Tires, same age old question

koffey · November 9, 2006

Help me out People please....

PS. First time posting, just joined!

I'm asking the age old question, after hours of researching, still really no answer, what max size tire can I put on the following truck:

2000 Silverado LS Step Side

5.3L

Factory lift, high in the tail, nose in the grass. I was looking at the 305/70/16R BFG, but after some reading, I have been highly debating on what can actually go on my pickup. I did not want to do any modifications to the truck like the tension tighting, ect...

I'm thinking the 285s are the ones to go with, but confirmation of anyone with 305s without doing any work on their truck would be awesome.

I need a set of new rubs for her because she has been so good to me.

Thanks in advance.

koffey · December 6, 2006

Help me out People please....
PS. First time posting, just joined!

I'm asking the age old question, after hours of researching, still really no answer, what max size tire can I put on the following truck:

2000 Silverado LS Step Side

5.3L

Factory lift, high in the tail, nose in the grass. I was looking at the 305/70/16R BFG, but after some reading, I have been highly debating on what can actually go on my pickup. I did not want to do any modifications to the truck like the tension tighting, ect...

I'm thinking the 285s are the ones to go with, but confirmation of anyone with 305s without doing any work on their truck would be awesome.

I need a set of new rubs for her because she has been so good to me.

Thanks in advance.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I still haven't really found out the proper information that I was looking for, so this is what I have found out so far:

265/75/16 is 31.6" in diameter and fills 10.4 of the well which is what I run current

285/75/16 is 32.8" in diameter and fills 11.2" of the well

305/70/16 is 32.8" in diameter and fills 12" of the well

I also park underground and did some measuring with a tape. Looks like a fit, to be sure, I'm taking her into the garage tomorrow for a lift to level out the front with the back. I might have to trim the air dam to full lock without a rub, but if a 285 will fit, a 305 should fit stock as well.

I'll keep you posted.

Wingnut · December 6, 2006

I don't think 305's will fit without quite a bit of tweaking. Only a few have been able to make them work at all.

285/75/16's will rub on some trucks, and might require just a tad bit of t-bar cranking and/or valance trimming. Neither are hard to do though.

I didn't have to trim or crank on my '02 to put them on though (stock rims/offset).

stinger26 · December 6, 2006

I have 285s on mine. No t-bar crank, or trimming, and they fit fine. Look awesome too. Big improvement over the 265s.

koffey · December 7, 2006

Thanks for the input fellas! I have decided after some serious measurements, a few drinks and a quick drive around the underground lot to go ahead with the leveling of the truck and the bfg 285/75/16s.

I still have a few cms to clear on the wall, which is pretty well much in range of what was provided on no lift or mods for a 285 tire. The 305s are obviously too fat to fit into a 2000 k1500 well with no mods or cuts. The 265 leaves about 1.5" on the side almost on full crank turn, which will not be enough room for a 12" tire in width as the 285 is the same size tire(32.8"), just fatter(by.8"). With the extra weight leaning on the tire, it will make it bigger then 12"(=rubbing!). With the thickness in the threads, it should be just enough room. I can live with trimming the air dam to make the space if 'necessary' for a 285, which I don't think will happen. I'm assuming that the front lift will give about 2" on the top, and with the bigger tire, 3" at the most overall as increases in size only pushes the truck roughly .5" with 285 to 1" on 305.

This site is the best for information, but I did wish that someone out there did have the same question/configuration that I was looking for as it has been taking so long to confirm, so I guess that I will be the first to say that to fit in underground parking, a 285/75/16 and a level job on a 2000 Silverado is the optimal fit without a rub. I will post some more information as this could be totally incorrect as the lift job should be completed tomorrow evening and the tires should arrive late next week!

If anyone could advise on how I could post pics, that would be even sweeter so I can show the before and after. I believe that underground, I have about 6'6" to work with, excluding underground lights, which, I might remove before I hit Who will see without cameras!? Hahaha.

Cranky1 · December 7, 2006

I had 305 and 285 on an old body style K-2500, they both fit without rubbing, what I did notice was that I could not get enough air pressure in the tires because of the narrow 7" rims. I would air down to get more tread on the ground, but then they would start to feather and cup..

I went to 8" American Racing wheels style 059 for the off set. They made all the differance in the world..

Wingnut · December 7, 2006

You can "lift" the front end on your truck with an 18mm socket and a ratchet...No jackstands, jack, nothing needed....And you don't need to lift it a full 2", that might make your ride a bit rough.

Dux-n-Dawgs · December 7, 2006

I test drove a '03 that had 295's on 16's. Don't know much about it other than I think the bars were turned down some, but I do know the airdam was trimmed to prevent rubbing. I do know that lock to lock it never rubbed ...... however I never got it offroad either. Ride was good though.

koffey · December 7, 2006

For whatever reason, Google never found this before until today. I took my truck into the garage for some work and mentioned that while she was up on ramp, to level the front, they told me NO. Void warranty. I laughed and said on the front end that GM considers wear and tear parts that are not covered anyways?

So, here is a great link with all the information that you need to know about leveling you GM truck.

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65871