Winter Rims And Tire Question?

Irv · October 28, 2009

Going out today to price out some rim/tire combos, currently I have the chrome GM 20's and the height is around 30"-31" inches tall.

Just curious what tire/rim size combos I can go with and how important is it to have the exact same height as my 20's, will it affect my speedo, will they screw anything up if they are not exact?

I am thinking of the 265/70R (16-18) Michelin LTX M&S, if I put what ever size on say a 16" rim wil it be the same height as an 18" rim as I assume the side wall will be shorter in order to maintain the same height?

Also, what about my TPM, will I have to get special valves in order for the system to still work?

Thanks

Stevens03 · October 28, 2009

Use tire charts to match the overall diameter of your stock tires and you'll be fine as far as the speedo/mileage thing goes. TPM should be used if you don't want to see the error message all winter. You can find them for under $100 on ebay so you can just swap in/re-program your winter wheels.

Good luck

rodram · October 28, 2009

... i agree with everything Stevens07 says in his post

... and when going to a smaller diameter rim... you need to make sure there is no problem clearing your brake rotors and calipers.... if your stock rims are 20's you may not be able to use a 16 or 17 inch wheel

... Michelin LTX M/S are great all-round tires... but if this tire purchase is for dedicated snow/winter tires (I see you are from Canada, eh!), there may be a better choice for something that can handle ice and packed snow a little better... like Michelin Latitude X-Ice... or TOYO OPEN COUNTRY G02plus .. I got a set of those TOYO's last year and was very impressed... will be putting them back on my wife's car sometime very soon... (it is snowing again outside this morning)

Irv · October 28, 2009

Thanks guy's, some great tips there! Never thought of the wheel size issue, maybe an 18 will be all that fits?

And good idea on the tires, they are strictly going to be used as a winter tire/off season set.

Snow already Rod! I wish we could say the same, all this rain we are getting is good for nothing, I would rather be out snowmobiling!

hubbycap · October 28, 2009

"I am thinking of the 265/70R (16-18) Michelin LTX M&S, if I put what ever size on say a 16" rim wil it be the same height as an 18" rim as I assume the side wall will be shorter in order to maintain the same height?"

You'll get a rude surprise if you try to put a 16" wheel on a GMT900. I don't think it will clear the front calipers.

Irv · October 28, 2009

"I am thinking of the 265/70R (16-18) Michelin LTX M&S, if I put what ever size on say a 16" rim wil it be the same height as an 18" rim as I assume the side wall will be shorter in order to maintain the same height?"
You'll get a rude surprise if you try to put a 16" wheel on a GMT900. I don't think it will clear the front calipers.

Of all the places I called today, no one suggested a 16" wheel so I take it they know what you know.

However most places suggested a 17" wheel and then tires of the appropriate size,,,I was just shocked at the price,,,anywhere from $1300 to $1600 depending on the tires I choose,, and those are just on cheap black steel 6 bolt rims!

Thanks for reply Hubbycap

rodram · October 28, 2009

.... the price can be a shocker all right.... .but remember

... GOOD TIRES ARE NOT CHEAP

... CHEAP TIRES ARE NOT SAFE ... at least not on a truck

Let us know what you end up with.

hubbycap · October 29, 2009

Hey, no charge.

Nothing has changed since 07, the clearance between these fabulous new double pistoned front calipers and the inside of my 17" OEM alloys is about 1/4" so 17s are the minimum.

I would think that 17" steel (think wt) would be available used off of '07 off-lease turn-ins of fleet units. I would check with some tire stores on keeping an eye out for those. Not everyone runs winter wheels. Can't help too much in the tire dept. but those prices sound steepish. Consider the Tire Rack on rubber if you find some decent wheels. If you get OEM spec tires for the size you buy everything will work great with the TPMS, traction control, ABS, or whatever.

If you bought OEM wheels you could buy the special valve stems and move your sensors over to the new wheels. Might be able to pick up the entire set of TPMS sensors on eBay for around a $100.

Off-lease take-offs may have fair rubber on them. If not, consider used, at least for this winter.

wages999 · October 29, 2009

Check your local craigslist regularly and you might be able to find some decent tires cheap. I just bought a set of Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor, size 275/70R17, Load Range C, mounted on American Racing Outlaw II rims for $550 off craigslist. The tires still have the little nubs on them, so they weren't used for very long before the guy traded his truck in. The tires are $210.00 each on TireRack. So I basically saved $300 on the tires and got the rims for free.

I just sold a set of 17" painted steels with center caps for $100 for a guy to use as winter wheels. Keep looking and you will find some cheap rims for winter.

Irv · October 29, 2009

Check your local craigslist regularly and you might be able to find some decent tires cheap. I just bought a set of Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor, size 275/70R17, Load Range C, mounted on American Racing Outlaw II rims for $550 off craigslist. The tires still have the little nubs on them, so they weren't used for very long before the guy traded his truck in. The tires are $210.00 each on TireRack. So I basically saved $300 on the tires and got the rims for free.

I just sold a set of 17" painted steels with center caps for $100 for a guy to use as winter wheels. Keep looking and you will find some cheap rims for winter.

Thanks Wages, I use Kijiji up here in Canada but I do think Craigslist is also available, I will have to check them out as well.

I found these just a few minutes ago, 245/65/17 I called and the person measured them for me at 29 1/2" inches tall, mine measure 30 1/2" inches tall so I take it they are too small? There Michelins too!

They come with the 6 bolt rims too, just think they won't work? (ad below)

http://oshawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-au...QAdIdZ164004972

Irv · October 30, 2009

Just purchased some Cooper Arctic Claw tires and GM 17" aluminum rims with the TPM's already in there for $1150 cash.

They seem like a pretty decent tire and the reviews I have read sound really positive?

I know I was going to get some Michelin's, had my heart set on them actually but this deal was too good to pass up imo?

I had got a bunch of quotes and by far this is the best deal especially since they come with factory GM wheels and not just the cheap black steel wheels, considering this I am saving almost $200 dollars from the next best deal which had the same tires but the steel wheels (TPM's were included in that price)

Anyways, time will tell if I am happy with them, no snow yet so they are not going on until it does fly which I think will be another month or more?

http://www.tiresbyweb.com/p-7317-multi-mil...c-claw-txi.aspx

rodram · October 30, 2009

... you won't be sorry with the Cooper Arctic Claw tires ... I know many people with them on their truck or SUV .... very happy people when driving in the winter.

Irv · October 30, 2009

... you won't be sorry with the Cooper Arctic Claw tires ... I know many people with them on their truck or SUV .... very happy people when driving in the winter.

That's good to hear, I read some great reviews about them as well.

They are more of an aggressive tire than the Michelin's I had on my last truck but then again they are a true snow tire, the Michelin's LTX's were all seasons.

I just hope they wear as well but I have my doubts due to there design(a true winter tire) If I get 3-5 winters out of them (which from what I read I should?) I will be pretty happy!

The bonus to the whole deal is the practically brand new GM factory wheels with the TPM's as mentioned earlier, so I am pretty happy about that as well.

I will be sure to keep this post active when we get some snow and I get the opportunity to try them out.

Thanks for all your help, I appreciate it very much

Samsfire · October 30, 2009

Thats a great price, did you find those on kijiji? I found my winter rims/tires on there about a month ago and couldn't be happier. 17" factory GMC rims, and Michelin LTX M/S. There is some deals on there if you know keep an eye out!

Irv · October 30, 2009

Thats a great price, did you find those on kijiji? I found my winter rims/tires on there about a month ago and couldn't be happier. 17" factory GMC rims, and Michelin LTX M/S. There is some deals on there if you know keep an eye out!

Thanks, I think I did alright?

Yes and no, it was an ad on KIJIJI advertising a tire dealer, I gave him a call and he told me he just got the GM wheels in and he could do the package for $1150.

Found out he was just up the street tucked in behind a Midas muffler shop, I didn't even know he was there.

Your set was the set I was after but had no luck, the closest I came was steel wheels with Michelin LTX M&S but they were on 245's.

What did you pay for your set if you don't mind me asking?