305's & the 2500hd....

Mighty HD · April 17, 2004

I've heard/searched/read tons of different opinions on tires. I personally do not like the factory tires at all.

A 4x4 truck with street tires?

I was @ best buy today and saw an 03 2500hd crew cab with the dmax. I ended up running into the guy as I was checking out his truck. He has stock rims on 305/70/16's, Goodyear At/s. It looked GOOD with the large tires. He only had his torsion bars cranked, nothing else.

There was no signs of rubbing at all, and no trimming.

I FINALLY convinced the wife that I need bigger tires to make it look like a truck. The ones that we have now (245's) look like training wheels compared to the 305's..lol

Several ideas have been running through my head

Wheel/Tire combo--

Which is the best and is it a good idea?

Keep the factory rims & put 305's on them?

Which tire to get? I've been eyeballing the BFG m/t & the Goodyear MT/R

I also saw a pic when I searched of X-terrains. They look pretty sharp as well.

Any pics & opinions to help back my ideas will be very appreciated. It's going to aid in the "need for tire/rims" with the wifey...

Silver Bullet · April 17, 2004

One thing to remember is that the wider the rim, the more clearance problems you will have. That is why the 305s on the stock 6.5" wide wheel fit without major modifications. The 285/75s will be approx. same height as the 305s and just about a inch less in the width, so those are a good option to go with.

Your are right about the 245s, they are tiny. My 2500HD needs a tire upgrade also. Let us know what you get and how it fits.

AUTOGUY · April 18, 2004

Hi all. First of all I am a newbie here but not new to trucks. I am on my 8th new GM truck since 1988.

As far as tires go, I just traded a 2002 Sierra 2500 HD CC with BFG 285/75/16's on the stock chrome rims. The only thing I had to trim was the Inner front splash shields on both sides.

About 3 weeks before I traded it I installed 305/70/16 Nitto Terra Grapplers on 8.5" Panther Rims. This was a different story. Because of the wider wheel and slightly different offset, the tires rubbed on the inside lower corner of the front airdam when turned all the way. This was compounded by the fact that if the truck was compressing the suspension. I did not trim the air dam because I knew I was trading the truck.

Now, I have to decide if I am going to install them on my 2004 2500HD CC with Duramax.

Any suggestions? Will this affect the transmission shift points more than on an 8.1 Gasser?

Thanks,

Brian

HendyPhoto · April 18, 2004

I went with 285x75 before my lift because I didnt want to crank the torsion bars at all. If you crank them, the front end will be REALLY up there when hauling any weight. If anything I want the front end a little lower than the rear so it will be closer to level when hauling. ALTHOUGH the bigger tires would look good!

Mighty HD · April 18, 2004

I'm not going to tow any real "heavy" stuff...Maybe the most would be a few 4-wheelers or a boat....nothing more than a few thousand lbs....nothing like a 5th wheel, etc..lol

So I assume my best bet is to stay with stock wheels & get 305's?

AUTOGUY · April 18, 2004

I had 285/75's on my stock rims and I thought I was pushing the limit. I would not recommend putting 305/70's on a stock rim or any rim under 8"wide.

HDguy · April 18, 2004

I have turned torsion bars up, and I had to trim the inside splash guard on front and back of front wheel wells on both sides to prevent all rubbing with my 285's. Plus have trimmed front air dam. I think it looks good with a forward curve now, rather than curling back into the wheel well.

It all depends on the offset of the wheels whether on not you have rubbing on 285-75's or 305-70's on these trucks.

Shotgun · April 18, 2004

I have towed and do tow 8000+ lbs often and the 305's on factory rims are not an issue when towing.

AUTOGUY · April 18, 2004

I was lust looking at the manufacturers specs on suggested tire sizes.... I had 305's on my 2002 Sierra 2500 HD before I traded it on the 04, but they were on custom 8.5" wide rims. I think 305's on 7" wheels could be a safety issue, that's all. As far as towing, they are the same as a 285/75.

rhilton · April 18, 2004

I wouldn't tweak the torsion bars, especially with the duramax, way too much weight up front for the torsion bars to be cranked. Just go with a 1 or 2" front body lift; it'll still ride like normal without all the harsh riding of torqued torsion bars, and will look better. 285/75s I think are what you would want instead, that way you don't need any trimming.

03-25HD · April 19, 2004

You can't do a body lift on a Duramax with out some custom plumbing. I posted this on another website and most guys there were also sugesting 285's. I've got mine on the way (be here tomorrow) so I'll let you know what I think.

AUTOGUY · April 21, 2004

I have towed and do tow 8000+ lbs often and the 305's on factory rims are not an issue when towing.

Any Rubbing problems when turning lock to lock?

This is where I had the problem on my 2002 with the Panther Wheels. I am thinking of mounting the 305's on my factory Forged wheels on my 2004 CC/LB and hoping the offset and narrower wheel will eliminate the rubbing problem.

Anyone with 305's have any comment?

Shotgun · April 21, 2004

Any Rubbing problems when turning lock to lock?

This is where I had the problem on my 2002 with the Panther Wheels. I am thinking of mounting the 305's on my factory Forged wheels on my 2004 CC/LB and hoping the offset and narrower wheel will eliminate the rubbing problem.

Anyone with 305's have any comment?

No rubbing problems here. I do believe my next set will be 285's though.

CHevyHD4x4 · April 21, 2004

im running 315-70-17's with 3"bodylift and green keys and still tow 7-8,000+lbs and have trimed the front inner fender and the air dam

EastCoast HD · April 21, 2004

I just recently had LT285-75-16 Toyo Open Country's installed on the stock steel wheels. I cranked the T-bars 5 turns on each side. Gained about 1" clearance. No rubbing. Got rid of that ugly front rake! The ride firmed up a bit, not harsh. The added height of the new sidewall offset this somewhat. I have pulled my 4500# boat, no probs, feels as stable as the stock 245's.