I'm probably at a similar ~1.5" drop. I think I know the metal flange you're talking about.
That said, tires all fit differently. I've got a set of 255 federal RSRs that are almost as wide as my 275 Hankooks. Yours might have just been some unusually wide tires.
-Dan
"Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse, and helping your uncle jack off a horse." "'she' also likes to swap since I think I am going to need to give her to woody again." - Dvlhntr "full alphabetic boost mode" - ChristopherTheOne " Purrs like a sexually satisfied black panther." - BigTDogg "Two oil eating, angry, spinning triangles of death." - turtleboy on rotary engines