Tire clearence

[bbellowsZ71]

I bought a 1995 GMC Sierra Z71 about 5 months ago and i am just now getting the money to make upgrades on it. I am going to purchase a 3 inch susupension lift soon and i was wondering if somehow i could fit 35/12.50 tires without modifying my wheel wells.

 

Thanks

[Chris97K1500]

I have a 3" Bodylift, torsion bars cranked up 1.5", and trimmed on the black plastic front air dam on my 97. I've got 35x12.50's on 15x10" rims, no rubbing. Check out my pics in my sig to see the tires and what I trimmed. Chris

[bbellowsZ71]

Thanks for the help. i'm goin to go ahead and do that then. i'm a little worried about gas mileage. but i'll get by. you have a sweet truck i cant wait till i get my lift and tires.

[Chris97K1500]

Thanks, depending on if you drive mostly on the highway or city, you could actually get an increase, or at least stay the same in mpg. If you do alot of city driving, you'll probably go down, but if mostly highway, doubt you'll see much difference. So far, mine has actually gone up, from 13.5mpg to about 14.5mpg. I dropped 250rpm at 60 miles per hour. Chris

[bbellowsZ71]

with the tb's raised did you notice any diffrence in ride quallity. I'm not sure if i can do that with a suspension lift? so is that possible? Could i put 35's without raising the tb's?

[Chris97K1500]

Typically you can raise the t-bars on suspension lifts. Some lifts say an actual lift amount, but sometimes you have to crank the bars in order to get the full amount. And as far as ride quality, as long as you don't go over 1.5" of lift, you'll be fine. I actually liked the ride better after cranking the t-bars. You will need to get an alignment afterwards, which you would need anyways with a suspension lift. The 35" tires will make the ride not as stiff since you will have more "rubber" to absorb the shock. I don't regret cranking mine, but like I said, if you go over 1.5" you will start to see adverse affects. Chris

 

I do think you could fit 35's with just a 3" suspension lift and not cranking the bars the extra 1.5". But you will have to trim some more on the air dam. I had 33's on the 15x10 rims with no lift, but I had to trim the corner of the chrome bumper and some on the plastic air dam. But you can't tell it unless I point it out to someone. You can't tell from my pics of the bumper either.

[bbellowsZ71]

Thanks alot....thats what i thought. I'll just crank them about an inch and i'll be fine. i took off the whole air dam allready because i just like the look better. i'm going to trade in my tires because they only have about 1000 miles on them. That way i'll get my mud terrains alot cheaper. I just need to come up with some moeny for wheels. And i'll have a pretty sweet truck. I like it the way it is....but it cant be like everyone else...u gotta have the lift!

 

Thanks, Brian