2014 Silverado confused on wheel size choice????

flipinnpitchin · August 16, 2016

Have a 2014 Silverado double cab and fixing to put on a Rough country 2 inch level, I was originally going to run my stock OEM 18 inch rims and was putting in 275/70/18 tires.

Now to my question ! I am considering on now purchasing new wheels and if I'm not mistaken my factory rims are 18X8.5 but I have no clue about all this offset stuff, I do understand the concept of it but not sure what I should choose ???

I am wanting to continue to use my set up I had planned on a 2 inch level with 275/70r18 tires but I have no clue when getting the new wheels as to what I should get to not have to worry about the issue of rubbing ! I know my stock rims and the previous mentioned set up will work with out trimming or rubbing from my talks with others. BUT if I ordered aftermarket wheels what should I get to stay basically the same as my stock rims ?

I have no clue where to even start or begin to guess on all this offset stuff !

So does anyone have an idea or point me in the correct direction ?

Rawyzf · August 16, 2016

Stock offset is +27. You most likely don't want to go any more in the +, as that will pull you wheels in closer.

A safe bet is to go anywhere from your +27 to +/- 0. 0 offset with 33" tires is pretty safe and pretty flush with the side of the truck.

If you are worried at all about poking out a little, or rocks flying up, then try to stay with a + offset, like +12 or so.

newdude · August 16, 2016

Stock 18" wheels are 18x8.5 24mm offset for 2014+up 1500 trucks. 20" wheels are 27mm offset 20x9.

Silvern Sentry · August 16, 2016

just look up what said lift or level kit allows.

you will be stuck with a 0 or -6offset at most.

SouthPawCO · August 16, 2016

just look up what said lift or level kit allows.

you will be stuck with a 0 or -6offset at most.

This is not completely true.

I am running 33x12.50R20 on 20X10 -24 with minimal rubbing in reverse only at full crank. I am sure once I zip tie the fenders back I will have zero rub.

Really if you search the the leveling kit thread there is a lot of good info in there. The most useful search tool I have seen and used personally was here:

https://www.customwheeloffset.com/wheel-offset-gallery?page=1

Put your make, model, size of wheels and tire size and search what other people are running. It helped me order my set when everyone I talked to told me it wouldn't fit.

Silvern Sentry · August 16, 2016

It helped me order my set when everyone I talked to told me it wouldn't fit.

Well if you experience any rubbing at full crank on a level surface they were right it does not technically fit. Just wait until you turn and hit a bump at same time .. ouch. You can get away with a lot 'just for looks' but that does not mean it will function correctly under all road conditions and especially offroad ones. ie) if you have a z71 and have rubbing at all you effectively took an off road tuning and made it on road only as you can no longer handle rough terrain. The wheel needs to be able to move up and turn at same time.

You would not want to try this, while a stock z71 can handle it easy for example:

*click me for gif

This is also a MUCH MUCH better resource as it shows you exactly what your wheel/tire will look like in comparision to stock or current. As well as weight and speedo difference and much much more.

https://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp

SouthPawCO · August 16, 2016

Well if you experience any rubbing at full crank on a level surface they were right it does not technically fit. Just wait until you turn and hit a bump at same time .. ouch. You can get away with a lot 'just for looks' but that does not mean it will function correctly under all road conditions and especially offroad ones. ie) if you have a z71 and have rubbing at all you effectively took an off road tuning and made it on road only as you can no longer handle rough terrain. The wheel needs to be able to move up and turn at same time.

You would not want to try this, while a stock z71 can handle it easy for example:

*click me for gif

This is also a MUCH MUCH better resource as it shows you exactly what your wheel/tire will look like in comparision to stock or current. As well as weight and speedo difference and much much more.

https://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp

I had zero problems in the last two camping trips I took, with and without the camper. I wish I would have taken some pictures of the trails in Wyoming because some of them are tough. I had zero problems and I will admit, I was a little worried the first time I went up there with my setup. Granite, these pictures were taken where it is pretty much a dirt road but you have veer off to find a spot. Neither myself or father (2015 GMC 1500 Z71) had any issues. I actually had a few advantages when his truck rubbed on the front valance, where mine did not. It all depends on the type of trail I suppose on which truck would perform better. If we make another trip this year, I will be sure to snap some pictures to show them to others.

This is the tire at full lock. As you can see it does not touch and I haven't even done the zip tie mod yet. Once I do so, it will technically fit and I will have zero rubbing issues.

What I am getting at is do your research and you can't always believe what other will say. Tire dealers, GM dealers, lift kit recommendations are just that, recommendations. They are going to provide you the safest wheel/tire setup so they are not responsible for fitment issues. The tire dealer I checked with first told me my stock tire would rub with this offset and the dealer did not even want to install them before the alignment because 'they wouldn't fit.' That search tool would have been very helpful but I managed with out it.

Silvern Sentry · August 16, 2016

I had zero problems in the last two camping trips I took, with and without the camper. I wish I would have taken some pictures of the trails in Wyoming because some of them are tough. I had zero problems and I will admit, I was a little worried the first time I went up there with my setup. Granite, these pictures were taken where it is pretty much a dirt road but you have veer off to find a spot. Neither myself or father (2015 GMC 1500 Z71) had any issues. I actually had a few advantages when his truck rubbed on the front valance, where mine did not. It all depends on the type of trail I suppose on which truck would perform better. If we make another trip this year, I will be sure to snap some pictures to show them to others.

What I am getting at is do your research and you can't always believe what other will say. Tire dealers, GM dealers, lift kit recommendations are just that, recommendations. They are going to provide you the safest wheel/tire setup so they are not responsible for fitment issues. The tire dealer I checked with first told me my stock tire would rub with this offset and the dealer did not even want to install them before the alignment because 'they wouldn't fit.' That search tool would have been very helpful but I managed with out it.

I do not disagree with any of that but was merely trying to say that anything outside what lift/level manufacturer recommends is not guaranteed and sometimes voids warranty on kit but that is more of a lift issue than level since it changes a lot less. Lots of custom lift jobs out there for both looks and function that are way out of spec's but nothing is guaranteed and you will not really know until you try or need a good shop that has done it before, they do exist for sure. Dang that last picture is a tight fit ... talk about just barely.

I am also part of #TeamItsCalledAnAirDamButWhoCaresTakeItOff lol I would have ripped mine off for sure on that trail above, no way it would clear.

SouthPawCO · August 17, 2016

I do not disagree with any of that but was merely trying to say that anything outside what lift/level manufacturer recommends is not guaranteed and sometimes voids warranty on kit but that is more of a lift issue than level since it changes a lot less. Lots of custom lift jobs out there for both looks and function that are way out of spec's but nothing is guaranteed and you will not really know until you try or need a good shop that has done it before, they do exist for sure. Dang that last picture is a tight fit ... talk about just barely.

I am also part of #TeamItsCalledAnAirDamButWhoCaresTakeItOff lol I would have ripped mine off for sure on that trail above, no way it would clear.

Well from a previous Rough Country kit I had on my '05 1500, the rear blocked cracked in half with the recommend tire and wheel size.. Go figure. I called RC and they sent me a replacement. You are correct when you say anything you try outside of the their recommendations is rolling the dice. Hell, anything aftermarket is a gamble, hence why I'm fighting with my HID's.

I went with the widest stance and biggest tire I could fit without any major issues and it worked for me. Also being a full blown MT vs an AT played a role. I've heard of people running -44 wheels with a smaller tire and same results but I wasn't feeling that lucky.

OP, from my experience, I would say anything with a 0 or positive offset 'should' have no problems with a 33" tire. Of course this is just another recommendation .

Silvern Sentry · August 17, 2016

hence why I'm fighting with my HID's.

Go with Phillips LED, only use Philips no other brand compares IMO and worth the extra clams if you got em. I still get joy when mine come on at night even after months of usage its just like ..... sweet dude. When I pull up to a storefront and see 3 bright squares in my projectors reflection it is chubby inducing to this day. I do not even use my highbeams now and a lightbar would be pretty pointless unless I was trying to have a game of baseball at night or something. Plus they required no fighting to this point and a simple install, no need to wire a relay harness like with most HID kits.

HID can come close if not the same and more intense for color and lumin of course but knowing my LED have a 12 year guarantee and never having to worry about changing them is just icing on the cake. Philips is not going anywhere and stands behind their products, they even have 24/7 support ... well customer service anyway.

SouthPawCO · August 17, 2016

Go with Phillips LED, only use Philips no other brand compares IMO and worth the extra clams if you got em. I still get joy when mine come on at night even after months of usage its just like ..... sweet dude. I do not even use my highbeams now and a lightbar would be pretty pointless unless I was trying to have a game of baseball at night or something. Plus the required no fighting and a simple install, no need to wire a relay harness like with most HID kits.

HID can come close if not the same and more intense for color and lumin of course but knowing my LED have a 12 year guarantee and never having to worry about changing them is just icing on the cake. Philips is not going anywhere and stands behind their products, they even have 24/7 support ... well customer service anyway.

I skipped all the mess and ordered a full FXR kit from fastheadlights but I'll look into them for highs and fogs.

Where did you buy them from?

Silvern Sentry · August 17, 2016

I skipped all the mess and ordered a full FXR kit from fastheadlights but I'll look into them for highs and fogs.

Where did you buy them from?

Got them along with new projectors from a shop in California when I ordered my Spyder headlamps. All in it was like $1k USD+tax+smuggling it into Canada lol. But you can get all the latest Philips bulbs on amazon.

That kit looks decent. The new projector should help a lot, I mean I never tried mine without but when you see the difference up close you can tell one is just way higher quality and precision and I know absolutely nothing about lenses.

Unfortunately you cannot or rather should not put HID or LED into a reflector housing. Projector only as the light is dispersed and scatters everywhere and stuff like snow can be a disco light. I will admit I have tossed around the idea of making my highbeam an LED and using it more like an 'off road' only option as the Spyder light is like the Chevy and has a separate highbeam and I literally never use them. I plan to use this style of fog and there are ones for Chevy too. Hooks up to factory wire/switch or can install harness/switch.