What’s out there for tires

[lag11]

Hey all,

I am in the process of acquiring a 1996 D21 XE I was wondering what size rims or wheels and tires can fit under the stock ride height. Any specific combo recommendations

P.s. any common problems I should be aware of with this model. It’s at 129k

[LugNut1990]

Frame rust-through may be fatal, so check for that.

[VOTS95]

When I'm looking at buying another vehicle, I always want to hear it start when the engine is cold. I'm curious to see if the cold start system is working correctly, I also want to listen for excessive tapping/knocking noises. Your truck has the 4 cylinder and they have a history of timing chain slap due to the plastic guide breaking and landing in the bottom of the oil pan.

As mentioned, rust. The frame, bed, rocker panels, floors, etc. Slide up underneath if possible and take a good look around.

The 4 cylinder engine doesn't have much power, upgrading to a larger size tire/wheel will magnify the problem. I put 30 x 9.5 x 15 tires and a set of lego rims on a 97 regular cab D21 once and the acceleration sucked. I took them right off and went back to stock wheels/tires.

VOTS

[jp2code]

Like LugNuts said, look for rust or frame damage underneath. Not likely, but sometimes it happens.

Then pop the hood to see if it all looks factory. If someone has taken it Jethro style, it will be hard to diagnose if there is ever a problem.

There is a sticky thread here called Will my wheels tuck and the Official wheel thread. Both are good stuff!

[PorknBeans]

Stock rims and tires are 215/60/14...

I run BFGoodrich tires in a 205/60/14 tire size from Costco because I like their warranty. They didn’t have the 215/60/14 size. So I went with what I have. Works fine. Load rating is slightly lower. But negligible to me with what I tow and haul.

An easy search of Cooper tires, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone etc. will most likely have the size you are looking for.

[XoXSciFiGuy]

Originally Posted by lag11

Hey all,

I am in the process of acquiring a 1996 D21 XE I was wondering what size rims or wheels and tires can fit under the stock ride height. Any specific combo recommendations

P.s. any common problems I should be aware of with this model. It’s at 129k

Most of the other folks gave you the most common answers. However, I disagree with the idea that larger rims and tires will slow down your 96 a great deal. I had good luck installing 15 inch rims and tires on my 97. Size was P215 70 R15 and after that the truck handled better and cornered WAY better.

Since you have a 96 model, it *SHOULD* have a standard plug-in for a code reader just to the right of the fuse box. Check and see if you have that because only the 96-97's had that and it is a big bonus. No more pulling the passenger seat to count flashing lights.

Good low mileage on that truck too. I sold mine two weeks ago, a 97, with 132,000 on it and got $4800 for it. Picture below. Good luck and welcome to Hardbody World.