255/85-16 Tires On 2500 Gmc

[Wiz1906]

Hey guys, not sure how many time this has been asked. I have 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 (SLT/Quadrasteer). I really don't care for the look of the stock wheels/tires, I also don't want to do any suspension modification or cutting around the body. (just not right now) Has anyone used this size without modifcation? What manfacturer/series tires did you use?

I was looking at:

Dunlop Radial Rover RVXT

BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM

[ws6_guy]

no way you can fit 85 sidewalls without cutting & lifting, 75 is the max, i have 265/65/16s and they just fit infront without a leveling kit, i got a half inch of space from valance to tire

[justin95]

You might send JimDandy an PM. I saw in a post he runs this size tire, but ofcourse you will most likely have to trim the front valance at an angle.

[Genuinefine409]

its same height at a 285/75/16(33") but about 1" narrower but it prolly won;t fit without some type of mod. I was looking into these myself,I have the 245/75/16 tires now and I want a taller tire but not too much wider. another tall and skinny tire is the 235/85/16, same height as the 265/75/16(32") but much skinnier and should fit without doing anything.

[Woodcutter]

This size should work with no problems. If 3/4-ton guys can put 285/75R16s on their stock width rims with no lift or trimming (which I've read is done quite often on this forum), then the 255/85R16 will fit better because they're only 10mm wider than the stock 245s and are the equivalent height as 285/75R16s.

 

I friend of mine had this size on a '94 K1500 ext cab. Looked great, filled the wheelwells, mounted on the stock rims, and barely fit w/o trimming or other mods. You could tell a loss of take-off power though from the larger diameter (33").

 

The biggest problem with 255/85R16 is they're not that popular and will not be readily available like 75R16-series tires are

[kosb]

I have them on my 01 2500 Hd and they fit fine. No cranking on the t bars or anything. This is my third set. the first were Toyo M55's I think and then two sets of BFG mud terrains. The toyos were really good but the mud terrains are easier to find. Im away from home but will be back by Saturday and I'll post pics if you want.

[Wiz1906]

Appreciate the replies guys!!

 

I think that's where things become blurry, I see lot of people using a certain size, but not how much modification was necessary. From what I've seen, to run the 285's, people still had to adjust their torsion keys. Maybe I should just go to 265/75-16?!?

[Wiz1906]

Thanks Kosb!!

 

I just saw your reply, look forward to seeing the pictures. Do you have ANY rubbing?!?

[gmc_todd]

Wiz,

 

I added some pics on the other site, but I can add them here too:

 

The front:

 

The rear

 

And a couple of comparrisons:

On the last one notice how the sidewall tapers in to the tread. the one on the right is a factory LT245/75R16 the left is the LT255/85R16 The LT245 is SLIGHTLY wider

The LT255/85R16 is also a load range D which, IMO offers a better ride than the load range E. By going to the bigger tire (even w/ it being LRD) it still has a higher weight rating than the factory tire.

My only gripe is there are very few tires to chose from (mostly commercial or very aggressive mud tires). They do ride slightly better than the LRE with a slight hum on the pavement. I would love to see BFG make this in the ATKO. That would have been my choice.

 

Todd

[RyanbabZ71]

Heres my BFG MT 255/85/R16 on my 1500 Z71

 

They fit fine on my truck no trimming needed. I also run 285 BFG ATs (winter). I like the look of the BFG MT's they are a very good tire

[kosb]

They never rub on the road but when the front is compressed off road every now and then I'll hear a little rubbing. Never any damage though.

[Wiz1906]

Todd,

That's what I was thinking also, the 255 (Wild Spirts) is a bigger tire, but the way the tread is tapered and width make it not as wide as stock 245.

Searching for some more info in those tires, I came across this site, they seem to have some more options in that size:

http://www.tiresbyweb.com/Tiresearchadv.as...ittirespec.y=10

 

Ryan,

Those look good... I'm hoping there's not much difference in the plastic wheel well/front end cover of your 00 Chevy 1500 and the 04 GMC 2500, I think I remember, for both brands, some styling revisions in between those years.

 

 

I think I'm narrowing it down to:

Dunlops in a 255

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?mak...3D585R6ROVXTOWL

 

or maybe these Perelli's in a 265

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?mak...75SR6SCORATROWL

 

Everyone, thanks for all the input given so far....

[tweba99]

I run BFG 285/75R16's on my 2500 with no modifications and no rubbing. BFG makes great tires. You can see them on my truck in my sig.