2004 Tahoe Z71 - Anyone running wider tires?

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Kip - 25 Nov 2006 20:55 GMT

Our '04 Z71 Tahoe is ready for new tires and I'd like to go with a wider
tire that isn't considerably different in height. I'd like to stay with a
fairly aggressive looking street tire similar to the stock tires.

Is anyone running a larger tire with good success without any need to play
around with the tire size in the computer. Of so what size and what brand
and any comments. Thanks.

Kip

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Kerry - 25 Nov 2006 21:45 GMT

How is your math? The first number in a tire size is the width of the tread
in milimeters. The second is the sidewall measurement from the rim to the
outer edge of tread as a percentage of the width dimension. And of course
the last is the rim size. What you are looking for is therefore going to
have a higher first number and lower middle if you are using the same rim
size. For example:

185-70-14 = 2(185 x 0.70) divided by 25.4 mm per inch + 14 = 24.2" diameter.

195-65-14 = 2(195 x 0.65) divided by 25.4 mm per inch + 14 = 24" diameter

205-60-14 = 23.7 "

And so on. The problem is not all sizes are made. So you may find you need
to step up the rim size to get the correct match. BTW the "2" is for 2
sidewall measurements in a diameter of the mounted tire.

Good luck with your search. I learned all this when my son wanted to put
14" Mazda Miata rims (fancier than the plain steel rims that he had) on his
Protege which came with 13" rims.

> Our '04 Z71 Tahoe is ready for new tires and I'd like to go with a wider
> tire that isn't considerably different in height. I'd like to stay with a
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Kip

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Kip - 26 Nov 2006 04:19 GMT

No problem with math... I have 265-70-17 Wranglers from the factory and a
305-65-17 is close, roughly 1" taller so that means roughly "pi" inches
greater in circumference. What I cannot tell from the math exercise is
whether will I experience any rubbing on the steering tires at full left or
right stop with a 40 mm wider tire.

Just looking for anyone that is actually running these or a similar size
tire on either a Tahoe, a Yukon or a Silverado. A 305-60-17 seems it would
be perfect, but tire rack does not list this as a valid size.

Thanks for all of your help.

Kip

> How is your math? The first number in a tire size is the width of the
> tread in milimeters. The second is the sidewall measurement from the rim
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>>
>> Kip

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Kerry - 26 Nov 2006 12:49 GMT

The possibility of rubbing at full left or right is another issue. If I
were you I would turn the wheel all the way and crawl under it and look. If
you have more than an inch of clearance all around that inner edge it should
do fine. I had forgotten about that possibility and I shouldn't have cuz
the turning radius on my extended cab Sierra has been an issue as it is.
Like parking the camper at some of the over crowded campgrounds.

And the "news skimmer" is right many of the tire websites do have size
calculators built in so they can make suggestions of other size/rim
combinations. That gets you into a whole new area of consideration. 18-20
inch rims that are a bit wider and constructed in such a way that the
mounting area is deeper in the rim can be had. This holds the tire further
out from the axle so that rub is minimized. I believe that measurement is
called the offset of the rim but not sure. Wider tires and a wider stance
would make the rig look tougher.

I just spent about $800+ of your money though. If money was no object and I
lived where I do now (Vermont) I would put a great set of snows on the
original rims and buy the new set of wider tires on say 20" chrome spoked
rims for the summer. Well anyhow time to take my meds and see if I won
PowerBall.

> No problem with math... I have 265-70-17 Wranglers from the factory and a
> 305-65-17 is close, roughly 1" taller so that means roughly "pi" inches
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>> 185-70-14 = 2(185 x 0.70) divided by 25.4 mm per inch + 14 = 24.2"
>> diameter.

{ SNIP!! }

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Ed H. - 27 Nov 2006 00:09 GMT

If you plan to use the stock rims (probably 7" wide) then the size you have
now is the widest you can use on them. You may want to consider new rims as
well.

> No problem with math... I have 265-70-17 Wranglers from the factory and a
> 305-65-17 is close, roughly 1" taller so that means roughly "pi" inches
[quoted text clipped - 41 lines]
>>>
>>> Kip

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slapshot264@comcast.net - 28 Nov 2006 02:14 GMT

You should be able to run the 305's with minimal rubbing, My friend is
running 305/50/20's (32x12/20)on a Denali and they are okay. You can
use a 285 without any contact.

> If you plan to use the stock rims (probably 7" wide) then the size you have
> now is the widest you can use on them. You may want to consider new rims as
[quoted text clipped - 45 lines]
>
> >>> Kip- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -

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Adair Witner - 25 Nov 2006 22:12 GMT

"Kip" <kip@carolina.rr.com> wrote in message

> Our '04 Z71 Tahoe is ready for new tires and I'd like to go with a wider
> tire that isn't considerably different in height. I'd like to stay with a
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> around with the tire size in the computer. Of so what size and what brand
> and any comments. Thanks.

What size is on it now? 265/75/16?
Check www.tirerack.com for reviews on tires

Adair

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News Skimmer - 26 Nov 2006 05:18 GMT

Can't help you with rubbing on the frame, etc. but for the running speed,
don't waste your time with the math.

Just go to the website of the tire manufacturer(s) you are considering and
compare the rotating speed vs vehicle speed data. They will report the value
in rotations per mile or rpm at x mph or something. You can compare the
numbers more accurately than calculating the theoretical circumference.
While all the math presented may be correct, tires are made of inflated
rubber, not stone.

> "Kip" <kip@carolina.rr.com> wrote in message
>> Our '04 Z71 Tahoe is ready for new tires and I'd like to go with a wider
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Adair

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