265 v 285

[5spd Z71]

Hey guys, Im having troubles deciding on what tire size I should go with. A little background on the truck, its a 350TBI, NV3500 with 3.42 gears. The truck has 2" blocks out back, and stock height up front. So I could crank to level, but only thing about that, is I'm worried about the front end wearing out even faster. Which if I remember right, the front end is only around 1" lower than the rear. I currently have 265/75/16 with those heavy ass soft 8 rims. I figured out, its 83lbs at each corner haha. Im looking at getting 17x9, 4 1/2 backspacing, -12 mm offset rims. Tire size Im looking at is either 265/70/17 or 285/70/17. I know the 265's are lighter and smaller diameter, which would help with the 3.42's. If I were to jump up to 285's, how big of a difference would this be? I know the 285's are taller and heavier. Im just worried about this thing being even more of a dog than it already is. And if I stuck with the 265's, how would those fit a 9" rim?

I mostly use the truck for a DD, and I do tow and haul stuff. Not everyday though. Does anyone have pictures of both? Ive tried looking and searching, but search comes back with nothing

 

[96k1500]

The truck factory comes with the back 1" higher than front so if you have 2" blocks that will put it around 3" higher, you can crank the front around 1.5" and be fine, also 285s is what i ran on my yukon and it was slow but it was a tbi haha, i had 35s on my 96 with 3.42s and it was fine

 

[5spd Z71]

Actually when I bought the truck, the rear was sagging and was sitting lower than the front. Thats why I threw in the 2" blocks. So when I would haul something, the rear tires didnt tuck in the bed haha

Cranking the front end about 1" or so wouldnt hurt anything? Other than maybe the ride?

 

[Kyle97GMC]

Here was mine with zero crank and no blocks completely stock with 285/75/r16s and it didn't rub

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Here it was cranked level

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[96k1500]

1-1.5" is fine as long as you make sure your angles are still decent

 

[woody80z28]

I've got the 16x8 Soft-8s and 285s. Looks good but they are super heavy and the acceleration sucks. I'm downsizing to the stock 265 next set of tires...and even looking for a lighter wheel too.

 

[5spd Z71]

I've got the 16x8 Soft-8s and 285s. Looks good but they are super heavy and the acceleration sucks. I'm downsizing to the stock 265 next set of tires...and even looking for a lighter wheel too.

Thats my current issue. Although I dont have the 285's, even with 3.42's, 265's and a 5spd, acceleration is horrible. And I better hope I dont have to stop in a hurry, cause it wont.

Do you have 3.73's? Or are you rocking the 3.42's like me? Not to mention my TBI makes wayy less power comapred to yours. ( according to your sig )

 

[SCOTTYINWV]

Swap to 4:10s and run 285s

As far as powe...
vortec heads, carb intake, tbi adapter plate and the ultimate tbi mods.

 

[woody80z28]

As far as powe...
vortec heads, carb intake, tbi adapter plate and the ultimate tbi mods.

Still feels slow. I even did a roller cam and more compression with mine...

I have 3.73s and it still sucks. The hydroboost upgrade got my braking better than stock though. Highly recommended.