OP
OP
Zed 71
Full Access Member
There was more trimming than I anticipated. Others have installed 285/65/18 BFG ATs with no trimming - actual size varies with each manufacturer. The Nittos were ~32.5 inches in diameter which is close to theoretical 32.59". I had the installer trim, but I should have done it myself (cleaner and they cut the wheel well liner).
The Z71 has different front air dam/bumper. The two black bottom brackets (see picture above) had to be trimmed ~2 inches from the wheel well towards the front. I do take the truck off-road and did not want any rubbing when flexing the suspension. As I mentioned, they trimmed the actual wheel well liner and if I did it myself I would not trim that liner and would have just used zip ties to secure it back to the trimmed brackets (drill holes in the trimmed brackets).
As far as noise, it is pretty quiet for a mud terrain - comparable to BFG ATs. Of course it is louder than the OEM. It has 3-ply sidewalls so they are heavy and you can notice it driving away. Once under way, it is ok. Having thick sidewalls also stiffens up the ride, in a good way IMO. You will notice this right away, I did not realize how soft the OEMs were.
I know someone will ask, the mpg went down of course. I was getting ~16 to 17 mpg in the city, now I am getting ~14 to 15 mpg. No highway use yet. Looking into the BB tune next.
The Z71 has different front air dam/bumper. The two black bottom brackets (see picture above) had to be trimmed ~2 inches from the wheel well towards the front. I do take the truck off-road and did not want any rubbing when flexing the suspension. As I mentioned, they trimmed the actual wheel well liner and if I did it myself I would not trim that liner and would have just used zip ties to secure it back to the trimmed brackets (drill holes in the trimmed brackets).
As far as noise, it is pretty quiet for a mud terrain - comparable to BFG ATs. Of course it is louder than the OEM. It has 3-ply sidewalls so they are heavy and you can notice it driving away. Once under way, it is ok. Having thick sidewalls also stiffens up the ride, in a good way IMO. You will notice this right away, I did not realize how soft the OEMs were.
I know someone will ask, the mpg went down of course. I was getting ~16 to 17 mpg in the city, now I am getting ~14 to 15 mpg. No highway use yet. Looking into the BB tune next.
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I like it because I can change the shift points and "slightly" change the shifting firmness. As far as engine performance and mileage, I can't really tell much of a difference between stock, the regular Hypertech tune, and the high octane Hypertech tune. I leave it set on the regular tune so I can use the cheaper, lower octane fuel. I get around 12-14mpg around town and 16-19mpg on the interstate.
