largest tires with no lift?

[Steve1199]

i did a search but only found one short thread discussing (with most posts not about the thread topic, but arguing over speedo error).

 

I've got a 14 Silverado Z71, 18" wheels, tires 265/65R18 Stock tires.

 

i'm starting the search for new tires and am looking to find the largest size i can safely fit without having to lift. I'm somewhat concerned with lifting due to potential front end wear and tear with a lift, but, i'd like a little bigger tire and a little more ground clearance.

 

The one thread i saw mentioned 275/70R18 but contradicted itself, where one person said they would fit with a 2" level and another saying it would fit without any level or lift.

 

So, thoughts/experience with going bigger without a lift and what will fit?

 

 

[Spurshot]

You can put this size on, or go narrower and slightly taller. Offset becomes critical as the clearances get small.

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/161086-cooper-st-maxx-30560-18-121x326-18-no-levellift/?hl=cooper

 

 

 

 

The technique I used to figure out what size would fit on my half ton was:
- start the truck and crank the steering wheel to a stop in one direction and loop the seatbelt thru the steering wheel to hold it at the stop while leaving the engine running.

- check the clearances front and back of both tires with a small scale (ruler). The tight areas will be the sway bar and fender liner (front and rear). Taking some pictures will also help for reference later.

- go to the tire manufacturers website and look up the specific tires you have. Write down the dimensions for section and tread width, as well as diameter.

- go to the manufacturers website for the tire of your desire. Look up the specifications and write them down.

- Do the math.. Dont forget that any change in wheel offset or width will affect all of your clearances.

-allow for some clearance. Especially on the things that are not going to give, such as suspension components and frame . The fender liners can move and/or be tied back to give more clearances, Especially the bottom edges. Also, the suspension moves up and down, but the tire does move a slight amount in and out during the travel. Don't be greedy.

 

- pay attention to where the critical areas are and remember: at the corner of the tire, the tread width and diameter change will both change that corner clearance.

 

- also figure out how wide you wheels are (or will be) and stick within the tire manufacture's recommendation for wheel width of the particular tire you select.

Have fun. I was able to put 305/60-18 ST Maxx tires on my stock rims of my half-ton without any lift and had no rubbing during driving. Others did have rubbing with similar size tires. But the rubbing was on the fender liners which seem to be floppy and not consistent in shape on the bottom edges.