20 Inch Wheels Or Not?

jbangelfish · December 5, 2010

How are the Tahoes with 20 inch wheels on the highway?

I must be old fashioned but am very comfortable with the old 16's and 17's and think they are great on the road.

Will I notice an improvement with 18's or 20's or will it just remain comfortable? I've driven a Tahoe or Yukon 150k miles or so and have never driven a more comfortable truck in my life. As long as they have power lumbar, I could drive them forever.

What are anyone's thoughts on the newer ones with 18 and 20 inch wheels? I know the basic LT size remains at 17 but am considering LTZ's and L71's, leaning toward the LTZ, if people are happy with the ride. They come with all the goodies and look very sharp. My guess would be that these would be great on the road but I'd like to hear it from those who have driven them.

I suppose the Z71 is alittle stiffer and I need one that is more roadable anyway as it's longer trips that make these things so nice. We have a cabin 350 miles from home and Tahoes are the best truck for us and the trip. The fact that they can do snow or offroad is only a nice side advantage to me. In the old days, I used to love to take a 4WD truck out and beat the shit out of it but I'm slowing down in my old age.

Thanks again,

Bill

Ron_CA · December 5, 2010

A new Tahoe LTZ with 20s will ride better than any of your old Tahoes with 16 or 17 inch wheels.

Go drive one, you'll see

SJP12 · December 5, 2010

my 08 silverado came with the factory 20's, I wish I had the factory 17's or 18's. IMO the extra rotating mass of the 20's slows the truck 0-60.

Hoe-n-it · December 5, 2010

I had an 02 yukon with 16" wheels and now an 2011 Tahoe LTZ with 20" to compare. Of course one is the GMT-800 and the other the GMT-900 so they are different trucks. I don't know what vehicle your reference point is for the 16 and 17's. The 2011 rides MUCH better overall but it also has the autoride. The only time I think the Yukon was probably a little better is when I hit a large bump or pothole at interstate speeds. The taller sidewall would absorb the shock better. I always though the large tires and 16" wheels looked a little odd. The 18's would be a little better but the 20's are a good compromise between looks and ride. Personally I wouldn't want the 22's or 24's because I prefer a decent ride over looks but I'm an older fart.

jbangelfish · December 5, 2010

my 08 silverado came with the factory 20's, I wish I had the factory 17's or 18's. IMO the extra rotating mass of the 20's slows the truck 0-60.

Interesting, mixed reviews. Thanks.

I don't know if the effort is to increase mileage, supposed to look better, ride better or what. Doesn't sound like it accomplishes any of it to me. The look isn't ridiiculous but 20 is a pretty tall rim. I have 17's on my pickup and they seem huge to me. It does ride pretty well though.

Somewhere, there has to be a balance that makes these things perform at their peak and I thought they were pretty close with the old 5.7's and 3.73 rearends on 16 inch wheels. Mine would get well over 20MPG on most any roadtrip and was a good puller, a tad weak in OD, overall a good over the road truck. Pulling that heavy of a sled at 70MPH or so, and running under 2k rpm seemed like a pretty good trick. The Tahoe and Yukon that I've had would run at 1850 rpm, running just over 70mph.

My Ford F150 4WD extended cab, has 17 inch wheels and a 3.43 rearend with 5.4 motor and it won't quite run as well as the Tahoe, in rpms. It's closer to 2000 rpms than the Tahoe at the same speed. Tranny gearing might be the difference. I know, it's a Ford, but it's the nicest driving Ford I've ever had, comfy on the road and rides well, just not as nice as the Tahoe. I am able to take it on road trips and not get uncomforatable but it also has power lumbar support.

Anyway, I'm wondering why they can't get more mileage out of these new ones with higher speed rearends, 3.42's and 3.08's, bigger tires vs the old ones with lower gears, smaller tires, bigger engines and more weight. The new ones are lighter than mine and slightly smaller and less weight by a few hundred pounds. They do have abit more horsepower than the old 5.7's. They also have cylinder deactivation which everyone seems to say is pretty useless. I just can't figure out why they can't do better than my old one with all this new technology. OK, off subject, just another concern about new vs old trucks. I just know I can't drive my old ones forever.

Every time I have to replace another sensor or electronic part, pump, tranny, you name it, I say I'm going to find a 1966 Chevy pickup and drive it until I die. I just realize that ain't gonna happen.

Thanks,

Bill

L76PWRD · December 5, 2010

I love 20s, they look way better than the 17s.

Best stock 20s ever.

oldmann · December 5, 2010

I don't even care how they ride. They look great with dubs. Are the heights really taller? Wonder if the dealer can program the speedo for 20s?

berteras · December 5, 2010

I love 20s, they look way better than the 17s.

Best stock 20s ever.

This wheel is the offspring of the best stock 20 ever......The SS rims from 03-05

L76PWRD · December 5, 2010

Yeah, the SS 20s are awesome too.

berteras · December 5, 2010

They both look good but those SS wheels fit the SS truck perfect. I wish I would have never traded my 03 SS in for the 09 sierra that I traded in recently because it was a piece of junk

jbangelfish · December 5, 2010

They both look good but those SS wheels fit the SS truck perfect. I wish I would have never traded my 03 SS in for the 09 sierra that I traded in recently because it was a piece of junk

Thanks alot for all the answers. I'll definately drive some trucks with 20's before I buy. If I don't like them, we'll probably look at a Z71 with 18's or even a loaded LT with lowly 17's. 17's on my Ford F150 ext cab 4WD make the best "riding" Ford truck I ever owned but I always had short wheel based Broncos. Good old trucks to take out and beat in the field or trail. The ride comparison from those to the Tahoe and Yukon trucks we've had, there is no comparison. It's like Ford truck vs big Caddy. Tahoes, Yukons and Suburbans are probably the best riding big trucks going. I suppose the Escalade is nice but I don't like their looks or their prices. There are also some suspension improvements in the newer trucks, especially in the higher end models of Tahoes. Need to drive them and see what I think.

As to those who didn't know what 16's and 17's, I was comfortable with, the Ford F150, which I still drive, a 99 Tahoe LT, 99 Yukon LT and 04 Tahoe LT (which I didn't like and kept for one week). All of these have been great trucks on the highway with a great ride. The 04 didn't have power lumbar and I could hardly walk after 100 miles. Gotta have that power lumbar.

Thanks for all of your input, very helpful.

Bill

Ron_CA · December 5, 2010

I guess it depends on your driving style too.

My truck (Z71) came with 18s. If I did any mildly spirited driving I could really feel the sidewalls flexing around corners. Not my style at all and prefer the stiffness of a shorter sidewall so when I go around corners there isn't any flexing.

I put 20s with an all terrain tire and it rides excellent and has the handling characteristics I prefer and IMO looks alot better than factory.

blackout07 · December 5, 2010

We have an 07 Tahoe loaded out with 20's and the ride is amazing. I personally wouldn't have anything but 20's because IMO they look the best. I don't really think the ride difference is noticeable at all between 18's and 20's.