if you had a 10" wide tire and had to choose between increasing its diameter or width, which would you choose for traction and why? you can only pick one or the other, not both

 

width

It's all about the girth baby

 

That's what she said.

 

In your case, I think you need all the width you can stuff in there. Unfortunately, you can't get ANY width, and ANY diameter. You're stuck with whatever's available. It's hard to find the perfect set-up, unless you have 15" wheels (which almost NOBODY has, these days). In your particular case, I think you need to somehow get your truck a little lower, and be able to squat on launch. The way your truck sits, right now, I don't think you have hardly ANY weight transfer. Upon launch, the weight needs to move as far back as possible, then transfer towards the front smoothly. The weight transfering smoothly toward the front gets the mass moving, heading for the big end. I tihnk that's a very critical area on a heavy truck like yours. I don't know what the answer is, but that's my $.02

 

Width is not always the best, I've seen many cases where people were running a short wide tired and couldn't get a good 60ft time, then went to a taller tire with a little less width and greatly improved 60 ft times. For example I friend of mine had a 26 x 11.50 ET Street then went to a 27 x 10.50 ET Street and went from consitant 1.74 60ft to a consistant 1.61 60ft. This was on a 94 Chevy Pickup 383 with ProCharger.

 

any other inputs? lots of good info so far, thanks

 

After you get going, width can hurt considering it would create more friction. So better 60', but lower et. All in theory.

 

I'm having the same problems locating tires. With a 17 inch wheel and 34.5 inch tall there aren't any real options. Looks like I might have to go 33's and make the H2 a little bit closer to lowrider territory...LOL

 

BlownChevy, what do you think?