255/75 r17 or 255/75 r16 tires on a 4x4 Suburban... anyone?

[leakyfawcett]

I'm curious if anyone here is running either 255/85 r16 or 255/75 r17 tires on their Suburban. Lots of reasons why I like the somewhat tall/skinny tires, I just don't know how they'll look on a big truck like a '71 Suburban.

I'm also curious how much lift would be appropriate with that size tire.

Anyone have photos they can share?

Thanks!

[duceducenine]

heres a few pics with the 255/75/17's

[vectorit]

Here you go.
This bad azz burb has an incredible build thread, I suggest you check it out!
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=303017

255 85 R16 BFG M/T KM's

[leakyfawcett]

Thanks guys, that helps a ton!

The 255/85r16 I think is really what I want, but there's really only one non-M/T tire I can find in that size. The 255/75r17 gives me a bunch more options, but it's 1" shorter.

The other question is what color for my steel wheels -- black, or white

Decisions, decisions...

[GCncsuHD]

Cooper makes a 255/85r16 in the ST style, it is on the aggressive side of an all terrain, but not quite a MT, somewhat reminiscent of old "hi trac" tires.

Actually stole this image of Larry's tires in that size.

[vectorit]

For your 71, I'd go white.

Mine are black, because in 1968 K series wheels were black.

[leakyfawcett]

Well I'm putting a '67 front clip on mine and I'm closing up the corner lights, so it'll look like a '67. But I'm not a purist, and not that concerned with an accurate restoration. Your 'Burb looks sweet with black wheels and with white (I think I saw some photos of it with white wheels at one point). What size tires are you running?

[vectorit]

Thanks! The tires are BFG 33" tall 12.50 wide, on a 16.5 1969 vintage wheels.

Back in the day my Dad ran the burb with the original split rims, and they were black from the factory. Though he purchased the 16.5 plain steel wheels from our neighbor, the neighbors truck was a 1969 K20 pick up and they were originally white.

So, there are some vintage photo's of my burb with those white wheels.
Back in the day my Dad and I called the highway tires "the blacks", and the off road tires we called "the whites".

Now a days I am trying to keep the burb as "original looking" as possible, though personally I have always like the white wheels on it. Since they matched the white roof and grill nicely.

As for the current tires I have on there, I am tired of them and really want to go with the size you originally asked about. Since I think the tires I have now are a little to wide, since I rub the steering arm nut when I make a hard lock right turn.

[leakyfawcett]

Hey Vectorit, just as a late follow up to this post... with that tire size, what kind of lift do you have? If it's not an off-the-shelf lift kit, do you have any idea where it would come out, roughly? I'm looking at springs/lift now, and I'm wondering if 4" is appropriate for 255/85r16 tires.

Thanks!

[vectorit]

My suspension is the OEM leafs, and I have had them re arched, added leafs, and new bushings.
With all that, the truck got a 2.5 inch lift.

Your year has vendors making complete suspension upgrades, so you shouldn't have to take the route I had to take.

My driver side front tire rubs on the steering gear occasionally, but it's not an issue I am worried about. Though it just reminds me that I want narrower tires