Biggest tire upgrade on stock rims? 20’ sierra

Jefferson5520 · June 30, 2020

Was going to upgrade tires in my 2020 Sierra elevation. Have the stock black rims which I like so I’d like to keep em on. 2inch level kit in front.
was hoping to do at 295/60 20 but looks like the new sierras are a tight fit. Anyone know which sizes fit/don’t fit before I order them?
thanks

topgear1224 · June 30, 2020

Was going to upgrade tires in my 2020 Sierra elevation. Have the stock black rims which I like so I’d like to keep em on. 2inch level kit in front.
was hoping to do at 295/60 20 but looks like the new sierras are a tight fit. Anyone know which sizes fit/don’t fit before I order them?
thanks

With no lift and not trimming you aren't fitting anything larger

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jbr1888 · June 30, 2020

5 hours ago, Jefferson5520 said:

Was going to upgrade tires in my 2020 Sierra elevation. Have the stock black rims which I like so I’d like to keep em on. 2inch level kit in front.
was hoping to do at 295/60 20 but looks like the new sierras are a tight fit. Anyone know which sizes fit/don’t fit before I order them?
thanks

I have spent soooooo much time researching this exact issue over the last month. Go look at @2019sierra on Instagram. You'll see leveled trucks running all kinds of tires. It'll give you some ideas.

All of this assumes you're running OEM wheels with a 28mm offset, like your Elevation wheels.

The biggest thing you have keep in mind though is the P metric tire sizes mean absolutely nothing to tire companies. So, you have to look at the specific physical measurement of each tire. For example, 295/60R20 equates to 33.9" x 11.66," BUT a Nitto Trail Grappler 295/60R20 is 34.45" x 12.13" while a Nitto Ridge Grappler in 295/60R20 is 33.94" v 11.77." That specific tire definitely fits without trimming, based on my research. The Trail Grappler requires light trimming to plastic behind the front valence and requires cutting about half of the front mud flap off and removing the steel mud flap bracket. Here is the holy grail guide for this procedure: https://wheelsasap.com/gmc-at4-oversized-tire-trimming-guide/

Based on my research and actually reaching out to some guys online that are running 35x12.50, 35x11.50, and the 34.45" x 12.13" Trail Grappler, all on non-AT4 Sierras with a 2 inch front level, you can fit that 295/60R20 without trimming as long as it's 33.94" v 11.77" or smaller. With that said, I believe narrower tires such 285 or 11.5 are much less likely to rub. With the 295 and wider, some folks have said you'll need a 1/4 inch spacer for the front wheels to clear the upper control arm. I've ordered a set just in case. I'm trying to decide between the 285/65R20 and 35x11.5 Ridge Grapplers for my 2 inch leveled 2019 SLT X31.

Finally, as if each different tire model of a same P metric size (295/60R20, for example) wasn't a different size in real life, the physical sizes listed by the manufacturer or tire store websites is for the unloaded tire. This means that once the tire is mounted on your truck and is supporting your truck's weight, the tire's dimensions will be different, usually smaller in height and wider in width from sidewall to sidewall. For example, my factory Bridgestone Revo 3's are 275/60R20, they should be 33" x 10.8". On my truck and filled with 38lbs of air, they measure 32" x 12.75." So, they're nearly 2 inches wider than their spec.

Hope this helps.

Edited June 30, 2020 by jbr1888
Typos

topgear1224 · June 30, 2020

I have spent soooooo much time researching this exact issue over the last month. Go look at @2019sierra on Instagram. You'll see leveled trucks running all kinds of tires. It'll give you some ideas.

The biggest thing you have keep in mind though is the P metric tire sizes mean absolutely nothing tire companies. So, you have to look at the specific physical measurement of each tire. For example, 295/60R20 equates to 33.9" x 11.66," BUT a Nitto Trail Grappler 295/60R20 is 34.45" x 12.13" while a Nitto Ridge Grappler in 295/60R20 is 33.94" v 11.77." That specific tire definitely fits without trimming, based on my research. The Trail Grappler requires light trimming to plastic behind the front valence and requires cutting about half of the front mud flap off and removing the steel mud flag bracket. Here is the holy grail guide for this procedure: https://wheelsasap.com/gmc-at4-oversized-tire-trimming-guide/

Based on my research and actually reaching out to some guys online that are running 35x12.50, 35x11.50, and the 34.45" x 12.13" Trail Grappler, all on non-AT4 Sierras with a 2 inch front level, you can fit that 295/60R20 without trimming as long as it's 33.94" v 11.77" or smaller. With that said, I believe narrower tires such 285 or 11.5 are much less likely to rub. With the 295 and wider, some folks have said you'll need a 1/4 inch spacer for the front wheels to clear the upper control arm. I've ordered a set just in case. I'm trying to decide between the 285/65R20 and 35x11.5 Ridge Grapplers for my 2 inch leveled 2019 SLT X31.

Finally, as if each different tire model of a same P metric size (295/60R20, for example) wasn't a different size in real life, the physical sizes listed by the manufacturer or tire store websites is for the unloaded tire. This means that once the tire is mounted on your truck and is supporting your truck's weight, the tire's dimensions will be different, usually smaller in height and wider in weight from sidewall to sidewall. For example, my factor Bridgestone Revo 3's are 275/60R20, they should be 33" x 10.8". On my truck and filled with 38lbs of air, they measure 32" x 12.75." So, they're nearly 2 inches wider than their spec.

Hope this helps.

He mentioned stock. I don't see you fitting anything larger than the OEM 275/60R20 without a lift or trimming.

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jbr1888 · June 30, 2020

25 minutes ago, topgear1224 said:

He mentioned stock. I don't see you fitting anything larger than the OEM 275/60R20 without a lift or trimming.

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He said he had a 2 inch level. Also, even at the stock ride height, the wheel well width, front to back, is the real limiting factor. Even stock, I think there's about 5 inches from the top of the tire to the fender.

topgear1224 · June 30, 2020

He said he had a 2 inch level. Also, even at the stock ride height, the wheel well width, front to back, is the real limiting factor. Even stock, I think there's about 5 inches from the top of the tire to the fender.

Whoops missed the 2 in level.

My pics are a stock truck any wider and you are going to hit the UCA, any taller and you will hit the wheel well while turning.

There was a finger worth of distance at full lock.

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jbr1888 · June 30, 2020

1 minute ago, topgear1224 said:

Whoops missed the 2 in level.

My pics are a stock truck any wider and you are going to hit the UCA, any taller and you will hit the wheel well while turning.

There was a finger worth of distance at full lock.

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With my 2 inch level, my 275/60R20 Revo 3's, are already only half an inch or so from the UCA. 285/60R20 KO2s will fit with absolutely no problem, my buddy is running those on his leveled truck, and they are 33.5 x 11.2 on their spec sheet, again the factory Revo 3's are nominally 33 x 10.8. I don't see how you can run anything wider than the 11.5ish on OEM 28mm offset wheels without spacers. Here's a photo of how close the 275/60R20 Revo 3's are to the UCA at full lock.

topgear1224 · June 30, 2020

With my 2 inch level, my 275/60R20 Revo 3's, are already only half an inch or so from the UCA. 285/60R20 KO2s will fit with absolutely no problem, my buddy is running those on his leveled truck, and they are 33.5 x 11.2 on their spec sheet, again the factory Revo 3's are nominally 33 x 10.8. I don't see how you can run anything wider than the 11.5ish on OEM 28mm offset wheels without spacers. Here's a photo of how close the 275/60R20 Revo 3's are to the UCA at full lock.

Here is my stock X31 elevation no spacers etc look how close it is to the wheel front at full lock. 41° according to the display.

I don't know that I would buy 4 new tires for 1/4 inch of lift. But to each their own.

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jbr1888 · June 30, 2020

3 minutes ago, topgear1224 said:

Here is my stock X31 elevation no spacers etc look how close it is to the wheel front at full lock. 41° according to the display.

I don't know that I would buy 4 new tires for 1/4 inch of lift. But to each their own.

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Tires aren't about lift. That'd be the most expensive lift possible. They're supposedly about more offroad capability for all that mall crawling. LoL. They also improve the truck's look because they look more aggressive. But to each his own.

Edited June 30, 2020 by jbr1888

topgear1224 · June 30, 2020

Tires aren't about lift. That'd be the most expensive lift possible. They're supposedly about more offroad capability for all that mall crawling. LoL. They also improve the truck's look because they look more aggressive. But to each his own.

What I am saying is that if they did a 2 inch level to only then fit tires half an inch taller wouldn't it have looked beefier without it and the stock tires? [emoji848]

Also tires are what give your axles clearance from the ground. The lift is to move the body out of the way.

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Jefferson5520 · July 1, 2020

Thanks guys. And Yeah my issue isn’t necessarily with size. It more that I want a more aggressive tread especially when winter comes back around. That being said the width is what I’m wanting more so than height. And agreed it’s minimal (maybe from 10.8 to 11.5 depending on tire) but if I’m upgrading tires I’d like to change the size as well. On my Previous Silverado the stock size of 275s to 295s made a world of difference in the hills and added much more curb appeal than you’d think. My new gmc however does seem tighter. Especially the Control arms. Also yes it’s the elevation x31 with the black rims that I really like so wanted to keep em on without using a spacer.
How would I find out the “actual sizes “ of different brands?
Again thanks guys.

Planning to put airbags on the rear soon to to help the sag when towing the trailer but the rear isn’t an issue anyways for this topic.

topgear1224 · July 1, 2020

Tire rack had the actual sizes in their spec sheet

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IceOnly · July 2, 2020

When I bought my truck, I test drove the managers demo slt with no lift( stock) and it had 285/60-20 duratracs. No issues

BlackElevation · August 5, 2020

I have your exact truck (2020 Elevation with a 2inch leveling kit). I ordered 295/60/20 ridge grapplers today, which will be going on my stock wheels. The guy at the shop pretty much guaranteed they would fit. I will post pictures when I get them put on.

BlackElevation · August 12, 2020

295/60/20 Ridge Grappler with a 2inch level no rub. I removed the metal bracket from behind the front fender which many have done on here. Removing the metal bracket allows you to pull the fender back about a inch. Super easy and only took me about 30 minutes. Zero cutting