower speeds.
The results of going to the steelies was no bump steering (so far) and less lane wandering. However, the higher top end has exposed the worn out shocks and the need for a front sway-bar. I guess this shouldn't be all that surprising.
I do not plan on running this often on the interstate for many reasons. One is the single pot master cylinder and another is my truck replaces my Harley for back road rides (too many inattentive drivers with to many distractions and too many deaths by left turns).
I'm definitely not looking to be a speed demon in a 71 yr old truck. Not a resto mod guy - I love the originality of my 6 cylinder and the straight axle.
