Why does the Z71's have 16's?

[Xao]

Just curious why Chevy includes the P265/75R16 as the standard tire size on the new '04 Silverado Z71's but offer the P265/70R17 as an option with $0 cost.

 

Wouldn't a 17 make more sense on a 4x4 or am I a

[maroonsilverado]

i had this argument with a guy the other day.

 

he said he doesn't like the choice in aftermarket tires for 17s. and if you're off road and you dont have the right jack it'd be hard to get the truck jacked up if you're on 17s with mud tires. and tires would be more for the 17s than 16s. and he owns a land survey business, so he spends a vast majority of his time off road.

 

he makes a valid point i guess, but i'd rather have 17s on my truck

[carguru]

16" was what was standard up to the '03 models. 17" is offered on the '04. Before, the Z71 was not a separate model. Now it is. Probably a marketing change, but GM didn't change some of the details in the literature, etc. The only problem with 17" wheels for the off road models, you are more limited in the tire choices.

[Wingnut]

.......and if you're off road and you dont have the right jack it'd be hard to get the truck jacked up if you're on 17s with mud tires.

Why would the wheel size make a difference in how easy it is to jack up? The outside tire diameter would be just about the same, as would the ride height of the vehicle.

 

 

This is comparing P265/75R16 and P265/70R17 sized tires.

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But yeah, there are a lot less choices in tires for 17" rims.

 

Also most off-roaders wouldn't want a bigger rim anyway, as they need as much sidewall as possible. They need the flex and traction for snow, sand, and mud.

 

 

 

 

That said, trucks with a bit of a lift, and some 18" rims, with some TerraGrapplers look d@mn cool in my opinion.

[AlanTDickey]

Wingnut is right. For any serious off-roading, you want relatively short rims with tall, fat tires. That way, you get more rubber on the various surfaces when you air down. Also, you have more of a bulging sidewall to protect you rims. A low profile tire off road can lead to shredded rims.

[RyanbabZ71]

Personally after searching for 17" tires ( i was looking at getting some avalanche rims) I would say I would rather have 16s. There are way more tire options out there for the 16 in rim.

 

Just go to tirerack.com and see for yourself

[ness5575]

looks like bfg now has the AT KO's available for the 17" rims.

 

 

BFG

[silversport]

interesting...Z-71s in the Avalanche are 17s...