2014 High Country Wheels

TxTruckMan · January 22, 2014

Well, it so happens that I do not own a jacked up truck and do not feel any need to attract anybody's atention. I was not refering to anybody here in my general remark about GM catering to posers. It is a general trend these days, manufacturers are installing ridiculously large wheels on cars, SUVs and trucks alike while trying to boost the EPA mileage figures at the same time, which is counterproductive, as large wheels require more energy to turn. I saw 18" factory installed wheels on a 4 cylinder Chevy Cruze and 20" wheels on a Ford Taurus and Explorer, which I consider ridiculous.

It is a fact that low sidewall height makes expensive rims very vulnerable to pot holes and other road hazards and they are easily damaged. I could not care less what size wheels anybody buys and uses on their trucks. It is a free country and it is your truck (or bank's until it is paid off). No need to take it personally.

As for large wheels, my deuce and half has only 20" OEM wheels but the tires (9.00-20s) have 10 inch tall sidewalls which give each wheel 40" total height. That's a bit more suitable for off road operation than a 32 inch wheel with a 4" tall tire sidewall, don't you think?

A) You have to be able to sell the truck first! Looks and styling are important - more important than fuel economy to many.

B) Trucks spend a large majority of their existance on pavement. It makes sense to optomize them for driving on the highway.

C) 40-50 sidewall ratios on a 20-22" rim are plenty big to avoid rim damage in all but the worst situations. I run 22" rims on my wife's Yukon and she's a horrible driver. She hasn't had any issues with wheel damage outside of scraping the rims on all the curbs she can't avoid.

pm26 · January 22, 2014

When a manufacturer offers factory installed 22" wheels with the Z71 off-road suspension, this means that he is certifying that combination for off-road use (occassional or frequent). This makes no sense to me. That was probably the biggest reason why I commented on it. I agree that 22" rims with 40 to 50 aspect ratio tires are fine for road use.

abster · January 22, 2014

I love the 22" rim designs GM has, but it's just not nearly as functional if you don't have any sidewall. I wish they had some more 20" options. :-(

This was my big complaint when I ordered mine. The only 20" option on the LTZ Z71 looks like Auto Zone plasitc chrome covers. I stuck with the factory 18" wheels, for now...they're at least decent looking. Trying to get some GM aftermarket wheels can be expensive...at least through the Parts Dept. :-\

brentadams646 · January 23, 2014

When a manufacturer offers factory installed 22" wheels with the Z71 off-road suspension, this means that he is certifying that combination for off-road use (occassional or frequent). This makes no sense to me. That was probably the biggest reason why I commented on it. I agree that 22" rims with 40 to 50 aspect ratio tires are fine for road use.

You do understand that all you get with the Z71 package is stickers, skid plates and different rear shocks.... right? lol certified for offroad...

One reason for large wheels on trucks now days is that trucks are way larger and wheel openings are twice the size they used to be. I remember when a set of 18's or 20's filled the wheel well up nice but now, you could put 22's and they even look small.

tjklein · January 23, 2014

When a manufacturer offers factory installed 22" wheels with the Z71 off-road suspension, this means that he is certifying that combination for off-road use (occassional or frequent). This makes no sense to me. That was probably the biggest reason why I commented on it. I agree that 22" rims with 40 to 50 aspect ratio tires are fine for road use.

Come out west to a few ranches and see how far those Bridgestones take you....

The 22s look nice, but let's not kid ourselves it's not for off road use. Pasture driving, sure, but that's about it. They don't make suitable off-road tires in the ratio. I'm in Jackson Hole right now and haven't seen a truck with big wheels and low profile tires yet.

As someone else said you can put whatever suits your taste on your truck. You can make lots of rim/tire combos look awesome.

pm26 · January 23, 2014

You do understand that all you get with the Z71 package is stickers, skid plates and different rear shocks.... right? lol certified for offroad...

One reason for large wheels on trucks now days is that trucks are way larger and wheel openings are twice the size they used to be. I remember when a set of 18's

or 20's filled the wheel well up nice but now, you could put 22's and they even look small.

Actually, it is the other way around - the reason why new trucks have larger wheel openings is so that they can use larger diameter wheels. Increasing the brake rotor size over the years required some wheel enlargement, but certainly not to 22" size. Those giant wheels are installed because apparently they appeal to many customers.

Yes I get it, skid plates are installed on trucks and Jeeps for looks only.

pm26 · January 23, 2014

This 35,000 lbs army 8X8 truck has only 20 inch rims. What were these people thinking? Slap some 38" rims on that thing ASAP!

BringTheRain403 · January 23, 2014

Now your just being an a$$hole...

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TxTruckMan · January 23, 2014

You do understand that all you get with the Z71 package is stickers, skid plates and different rear shocks.... right? lol certified for offroad...

One reason for large wheels on trucks now days is that trucks are way larger and wheel openings are twice the size they used to be. I remember when a set of 18's or 20's filled the wheel well up nice but now, you could put 22's and they even look small.

You also get stiffer stabilizer bars. All 4x4 get skid plates, not just the Z71.

pm26 · January 23, 2014

Black03Yukon, on 23 Jan 2014 - 10:27, said:

Black03Yukon, on 23 Jan 2014 - 10:27, said:

You also get stiffer stabilizer bars. All 4x4 get skid plates, not just the Z71.

All 4x4s get skid plates? This must be a new thing for the 2014 model year then because they have been optional on most 4x4 vehicles for years, except those equipped with off road packages.

BringTheRain403, on 23 Jan 2014 - 10:20, said:

BringTheRain403, on 23 Jan 2014 - 10:20, said:

Now your just being an a$$hole... Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

No, just some humor to prove my point. Of course, a military tank hauler cannot be compared to a luxury pickup truck in any way. But the basic principle of designing off road wheels is well illustrated.

TxTruckMan · January 23, 2014

All 4x4s get skid plates? This must be a new thing for the 2014 model year then because they have been optional on most 4x4 vehicles for years, except those equipped with off road packages.

Yep. $430 only gets you Stiffer Stabilizer bar, Rancho shocks, and Z71 emblems/trim. That's why I only got 4x4 package. I didn't see the point in paying extra for a stiffer ride. I'm one of those yuppie posers that only uses 4x4 for winter weather and the occasional illegal ditch exit from the freeway.

quickvert1 · January 23, 2014

So what do I have to do to make my ltz a z71 rear quarter stickers and sill plates?..lol

chelmer · January 23, 2014

Comparing an LT to an LTZ71 on Chevy website shows the following differences:

Hill descent control

Automatic locking rear diff

High Capacity Air Cleaner

Underbody transfer case shield

Trailering Package

AT Tires

Chrome grill surround

Fog Lamps

Appearance package

Suspension package

TxTruckMan · January 23, 2014

Comparing an LT to an LTZ71 on Chevy website shows the following differences:

Hill descent control - Z71 unique

Automatic locking rear diff - All 4x4, and many 2wd come with

High Capacity Air Cleaner - All 4x4, and many 2wd come with

Underbody transfer case shield - All 4x4

Trailering Package - All 4x4, and many 2wd come with

AT Tires - Z71 unique

Chrome grill surround - Silverado has diff Z71 grill, not Sierra

Fog Lamps - any 2wd vehicle can get

Appearance package - emblems/trim

Suspension package - stiffer shocks and stabilizer bar

I forgot about Hill Descent Control and AT tires. Most of those other items are options they are forcing you to get and are not part of the Z71 package.

Z71 unique:

Hill Descent Control

Rancho Shocks

Larger Stabilizer Bar

AT Tires

Z71 emblems & trim

BringTheRain403 · January 23, 2014

Black03Yukon, on 23 Jan 2014 - 10:27, said:
Black03Yukon, on 23 Jan 2014 - 10:27, said:

You also get stiffer stabilizer bars. All 4x4 get skid plates, not just the Z71.

All 4x4s get skid plates? This must be a new thing for the 2014 model year then because they have been optional on most 4x4 vehicles for years, except those equipped with off road packages.BringTheRain403, on 23 Jan 2014 - 10:20, said:

BringTheRain403, on 23 Jan 2014 - 10:20, said:

Now your just being an a$$hole... Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

No, just some humor to prove my point. Of course, a military tank hauler cannot be compared to a luxury pickup truck in any way. But the basic principle of designing off road wheels is well illustrated.

Once again I ask who asked for an opinion regarding off road capabilities with the 22's? I have yet to see anyone say they wanted to do serious off roading with the 22's and the OP never even mentioned it. Go troll somewhere else...

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