need new rubber soon

[THE BIGPUNN]

i know a lot of posts on this topic has already been out there,but i dont feel like looking for them. anyway, i need new tires and i need to know if 285's will fit on my 99' Z-71. i currently have stock firestone 265's on it. also, any troubles, picks, and concerns appreciated. thanks

[Shaners]

There are alot of guys here running 285's on their trucks...  They don't seem to have any problems with the exception of the speedo being off a bit.  There have been rumors that it could adversely affect your ABS but I haven't heard of anyone being able to substantiate them yet.  

 

The only problem I could see is that some of these trucks sit a little lower in the front than others and there could be some slight "rubbing", but that can be rectified by a couple of turns on the front torsion bars...

[RyanbabZ71]

nope no problems here

 

abs actually works better doesnt kick in so easy (its not sensitive anymore)

[Badger]

So you can put 285's on stock 6 lug 2WD 1500s with no problem??    If not what do you recommend for lift to clear wheels??  I'm not looking for so much height that I have to have a step ladder to get into the cab, but would welcome a tuffer stance on a set of BFG's.  Also, could you take it to the dealer and have them re-program the computer for you with the bigger tires?

[RyanbabZ71]

285's wont fit on a 2wd truck without a lift

 

the stock rims on the 2wd trucks are the same (aluminum) as that on the Z71's

[y2kz71]

I agree with Ryanbabz71, the 285's actually improved my ABS. I haven't had any ABS problems since. The 285's will fit fine, but they must be on the factory rims. They might fit on a 16x8 but definately not a 16x10. As far as a 2wd.....don't even try it.

[RyanbabZ71]

my next set will be 255/85/R16 BFG mud terrains

 

33.3" tall

 

taller than the 285's and fit better on the stock rims and cheaper than the All terrains

 

This spring ill probably try and find a cheap nice set of factory rims and get these tires.  Run them spring/summer and put my 285's back on for winter since the mudd terrains arent good for snow

[illmac77]

285's will fit fine on a Z71 i had no probs. at all

[leathal02]

I have asked that same question ('99 Z with 285's) and all the dealerships, even a ford, said they will not fit so I am a bit lost.

 

I see all of you have them and everything

 

I just dont want to order them, and they dont fit

[DigUout]

I'll throw my 2 pennies in -

 

 My BFG dealer told me 285's wouldn't fit on my truck, even with a wider rim,  (my stock rim was 6.5 inches wide) because of height clearence.  Whatever!  All the charts I could find said optimum fit for a 285 was on a 7 -10 inch wide rim.  The guy where I eventually purchased my 285's reiterated and said don't put them on a stock rim, it'd ride like sh!t.  So I purchased 8 inch wide rims and 285's, cranked the torsion bars, and no problems.  The width of the rim is a perfect compliment to the width of the tire.

 

 For 2WD, I don't know the exact clearence, but a 3 inch body lift will help clear them.  My impression is that most dealers will reprogram for 265's, a stock size, but not larger.  There are several chips out there that can reprogram your speedo for bigger tires.

 

 Ryan, just a thought.  The narrower 255's (maybe not mud terrain) will ride better in the snow than the wider 285's.  Plus, where are mud terrains cheaper than KO's?

[RyanbabZ71]

tirerack has em for $134 each

[512silverado]

Hey ryan-

 

Check out www.tire.com  (discount tire)  they have  255/85/R16 BFG muds for $127 each.  Save $28 on a set of 4.

[RyanbabZ71]

not a bad price only thing is i dont have an extra set of rims yet and i dont need em now winter is coming

[Kansas Kid]

Quote from RyanbabZ71, posted on Sep. 25 2001,10:57

This spring ill probably try and find a cheap nice set of factory rims and get these tires.  Run them spring/summer and put my 285's back on for winter since the mudd terrains arent good for snow

 

You know, I used to think the same thing.  But I needed some mud terrains to put on my truck during hunting season, which of course means I got to use them in the snow.  The mud tires I have on now are just as good, if not better in the snow then any all-terrains I had on before.  As a matter of fact they saved my behind from getting stuck in the snow much more then they made me want a different set of tires on.  Especially in the really deep snow.  I'm thinking that you would probably find that the 255 MT would be better in the snow then the 285 AT tire.  Narrower is much better for mud and snow.

 

Oh, and just ask Pastmaster if you think we didn't have enough snow here last winter for me to throughly test this out.  LOL