Which Is The Best Way To Fill Stock Z71 Wheel Well?

Misawan · August 19, 2007

I have a stock 04 Z71 and I want to fill as much space around the wheel as I can without having to trim anything or install a lift. I have gone back and read as many posts on this subject as I can find and it looks like people either have gone to a bigger rim, or they have gone to a larger diameter tire. I am currently running 265/70 16 that are Bridgestone Dueler A/T. I mainly drive my truck on the highway but I do go off road a few times on somewhat mild trails. I don't want to go too big on the rims as I don't like the huge wheels and low profile tires. I am wondering if a change to 285/70 R16 will give me what I am after or if I should step up to 275/70 R17. From what I have read on here, I shouldn't run into any clearance issues. Is anyone out there running either of these or should I look into a different configuration completely? I should add that I have a 5.3L 1500 and I don't tow much.

TKS

zozmanGMC · August 19, 2007

I have a stock 04 Z71 and I want to fill as much space around the wheel as I can without having to trim anything or install a lift...I am currently running 265/70 16 that are Bridgestone Dueler A/T. I mainly drive my truck on the highway but I do go off road a few times on somewhat mild trails. I don't want to go too big on the rims as I don't like the huge wheels and low profile tires. I am wondering if a change to 285/70 R16 will give me what I am after or if I should step up to 275/70 R17. From what I have read on here, I shouldn't run into any clearance issues. Is anyone out there running either of these or should I look into a different configuration completely? I should add that I have a 5.3L 1500 and I don't tow much. TKS

Best way to fill a stock wheelwell is to up to 20" rims with a similar matching circumference so your PCM does not need to be recalibrated. Your stock is 265/70/16 with a circumference of 30.6". Go up to 265/50/20 with a circumference of 30.4". Minimal speedo error. Try Bridgestone Alenza Dueler A/H. See picture below.

zoz

Misawan · August 19, 2007

I have a stock 04 Z71 and I want to fill as much space around the wheel as I can without having to trim anything or install a lift...I am currently running 265/70 16 that are Bridgestone Dueler A/T. I mainly drive my truck on the highway but I do go off road a few times on somewhat mild trails. I don't want to go too big on the rims as I don't like the huge wheels and low profile tires. I am wondering if a change to 285/70 R16 will give me what I am after or if I should step up to 275/70 R17. From what I have read on here, I shouldn't run into any clearance issues. Is anyone out there running either of these or should I look into a different configuration completely? I should add that I have a 5.3L 1500 and I don't tow much. TKS

Best way to fill a stock wheelwell is to up to 20" rims with a similar matching circumference so your PCM does not need to be recalibrated. Your stock is 265/70/16 with a circumference of 30.6". Go up to 265/50/20 with a circumference of 30.4". Minimal speedo error. Try Bridgestone Alenza Dueler A/H. See picture below.

zoz

I'll have to look into that. I had not thought of going any bigger than 18" since I am not going to install a lift and I really want to avoid huge wheels with low profile tires. That look is OK for some sports cars but looks very strange for a truck.

ctahoe · August 20, 2007

Wonder if zoz means Dueler H/L Alenza? If zoz does, they look ok but being a Z71 (with certain off-road capabilities) putting a Highway All-Season tire on, and up-sizing to 20" rims is somewhat opposite the direction most take for a vehicle which will see any off-pavement time.

Mohican, my suggestion is keep those 16's and move up to some LT285/70R16's. Look at the standard BFG TA KO's, also look at the Nitto Terra Grapplers, Toyo Open Country A/T's or even the Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor (which also seems to be getting a good rep so far) http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresult...y.jsp?type=ORAT

I've had 17" rims on the last 3 trucks, and have had LT285/70R17 BFG TA KO's, and now running LT285/70R17 Toyo Open Country A/T's and am more impressed with the Toyo's. Remember the 285 upsize, from your stock 265 will more or less be tread width. The entire tire radius wont' change much going from a 265/70R16 to a 285/70R16 but it might change enough to get the dealer to program the new tire size.

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

or

http://www.csgnetwork.com/tireinfo4calc.html

or

http://pw1.netcom.com/~sgalaba/tiresize.htm

Good luck! with some research you will find a tire that makes you wonder why you didn't swap out those Bridgestone Dueler A/T sooner than now.

Misawan · August 20, 2007

Wonder if zoz means Dueler H/L Alenza? If zoz does, they look ok but being a Z71 (with certain off-road capabilities) putting a Highway All-Season tire on, and up-sizing to 20" rims is somewhat opposite the direction most take for a vehicle which will see any off-pavement time.

Mohican, my suggestion is keep those 16's and move up to some LT285/70R16's. Look at the standard BFG TA KO's, also look at the Nitto Terra Grapplers, Toyo Open Country A/T's or even the Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor (which also seems to be getting a good rep so far) http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresult...y.jsp?type=ORAT

I've had 17" rims on the last 3 trucks, and have had LT285/70R17 BFG TA KO's, and now running LT285/70R17 Toyo Open Country A/T's and am more impressed with the Toyo's. Remember the 285 upsize, from your stock 265 will more or less be tread width. The entire tire radius wont' change much going from a 265/70R16 to a 285/70R16 but it might change enough to get the dealer to program the new tire size.

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

or

http://www.csgnetwork.com/tireinfo4calc.html

or

http://pw1.netcom.com/~sgalaba/tiresize.htm

Good luck! with some research you will find a tire that makes you wonder why you didn't swap out those Bridgestone Dueler A/T sooner than now.

I found a new set of 285/70 R17 BFG's on ebay mounted on chevy wheels. I might try these since I will have an entire new set and if it doesn't work out I can always change them back.

pizzaboy · August 20, 2007

I have a stock 04 Z71 and I want to fill as much space around the wheel as I can without having to trim anything or install a lift. I have gone back and read as many posts on this subject as I can find and it looks like people either have gone to a bigger rim, or they have gone to a larger diameter tire. I am currently running 265/70 16 that are Bridgestone Dueler A/T. I mainly drive my truck on the highway but I do go off road a few times on somewhat mild trails. I don't want to go too big on the rims as I don't like the huge wheels and low profile tires. I am wondering if a change to 285/70 R16 will give me what I am after or if I should step up to 275/70 R17. From what I have read on here, I shouldn't run into any clearance issues. Is anyone out there running either of these or should I look into a different configuration completely? I should add that I have a 5.3L 1500 and I don't tow much.

TKS

We'll I just installed 18 in wheels on my stock Sierra with 275/65/18 bridgestone revo

Silverado_Monkey · August 20, 2007

I'm have on 285/65R18s on my 06 Z71. No rubbing issues, I probably could have gone with a taller tire but Nitto didn't make anything that would work, and I really loved the way the Terra Grapplers look!

Check it out ...