stock/285 vs. body lift/295

[XSaNiTy]

ok ive searched the forum for this info, but no luck.  im thinking of putting a 3" PA body lift on my truck, but i have some questions.  i know you can run 285/75/r16 tires on my truck stock.  Can you run 295/75/r16 on stock rims with a 3" lift?  new rims are not in my near future due to lack of $$$.  would i be better off to just stick with the 285's stock, or get the lift with 295's?  im going with BFG AT's so my size choices are limited somewhat.  my main concern is offroad performance without huge loss in drivability.  I am also concerned with looks in that i dont want to look silly for running the stock rims with the lift and tires.  thanks in advance

[96 Vortec]

Do you think it would be a big enough difference to need a lift?  I am running 285's on my 96 with plenty of room.  I have been contemplating whether or not I could squeeze 295's with a twist of the torsion bars.  If nothing else, swap them out for 3/4 ton bars.  

[Stepside Z]

I cranked my torsion bars 5 turns and installed BFG 285s. I have not noticed any loss in driveability and the truck looks like a real truck. I am very happy with my set-up.

[Smitty00Z71]

I have 285's on my 2000 Z71, not one turn on the torsion bars . The truck sits nice and doesn't rub a bit

[chevy4x4trucks]

PM ryanbab, he was looking at some tires that were 33.4" tall and could run on stock rims if I recall correctly.  As for lifting options, if you want to stuff 295's you're going to need either new t-bars, new keys, or the body lift.  Each will run you about 250.  The new keys and T-bars are an easy install, but they require a front end alignment (about 50 bucks).  The body lift install is just a time consuming install.  I'd go w/ the body lift if you don't plan on having a brush bar in the future (unless you can fab something up).

[RyanbabZ71]

try some 255/85/75's they are taller than 285's (33. something inches tall)

 

I know they come in bfg mud terrains in this size.

 

Only downside is they are a little skinnier

[XSaNiTy]

ok, well there are no bfg AT's in 255/85/16, although that does seem to be a good size.  im pretty set on tire choice though.  the 295 tire is only .6 inches taller and .3 inches wider than the 285, but that could make all the difference.  no one seems to be running 295's on stock rims which suggests that there might be a reason behind this.  does anyone know for sure if the rims can handle that wide of a tire? if i could run the 295 without rubbing, i wont need a lift at all.  actually it seems stupid to put on a body lift for only .3 inches wider and .3 inches more clearence, but maybe that would make all the difference offroad.  thanks for all the input.

[MountaineerTom]

According to the BFGoodrich website, it says the Rim Width Range as:

 

Tire Size                    Rim Width Range (inches)

 

LT285/75R16/D           7.5 - 9.0

 

LT295/75R16/D           7.5 - 9.5

 

 

I know lots of people run the 285's on the stock 16X7 rims.  

 

 

Don't know if this helps you any.

 

Good luck.

[Roofer]

295's will fit at with a few turns of the torsion bars on stock rims. I have seen this setup before and the guy has had no rubbing yet. I suggest that you go to a tire store and look at both the 295 and 285 BFG AT KO's. The 285's have bigger side biters than the 295's. The 295 KO's almost look like the old BFG's, cuz the side biters are so small you almost can't see them from any distance. If it were me, I would choose a different tire and go with a 305/70/16. They are the same height as a 285, but almost a 1/2" wider. My choice would be Mickey Thompson or ProComp 305/70's.

Hope this helps out.  

[96 Vortec]

Contact BFG directly.  I emailed them after I mounted my second set of 285s.  One of their techs called me two days later to answer any questions that I had.  

 

The only reason I am not running 295s is cause they didn't exist when I bought my tires 3 years ago.

[Z71Adrenaline]

I've got a 2000 Chev. Z71 under my carport this very moment with 285's on the stock rims with no modifications whatsoever and have no rubbing and it drives better than it did with the 265's.  

[illmac77]

i would go with roofers idea about the 305's , id also add a 4" suspension lift or a 3" body lift , i plan on putting on 305's when my 285's wear out.