06-14-2009, 02:04 AM | #1 |
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Location: Fort Worth, TX
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Tire Headaches
I came up pretty empty when searching previous threads for answers so hopefully somebody out there can chime in.
Truck: 2003 Sierra Reg. Cab SWB, stock height - currently running 265/75/16 BFG AT's on stock wheels but...now they're bald.. Goal: I want to shift towards a higher performance tire setup with wider wheels running in the back and possibly a bit taller. I love the look of beefy performance tires in the rear but really havent seen many newer model trucks like this. Option 1: use stock wheels, but getting a larger width would become an issue for the rear Option 2: Go with my 18x8.5 American Racing Piranha's, problem is finding tires with that certain "look" Option 3: try and sell the 18's and get new ones that may better fit this need Most of the trucks that I see running 18's or 20's have been lowered and use a more lower profile tire. I've had a hell of a time trying to find larger tires that fit this wheel size. I will get some better pictures up tomorrow to show a better idea of whats goin on. here's what the truck currently looks like as it sits...thanks
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1968 GMC 3/4 ton 2wd, 350ci TH350 1966 Pontiac Lemans, 326ci TH350 1966 Chevrolet El Camino, 327ci TH350 2003 GMC Sierra 4.8l, reg. cab swb |
06-14-2009, 05:09 AM | #2 |
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Re: Tire Headaches
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
you can see on this website wish tires come close to the stock size or if need be bigger than stock i tried it myself but not all sizes are available over the counter i have seen companies in the states that are able to widen aloy or steel wheels to any size needed inside and out if you like i could look up that link as whell
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i got a job again and having fun at it too idea's for the trucks and the order of things to do are taking shape and get closer to being realized , a few more months and i be able to start building for real i complete 2 of the trucks intoo running fashion one custom and one basicly stock the thirth will be sacrificed for parts Last edited by watahyahknow; 06-14-2009 at 05:11 AM. |
06-14-2009, 08:03 AM | #3 |
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Re: Tire Headaches
i've seen 285/75 r 16 on these trucks
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David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube |
06-14-2009, 09:15 AM | #4 |
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Re: Tire Headaches
Mine came with 235/75x16. I went to 16x8 wheels (over the 16x6.5) and have 255/70x16 on front and 265/70x16 on the rear. The wheel made the tires look bulkier than they were on stock rims. I have seen 305/70s run on a 2wd, but there is not much room for play up front. The 305's would definitely give you the look you want in the rear and they should come in a truck (aggressive) pattern also.
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Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
06-14-2009, 12:47 PM | #5 |
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Re: Tire Headaches
Thanks for the before and after pics, its nice seeing similar trucks as ours with different looks. The 16" wheel seems like the easiest to find better tire combos for but I'm not sure these stock wheels would get me as wide as I would like to be in the rear. I'd love to go 9" in the rear and 8-8.5" up front. The problem is finding the right tires for the 18"s if I was to go that route. I think 285/60/18 might work but I havent seen any photos to get a better Idea.
I also came across some BFG Radial T/A's 285/60/16 with overall diameter around 29". It seems like all the tires for 18" have the look of low profile. With 16's you get the beefier drag look but they're not really made to fit up under those stock wheel wells. Let me look into those 305/70's you mentioned. Thanks for all the input and the website link so far guys. I'm leaning more towards a 16" tire but heres some more pics at what I'm lookin at...
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1968 GMC 3/4 ton 2wd, 350ci TH350 1966 Pontiac Lemans, 326ci TH350 1966 Chevrolet El Camino, 327ci TH350 2003 GMC Sierra 4.8l, reg. cab swb |
06-14-2009, 02:12 PM | #6 |
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Re: Tire Headaches
The guy with the 305's was military and he has since moved to another base.
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Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
06-14-2009, 03:05 PM | #7 |
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Location: Fort Worth, TX
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Re: Tire Headaches
I started getting hooked on the repro whitewall tired like Coker, Firestone, and BFG...problem is finding anything that would fit my current set up...Even the Radial T/A's look sharp but they max out at a diameter of 29"
This is tough work trying to get a nice classic muscle car look on this thing...i'll keep workin on it though...
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1968 GMC 3/4 ton 2wd, 350ci TH350 1966 Pontiac Lemans, 326ci TH350 1966 Chevrolet El Camino, 327ci TH350 2003 GMC Sierra 4.8l, reg. cab swb |
06-23-2009, 11:33 PM | #8 |
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Re: Tire Headaches: Update
Well I finally pulled the trigger on a set of tires. BF Goodrich G-Force KDW in a 285/60/18...they're 31.5" in Overall Diameter and 11.2" wide vs. the 10.4" of the old BFG A/T's..I think they give a nice beefy look. They are heavier so my low end power has suffered a bit but a Diablo Tuner and Cold Air kit might alleviate that problem
Thanks for all the help and input! Let me know what y'all think...
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1968 GMC 3/4 ton 2wd, 350ci TH350 1966 Pontiac Lemans, 326ci TH350 1966 Chevrolet El Camino, 327ci TH350 2003 GMC Sierra 4.8l, reg. cab swb Last edited by TXPNTCGMC; 06-23-2009 at 11:33 PM. Reason: typo |
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