235/85/16's on 2500HD

[4x4in]

I did search but I cannot find the specifics I am looking for.

 

I have an 02 2500HD EC/SB/8.1/Ally/3.73 Locker

 

My 245's are now drag slicks with 45,000 miles on them and I want to go to 235/85/16's but my truck looks like it came with the lowrider package or something. My 245's look close so I am wondering if the 235's will fit right. I do use my truck off road as well as towing so I want to keep a usable space in the fenderwell. Here are my concerns and please feel free to tell me I am a paranoid schitzophrantic (I think I need spellcheck).

 

Will the 235's fit with no issues?

 

Will I have to crank my torsion bars ( I like the way the truck rides now)

 

Will it have any affect with my Ally (shift points, tow/haul, etc.)

 

Will it affect locker operation?

 

Am I just being too woried about this and I should just go buy the tires and be quiet?

 

Is there anything else I am forgetting?

 

I do tow a 6500# trailer and occasionally my camper with my boat behind it so I want to stay with the load range E tires. Any and all info is greatly appreciated.

[Trouttrooper]

Greetings from your western border neighbor .

I run 235/85/16 on my truck.

 

They fit fine

Don't need to crank torsion bars

No tranny problems on my truck

My G80 works just fine

Yes, go buy the tires and be quiet

One thing your forgetting, you can still put mud chains (larger size chain than snow/ice) on a 235/85 tire and they don't rub. It's close but there's enough room.

 

Here's what they look like on the front

 

 

[TLS]

Is there a specific reason for wanting to go with 235/85's?

 

You mention towing a trailer and a camper with boat in tow.

 

I would suggest 265/75's just for the fact that you'll GAIN towing weight rating and have more rubber on the ground.

 

235's are nice for snowplowing, but really aren't all that great on the highway. Plus the 235's load rating is less.

[Trouttrooper]

Is there a specific reason for wanting to go with 235/85's?

 

You mention towing a trailer and a camper with boat in tow.

 

I would suggest 265/75's just for the fact that you'll GAIN towing weight rating and have more rubber on the ground.

 

235's are nice for snowplowing, but really aren't all that great on the highway.  Plus the 235's load rating is less.

 

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Couple reasons why I run them. Traction in snow and mud for the 6 months a year I have to deal with it, and 265/75 are too wide to get tire chains on the front end without cranking the Tbars which I don't want to do. They come too close to the front bumper when you turn the wheel. Now I do effectively reduce my GVWR from 9,900 to 9,200 but even with hauling hay and horses I don't exceed the weight rating of a 235/85.

 

Can't say as I notice much of a problem in handling on the highway. I run the same tire on my patrol truck and it handles high speed cornering just fine.

[4x4in]

I was wanting to go with 235 for a few reasons. They are a little taller than the 245's ( I know 265's are also ), they are a littler skinnier than the 245's for the minimal less rolling resistance on the ground as well as a little taller and I don't think I will outload the 235's. The 235's are also less expensive in comparison.

 

Like Trouttrooper I don't wan't to crank t-bars to keep my factory ride. That's one of the reasons I went with Chevy becuase the ride can't be beat and my wife drives the truck also. Hey maybe that is a reason to crank the t-bars .

 

I like the pics of how the 235's fit and work.

 

Thanks for the input and suggestions so far.

[solariz007]

hey man any chance u can give a full truck pic for all of use thinking of the 235 mans thnx

 

much thnx fellas takr easy

 

Solariz

[Trouttrooper]

hey man any chance u can give a full truck pic for all of use thinking of the 235 mans thnx

 

much thnx fellas takr easy

 

Solariz

 

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I should be able to get some pics tomorrow. Any particular angels you want?

 

Here's my old truck with 235's. '99 GMC 2500LD Sorry not a very good angle, only pic I've got on the computer.

 

[Needgasmoney]

Thinking about going this route also and would like to see some full truck pics, if possible.

[Trouttrooper]

Thinking about going this route also and would like to see some full truck pics, if possible.

 

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Sorry didn't get to it today, long day at work. Should be able to do something tomorrow.

[dcsnyder]

Is there a specific reason for wanting to go with 235/85's?

 

You mention towing a trailer and a camper with boat in tow.

 

I would suggest 265/75's just for the fact that you'll GAIN towing weight rating and have more rubber on the ground.

 

235's are nice for snowplowing, but really aren't all that great on the highway.  Plus the 235's load rating is less.

 

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Don't forget you WILL lose torque on the wheels when you switch to a taller tire. I don't know how heavy a camper/boat you pull but it might be a consideration. The amount a torque you will lose is directly proportional to the increase in tire diameter. IE a 6% increase in tire height will produce a 6% net LOSS of torque.

 

Couple reasons why I run them. Traction in snow and mud for the 6 months a year I have to deal with it, and 265/75 are too wide to get tire chains on the front end without cranking the Tbars which I don't want to do. They come too close to the front bumper when you turn the wheel. Now I do effectively reduce my GVWR from 9,900 to 9,200 but even with hauling hay and horses I don't exceed the weight rating of a 235/85.

 

Can't say as I notice much of a problem in handling on the highway. I run the same tire on my patrol truck and it handles high speed cornering just fine.

 

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[Trouttrooper]

Here's some pics. Overcast sky makes it hard to see detail inside the fenderwell. Got these between snowstorms.

 

 

 

 

 

235/85 has the same load rating as a 245/75 so if you have a 2500HD you're not loosing anything there. Technically ya you loose some torque but it's not like your truck is going to turn into a dog just because of that. Pre '88 3/4 and 1 ton came standard with 235/85/16 tires and they did just fine.

[Needgasmoney]

Thanks for the pics, Trouttrooper.

[4x4in]

Thanks for all the great info on this thread. The torque loss I don't think will be too much of a concern with the 8.1 and a Wait 4 Me tune (soon). With the load rating the same on the 235's, I believe I will go and buy my tires now.

 

Thanks to all

Eric