Sweet deal on tires is going to cost me I just know it!

[budman k20]

I need help! I got a great deal on 315/75/16 tires on 16 x 10” wide alum wheels. I measured the OD to be real close to 34” when on my 72 K20. I did not measure the back spacing yet but it looked close to 4” the wheel just covers the disk in front. Here is where it is going to cost me. I already purchased new front springs and shocks with a 2” lift. I have not put them on yet but I jacked up the frame 2” to see how the tire clearance would be. The short answer is no way will that be enough lift. Kept jacking until I had about 4” lift (tire about to come off the ground) and even that looked marginal. My next thought was since I’m taking the body off the frame to put a 1-2” body lift on it. To get the minimum 4” lift our official chart recommends for 35” tires! So I searched for body lift kits and did not find any 2” kits? I don’t do any serious off road stuff I mainly pull trailers with my truck and when I do go off road I pretty much just drive fire roads. I have never driven or rode in a lifted truck and I don’t really want it any higher than necessary to run these tires. What are the main issues to lifting the body? I assume longer brake lines to the MC and fuel lines. How do you move the bumpers what do you do with the steering column? Is it going to simpler to just bite the bullet and put a 4” lift under it and not lift the body? As you can see I have a lot of questions. My sweet deal really complicated my life right now!

[Blue_71]

you CAN fit 315/75/16s on a small lift... my k20 has 2.5" in front, 3" in rear, and i have 315/75/16s on it right now. granted they are on 7" wheels, and only have about 25% tread left, i can still fit a finger between the tire and fender, with the tire as close as it will go, no matter how i flex it. i would say if you dont do serious off-roading, a 3" lift will get you by. i would recomend adding a add-a-leaf to your front springs and trying it. 3" of lift isnt really all that tall..

on the body lift however, i would just bite the bullet and get the 4" lift... way to many problems with body lifts in my opinion

[71swb4x4]

I assume you are replacing your original springs. Those suckers are sagging, so a new 2" lift very well may give you 4" of lift.
I think you will be fine with those tires and your 2" lift.

[budman k20]

Guys thanks for your replies... you are getting my hopes up that my springs should work! I am still concerned that the 10" wide rims may hose me! I did not know you could add a helper spring to the fronts? I assume that the helpers add lift but would kill any ride that I may have had! It is good to know that it is an option. Blue 71 would you measure your front fender opening from the ground so I have an idea how high my truck needs to be?

Thanks in advance!

[msgross]

you can also add ORD's zero rate leafs. They bolt onto your leaf pack and add 1" with no loss in ride comfort... They are not blocks though, you can only do that in the rear...

The 10" rims might be cause some issues... worst case is a little fender trimming. I would do the 4" and adjsut from there...