I need help deciding.BAD! Im gonna do the cognito 7"-9" lift.Heres my real problem.Anywhere from 1-4 times a month i haul a significant load in the bed 1500-2000+lbs sometimes 50-75 miles.And i tow about once a week or more anywhere from 4,000-9,000 pounds anywhere from 50-300 miles. i cannot decide if i want 16x8 rims or 18x9's. and what tire to go with 305x70x16-315x75x16 or a 33" or 35" 18" tire.
Heres what i do know.I want the highest load rating i can get for safety. AND i want an M/T tire for looks and offroad ability and i occasionally drive in deep sand at the beach.Do M/T's work betetr in sand? im leaning toward a 33" tire because of the towing situation and i can buy those now its gonna be 2-3 months before i get the lift and get it installed.and i want a chrome wheel with 8 spokes.Im liking the Diamo 8 carats.but they only come in 18x9's.

Will a 33" tire look ok with 7" of lift? how much sidewall does a 33" tire on a 18" rim have? what do you guys have and what do you tow and haul? y'all help me decide please!!!!! sorry for the long post just trying to give as much info as possible

Well with a big lift like that have you thought about putting on 37's? I have a 7in lift and running 315/75/16 BFG AT on Weld EVO Velociti 16x8 rims. My 2 cents would be not to have too small of a rim/tire combo for the lift. Dont want to look like you are running on small wheels. I like some side wall and dont go for that big rim/small profile tire look...not on a raised truck...maybe a truck that is lowered. Anyway, take your time and research some photos.

Here is my truck:

That's alot of lift for 33' tires. I run 6" lift on 35's and they look small. The Duramax/allison has no problem pulling 27' snowmoblie trailer loaded with Quads, sleds, and riding equipment.

I run a cognito 7" lift twisted up to 9" and run Toyo Open Country M/T's 37x13.50x20 on 20x10 wheels and I love it. The tires are rated at 3800lbs per tire and the rims are rated at 3400lbs. I think the 20x10 with a 37" tire has a really good look to it not to much sidewall and not to much rim.

http://dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4513

http://dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4513

http://dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4512

http://dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4512

I need help deciding.BAD! Im gonna do the cognito 7"-9" lift.Heres my real problem.Anywhere from 1-4 times a month i haul a significant load in the bed 1500-2000+lbs sometimes 50-75 miles.And i tow about once a week or more anywhere from 4,000-9,000 pounds anywhere from 50-300 miles. i cannot decide if i want 16x8 rims or 18x9's. and what tire to go with 305x70x16-315x75x16 or a 33" or 35" 18" tire.
Heres what i do know.I want the highest load rating i can get for safety. AND i want an M/T tire for looks and offroad ability and i occasionally drive in deep sand at the beach.Do M/T's work better in sand? im leaning toward a 33" tire because of the towing situation and i can buy those now its gonna be 2-3 months before i get the lift and get it installed.and i want a chrome wheel with 8 spokes.Im liking the Diamo 8 carats.but they only come in 18x9's.

Will a 33" tire look ok with 7" of lift? how much sidewall does a 33" tire on a 18" rim have? what do you guys have and what do you tow and haul? y'all help me decide please!!!!! sorry for the long post just trying to give as much info as possible

Like the others already said the lift is too big for a small 33 inch tire. I would go with 35 inch (or bigger) tires mounted on 18 inch wheels. 7 inches of lift is more than enough for that combo. 20s might look even better but they are MUCH more expensive....
You could get cheap small 18 inch tires for the time without the lift mounted on the Diamo wheels you like and go bigger later with the lift (keep the wheels, sell the rubber)
NO M/Ts are NOT good in sand at all! The more aggressive the tire the easier it will dig into the sand and loose floatation. You are not looking for traction driving on sand, especially on soft sand but floatation on top of it. The real sand tires have only grooves around the circumference of the tire so that they will not dig in - but these are really bad on the street and anywhere else....:ro)

Here are some pics of my 02 HD with a 6 inch kit and 35's on 18x10's. If you are going with a 7 inch, you have to run 35's, other wise it will look funny, and if you run it cranked up to 9 inches, you better run 37-38's! The 18's will handle the weight fine if you get good rims, just check the load rating on them (mine are like 3400 lbs each) and get E load rating tires and you'll be fine with the weight or towing. I have a 33' 5th wheel toy hauler that I pull with my set up just fine!

OPPS here is the link to the site with pics

www.cafreeman.com/duramax

Mahalkita, did you need a lift to fit your tire and wheel combo?

Thanks for the replies and pics.it helped me decide.37's look soooo good. everytime i see them i want 37's. but dang there expensive. you guys have talked me into 35's on 18's.thanks again. you guys :ro)

if anyone else wants to add a comment or pic im all eyes and ears

Hey I have the same truck as you - the lift and tires. YOUR TRUCK LOOKS SICK!! GOD I WISH I HAD THE CASH TO DO THAT

Mahalkita, did you need a lift to fit your tire and wheel combo?
No lift, just cranked the tbars half inch or so (not necessary). I cut a bit off the bumper (not visible) and inner fender well (not visible) because the tires rubbed at turning. Planning to install the Cognito kit (if new UCA will fit) or the CST kit with bigger tires in the future.....need some cash first...:ro)

http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=46783

Here's a member from GlamisDunes.com with a CST lift on a dually.

http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=46783

Here's a member from GlamisDunes.com with a CST lift on a dually.

That's my truck ):h

I saw your screen name on Glamis Dunes and couldn't remember where I saw it from. Now I remember, I saw it here. BTW the truck turned out great. I'm sure I'll see it cruising around Glamis.

That's my truck ):h

:funnypost . Very nice truck. I'm jealous

I saw your screen name on Glamis Dunes and couldn't remember where I saw it from. Now I remember, I saw it here. BTW the truck turned out great. I'm sure I'll see it cruising around Glamis.

If you do and don't stop to say hello, I will try to run over your a$$! :) :joke: