Looking for Bigger Tires and Wheels

Big Joe · August 12, 2002

Ok, I keep hearing that the biggest you can put on a 2001 2500 HD for tires is 285-75-16...Is this true....Guy at work just bought a new Ford 250 super duty and he is putting 35's on it...What is the biggest you can put on a GMC HD without a lift kit and just cranking the torsion bars....what do I need to get for rims??Keep hearing about backspacing.....Sorry, I am new to tinkering with my truck and am trying to learn......I was wondering how many threads everyone still has showing on there torsion bar bolts after they cranked them......Thanks....Joe

Shaners · August 12, 2002

Welcome to the forum Joe... Technically the stock wheels are being pushed to their limits if you run a 265/75/16, although many people are running 285's with no problems.

In most cases 285's will fit with either no cranking or minimal cranking of the T-bars. Alot will depend on the configuration of your truck, and how it was set-up at the factory.

You may be able to go to a taller and skinnier tire with only minor trimming of the front air dam, but I'm not positive about that.

JimWilson · August 13, 2002

I have 285's on stock rims and they fit fine. I cranked the tbars to level it out, both front to back and side to side. If you go bigger you'll definitely need new rims, and I'd guess a lift. Some one had put 295's on there’s without a lift, but seeing how close the 285's are I personally wouldn't attempt it.

need4speed · August 14, 2002

I have 305/70-16 on stock wheels and it works just fine.

I had to trim about 1 1/2" from the lower front of the inner fender panel. No cranking the torsion bars.

If you would like to see what it looks like, copy and paste

members.aol.com/jmisecsys

I have had this combination on stock wheels since 1994 and have had no problems and I get 50K miles at least out of the tires, rotating them every 5K miles.

Shotgun · August 14, 2002

305's Baby yeah!!No probs and they fit just fine on factory rims,and by the way this is the second truck I run 305's on factory rims,haven't had one problem yet including tire wear.Goodyear told me I would have no probs with the 305's on factory rims and they were right......Gun

Roofer · August 14, 2002

Wow! 305's are even wider than 285's. I can't believe they fit ok on that 6.5" rim. The truck looks sweet Shotgun! I am also still deciding on tires, but I don't want problems with the Allison.

fgrimm · August 14, 2002

Shotgun,

Have you had any problems with the ABS? Do they function any differently? Whats the difference on the speedometer?

Thanks,

Frank

Shotgun · August 14, 2002

Frank,No probs at all with the ABS and yes speedo was a little off but corrected that with the hypertech programmerIII..Gun

hogger999 · September 6, 2002

I mentioned this somewhere else recently but don't remember wher it went. I met a guy the other day who had a set of 305/75's on a truck that looked just like Shotguns only it was ext. cab. He didn't say how far exactly he cranked the torsion bars but he said he got about 2 inches out of it. He also trimmed (carefully) only the corners off of the air dam. His tires were mounted on 16x10 inch wheels. I am so positve his center caps said Westin but I can't seem to find anywhere that Westin even makes wheels ???

I can not express enough how good this truck looked. I wish I could find those wheels. This guy also told me that his ride had improved by cranking his bars.

In my experience I have never found this to be true. Thats why I haven't raised mine yet, but since I'll be under there changing oil tomorrow anyway I think I'll go ahead and give them a couple turns.

Nothing enhances a trucks looks like a set of wheels.

knuts · September 6, 2002

I've heard that cranking the torsion bars up a little improved the ride/handling too.

I took my 2002 HD 6.0 in the other day to mount my 305/70/16 I just got. They wouldn't do it even if I raised the torsion bars. They said they WILL NOT FIT without "major cutting and trimming". I argued for a while then threw them in the back and left.

If 285's fit fine, the 305/70's are basically the same height but a little wider. it shouldn't take much to get them on.

I think I lift it anyways a little.

"8100HD"'s is looking real nice with the 3 inch body lift.

hogger999 · September 6, 2002

Hey Knuts the place you went to surely isn't the only game in town. Go somewhere else. Shotgun's pic is proof. If you squint and look real close at his pic you can see where he just cut away the corner of his air dam.

Shotgun · September 6, 2002

Hogger I didn't cut the air dam ,they fit without any modifications at all.....Gun

knuts · September 6, 2002

Yeah I hear you. I just wanted to be sure they'd fit and I'll go somewhere else anyways. Just waiting on the body lift. I've been told the '02 isn't "approved" yet. Although I believe its the same as an '01.