16" Rims on 2006?

kstruckcountry · December 17, 2011

Just saw a 2005 Silverado in 4 Wheel Offroad with 16" Rogue rims on it. I already downsized once from 20" to 17", and now I'm considering 16's. Mainly due to looks, and especially tire cost. Was it likely the truck had different brakes? Or will the Rogues just fit because they aren't dished like most rims?

MikeNH · December 18, 2011

I was under the impression nothing smaller than a 17" wheel would fit on 05+ trucks. The magazine truck might've done something hack-ish like grind the calipers to make the wheels fit (I know a few people who did that on old GMT400s to fit 15s...).

jtstacy77 · December 19, 2011

I believe the reason for the change from 16 to 17" rims had to do with the change from disc brakes in the rear to drums. The large drums required 17" rims. I have an '06 avalanche with 16's with disc brakes. If your truck has drums on the rear I think you have to go with 17's, if you have disc's you should be able to run 16's. Note: According to advance auto's website your truck has disc brakes on all 4 wheels.

kstruckcountry · December 19, 2011

I don't know where they get that, mine has rear drums, but the drums would have no trouble clearing smaller rims. It looks like the problem is in front, there's barely any clearance between rim and caliper. However, the factory rims seem to be dished, and it looks like if you had non-dished 16's they would fit. Guy I know swears you can fit 16's, he could be wrong though. I don't know whether his truck had 4 or 2 wheel disc. The 17's are the best looking factory wheel imo, but I don't like the plastic nuts on the cap.

jtstacy77 · December 20, 2011

Maybe they used a bigger disc in the front when they went to drums in the back, and that was the need for the 17 inch rims (not sure either where advance gets their info). I had an 04 silverado with 4 wheel discs and it had 16's, my dad had an 06 silverado and it came with 17" chrome wheels, and drums on the back. So I guess if you have drums you have to run 17's. Sorry I couldn't be more help!

kstruckcountry · December 20, 2011

lol it's fine, I would consider conversion, but who knows how much that would be, which would kinda defeat the purpose of saving money.

I don't understand why they put drums on though, seems like discs would be better. oh well.

MikeNH · December 21, 2011

Rear discs on the 800s burned through pads because of road dirt/grit contamination. Pedal feel also sucked. No matter what I did in my '03 the pedal was spongy, as were all the other 800s I drove before I got the one I did. People always complain about drums but I'll take them for this- I'll probably never have to touch them before 100k and the truck stops just fine.

kstruckcountry · December 21, 2011

Gotcha. I can definitely understand them burning up pads on rear with all the dust here. The drums on my 1990 have worked fine, seems like everyone rags on them though. After driving my buddies '04 I see what you mean about feel.