Wheels and Tires For A Tough Look

mayhem · July 29, 2003

I would appreciate anyone who could shed some light on what setup I should use for a 2002 Silverado HD CrewCab. I am looking to purchase new wheels and tires and am confused as to what exactly might fit. Only choices I am checking out are 16x8 or 16x10 for wheels and 305/70/16 or 315/75/16 BFG all terrains for tires. Some background info first:I am installing a ranch hand full replacement bumber and so am not concerned with rubbing on the bumper or air dam because the ranch hand sits considerably higher and farther out than stock setup. Only concern is with rubbing on the inside fenderwell at full lock (I am tying back the inside guard which gives me about an additional inch of clearence or so.) Also I went to a local place that quickly fitted 305/70/16 to my stock rims and they fit fine with NO rubbing whatsoever. Therefore I should not have any problems fitting them on with 16x8 rims, right? Does anyone think I can fit them on with 16x10 rims? On the other hand, for an even better look, does anyone for a second think I can fit 315/75/16 on 16x8 without a lift? By the way the two wheels I am considering are the Weld Cheyenne 8 w/ 4.5"BS or Eagle Alloy 102 (16x10 only because only size with at least 4.5"BS.) Anyone running out there with these Weld's (cant seem to find any pics with them)? I know the 102's look great...Thanks for any info and by the way this forum is hands down the best source for info. Thanks to all those out there who regularly contribute!!

03GMC2500HD · July 29, 2003

I am running 285/75/16's on 16x8 Weld EVO Velocity 8's with a 4.5" back spacing. I also pulled the inner fenders back and have about 1/2" to spare behind the front tire when turning. I also have the front lifted with the green keys 2" for extra clearance. I don't see how 305's or 315's will fit. On stock rims maybe but stick them out another 1.75" with aftermarket rims and I would think you would have problems. I'm looking at 315's with a 4" susp. lift and wondering if I will have clearance problems. Hope somebody who has that set up can post up to see if they do fit.

AlanTDickey · July 29, 2003

Mayhem:

I have 285 Wrangler MT/Rs on 16x8 rims behind my RanchHand bumper, and they rub slightly on tight turns. See My Sierra. I don't think the 305s will fit. Even with my RanchHand, there's a bunch of cr@p plastic stuff in front of the tires. On mine, the washer fluid resevoir actually comes all the way down to right in front of my left front tire (why?). [Does anyone know if there is anyway to move or modify that so that it doesn't contrain my wheel well???] Maybe the 02s are different though.

Good luck.

mayhem · July 29, 2003

Alan, Great looking ride and I really liked the new Ranch Hand Bull Nose! As far as my setup, I had the 305's put on my stock rims (6.5") and it fit fine with no indications of rubbing so I would think that I could fit them on at least 16x8 because the additional tire with carry out to the ouside of the truck with 4.5" BS??? I know that 315/75/16 was a stretch but I thought I would ask anyway. Ideally, I would want to run 305/70/16 on 16x10 so that down the road when I want to put on a lift I can easily switch to a larger tire without having to buy new wheels especially since Weld wheels seem to pride themselves on the amout of $$$ it takes to buy them. Thanks for the info though and happy trailing!

Shotgun · July 29, 2003

I am running the 305's without a problem..Lose the A/T's if you want the tough look...

mayhem · July 30, 2003

Shotgun, that is one hell of a truck and it is good to hear that you are running 305's successfully. However, I still am convinced I need a wider wheel to combat crowning issues and poor tread life. I also like the look of aftermarket wheels. So then the question is how wide of a wheel can I use on a 305 with a 4.5" B/S? Can I successfully fit on an 8" or can I squeeze a 10" on without a lift and with minimal cranking of the t-bars? By the way, your right about the tires, those MTR's look tough.

Tungsten · July 30, 2003

I have a 8" rim with 4.5BS and 285/75/16s I clear them fine with the front bars cranked a little. I'd think you could use 305's the HD's are a little higher in the fron then my Z is right? Check out the pic in my sig.

tmf6902 · July 30, 2003

I'm running 315's on 16x10 wheel with a 6 inch lift. They rubbed a bit at full lock so I cut the front bumper just a bit, you can't even tell. Check out the pics if ya want.

marcski · August 1, 2003

if you want an idea about 315s, do a search for "315" or "elowe65" at www.thedieselpage.com. There are two guys running them, elowe65 has 17x8 wheels with 5" bs. The bs is the key, whether you replace the bumper or not. May not be to your liking, but the hummber H2 wheels with either 35x12.5R17s or 315/70R17 will fit with minimal if any rubbing. This is the way I am going soon. Ebay has the standard polished or chrome...................

Marc

mayhem · August 1, 2003

Is it true that the less the backspacing the farther out the wheels stick out from the side of the truck? Therefore, if I were to put on 305's and am concerned about rubbing with 8" wheels, I am better off going with a 16x8 that has 3 5/8 b/s rather than a 16x8 with 4.5 b/s?

mayhem · August 1, 2003

Marc - thanks for the info but are these guys running the 315 with no lift?????

marcski · August 2, 2003

mayhem,

yes, 315s with no lift per se. both have either replaced their torsion keys or cranked the existing key for an average of 2" inches of lift. Also, some air dam trimming, fender liner trimming and tying the fender liner back with zip ties at strategic palces. Most common rub places are the inner rear of the liner and the outer lower front.............Stay with at least 4 5/8 bs, the stock bs is 4 3/4. One of the owners went with mickey thompson IIs with 5 " bs with good results.

good luck. I am about a month away from doing it myself.

Marc

FinishLine · August 3, 2003

This is what my 03 HD looks like with 17x8 weld 8's and 35x12.5/17 Pro Comp Xterrains. I liked 17" better than 16" ( longer spokes) and I think more tires will be out soon in 17". Truck has a RCD 6" lift and had to add wheel to wheel step bars by GoRino so my wife can get in ( passenger side ).

mayhem · August 3, 2003

Finishline, awesome looking truck! Thanks for picturing your truck with the weld 8 wheels. Any problems with them so far and if any complaints what are they? They look great and I would love to do the same as far as the wheels and tires go. By the way, any rubbing with your setup? I hear that some people in this forum had rubbing with the 35" tires on a 6" lift and I would expect worse effects with the 17" wheels. As far as lifts go - (since I am new to this type of thing) What exactly is a rcd lift and is it the best? How does it comparte to a procomp or rancho, etc??? Thanks for the info...your truck looks so sweet I really am now considering a lift...

FinishLine · August 3, 2003

No rubbing at all. Could be because I used 8" rims instead of 10" to keep rocks from damaging rims. RCD (race car dynamics) has great products I looked at alot of lift kits an found this one to be the best. Tires have some road noise but, they are mean looking.