Fitting 35s On A Budget...

Ranger · May 5, 2009

Just a dumb idea, but I was thinking between my leveling kit and a 3" body lift, would it be possible to fit 35s on the stock 18" Z71 wheels? I fit 33s with no rubbing at all and about 1/4" gap between the tire and fenderwells at full lock...I found some nice 35" Toyo M/Ts for a couple hundred bucks local and I thought maybe a body lift would give me enough clearence to do minimal plastic trimming...I'm not fond of body lifts especially not on a newer style truck but it'd be a lot cheaper than doing a 6" suspension right? I don't offroad that much so not worried about suspension flex so much...

BuckFeverZ · May 5, 2009

It would be pretty close with a 3" BL. It would be quite a bit cheaper if you do the install yourself. I know the Zone BL is around $450 or so.

Ranger · May 5, 2009

Found Performance Accessories body lift for under 400...Yeah I'd probably end up doing it myself, I've done one before but that was on a 80 K-10 and it didn't have quite so much crap to modify...That and I forgot to extend the fan shroud so when I cranked it, plastic started flying everywhere...

blackout07 · May 5, 2009

It will be tight, but the factory wheels should allow for a pretty good fit.

Ranger · May 5, 2009

Don't mind doing a little trimming, I just think I'd have to gut the whole wheelwell if I tried fitting them with the current lift...Something to consider is the tires aren't a full 35", I think they are about half tread from the pics so it'd be more like 34.5s or so...I figured with the stock wheels it wouldn't rub as bad as having aftermarkets. I think the tires are 12.5" wide, running 11.5 right now.

J-man67 · May 5, 2009

I think you will be fine...

ryan_hermanutz · May 5, 2009

Don't mind doing a little trimming, I just think I'd have to gut the whole wheelwell if I tried fitting them with the current lift...Something to consider is the tires aren't a full 35", I think they are about half tread from the pics so it'd be more like 34.5s or so...I figured with the stock wheels it wouldn't rub as bad as having aftermarkets. I think the tires are 12.5" wide, running 11.5 right now.

So would you always buy used tires, or modify later?

Ranger · May 5, 2009

Almost ready to just get new rims and be done with that mod...I don't like body lifts on my daily drivers and I do drive about 20k miles a year so I would be replacing the M/Ts every year...I could just get a tune but I'm waiting on a supplier to call me back about some handlebars for my Raptor.

stlavsa · May 5, 2009

Almost ready to just get new rims and be done with that mod...I don't like body lifts on my daily drivers and I do drive about 20k miles a year so I would be replacing the M/Ts every year...I could just get a tune but I'm waiting on a supplier to call me back about some handlebars for my Raptor.

Dude I think I would forget about the 35s if your on a budget... your driving 20k a year? think about doing that on 35s without re-gearing. (which im assuming you arent gonna do because of the budget) Sounds like a disaster to me.

Just run the 33's is my vote. IF you get about 6k together get yourself a suspension lift, some wheels tires ,and re-gear the thing. ITs a 2007, not an 87, dont **** it all up.

Ranger · May 6, 2009

Yeah I've already kinda talked myself out of it...It'd be nice to run 35s cause I like the lifted look and feel, but I drive a lot of miles, carry a lot of stuff in the bed (I've tried getting drywall out of a truck on 38s, it was NOT fun) and I tow also...So I guess I may as well stick with my 33s as they are wearing really well, I got about 20k on them now and still got more than half tread...

If I had 6k to blow, I would use it for a down payment to trade up to a heavy duty truck with a diesel...I may as well blow the money on getting my truck tuned as I never corrected the speedo and the electronic nannies are really bugging me.

Ranger · May 6, 2009

Probably beating a dead horse here, but I just found a 6.5" lift locally for 700 bucks, think the story is the guy is returning to stock and trading the truck...He also has 4.88 gears he may add in, and he even offers to install the kit...Fishy or no? I can kinda believe it with the way things are going, a lot of people are out of work and selling things at a fraction of their worth just to get some food on the table...

Funny thing is I have enough money at this moment to do the whole thing- lift, gears, and tires but I'm thinking with those 35s on my mileage is gonna drop pretty sharp, I'm getting 12 mpg at the moment...Am I looking at 6 or 7? I couldn't afford that with the HD, and I probably can afford it even less now...

Matt_ · May 6, 2009

$700 for a lift and gears and install???

If it sounds too good to be true.. it probably is.

What kit is it?

Ranger · May 6, 2009

Doesn't say what kit...Just has a pic of a Sierra with big tires on it.

I think he wants 1000 with the gears included....Tempted to jump on it but it would not make my truck very practical in the long run, and next year I may trade it in for a HD as I want to get a 5th wheel toyhauler...

J-man67 · May 7, 2009

Sounds too good to be true. Where did you see this advertised? If you do find it to be a good deal and grab it, SWEET, if not, let me know. I want the gears haha!

I am presently getting 12.5 with 35's 70/30 city/hwy with 3.73's

Ranger · May 7, 2009

You must drive a lot easier than I do haha, I'm getting about 12 mostly city, I get about 16 if mostly highway with 33s and RC spacers up front/add-a-leaf rear...It's in my local craigslist. For some reason I keep forgeting to bookmark it...Only kicker is he would apparently need some of the stock parts in exchange including gears, at least according to one of the ads.