New Wheels

gmcgirl · February 28, 2010

So I'm thinking the more I look at my truck, the more I want to change the wheels...I have been looking at some pictures and I really like the black rims with a little chrome on them but not sure how they will look on my blue truck. I am open to suggestions and maybe some pics of other with the same colour truck as mine with new wheels so I can get an idea of what it might look like

Matt_ · February 28, 2010

What size? Sticking with 17s or going to 18s or 20s?

gmcgirl · February 28, 2010

What size? Sticking with 17s or going to 18s or 20s?

I don't know - if I change the size of them don't I have to adjust other stuff?

05silvycrew · February 28, 2010

I don't know - if I change the size of them don't I have to adjust other stuff?

it all depends on what size tires you want to run. if you get a tire that has a diameter that is larger than your stock tire, your speedometer won't be accurate (it will read a few MPH lower than what you're actually going).

gmcgirl · February 28, 2010

I don't know - if I change the size of them don't I have to adjust other stuff?

it all depends on what size tires you want to run. if you get a tire that has a diameter that is larger than your stock tire, your speedometer won't be accurate (it will read a few MPH lower than what you're actually going).

I do want to get a more aggressive tire but since I'm new to the truck world I need help on deciding this. I am concerned about road noise. My driving is mostly to the cottage which is 80kmh roads that are paved - I try to avoid gravel but there are several in my area. What are the advantages to moving up to 18 or 20? And what size would you guys suggest? It would be good to have something that is good in winter conditions too since we do get a ton of snow. All my past vehicles I ran snow tires year round.

Matt_ · March 1, 2010

There's not really an "advantage" to moving up to 18s or 20s... but i've found that some wheels that look good as 20s look like crap as 17s because the "spokes" are short and stubby. So knowing what wheel size you're after will help us recommend good options.

The diameter of the wheel doesn't affect road noise... it's all about which tires you get. You can get 18 and 20" wheels with performance tires that are silent, or swampers that you'll hear from a mile away.

So it's like two different questions:

1) what wheels would you recommend? (17? 18? 20? <--- do you have a preference?)

2) what tires would you recommend? (more aggressive/ not too much road noise/ good in snow <--- based on your last post)

gmcgirl · March 1, 2010

There's not really an "advantage" to moving up to 18s or 20s... but i've found that some wheels that look good as 20s look like crap as 17s because the "spokes" are short and stubby. So knowing what wheel size you're after will help us recommend good options.

The diameter of the wheel doesn't affect road noise... it's all about which tires you get. You can get 18 and 20" wheels with performance tires that are silent, or swampers that you'll hear from a mile away.

So it's like two different questions:

1) what wheels would you recommend? (17? 18? 20? <--- do you have a preference?)

2) what tires would you recommend? (more aggressive/ not too much road noise/ good in snow <--- based on your last post)

Good point - I do like a bigger tire - I hate the tiny tire in a big wheel well look. So I guess I would be moving away from the 17's to something larger.

MacA · March 1, 2010

Good point - I do like a bigger tire - I hate the tiny tire in a big wheel well look. So I guess I would be moving away from the 17's to something larger.

Actually, you can fill up the wheel well with a 17" rim, just as much as you can with a 20" rim. The thing that you will want to consider is what look you like best. For the same overall diameter (rim w/ tire), a 17" rim will have a tire with more sidewall showing than that of the 20" rim.

Personally, I like a truck with more tire showing. Especially on a 4x4 truck. To me the bigger rims 20"+ look better on slammed (lowered) trucks and import sports cars. Again, it is just a matter of one's personal tastes.

examples...

Small Rim = More Tire Sidewall

Large Rim = Less Sidewall

Hope this helps!

00_Extended · March 1, 2010

Check these out. I love em but will not be buying them for a year or two.

My post with wheels I would like to buy

This is what I saw them on...SEMA ZR2 Concept truck

SEMA ZR2

gmcgirl · March 1, 2010

Good point - I do like a bigger tire - I hate the tiny tire in a big wheel well look. So I guess I would be moving away from the 17's to something larger.

Actually, you can fill up the wheel well with a 17" rim, just as much as you can with a 20" rim. The thing that you will want to consider is what look you like best. For the same overall diameter (rim w/ tire), a 17" rim will have a tire with more sidewall showing than that of the 20" rim.

Personally, I like a truck with more tire showing. Especially on a 4x4 truck. To me the bigger rims 20"+ look better on slammed (lowered) trucks and import sports cars. Again, it is just a matter of one's personal tastes.

examples...

Small Rim = More Tire Sidewall

Large Rim = Less Sidewall

These are exactly what I want - what tires are these! I love them!!!! - well I can see that they are carlisle but what size etc., also the rims on these are great

Hope this helps!

Matt_ · March 1, 2010

Good point - I do like a bigger tire - I hate the tiny tire in a big wheel well look. So I guess I would be moving away from the 17's to something larger.

Actually, you can fill up the wheel well with a 17" rim, just as much as you can with a 20" rim. The thing that you will want to consider is what look you like best. For the same overall diameter (rim w/ tire), a 17" rim will have a tire with more sidewall showing than that of the 20" rim.

Personally, I like a truck with more tire showing. Especially on a 4x4 truck. To me the bigger rims 20"+ look better on slammed (lowered) trucks and import sports cars. Again, it is just a matter of one's personal tastes.

examples...

Small Rim = More Tire Sidewall

Large Rim = Less Sidewall

Hope this helps!

Hey, that's not a fair comparison!! You can't put a set of car tires/wheels up there next to a badass set of mud tires.

At least give the 20s a fighting chance!

MacA · March 1, 2010

Hey, that's not a fair comparison!! You can't put a set of car tires/wheels up there next to a badass set of mud tires.

At least give the 20s a fighting chance!

You're right Matt, that wasn't really fair. My objective was to let her visualize the point I was making. I just grabbed a couple of pics off of Google Images.

Matt is right, there are a lot of nice aggressive looking truck tires with 20" rims that look great on our trucks. But I think you get the idea that the more wheel you have the less tire you see for a given diameter. And this will be especially true if you have no plans to lift (or level) your truck. Leaving it at stock ride heights will keep your max diameter (wheel + tire) low. Hopefully, this all make sense!!

y2kz71 · March 1, 2010

get some nice factory chrome 20" GMC wheels

gmcgirl · March 1, 2010

Hey, that's not a fair comparison!! You can't put a set of car tires/wheels up there next to a badass set of mud tires.

At least give the 20s a fighting chance!

You're right Matt, that wasn't really fair. My objective was to let her visualize the point I was making. I just grabbed a couple of pics off of Google Images.

Matt is right, there are a lot of nice aggressive looking truck tires with 20" rims that look great on our trucks. But I think you get the idea that the more wheel you have the less tire you see for a given diameter. And this will be especially true if you have no plans to lift (or level) your truck. Leaving it at stock ride heights will keep your max diameter (wheel + tire) low. Hopefully, this all make sense!!

Those tires Matt posted are nice too. I have no plans on lifting my truck but having seen the before and afters of leveling has me thinking about that. So many decisions - good thing I won't be ready for new tires for a bit!