Author Topic: Max tire on a 4" lift  (Read 15259 times)

Offline frickenbored

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Max tire on a 4" lift
« on: August 12, 2010, 10:34:09 pm »
I'm looking into lifts for my 88 k5 and I really don't wanna mess with getting longer drive shafts and longer this and that...

So I'm about 99% sure I'm going to go with a 4" lift (springs up front, block in back).  I'd like to fit 35x12.50s on this truck, will they rub?  I don't want to cut the fenders.  As for bogging, it wont be seeing a ton of that since i'm doing all the body work and paint right now and its coming out really nice so I'm having second thoughts on scratching it all up.

Anyway will 35x12.50s fit on a k5 with a 4" lift?

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: Max tire on a 4" lift
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2010, 03:41:07 pm »
I want to say no. But if you keep it just to the streets then it might be ok
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

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Offline 4x4orbust

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Re: Max tire on a 4" lift
« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2010, 03:49:37 pm »
i used to have 35x12.5's on my old 73. if only on road, you will be fine with no cutting.  if you offroad, you may need to cut the fenders to keep from rubbing.  i never cut, and it didnt rub that bad...
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Offline bfofish

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Re: Max tire on a 4" lift
« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2010, 10:42:51 pm »
Shouldn't be a problem my 89 has a 4" lift and running 35's
1987 Stepside 2wd , 2003 Silverado 1500HD Crew Cab

Offline frickenbored

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Re: Max tire on a 4" lift
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2010, 03:35:42 pm »
I like how the 4" lift with 35"s look, the tires fill up the wheel wells really nicely.  I have a couple questions you might be able to answer...When you turn the steering wheel from lock to lock to the tires rub at all?  Whats the offset of your rims? 

I'm just afraid that if I do take the truck out into the mud I might throw the tire into the fender.  A body lift is out of the question because the body mounts are all basically fused together and I do NOT want to mess around with that. And I don't want 33" tires.

I really don't want to move to a 6" lift and risk needing longer driveshafts, lowering the t-case, and I just don't want to shell up the extra money for springs in the back.  Since I'm using 16" rims my "35" inch tire is actually 34.5, maybe that half inch will help.

Offline frickenbored

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Re: Max tire on a 4" lift
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2010, 03:45:05 pm »
So i was just looking on the rough country website (I'm gonna get one of their lifts)  under the specs section they say they recommend 35x12.50s with their 4" lift:

Take a look:

http://roughcountry.com/chevy_4wd_88-91_4.html

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Max tire on a 4" lift
« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2010, 03:46:39 pm »
As long as the springs are healthy you will be fine.
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Offline Swims350

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Re: Max tire on a 4" lift
« Reply #7 on: August 15, 2010, 04:08:08 pm »
hope you aint worried about a rough ride. we had their 4 inch kit and it's stiff, big time.
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Offline bfofish

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Re: Max tire on a 4" lift
« Reply #8 on: August 15, 2010, 05:26:50 pm »
I don't have any rubbing ,I assume you are getting 315/75R16's that is what I have.Not sure on the back space for the rims they are 16X10,and yes the ride is rough but IT'S A TRUCK NOT A CADILLAC  ;D
« Last Edit: August 15, 2010, 05:29:09 pm by bfofish »
1987 Stepside 2wd , 2003 Silverado 1500HD Crew Cab

Offline Swims350

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Re: Max tire on a 4" lift
« Reply #9 on: August 15, 2010, 10:20:23 pm »
having a truck and not a cadilac has nothing to do with it, if i want to drive on the street I'd like to do so without knocking my teeth out, if I want it rough I'll run it hard offroad. Plenty of other companies have better riding kits out there. If you go cheap and that's the main reason for going with it then I understand that, I always have to buy or find the cheapest stuff. I found out the hard way how rough they are and giured anyone considering them might want a heads up, and yes it's stiffer and rougher then stock for sure.
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Offline frickenbored

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Re: Max tire on a 4" lift
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2010, 08:55:12 am »
My rear springs are def healthy...someone before me threw in an add-a-leaf, so the back of the truck sits about an inch or two higher then it should.  As for the rough ride i'm not worried about that at all its already a really rough ride and I know it'll get worse but this truck is only going to be a weekend wheeler/cruiser.  And yea i'm going with rough country cuz their cheap as dirt.  I used one of their add-a-leaf kits in my 99 GMC Jimmy and was impressed with the results so its not like they make garbage.

I did have a question about their lifts that some1 may know the answer to.  When you go to add the lift kit to the cart to buy it, your asked if you want the 1/2 ton lift or the 3/4 ton lift...Whats the diffrence?  I swapped a dana 44 and 14 bolt ff in my k5 so the axles are from a 3/4 ton.  I'm thinking maybe the 3/4 ton lift comes with the bigger rear u-bolts?
« Last Edit: August 16, 2010, 08:58:43 am by frickenbored »

Offline Swims350

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Re: Max tire on a 4" lift
« Reply #11 on: August 16, 2010, 12:27:33 pm »
if I'm not mistaken I think the leaves are longer not sure.

But hey man if you're ok with the ride go for it they are cheap, easy to follow instructions and come with everything you need. Only downside to ours besides the ride is our sway bar wouldn't bolt back up, and had alot of trouble with it and the drop brackets, I think it was just out truck though. The rest was easy, I don't think we used the brake line relocators but in our case they had enough travel since we didn't do any serious wheeling. It was quick and easy had the back done in an hour or so the front took a big longer, trying to knock the steering arm loose. Then fighting with the sway bar.
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Offline frickenbored

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Re: Max tire on a 4" lift
« Reply #12 on: August 16, 2010, 09:42:08 pm »
hopefully I'll have better luck with the sway bar and drop brackets. 

Offline beastie_3

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Re: Max tire on a 4" lift
« Reply #13 on: August 17, 2010, 12:20:52 am »
My sway bar fits fine with a 4" lift, no brackets.

Skyjacker makes two kits, one for up to 6 in and the other for 6-8 in.

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: Max tire on a 4" lift
« Reply #14 on: August 17, 2010, 01:07:12 am »
i think the 3/4 tons widths are wider.
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes