Tire size and truck rake

Instrument 39 · June 18, 2003

2000 Silverado, need tires. Have 255-70-16's on it now. Question...How would 265-70-16's look?

Also...i want to even out the the rake a little in my truck. I still want it to have a slight lean forward but it looks like it has 2 flats on the front. Do I lower the rear or raise the front? If i lower the rear will it make the ride harsh?

AZ-Z71 · June 18, 2003

I believe that the stock z71 came with 265/70/16. That is what mine had from factory. I've since upgraded to 285/75/16.

Mine looked pretty even with the 265's so I don't know about an adjustment.

seadoons · June 19, 2003

I am guessing that since your truck came with 255's, it is 2WD. The largest size you can fit is 265/75/16, and I would suggest doing it. It fills up the wheel wells, gives you a little more height, and looks better all around. I don't think the 2WD's have torsion bars that you can crank to raise up the front, but I also wouldn't drop the back either. My stance is that if you are going to change the ride height of the truck, you should always go up, not down.

Instrument 39 · June 19, 2003

Yep you are correct. It is a 2 wd. So will a 265 75 be as wide as a 255 70?

wandell · June 19, 2003

A 265 will be 10mm or about 1/2 inch wider than a 255. Those numbers are the tread width in millimeters.

512silverado · June 19, 2003

I have 265/75/16 on my stock rims on my 2wd 99 Silverado, and they definitely fill any wheel gap. I couldn't believe the difference in the look when I got them. I am considering 2" coil spring spacers from Daystar to even out the front a little. I figure the front needs to be raised about 1.5" to even it out, and the Spacers are the only option available to us 2wd guys.

Professor · June 19, 2003

There is always the Fabtech Spindle! Check out my truck in my signature

512silverado · June 20, 2003

Your truck looks good. Did you do any blocks in the backat all? Also, where did you buy the Fabtech spindle by itself(not part of a full lift kit), and how much was it? I was looking at the Daystars because they are about $80 for the pair.

MarkD · June 20, 2003

Do you have a local friend that would let you put their 4wd rims/tires on your truck to see how it looked?

We had a rim/tire swap among about a dozen friends/family members one sunday. It was pretty cool.

MarkD · June 20, 2003

BTW, Professor, your truck looks very good with the spindles!

Professor · June 20, 2003

512silverado,

My truck is stock in the rear. The 2500s are a bit higher in the back than the 1500s, so 3” will level it. Fabtech sells the 2500 spindles by themselves. No other parts are needed. They are also included with a 6” kit with front springs, shocks and a 3” rear lift. As far as I know the 1500 spindles are only sold in a kit with the rear blocks, bolts and shocks. You might contact fabtech. They may sell separately or without shocks. I believe the spindles were about $400-450. They were bought from a dealer in OKC, OK, Padgham Truck Accessories. I’m not familiar with Daystar, but I’ve never heard of any spindle that cheap (lift or drop). I’d be scared of it!

I am now ruunning 285/75s instead of the 305/70s pictured. About 1/2" taller and 5/8" narrower. Drives 100% better!

MarkD, Thanks

512silverado · June 21, 2003

Professor-

Daystar makes a coil spring spacer that fits on top of the front coil spring to give it 2" of lift. The spacer is made of durable polyurethane and Daystar is great company...they make Energy Suspension components. The 2wd 1500 series trucks don't have torsion bars to lift like 4wd, and we either have the spindle option or this spacer option for a mild lift.

frdfandc · June 21, 2003

Doing the math, a 255/70R16 tire is 31.3 inches tall & the tread with is 10.2 inches wide. So it is close to a 31x10.50. The 265/75R16 is 31.9 inches tall and 10.6 inches wide. So its close to a 32x10.50.

Just for information usage:

A 285/75R16 is 33.1 inches tall and 11.4 inches wide. = 33x11.50

A 305/70R16 is 33.08 inches tall and 12.2 inches wide. 33x12.00 or 33x12.50