What tires can I go to on OEM factory alloys?

[larry horne]

I have a 2006 stock Chevy 2500HD 4X4 extended cab with factory steel rims and Michelin 245/75/16 XLT truck tires. Great for hauling grain trailers but SUCK in sand and boat ramps.

So I bought a set of OEM 10 hole alloy rims, 16 X 6.5 like the ALY05079U at this link:

http://www.wheelsandcaps.com/catalog...RADO&Year=2005

My question is what is the largest tire I can put on these rims and not have issues with rubbing the frame while turning. I dont want to lift the truck, just get these skinny HD truck tires off.

Thanks for the advise.

Lar

[truckdude239]

265-75r16

[GCncsuHD]

285/75/16 will fit perfectly with no modifications on stock wheels. At the most, I have seen a few trucks that needed 1/4" shaved from the bottom of the gray plastic valance under the bumper.

With a slight crank to level, and trimming the lower valance on the bumper, 315/75/16 can be fit easily.

285s and 315s will both bulge on the super skinny 6.5" wide stock wheels, and cause the tread to wear slightly faster in the center of the tire if inflated too high of pressure. I got 45k miles out of my 285 BFG Mud Terrains, when I removed them there was about 1/8" tread in the center of all 4 and about 1/4" tread on the outer.

265/75/16 fits great as well, and will give you about 3/4" more width than the 245s, and an inch in height. This is the size tire I fell GM should have put on these trucks to begin with.

A good solution that I do not see too often, but makes great sense is 255/85/16. This tire is only slightly wider than the 245s but about 3" taller, which makes a great combo for fuel economy and filling in the gaping fender, but will not help your width issue.

Here are some examples I have run in the past few years on a similar truck.

315/70/17 (Same as 315/75/16 but mounted on OEM Hummer H2 wheels 17x8.5") Note I raised the bumper 2" and installed the 1500 grille.

265/75/16 On OEM PYO wheels. Same bumper modification as above, although definitely not needed, I just preferred the raised bumper to the black plastic filler panel from the factory.

285/75/16 (Note in this picture the bumper was also trimmed, but that was from an earlier set of 35" tires I ran, not needed for this size)

285/75/16 No modifications except I cranked the torsion bars up slightly to level the truck out.