2007 Ltz Silverado Max Considering Wheel Downsize - Advice?

[07max]

Now that the truck is tuned and running properly (Thanks Justin) it's time to make it ride better. My young kids are getting bounced around pretty good on rough roads in the back seat. For a truck that weighs this much it seems to ride a bit rough/harsh. I suspect the OEM 20's and orange (no name) shocks that came with the Z60 performance suspension package are not helping the problem. Since it's a 4X4 that will see some dirt action, I'm considering moving from the 20's to 17" or 18" wheels to get some more sidewall. I'm also considering putting the Bilstein leveling shocks (and the rears) like alaskaLTZ installed. I like the look of the 20's but my limited knowledge of physics tells me that a smaller sidewall = rugher ride. Am I one the right track here?

 

 

I like the look of this tire/wheel package in the image below, but am only doing the ~2" leveling lift.

 

 

Thanks,

Steve

Irvine,ca

[pm26]

Now that the truck is tuned and running properly (Thanks Justin) it's time to make it ride better. My young kids are getting bounced around pretty good on rough roads in the back seat. For a truck that weighs this much it seems to ride a bit rough/harsh. I suspect the OEM 20's and orange (no name) shocks that came with the Z60 performance suspension package are not helping the problem. Since it's a 4X4 that will see some dirt action, I'm considering moving from the 20's to 17" or 18" wheels to get some more sidewall. I'm also considering putting the Bilstein leveling shocks (and the rears) like alaskaLTZ installed. I like the look of the 20's but my limited knowledge of physics tells me that a smaller sidewall = rugher ride. Am I one the right track here?

 

 

I like the look of this tire/wheel package, but am only doing the ~2" leveling lift.

 

 

Thanks,

Steve

Irvine,ca

 

Yes, large diameter, low profile tires generally give a rougher ride. In my opinion, these types of wheels have no place in a 4X4 vehicle, unless it is never used off road. You will be happier with 17 inch rims/tires. Just get some good quality tires.

[lacartus]

Considering the effect of tires and suspension on ride, I think it breaks-down like this:

 

Tires -- will have the most effect on rough roads. The stiffer the tire, the more you will feel tar strips and small irregularities in the road. This stuff is usually considered high-frequency, more on that later. The stiffer the tire, the more you will feel it an LT versus a P-metric (how the tire size starts) will be stiffer; and in the LT's the E-load rating will be the stiffest (the most belts to support weight). If you were just after ride, a P (passenger) tire would be best, but you said you do a bit of offroading and in that case I'd recommend at least triple-ply sidewalls, which is usually an LT tire in my experience.

 

Suspension -- My Z85 suspension has a bit of bounce over bumps--things bigger than a tar strip. It's a trade-off with this suspension for the ability to haul/tow more weight. That said, these stock shocks are fairly simple. You would probably be happier with a digressively valved shock, such as the Bilstein. Digressive is the opposite of a progressive shock, which is mostly what you'll find on trucks. A digressive stock will be soft for high-freqency stuff (like tar strips), so you don't fee them as much, but it will be stiff for low frequency stuff (dips and bumps), which should keep you from bottoming out, going into the bump stops and getting a big bounce.

 

I'd recommend starting with new 17" tires in the lowest load rating you think you need for aoff-road aspirations (and towing/hauling too). If that doesn't addess the issue, then I'd look at shocks.

 

Now that the truck is tuned and running properly (Thanks Justin) it's time to make it ride better. My young kids are getting bounced around pretty good on rough roads in the back seat. For a truck that weighs this much it seems to ride a bit rough/harsh. I suspect the OEM 20's and orange (no name) shocks that came with the Z60 performance suspension package are not helping the problem. Since it's a 4X4 that will see some dirt action, I'm considering moving from the 20's to 17" or 18" wheels to get some more sidewall. I'm also considering putting the Bilstein leveling shocks (and the rears) like alaskaLTZ installed. I like the look of the 20's but my limited knowledge of physics tells me that a smaller sidewall = rugher ride. Am I one the right track here?

 

 

I like the look of this tire/wheel package, but am only doing the ~2" leveling lift.

 

 

Thanks,

Steve

Irvine,ca

 

Yes, large diameter, low profile tires generally give a rougher ride. In my opinion, these types of wheels have no place in a 4X4 vehicle, unless it is never used off road. You will be happier with 17 inch rims/tires. Just get some good quality tires.

 

[c4cruiser]

In looking at different tire/wheel combinations, you should look for a tire diameter that is as close to that of the current 20" setup you have now. If you have a big difference in diameter, that can throw off not only the speedometer/odometer. but it might also affect other systems like StabiliTrak, ABS or other systems that depend on wheel speed.

 

Tuning can fix a change in diameter but it's easier to stay as close as possible to the original tire diameter.

[pchrist]

Trade you my factory 17's for your 20's????

[bubba33]

Now that the truck is tuned and running properly (Thanks Justin) it's time to make it ride better. My young kids are getting bounced around pretty good on rough roads in the back seat. For a truck that weighs this much it seems to ride a bit rough/harsh. I suspect the OEM 20's and orange (no name) shocks that came with the Z60 performance suspension package are not helping the problem. Since it's a 4X4 that will see some dirt action, I'm considering moving from the 20's to 17" or 18" wheels to get some more sidewall. I'm also considering putting the Bilstein leveling shocks (and the rears) like alaskaLTZ installed. I like the look of the 20's but my limited knowledge of physics tells me that a smaller sidewall = rugher ride. Am I one the right track here?

 

 

I like the look of this tire/wheel package, but am only doing the ~2" leveling lift.

 

 

Thanks,

Steve

Irvine,ca

 

Yes, large diameter, low profile tires generally give a rougher ride. In my opinion, these types of wheels have no place in a 4X4 vehicle, unless it is never used off road. You will be happier with 17 inch rims/tires. Just get some good quality tires.

 

Yup what he said. I looked at them and thought who the hell wants those 20 's on a 4x4. It should be a truck not a suv or grocery getter.

[sfriesen]

Hi,

I have a set of Bridgestone Dueler AT Revos size 275/55/20 on my 08 Silverado and they do just fine, both on and off road. It really depends on what you mean by dirt action. If you are doing the odd gravel road with some bumps, my experience is that the 20s handle this no problem. If you are going through rocks where there will be constant opportunities for wheel articulation, you may get your rims scrapped and might better off with a smaller wheel. The new Chevys have Independent Front Suspension which work well on roads. In fact, if GM were really serious about off road capabilities for trucks, they would still make them with double axles, like a Ford 250, Ram 2500, or Jeep YJ for that matter. GM made the switch from two axles (front and back) back in the early 1990s when they realized most truck drivers did not take their vehicles off road. Nevertheless, I have taken my 20s through some pretty rough stuff and they stack up compared to the BF Goodrich TA KOs 16s I had on my old Dodge. They have handled dips, bumps, ruts, and instability in general etc just fine. I use the truck for normal use, and am an avid hunter, fisherman and camper. The 20 inch revos have handled all of these situations. When compared to my earlier 4x4 experiences, I found the 20s to actually be quite stable and distributed the weight of the vehicle a lot nicer. Again, there are pros and cons to each wheel choice [as most guys on this site will tell you] but you really need to assess your requirements and match them to the driving conditions while considering price. Oh ya, the pic provided shows that I do actually get mud on my tires - proves I didnt buy my truck to get groceries or soccer dad.

[bubba33]

you could of just drove through a mud puddle at the socerfield lol and dodge IFS on the 1500 just not the 2500 and 3500

[sfriesen]

Yo bubba, not sure what your information sources are, but 1500 ram has IFS while the 2500 and 3500 have dual axles, check it out yourself.

 

http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/ram-heavy-duty.html

 

http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/2009-ram.html

 

Other than that, I do not understand your point [if there was one] on any information provided including the original question posted.

[pm26]

You cannot deny this fact though: 20 inch truck tires always cost a lot more than 17 inch tires.

 

I happen to have 20 inch diameter wheels on my deuce and a half. Except that the sidewall on each tire is 10 inches high, making the overall inflated wheel diameter 40 inches!!!!!!!!! That is a true 20 inch wheel off road tire size. I don't have to worry about scraping the rims on that one.

[Raymond Lowe]

I run the factory 20's on the Denali and switch to 17's for the winter. The 17's are far more comfortable and better suited for off-road. The 20's are highway only but even then, you have to run the factory recommended pressure of 30psi or else you feel every crack in the road. I tried 34psi and you could really tell the difference. A Z60 with 20's can't even handle a little washboard without rattling your fillings loose.

[iscsidude]

I'm considering moving from the 20's to 17" or 18" wheels to get some more sidewall.

 

I test drove both 20" and 17" wheels on the same road before buying my 08.

Hands down, the 17" rode so much better it was an easy comparison.

 

Still have my fillings in place with a much smoother ride.

[bubba33]

Yo bubba, not sure what your information sources are, but 1500 ram has IFS while the 2500 and 3500 have dual axles, check it out yourself.

 

http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/ram-heavy-duty.html

 

http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/2009-ram.html

 

Other than that, I do not understand your point [if there was one] on any information provided including the original question posted.

I said IFS is on the 1500 dodge .Not the 2500 or 3500. I had a 03 2500