I've been trying to fit 295/70/17 on a 2008 gmc 2500hd but they stick out farther than I want with -6 offset, so I'm looking at my other two choices: the 275/70/18 for more height, or a 285/70/17 less height or width. I haven't decided yet which way for I like the 295/70/17 but thought I'd get some more opinions. Thoughts and pictures would be appreciated.....

You're only making minor changes in tire tuck by changing the carcass widths. You really need to get much closer to the factory offset of +25 mm (same as 6 in. backspace, assuming a 9-inch wheel width) in order to tuck that 33-inch tire under your LMM.

At 25 mm of offset, you can still get full turning swing without hitting the rocker panel. At your -6 mm offset, I'm surprised the 295s could even swing?? :confuzeld: See more wheel/tire info in one of my garages.

Here are what 275/65-18 (32.1" dia) look like on 18x9 +25mm offset and no lift - slight rub fully cranked and backing up.

You really want to stay positive offset as stated above. (Stock is 16x6.5 +28mm offset).

With a level lift you can go 285/65-18 (32.6" dia) without rubbing problems.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garageimage.php?do=full&p=77243&d=1225646455

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garageimage.php?do=full&p=77241&d=1225646317

HookOnDmax: thanks for the reply and info in your garage, so I should be able to get the 295/70/17 inside the fender well with the +25 offset since it should be the same height but almost a half inch less in width than yours, am I thinking right?

Jimmy: I like the look thanks for the pics Nice truck.

It seems that I read somewhere that you shouldn't go over 5.5" backspace on a NBS?

On my Chevy with stock 265/70/17's, the stock backspacing is 5.75" with either a +25 or +28 offset from all the reading I've done on the subject.

HookOnDmax: thanks for the reply and info in your garage, so I should be able to get the 295/70/17 inside the fender well with the +25 offset since it should be the same height but almost a half inch less in width than yours, am I thinking right?

Jimmy: I like the look thanks for the pics Nice truck.

Thanks. Offset is the most important thing +25 would be ideal.

295/70/17's are 33.25" in diameter and will require a lift and/or cutting.

Use a tire calculator like this to help compare the size/diameter of the tires you are considering:

http://www.1010tires.com/tiresizecalculator.asp

:D

Jimmy: Thanks for the info, I've been using a similiar tire calculator and trying decide what I can get away with for height to fill up the rim without much cutting. I'll probably go with a 9" rim and +18 to +25.

The reason I'm trying to make sure is that I decided that I'm going to buy the rims on line and I don't want to make a mistake...

You're only making minor changes in tire tuck by changing the carcass widths. You really need to get much closer to the factory offset of +25 mm (same as 6 in. backspace, assuming a 9-inch wheel width) in order to tuck that 33-inch tire under your LMM.

At 25 mm of offset, you can still get full turning swing without hitting the rocker panel. At your -6 mm offset, I'm surprised the 295s could even swing?? :confuzeld: See more wheel/tire info in one of my garages.

HookdOnDmax: Did you have to cut much? For if I put on a Duratrac 295/65/18 with a +25 offset for it is a .1" shorter and .4" less width than a 305/55/20 so I'm leaning that way, thought I'd see if you thought it would work?
Thanks in advance

I've got 295's on 17x9's with a -6.6 offset. Check out pics in my garage. I trimmed some, no rubbing at all, can go offroad at our farm, no issues. Chris

D/AChris, do you know the height of your truck at the top of your cab? I really like the look you have, but can't go over 7' and still fit in my garage.

D/AChris, do you know the height of your truck at the top of your cab? I really like the look you have, but can't go over 7' and still fit in my garage.


It's around 79" at the top of the clearance lights. And that's probably on the high side. Hard to tell exactly, may even be closer to 78" or so. Definately not close to 7'. One other measurement you may like to have, the height at the bottom of the front fender is 41.5", measured down the middle of the tire from the ground. Chris

It's around 79" at the top of the clearance lights. And that's probably on the high side. Hard to tell exactly, may even be closer to 78" or so. Definately not close to 7'. One other measurement you may like to have, the height at the bottom of the front fender is 41.5", measured down the middle of the tire from the ground. Chris

Thanks Chris! That helps a lot!! Much appreciated!!

Sorry for delayed response, been traveling & off-line. Since you're buying 'internet' wheels, it's wise to "measure twice." But be aware of advice I rec'd from Norcal Nick: body-on-frame measurements vary among trucks, and even side-to-side on the same vehicle. IIRC, the General says body placement can vary as much as 3/4-inch. Further, suspension clearances change slightly with age.

At about 3000 miles (i.e., brandy new), Norcal Nick up-cranked my Tbars slightly, while also dropping the rear by 2 inches ... resulting in a level body, the 4 corners varying only by ~half-inch. That allowed mounting my larger wheels/tires. Minor rubbing changed slightly over the next 3 to 5 thousand miles.

Taz asked: thanks for the reply and info in your garage, so I should be able to get the 295/70/17 inside the fender well with the +25 offset since it should be the same height but almost a half inch less in width than yours, am I thinking right?
===> Yes, my best guess is that your 295's (11.6" x 33.3" on 9" wheels, +25 mm) would have a ~half-inch width advantage on my 305's, with same tire height. That's assuming our trucks have about the same body-on-frame settings and your T-bars are cranked ~2 inches.

Taz asked: Did you have to cut much? For if I put on a Duratrac 295/65/18 with a +25 offset for it is a .1" shorter and .4" less width than a 305/55/20 so I'm leaning that way, thought I'd see if you thought it would work?
===> I didn't cut any sheetmetal at all, didn't even need to hammer on it. The outside shoulder of my driver's front tire just barely rubs the plastic fender liner, at left-lock in reverse, especially when hard-locked going over a driveway apron. I just drilled the back of the liner in a few places and tied it back to the frame with zip-ties, pulling aft-wise.

Confirming Nick's advisory about body tolerances, the right front never touches anymore though it did at first. The left still rubs just a bit. I think my 55-profile leaves sidewalls too squat-looking for a truck. Seems to me that your 295/65-18s are the ideal choice. :thumb: But I couldn't find a E-rated tire for the 18" wheels. IMO, those would be the largest possible for looks and clearance, and best for beefy sidewalls. Summary, choose a 9-inch wheel, offset +25 mm (+18 mm at minimum). Then you should pretty easily adjust to those with just cranking of the Tbars. Hope it works~!!! :eek:

Thanks hookdOnDmax, I appreciate your thoughts and help. The Goodyear Duratrac is the only tire I can find in that size and "E" rated but I think it is a good looking tire. Thanks again.

What made you decide to buy online? For me the convience of many stores in my area and customer service has drawn me to discount tire. Was price the only factor for you and if you have a discount tire in your area have you gone in to see if they could get the price close. I work in the construction industry so we are constantly repairing and replacing tires. In fact I'm pretty sure that all 4 of my tires are going to get road hazzarded today and I plan on posting a new thread depending on how it goes(haven't had anything this extreme happen yet). Good luck with yours and let us know how it turned out

Actually, I don't have a discount tire in my area (nearest is about 2.5 hour drive) Les Schwab, Big O' Tire and a Goodyear. I've tried to get the setup I want but it is $400-500 more locally than online, for that amount I can pay for rotations.....

Actually, I don't have a discount tire in my area (nearest is about 2.5 hour drive) Les Schwab, Big O' Tire and a Goodyear. I've tried to get the setup I want but it is $400-500 more locally than online, for that amount I can pay for rotations.....

What I did with Les Schwab last Fall for my Bridgestone Blizzaks, was showed them what I could get them for at TireRack.com and asked if they would match it. They did even though they had to order the tires in for me. They sold me the Venti's and Toyo set, and 2 other full sets of tires on other cars recently, so I figured it was worth a shot. They also gave me $500 trade-in for my take-offs when I bought the Vent'is and Toyo's (They had to order in the Venti's too), and nobody wanted to pay anything for the takeoffs - some did not want them at all.

:D

Been going to Les Schwab for near 3 decades - very happy with their "run to meet you" service, pricing and quality of product. No other tire store runs out to meet you like that. Heck they will even fix your flat tire they did NOT sell you for FREE. Just read the gaurantee and realized they will even change out my winter wheels/tires for free which I need to do in the next week or so.

Les Schwab has a wheel sale on right now too.......... The ads reads "UNBELIEVABLE SAVINGS ON CUSTOM WHEELS - LARGEST DISCOUNTS EVER"...

;)

you guys are helping my quest for new shoes. I have 2 sets lined to try on a factory truck that will not be altered. hopefully I can add some info.

here's 295/70R17 on a set of 2006 H2 wheels, no clearance problems.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d144/dyal980/IMG_1165-1.jpg

297/70/17s on 17x9s with 4.5bs no issues

bigfish Oh: Any info you can add would be appreciated.

my info will be factory 03,07,08 I will start gathering, our last cold wet blast is done today.

297/70/17s on 17x9s with 4.5bs no issues

here's 295/70R17 on a set of 2006 H2 wheels, no clearance problems.
FWIW, swing-clearance advice regarding the earlier body styles may not be applicable. :confuzeld:
The 07+ NBS trucks have different body clearance and tire swing issues.

FWIW, swing-clearance advice regarding the earlier body styles may not be applicable. :confuzeld:
The 07+ NBS trucks have different body clearance and tire swing issues.

x2, the earlier body styles are not a good indicator of whether or not a size fits a NBS truck. Chris

my info will be factory 03,07,08 I will start gathering, our last cold wet blast is done today.

Bigfish_Oh: Any info.. Just curious; planning (wanting) to order soon and any more information would be appreciated.....

I have ordered 17 x 8 and will probaly use 265/70/17 which is a factory option size. I probaly will not try other sets on my '08. After pricing six wheels and either being discontinued or not available yet, I settled for AR Vice teflon.(7 left in U.S.)
I can tell you how 18 x 9,5.47 b.s. 285/65 will clear(no lift) on a 07 classic next week when tires come in.
These have been on a 03 2500HD cc4wd with a tie back and no lifting 2 years,18 x 9.5 ,6.0 b.s ,285/60.