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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Wheels & Tires => Topic started by: Tommyd11730 on April 09, 2016, 08:30:41 pm

Title: Tire Size question
Post by: Tommyd11730 on April 09, 2016, 08:30:41 pm
Hey Guys new 84 K2500 owner here (on the slow boat heading my way as I type this).  The truck has steels and 235\85\16 tires on it.  I was wondering, whats the largest tire that is generally used with these rims?  I know thats a loaded question and I would rather er on the safe side. By that I mean to say it's generally accepted 31x10.5x15s fit a K5, and they did mine just perfect.

Looking at the photos below the 235s just look small.

Thanks Guys!
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: K20Detroit on April 09, 2016, 10:30:44 pm
I have 285/75/16 tires on my '84 K20 diesel with HD suspension option.
They are on the 07 era Duramax alloy rims with a more sunk in offset, same width.
They fit and look great, however sharp right turns causes the drag link to rub a bit.
OEM wheels wouldn't have that issue.
I would prefer 255/85/16 tires, though they're hard to get replacements for locally.
Both are 33" tall.
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: LTZ C20 on April 09, 2016, 10:34:25 pm
Welcome from California. I run 265/75R16's on my 2500. The tires on mine look like they fit nicely. Your truck looks great, tires look like they fit perfectly. That's a good tire size for a 2500. Mine is a Camper Special and I have 2500/3500 aluminum alloy wheels. What are most commonly referred to as Duramax wheels, like K20Detroit.

Are they Michelin or BFG's? I have BFG Commercial T/A's. I don't have any rubbing issues. What other info do you have on the truck?

Mine.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160410/4abc130f39cacb225f8842a96e780bcf.jpg)
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: Irish_Alley on April 10, 2016, 10:03:15 am
generally rims aint the problem but its the amount of lift it has
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=31301.0

im running 285/75/16 equate to 32.8" but should be around 32.
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=31591.msg265311#msg265311
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: K20Detroit on April 10, 2016, 10:45:45 am
Completely forgot a picture. Old, but it's on the 285's;
(http://i.imgur.com/qbCKX2X.jpg)

Mine is a wheel offset issue, for sure. If the wheels were out another 1/4 or more, like stock wheels, it wouldn't hit the drag link/rod end.
My 285's are closer to 33" tall. The extra diameter really helps my diesel at 65-75mph, even with my 700R4.
If 255/85/16's were more common, I would go with them for sure. I may go with them next anyways. They give you the ~33" height, without the 285 width friction.
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: LTZ C20 on April 10, 2016, 01:20:23 pm
285 is alot of tire also, you could go with 265, it's still a lot of tread. I have 265's and don't rub a single thing, the offset isn't an issue either, I have full lock to lock ability and it's all completely stock suspension and steering components.
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: Tommyd11730 on December 15, 2016, 10:41:31 pm
Hmmmm  so the 255/85/16s will fit the 84 factory GM rims (I got plain Janes with poverty caps).  Thanks!
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: hatzie on December 15, 2016, 10:54:56 pm
Hmmmm  so the 255/85/16s will fit the 84 factory GM rims (I got plain Janes with poverty caps).  Thanks!

Not a problem to fit 33's.  255/85/16 and 285/75/16 are both 33" tires.  They will both fit on steel 8 lug 16" wheels. 

BTW you can take your pick of 3/4 & 1 ton 16" 8 lug GM light truck wheels through 2010 when GM changed the bolt circle to a metric diameter.  You can get outside threaded lugs with SAE internal threads to fit the center caps that came with the later wheels.
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: LTZ C20 on December 16, 2016, 12:49:05 am
Hmmmm  so the 255/85/16s will fit the 84 factory GM rims (I got plain Janes with poverty caps).  Thanks!

Not a problem to fit 33's.  255/85/16 and 285/75/16 are both 33" tires.  They will both fit on steel 8 lug 16" wheels. 

BTW you can take your pick of 3/4 & 1 ton 16" 8 lug GM light truck wheels through 2010 when GM changed the bolt circle to a metric diameter.  You can get outside threaded lugs with SAE internal threads to fit the center caps that came with the later wheels.
Yes this. That's how I was able to fit 08 GM aluminum wheels on my truck with 265/75/16 tires. I just put my BFG's on the 08 GM wheels and bought a new set of lug nuts with the square body wheel stud thread. Everything fit perfectly and easily. I know have the same set of wheels and tires on my 02 2500 HD. The truck in reply #3 is mine obviously.
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: Tommyd11730 on December 16, 2016, 11:29:20 am
Man, you guys are good!  I have to tell you though, I kinda am partial to my factory 16s with the dog dishes.

A thought did occur to me.  Did GM put 17s with 8 lugs on any trucks that would fit my 84?  Here is the rub, the 33s  would cost a bundle for 4 tires.  I can get 17s at a very affordable price.  So it got me to wondering,  4 17" take off rims would be a heck of a lot cheaper then 4 33s.
Thanks!
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: zieg85 on December 16, 2016, 11:59:24 am
Man, you guys are good!  I have to tell you though, I kinda am partial to my factory 16s with the dog dishes.

A thought did occur to me.  Did GM put 17s with 8 lugs on any trucks that would fit my 84?  Here is the rub, the 33s  would cost a bundle for 4 tires.  I can get 17s at a very affordable price.  So it got me to wondering,  4 17" take off rims would be a heck of a lot cheaper then 4 33s.
Thanks!

While I personally don't like this style or the steel rim offered on GM trucks in 17" here is one that fits our lug nut pattern.  GM changed the 8 lug pattern with the 2011 model year
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: Tommyd11730 on December 16, 2016, 12:36:15 pm
Your right that is butt ugly!
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: hatzie on December 16, 2016, 03:02:25 pm
Man, you guys are good!  I have to tell you though, I kinda am partial to my factory 16s with the dog dishes.


GM stopped using the lumpy center wheels for the dog dish caps in 1990 or 1991.

You can get away with later model Ford Econoline van 16x7 8lug x 6.5 lug wheels even tho they are 1/2" wider.  Make sure they have ACCURIDE stamped on em.

You could use the 1988-2001 GM T400 16x6.5 8lug x 6.5 gray steel wheels with the stainless beauty rings.  To use the 1988-2010 style center caps you need 32 Dual External Thread 9/16-18 lug nuts for the plastic thread on retainers.  You can find sets of 24 & 32 on Evilbay.  I think they'd look good in white.
(http://www.hubcaphaven.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/stl1619_lg.jpg)
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: LTZ C20 on December 17, 2016, 01:40:18 am
Man, you guys are good!  I have to tell you though, I kinda am partial to my factory 16s with the dog dishes.

A thought did occur to me.  Did GM put 17s with 8 lugs on any trucks that would fit my 84?  Here is the rub, the 33s  would cost a bundle for 4 tires.  I can get 17s at a very affordable price.  So it got me to wondering,  4 17" take off rims would be a heck of a lot cheaper then 4 33s.
Thanks!

While I personally don't like this style or the steel rim offered on GM trucks in 17" here is one that fits our lug nut pattern.  GM changed the 8 lug pattern with the 2011 model year
GMC had an 8 lug set that are 17 inch that don't look to bad and you could put Chevy center caps on. My girlfriend's dad had them on his 08 GMC 3500 diesel. Let me see if I can find a picture.
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: LTZ C20 on December 17, 2016, 01:51:27 am
Found it. I believe it's the same dimensions as the style Zieg showed in reply #11 but these are a different design and are 17s. Also, you can put Chevy center caps on.
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: Boonie on December 17, 2016, 06:11:55 am
Hummer H2 wheels are also 17", and imo they look good on a squarebody
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: Irish_Alley on December 17, 2016, 07:27:18 am
Hummer H2 wheels are also 17", and imo they look good on a squarebody
isnt there a issue with backspacing or something with the hummer wheels or is that the h1?
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: Boonie on December 17, 2016, 05:44:57 pm
I don know about that.  I had them on a 74 until I put steels back on it, and never had a problem. 
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: hatzie on December 17, 2016, 06:14:40 pm
The main problem I see with the H1 wheels is the obsolete 16.5" size and the 9" rim width.  The bolt pattern is not a problem.
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: Irish_Alley on December 17, 2016, 09:53:39 pm
i want to say the hit the the drag link or something like that
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: hatzie on December 17, 2016, 10:09:58 pm
i want to say the hit the the drag link or something like that

They are 2-1/2" wider and 1/2" bigger diameter than the stock CK20 wheels so it's possible.
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: Irish_Alley on December 18, 2016, 12:58:51 am
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=398447
yeah if you want to run the h1 wheels you have to run 2.5" spacers or dully hubs
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb5/twoslo4five0/002-11.jpg)
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: LTZ C20 on December 18, 2016, 02:03:24 am
Hummer H2 wheels are also 17", and imo they look good on a squarebody
Oh yea forgot about the H2 wheels. Yes those are 17s also and you can put Chevy caps on them. They do look pretty good.
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: LTZ C20 on December 18, 2016, 02:07:48 am
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=398447
yeah if you want to run the h1 wheels you have to run 2.5" spacers or dully hubs
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb5/twoslo4five0/002-11.jpg)
Yea and they are H1 wheels, for a HUMVEE. The H2 wheels for the GM built Hummers are a good fit. The Hummers are basically just heavy duty or 3/4 ton Tahoe's. The HUMVEE is a military vehicle, totally different beast.

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161218/1f8fb61224c0cfb8ec1a8c67704187ea.jpg)

P.S. that picture was taken at my work, by me, cuz I serviced that monster.
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: Boonie on December 18, 2016, 10:42:18 am
These are the ones I'm talking about
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: hatzie on December 18, 2016, 04:36:32 pm
These are the ones I'm talking about

Those are H3 wheels.  The H3 is a Yukon with a different body tub.
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: Tommyd11730 on December 18, 2016, 08:02:39 pm
I'm looking at my 2500 with the stock front springs. I'm thinking 33s are going to most likely rub... as the 31s don't exactly have a ton of clearance in the front.

Going to have to think about this some.
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: Captkaos on December 18, 2016, 08:54:34 pm
These are the ones I'm talking about

Those are H3 wheels.  The H3 is a Yukon with a different body tub.

Those are H2 wheels, a rebodied Yukon/Tahoe (GMT913).  The H3 was a rebodied Colorado/Canyon (GMT355)
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: LTZ C20 on December 18, 2016, 09:28:28 pm


These are the ones I'm talking about

Those are H3 wheels.  The H3 is a Yukon with a different body tub.

Wrong. The Hummer H2 is a Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon with a different body and 3/4 ton power train. A Hummer H3 is a Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon with a different body.
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: hatzie on December 18, 2016, 11:09:14 pm


These are the ones I'm talking about

Those are H3 wheels.  The H3 is a Yukon with a different body tub.

Wrong. The Hummer H2 is a Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon with a different body and 3/4 ton power train. A Hummer H3 is a Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon with a different body.

At a glance they looked like a 1/2 ton Tahoe with big boy wheels. 
So it's even cheesier.  A glorified ST series with narrowed big boy axles and a body tub...    :o ;D   
The marketing guy that came up with that combo at GM must've gotten a bunch of attaboys for that.  The L52 I5 in the Blazers was a gas guzzling pig.  Would much rather they had used the 4.8L LR4 LS V8 that got around 17mpg HWY compared to the gutless L52 I5 at around 11mpg HWY. 
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: LTZ C20 on December 18, 2016, 11:23:05 pm
Yea never liked the Hummer vehicles. If I want that look, I'll buy an actual military humvee
Title: Re: Tire Size question
Post by: hatzie on December 21, 2016, 05:19:14 pm
Yea never liked the Hummer vehicles. If I want that look, I'll buy an actual military humvee
Good luck finding a real legal to own M998

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