The million dollar quest: which tire/wheel size combo?

[Durbin89]

Hey all, I'm new to the forum and looking for some advice. I have a 2008 sierra 1500 z71 with the stock 265/70/17 combo now. I have installed a 2" rough country leveling kit.I'm looking to upgrade to the biggest size tire I can without having problems with rubbing. I'm also gonna go with a 18 inch wheel. With that said, I have spent around 3 hours this morning reading the forum and everyone has mixed thoughts on what will fit and what will not. I also will be using as a daily driver, with the occasional mud in hunting seasons. If I understand right the biggest tire I can go with is 33".

 

I've been looking at a 285/70/18 but I think it's probably too big. Next thought was a 285/65/18 but it is only 1"taller than my factory set. They 275/70/18 doesn't look bad, just wondering if it will fit. Also I'm open to other tire size recommendations too.

 

Next question is I'm looking at the nitto terra grapplers and the toyo open country a/t2. Any thoughts on which ones a better lasting tire?

 

Any help will be awesome!!!

[TooTall1]

On my 2008 I went with LT285-70-17 Cooper AT/3's with a 2" level and have no problems with rubbing. I'm not sure on the 18" rim what you can run, it will depend a lot on the backspace on the rim. As to the tires, the Toyos have a 50,000 or 65,000 mile tread life warranty depending on if you go with a P metric or LT/ flotation size. I'd pick them over the Nittos. You might also want to look at the Cooper AT/3. Nice tread and a 50,000 mile tread life warranty with a lower price than Toyo or Nitto.

[dirtfan21]

It ALL depends on the wheels you choose and what offset/backspace they have. On factory offset/backspace you can easily run a 285/70/17, 285/65/18, 275/70/17, and I have seen guys run a 305/60/18 as well.

[Durbin89]

What is the factory offset and backspace?

[cparks555]

What is the factory offset and backspace?

+31

[Durbin89]

So from what I'm reading I think the 17" wheels I have are 5.25 backspace.

 

The 18" wheels I'm looking at come in +18 or +35 and can be 4.5" or 5.71" backspace.I'm assuming I would need to go with the 4.5" back space and the +35 offset to keep me pretty close to factory?

[dirtfan21]

I would do the +18 with a 285/65/18 or a 275/70/18

[Dirtbiker]

I had 2010 chev 1500 with 2.25 ready lift level kit. I ran 18 x 9 XD monsters with +18 offset and 275/65r18 tires. These never rubbed anywhere but only cleared the back of the fender well by 1/8 of an inch when turning. This was with the factory plastic mudflaps. If I had the good thicker rubber mud flaps, they would have rubbed.

I would say that is the biggest tire you can run without rubbing. They are 32.1 inches diameter by 11 inches wide according to goodyear ( they were durotracs)

I also ran these tires on the stock rims with no rubbing anywhere (Z71 rims)

[cparks555]

I would do the +18 with a 285/65/18 or a 275/70/18

X2, the little wider stance looks better IMO.

[GT_Roadglide]

I have a 2009 Sierra Crew Cab All Terrain with factory 265/65/18. I saw tires I would really like to use; 305/65/18. If I do a 2 1/4" front lift is there anything else I have to do for these to have clearance? thanks

[dirtfan21]

I have a 2009 Sierra Crew Cab All Terrain with factory 265/65/18. I saw tires I would really like to use; 305/65/18. If I do a 2 1/4" front lift is there anything else I have to do for these to have clearance? thanks

 

You will need a 3" body lift on top of that leveling kit. Those tires are 33x12.5 and to clear those on a GMT 900 half ton you are looking at a 4" suspension lift, 2" level and body lift, or just a level and cutting and trimming to make them fit. I know guys that have a negative offset wheel running 33x12.5's on 6" supsension lifts just to clear them. The wheel wells on these trucks are tight and don't give you much room to stuff a tire like the older trucks did.

[GT_Roadglide]

Thanks Nate

[Tendz12]

I have a 2009 Chevy Silverado and I have stock rims and tires right now, but I am looking at buying 33x12.50r18 Nitto Mud Grapplers and the rims are 9 in. wide and I have a 2.5 rough country leveling kit on it, will these tires fit good? If there is some triming that is fine too just let me know if you have or had this set up. Thanks guys!