new tires

[KMT15]

I have a stock 99 Silverado Z71, the tires are only 245, I want to start doing more off roading.  What tires should I get??  I dont know where to start, does anyone have pictures of 245s vs a bigger size?

 

-KMT15

[DamianSolomon]

I run 295/16 BFG ATs on my truck.  But not too many companies make a 295, so a 285 has more availability.  No pictures...sorry.

[scooter70]

285/75-16 BFG All Terrain TA KOs and Ford torsion bar keys cranked up to almost level.

[KMT15]

Excuse my ignorance but what are the torsion bars?  I keep hearing people asking about cranking them up.  And how do you crank them up?

 

-KMT15

[awdvkd]

They are long round metal shafts that act just like the coil springs over yesterday. They are adjustable, one end is stationary and the other end is adjustable by something called a "key" or adjustment bolt.  the more you tighten the bolt the more you torgue the torsion bar causing the truck to sit higher.  I f you choose to do this two things are important.  Do not over adjust them and always align the frontend after doing so.  It will change the toe and chamber setting on your truck.  If you do a search on the subject you will find the process describe just about everyway possible. Also it will make your truck ride stiffer.  It appears that yo can go up to 285's doing this w/o rubbing. Hope this helps  

[DamianSolomon]

 It appears that yo can go up to 285's doing this w/o rubbing. Hope this helps  

Actually, I have mine cranked and I have 295's with no rubbing.  I have even read in this forum, a couple of guys with 305s on their trucks and no rubbing. Probably because a 295 tire is actually taller than the 305. (34 inches vs 33 inches) so it makes sense why the 305s fit. The 295s are a thinner tire.

[Quibbs]

 It appears that yo can go up to 285's doing this w/o rubbing. Hope this helps  

Actually, I have mine cranked and I have 295's with no rubbing.  I have even read in this forum, a couple of guys with 305s on their trucks and no rubbing. Probably because a 295 tire is actually taller than the 305. (34 inches vs 33 inches) so it makes sense why the 305s fit. The 295s are a thinner tire.

so do you have to crank the torsion bars to get 285s in so they won't rub? I thought someone on here said they didn't do anything to their trucks when they put on the 285s. My tires come in next week (285/75/16). I was hoping I could have them put on without having to adjust anything and all would be fine (no rubbing). Is this not the case with 285s?

[Shaners]

Not all of our trucks have the same torsion bars on them, and they all seem to be set up a little different at the factory.  Therefore, some guys have cranked their bars for a little extra clearance while others have been able to leave them alone.

 

Cranking the bars only takes a few minutes.  Just turn in each bolt (1 per side) the same number of turns.

[clk7711]

I have read that some people have done nothing to the torsion bars and they fit fine. You should have no problems at all if you have a 100% stock truck. I raised mine a little bit just for looks.

[DamianSolomon]

By upgrading your tires to a larger, more aggressive design, it will definately make your truck look like nice.  But if you tighten the t-bar bolts, then you will make your truck look even nicer, it will actually look like a truck.  Its not hard to do at all.

[kwissman]

I just installed 305/70-16 Pro Comp Xterrains.  I had some slight rubbing on the drivers side front inner fender well plastic.  I trimmed about and inch from the plastic and it was fine.  I have the YH torsion bars and my truck sits pretty level.  I ended up putting on a body lift on because the wife let me spend the money.  It took two days to install, but was not hard, just time consuming.  I have some pics that I can send you by email.

[Quibbs]

Cool, I use to have a 67 RS Camaro...loved that car.

[Redapple]

I run 285's didn't need to crank, but as posted ealier did so for looks. Profile is much more "trucklike". If you like I can send pics.

 

Bill

[KMT15]

everyone please send picts to [email protected]

 

thanks

 

-KMT15

[Quibbs]

I run 285's didn't need to crank, but as posted ealier did so for looks. Profile is much more "trucklike". If you like I can send pics.

 

Bill

that would be great...you can send pics to [email protected]

 

Thanks