Pick Me Some Tires!

[i82much]

Tried this on some other forums too, thanks so much for any help folks: 2007 Silverado Classic (OBS), 4x4, 1500, 4.3, 5 speed, regular cab, standard bed. Hunting truck, goes offroad, don't want rubbing. I don't want a lift kit, just too concerned about reliability. I'm willing to clearance by inner fender cutting, maybe relocate/modify windshield washer bottle, and some limited torsion bar cranking but don't want to upset CV angles or wear ball joints quickly. So ... 285/70/17? 295/70/17? Or even be conservative and stay w/275 or 265? Was strongly leaning toward Cooper STT. Any input appreciated, especially on the 295's. Threads suggest the 285's will fit, anybody know about the 295's? Another concern is using my stock steel wheels on either 285's or 295's. Thanks all.

[99silverado1500]

id stay 265 maybe 275 without cranking the T bars

[Zembonez]

As I understand it, the 285s will rub in the right off road situations but only at extreme suspension travel. I'd think the 295s would rub easily. A properly done lift of 3 inches won't harm reliability but could affect warranty and won't be cheap. Don't have any imput - good or bad - on Cooper tires... nobody in these parts sells them that I know of.

[PaulCee]

If you don't want to do a suspension lift, what about a body lift?

[i82much]

If you don't want to do a suspension lift, what about a body lift?

 

 

Heard they weren't so great? I just want reliability and enough ground clearance to get in and out of anywhere I want to hunt or fish. Plus I have a manual trans - would a body lift upset the clutch linkage?

[2000DV4.8]

A properly installed lift, either suspension or body, should not cause reliability issues. 265s will not rub, 285s you'd need to crank the torsion bars some, which if you don't go over 1"-1.5" shouldn't cause reliability issues either.

 

As for tires, I've heard great things about the STTs, and I have the Mickey Thompson MTZ. They have a very similar tread pattern, and the Mickeys are manufactured by Cooper.

[Jje121]

I don't personally have the stt's but my friend has them on his F350. He works for a logging company so he does a lot of off roading. He said the tires are great but they wear really fast.

[Biggie]

i second that. my mickey thompson mtz's can run through anything. i've only got 265/70R17's and 2wd with a locking rear diff and they power me through muddy clay a foot deep without any trouble. they'll get you where you need to go

[thecraft]

 

 

Was strongly leaning toward Cooper STT.

Great tires. A lot of people around here run those and the S/T tires.

[i82much]

I don't personally have the stt's but my friend has them on his F350. He works for a logging company so he does a lot of off roading. He said the tires are great but they wear really fast.

 

 

Any thoughts on a longer-lasting tire that is comparable to the STT? I heard STT's were actually good in snow and even ice, which I understand is not the case with the BFG m/t. As for the lift, if I don't need it to run 285's, I probably won't do it. Any idea what the tallest tire I could use with a 2 or 3 inch body lift is?

[2000DV4.8]

3" body lift you could run 285s, 295s, or a true 33x12.5 with very minimal rubbing/trimming on the latter.

 

Also, the people I've talked to with the STT say they wear well, and my MTZs are wearing well also. That being said, they are wearing well for a MUD tire. And any tire will wear faster on an f350, they weigh a buttload and a half.

[i82much]

3" body lift you could run 285s, 295s, or a true 33x12.5 with very minimal rubbing/trimming on the latter.

 

Also, the people I've talked to with the STT say they wear well, and my MTZs are wearing well also. That being said, they are wearing well for a MUD tire. And any tire will wear faster on an f350, they weigh a buttload and a half.

 

 

Yeah weight has something to do with it. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I think I can get away w/285's without much trimming or cranking and no lift. My truck actually seems to sit up pretty high stock, I guess it's fairly light with the 6 cyl, manual trans, and reg cab/std. bed configuration.

[callyer]

If you have your lift installed by a good shop they will warranty it, and unless the dealer proves the problem with your truck is due to a modification.. then you should have nothing to worry about.. at least that is what my research told me. The shop I had instal my mods gave me a 3 year warranty on all Lift/ work that they have performed, and the small dealership I picked up the truck at offers a free Lifetime powertrain warranty on all there cars/ trucks (of course you have to have all manditory services done by an ASE certified shop... which seems worth the effort).... I plan on keeping this truck A LONG time!! I live in my truck for work. Guys, feel free to correct my on my warranty knowlege!

 

craig

[Forsaken_id]

I had Cooper STTs on my 2000 Silverado 4x4 and they lasted for ~53,000 miles. These were 95% pavement miles. Some of the best tires I've ever had.

 

--Rome

[i82much]

Ok, did some research last night. Maybe a suspension lift isn't such a bad idea, I will consider it.

 

One thing I don't get though - suspension lifts usually seem to drop the front diff. My low point is my skid plate. Won't the skid plate drop down with the diff and I won't really gain anything? I must be missing something but I don't know what it is.