Tires And Wheels, Should I Change

[thuber3040]

I have 15" tires now 30x9.5x15 on lmc alum wheels, should i go to the factory gmc 16" wheels, is there anything to be gained by this?

 

I have a 90 2500 sierra sle ext with 8ft

 

 

Looking for a quick answer since there are some 16 with tires for sale here reasonable

[thuber3040]

with 265/75/16" tires

[rodram]

...the 265/75R16's will fit your truck... this was the OE size for any Z71 in the 88-98 years

 

...they are going to be about an inch wider tire and about 3/4 inch larger radius than the 30x9.5x15's that you have right now

 

...someone likely changed out the original 225/75R16's and they would have been on plain steel rims

 

.. decision depends on how you want your truck to look

[700 sportsman]

well, I would use a tire size calculator and compare the exact sizes of the 2, but I wouldn't see any point in changing unless you are wanting to change your rpm range, or something else, unless you just like those wheels better than the ones you have now

[thuber3040]

I was thinking the 15" might be too small or not enough tire to hold the truck properly mostly and i could use newer tires

[gregrocks89]

i'd go for it

[rodram]

.. the tires will fit.... but be careful about the wheels/rims ...

 

if the rims come from a Z71 or any 4x4 they will have a offset or backspacing that may not be compatible if your truck is a 2500 2WD.... I have a '97 2500 2wd and I have given up on finding anything different than the plain steel rims... if you mount a 4x4 16 inch rim on the front the rim will come very close the the frame and suspension, and there will be not enough clearance to turn the steering wheel...

 

... the difference is that the 2wd axle of that vintage are a few inches shorter than the 4wd axles.

 

(this might be why someone put those older 15 inch rims on to replace the stock plain steel 16 inch)

[thuber3040]

The 16" fell through, ended up with 17" 2005 z71 wheels, rides better, turns ok and looks a lot better filling up the wheel wells, now I just need to find a cover for the front rims, since the stock covers doesn't fit over my front hubs, or I need to trim out a hub hole on two caps, but I am working on finding a factory fit for the problem. and to get the speedo right, guess I will need to pull the gear for a tooth count and or color check.

 

It didn't read right on the 15's either