Can I Run 33" Tires?

NWI_#73 · April 30, 2010

I have a 2008 silverado LT1, Z71 with a leveling kit on it. I bought it used and it's obvious it was leveled but I am unsure what kit was used. It looks like it is leveled at least 2" though from the pictures i've seen of other members trucks. I've read through many threads and couldn't find exactly what i'm looking for.

I want to run 33" tires on my stock 18" Z71 rims and i'm wondering if you guys can offer some advice for me as to what exact size tire would fit with ZERO rubbing. I just want to set my truck apart from a stock leveled silverado without breaking the bank. If it's not possible without spending a ton of money then i'll probably just say forget it for now.

Pictures would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

dover179 · April 30, 2010

From what I've seen, a 285/65/18 is going to be the biggest with zero rubbing. A 275/70/18 should fit but might rub a bit depending on the height of the leveling kit. Any bigger than that and you're going to have to trim plastic for sure and possibly metal depending on how big you go. I know alot of guys run the 285's with zero issues and no trimming. Hope that helps a little.

NWI_#73 · April 30, 2010

Alrigh well that's a start.

If I want to run 33" tires, how much additional lift do I need? I have looked at many many different lift kits from readylift to rough country to Zone. Looks like a lot of the body lifts would require messing with cutting frame and all kinds of stuff to raise the bumpers to oem fitment along with losing the oem spare tire winch hole. I don't want to cut anything, don't want to mess with the tow hooks or oem spare tire winch hole. I looked at the readylift kit and it says direct bolt on but from what I read, it puts a lot of strain on steering and ball joints as it puts them at extreme angles.

Matt_ · April 30, 2010

Alrigh well that's a start.

If I want to run 33" tires, how much additional lift do I need? I have looked at many many different lift kits from readylift to rough country to Zone. Looks like a lot of the body lifts would require messing with cutting frame and all kinds of stuff to raise the bumpers to oem fitment along with losing the oem spare tire winch hole. I don't want to cut anything, don't want to mess with the tow hooks or oem spare tire winch hole. I looked at the readylift kit and it says direct bolt on but from what I read, it puts a lot of strain on steering and ball joints as it puts them at extreme angles.

Zone 3" body lift

Cutting Frame: False, you do not cut the frame at all. You will only need to trim 1/4" of metal off the front bumper mount (attached to the bumper) and cut the rear bumper brackets to install the new ones. If you ever wanted to take the body lift off, you'd just need to buy new REAR bumper brackets, the functionality of the front ones are not affected...and this does not affect the frame at all.

Tow Hooks: The tow hooks are 100% retained and look completely factory. You swap them side-to-side and trim a tab of plastic off. Pic below is tow hooks after body lift

Spare Tire Winch Hole: DO NOT follow the instructions for the ZONE kit for this! Zone has you drill a new hole 3" lower... which is just plain stupid. Download the instructions for the Performance Accessories 3" body lift and follow THEIR instructions. Their method retains the factory spare tire access. Below pic is the rear of my truck after the 3" body lift. I can get my spare tire and notice there's no extra holes (the access panel is crooked in the pic... but that's just because i got lazy and didnt twist it back )

dover179 · April 30, 2010

Alrigh well that's a start.

If I want to run 33" tires, how much additional lift do I need? I have looked at many many different lift kits from readylift to rough country to Zone. Looks like a lot of the body lifts would require messing with cutting frame and all kinds of stuff to raise the bumpers to oem fitment along with losing the oem spare tire winch hole. I don't want to cut anything, don't want to mess with the tow hooks or oem spare tire winch hole. I looked at the readylift kit and it says direct bolt on but from what I read, it puts a lot of strain on steering and ball joints as it puts them at extreme angles.

To run 33's all you need is a leveling kit, which you said you already have. The 285/65 is about 32.5" and the 275/70 is about 33.2" or so. Now to fit a 33x12.50 you might need a bit more room, should be able to do a 1.5" body lift, or better yet, a 3" body lift. I'd suggest staying away from the rough country 3" suspension lift and the ready lift, they do nothing for steering angles and the rough country comes with crap ball joints and eats them up bad.

NWI_#73 · April 30, 2010

Alrigh well that's a start.

If I want to run 33" tires, how much additional lift do I need? I have looked at many many different lift kits from readylift to rough country to Zone. Looks like a lot of the body lifts would require messing with cutting frame and all kinds of stuff to raise the bumpers to oem fitment along with losing the oem spare tire winch hole. I don't want to cut anything, don't want to mess with the tow hooks or oem spare tire winch hole. I looked at the readylift kit and it says direct bolt on but from what I read, it puts a lot of strain on steering and ball joints as it puts them at extreme angles.

To run 33's all you need is a leveling kit, which you said you already have. The 285/65 is about 32.5" and the 275/70 is about 33.2" or so. Now to fit a 33x12.50 you might need a bit more room, should be able to do a 1.5" body lift, or better yet, a 3" body lift. I'd suggest staying away from the rough country 3" suspension lift and the ready lift, they do nothing for steering angles and the rough country comes with crap ball joints and eats them up bad.

Ok what do the 285/65R18 tires look like on stock z71 rims? If I could go this route with my leveling kit, I think that "MAY" cure my urge for something beefier...for now...

NWI_#73 · May 12, 2010

I saw pictures of the 275/70R18 tires on the stock z71 rims....now does anyone have pictures of 285/65R18 tires on the same z71 rims?

ArkansasHellRaiser · May 12, 2010

NWI i'm glad to be informing you that you can run 33x12.50x18 just fine as long as you have a leveling kit. Every leveling kit says that after installation you can fit up to 33x12.50x18 on stock rims with no modifications afterwards.

NWI_#73 · May 12, 2010

33x12.50x18s is what equivelant in metric sizing?

ArkansasHellRaiser · May 12, 2010

nothing perfectly. for the majority of the 285's I've seen are never 12.50's. It's about like a 305 atleast, actually a 325/60/18 is going to be as close are you can get to a 33x12.50x18

NWI_#73 · May 12, 2010

Hmm...that's a super wide tire and i'm not sure it would fit without majorly rubbing from what i've seen.

I'd like to run a 305 tire on my stock z71 rims but i'm not sure if I could (with my rim width) and without rubbing. I'd also like to retain my mudflaps.

ArkansasHellRaiser · May 12, 2010

a 325/60/18 is a 33.4"x12.8"x18" give or take a few tenths. I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Just because the tire is called a 33x12.50x18 doesnt mean it's perfectly 33" tall and 12.50" wide. for example the toyo mt 33x12.50x18 is 33" tall and 12.7" wide. but you can fit this without any modification, atleast you can with readylift. here's another example, a toyo mt in 35x12.50x18 is actually 13.2" wide. Information provided by toyotires.com. A 325/60/18 might rub a little so I'd go with a 33x12.50x18 in your case since you don't want any rubbing. Or you could go punier and get a 285 or 275

NWI_#73 · May 13, 2010

Anybody else chime in here? With similar tire sizing to what has been discussed or slightly larger without doing a body lift? Can you comment on trimming or rubbing?