OEM Wheels

[txgmc]

Brand new member, please bear with me if this has been discussed before.

 

I just purchased an 04 GMC 2500 SLT HD 6.0 gas.

 

I wanted larger tires and custom wheels and asked my local tire dealer to install Nitto 285/75/16's with a 8 inch custom polished aluminum wheel.

 

The wheel and tire did not fit unless I wanted to do a LOT of trimming on the plastic fender that houses the fog lights.

 

I had to use the tires on the OEM wheels with just a minor trim.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for custom wheels for this tire that would fit in the front wheel wells.....I do not want to do a lift and no manufacturer seems to make a custom wheel the width of the OEM.

 

Thanks for you help.

[Shaners]

Sounds like your new rims may have a little too much offset.

 

The front torsion bars can be cranked up to give you an extra inch or so of "free" lift in the front.

[Frank S]

Yep,they definitely didn't have enough backspacing ie:They stuck out too far.

 

I have a truck similar to yours (04 GMC Ext Cab 4x4) and have thought about going to 285's and an 8" rim but it looks like I'd need at least 5" of backspacing,crank the torsion bars and still do some trimming so I think I'll probably stick with 265's when I do it.The valance (airdam) appears to be bigger on the Sierras than the Silverados and that makes your point of contact closer which is another reason it won't work as well.

[ChrisG]

TXGMC,

 

I'm not sure about the GMC's but I just had some 285/75R16 Nitto Terra Grapplers mounted on 16x8 Centerline scouts with 4.5" of backspace. I think that is the minimum amount of backspace to prevent serious rubbing. Follow thew link below for pics of the combo and the tricks I used to keep them from rubbing.

 

http://members.cox.net/chrisg332/Truck/Fra...meSet_truck.htm

 

Trick #1

Crank Torsion bars to level vehicle. Do a search of this site and you'll find instrctions.

 

Trick #2

I had to make a simple modification to the rubber inner fender liner where the E-Brake cable forced the liner out into the wheel well. I used a huge tie wrap to hold the liner and the brake cable back from the wheel well.

 

Trick #3

I only had to cut a little off of the ends of the front air dam. There are 2 pics (one of each end) that show the cuts.

 

I now have a truck that looks like it should have from the factory.

 

It can be done...

 

Good luck,

Chris

[juicy]

time for a 3inch performace parts body lift.

[454HO]

My 16x8 eagle's have 5" back spacing with 295's bfg's. I have the t bars up some. they used to just barely rub the front air dam under the bumper only when I was backing up. I didnt trim them and eventually it just wore the little corner off the dam. Perfect fit now.... or at least untill I go up to the 315's next time.

[2004GMC2500HD]

I have a 2004 GMC 2500HD regular cab 4x4 with the 8.1 and Allison.

 

I have 285/70/17’s on 17x8’s. The tires fit with some minor trimming on the front splash guards in the wheel wells and some minor trimming on the inside front corners of the air dam. Just be careful not to cut through your windshield washer reservoir when trimming the driver’s side splash guard. I also zip tied the back of the wheel wells although I don’t they would have rubbed without zip tying them. It was just going to be too close for comfort so I did it.

 

I didn’t have to do anything with the torsion bars. I didn’t want to mess with the ride.

 

The tires make the truck look great. With minor trimming the tires will fit fine. Good luck.

[txgmc]

Thanks for all the good suggestions.......after talking with an truck accessory shop locally, they suggested that I would need a wheel that had negative offset so as not to widen the tire.