tire size

[brook-71k5]

I just bought a 71 blazer with a 2 1/2" lift (31" tires). the previous owner was planning on putting 33's on the truck, however i like the look of 35's. does anyone know if 35's will fit on a 2 and 1/2" lift or will i need to change the lift? thanks

[AJs72K5]

With 35's, you're looking at 4" if you plan on staying on the street, 6" if you're going to be doing an sort of offroading with it.

[BLUE THUNDER]

Yup, exactly what AJ says. I've got a 4" lift and tried my brothers 35's on and they were pretty snug. I put my 33's back on.

[bouncytruck]

I'd say stick with the 31's for a while and see how you like it. I've had two K5s with 35's and I like the way the skinny 31's ride on bouncytruck the best. My second rig was running 35's with a 6" lift and it had a ton of bump-steer.

You may be looking at regearing if you step up to 35's too.

[woodchk502]

Originally Posted by AJs72K5

With 35's, you're looking at 4" if you plan on staying on the street, 6" if you're going to be doing an sort of offroading with it.

I agree as well. My 72 is stock and currently runs 33s and they had to create a little room for themselves up front the last time I had her out.
jim

[Firebirdjones]

I run 33's on mine with the stock ride height and haven't had a clearance issue at all. We off road in the mountains as well.

I never was interested in raising mine, (too old to climb in with 33's and stock ride height that issue is bad enough I like the ride, no bump steer issues either. Being a daily driver has alot to do with my decision making too. If it were a toy I'd probably lift it.

Besides, raising it up would probably hurt the gas mileage catching more wind, not to mention blowing me around the highway up here in windy Prescott. Things are shaped like a brick


No way 35's would fit without a lift though. If you are set on 35's I'd take AJ's advice.

[joemacho]

it depends on how wide the wheels are ive gotten away with a 32 x 12.50 x 15 with a 15 x 12 rims with no problems only driving in the street.

[SamMargritz00]

the way i've always been taught was 33's with 4 inch lift, 35's with 6, 37's with 8, etc. thats the way i've always done it with my vehicles.

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by SamMargritz00

the way i've always been taught was 33's with 4 inch lift, 35's with 6, 37's with 8, etc. thats the way i've always done it with my vehicles.

I've always been one to see what works for myself. I guess I like to experiment

I did the 33's with stock lift, and it works great. I had heard of clearance issues but I tend to think there are other things going on that people may not take into consideration, and why it works for some and not others.

Possibly wrong backspacing on the wheels. Less backspace would kick the tires out further, and I could then see it might be an issue with the front fenders.

Possibly the 40 year old rubber body mounts and core support mounts are sagging with age or moving around under stress, causing fender clearance problems.

Possibly 40 year old springs that are sagging??

I took care of 2 of those things before I did the swap. First, I installed poly body and core support bushings (stock height) as well as poly bushings in front and rear leaf springs.
Secondly I made sure I had as much backspace as I could fit on the front. That turned out to be 3 3/8" in my case. Anymore backspacing caused interfearance with the outer tirerods.

I'm still running the OEM issued 40 year old leaf springs, so it's even possible that my blazer might be a tad lower than new.

Still the 33's clear with room to spare.

[SamMargritz00]

in the first pic i have 4 inch lift with 33's on my 72. the second is my 82 chevy with 6 inch lift and 35's. i suppose its personal preference. ive seen 2 inch lifts with 33's and 4 inch lifts with 35's.

[Yukon Jack]

I threw my 69's 35" tires on my 70 K5 with a 4" lift for a few days when I had the 69 out of service. These tires didn't rub at all on my 69 when it had a 4" lift but they did rub on my 70 with it's 4" lift - I guess it shows that different 4" lifts definitely do result in different actual lift amounts.

Here is a pic when I had the 35"s on my K5

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by joemacho

it depends on how wide the wheels are ive gotten away with a 32 x 12.50 x 15 with a 15 x 12 rims with no problems only driving in the street.

You got away with it but your bottom front fenders are wacked.

I'm thinking most guys here (including myself) are trying to avoid that little modification. From the looks of yours, it appears to me you would have had more than enough clearance without wacking the fenders.