Tire and Rim opinions

[Aberbaseball7]

Say if you was to run 35's on a pavement pounder only, absolutely no mud or anything.

Stick with 16" rims, 17", or 18's?

I'm either going to Get a jeep or 7+3 my 2wd. I want something that will stand out if I lift mine. I think 35's will be the most I can go since I cannot trim on the new style GMC bumpers.

Tires?

Pics of single cabs lifted on 35's or so would be nice too...

[Rednecked_4x4]

www.truckworld.com they have TONS of readers rides and i know for a fact theres some single cab shortboxs on there.

i would stay with 15 or 16... tires seem to be cheaper for them.

[Dark Eternal]

well I duno about rims, thats personal, but I would recomend BFG ATs for tires, look great and sound like they will do you well.

[EWogy]

If I were you I would not do a 7+3 on a 2wd, it is not as big as it seems it would be with the combo of the suspension and body. You have had a 6+3 on a 4wd and would not be happy with the small size of the 2wd. What looks awesome is a full 10" suspension lift on a 2wd with 36's. You can even fit the 37" Nittos on 18's with that setup as they are only 36.2" That tire is awesome. And then you have the option of adding body to it to go bigger in the future. Here is something you might like...
Evan
1999 GMC 2WD WITH 9.5'' LIFT AND 36X14.5X16.5 PJ DIRT GRIPS
http://www.fullthrottlesuspension.com/112-1250_IMG.JPG
http://www.fullthrottlesuspension.com/112-1251_IMG.JPG
http://www.fullthrottlesuspension.com/112-1254_IMG.JPG

[Stu]

thats a badass ride, go for it curt :crazy:

[Black_Chrome]

That truck is fucking sick

[Grant]

Well, Fabtech claims that 35's will fit with only their 7" kit, if 8" wheels are used. So with a 3" on top of that like you mentioned, here's what I'd do... go with 37x12.50-17's, either BFG All-Terrains or BFG Mud-Terrains, and mount them on some 17x8 wheels. They would both be very street friendly, and look great on your rig.

[Aberbaseball7]

:drool: :worship:

So you think that the 7" CST and 3" body wouldnt sit as high as that 9.5 FT? It would be pretty close I would think.

I still think that im going to have to CLEAR the tires good since the new GMC bumpers are painted to match on the bottom and its not going to look good cut at all. Even he trimmed the lower valance in which I wont be able to do. Very clean and simple nice truck. It may take me a little while but something is getting lifted LOL...

[The Dude]

My advice would be not to spend money lifting a 2wd truck and buy the jeep. thats just my opinion though, but if looks are more your thing rather than offroad performance then a 6+3 w/ 35" all terrains would look pretty good. there are cheaper tires that wouldn't look that bad either though.

[Aberbaseball7]

Yea grant, Fabtech claims with their subframe kit for the 2wd it will clear 35's. I was thinking 37's but some people think the 2wd Half Tons suspension will not hold up to 37's :read: And no trimming is the biggest problem and not being able to crank those damn torsion bars lol

[Aberbaseball7]

I have had the lifted 4x4 with 9" 37's for the last truck. And after all the mudding and giving it hell it just wasnt holding up and I really ruined a nice truck IMO. So im not looking to do that again.

I agree the Jeep would be perfect for the summer. find an older jeep with 35's and it would do what I want. But then again something about having a real nice new truck lifted makes me want it more..

I really cant decide what I want to do, but I dont like being low to the ground it sucks. I thought this 2wd would work for what I want but im not happy. And if im spending 500 bones a month for a payment I want to like what I drive for sure...LOL My mistake getting this truck, but we live and learn

[Dark Eternal]

In what ways did you "ruin" your old truck?

[Todd]

Since the truck is gonna be a pavement pounder go for 18" rims and Nittos. I put my Nitto's through hell and they do pretty good. Great on the highway too.
18"s on your truck would look pretty clean.

[Andy]

why cant you trim?? somebody on another site said he couldnt trim his 03 gmc's bumper and another guy replied and said it trimmed with a utility knife. :read:

but i say get the jeep. Im getting a 95 yj for my first vehicle, but will soon replaced with a 4x4 fsc if i save well.

[y2kboti]

Aberbaseball7 IMO the best setup for a 2wd truck is the 7" CST or maybe the newer Camburg uni-ball setup w/ glass front fenders on 35s. Subframes on 2wd trucks just doesn't look right to me, and trying to make it look like a 4wd(see red GMC posted earlier) is even worse. Sure you won't be as tall as other trucks running around town but it will be alot more practical.

[HBjeff]

get a jeep. they kickass offroad then you will have your nice practical GMC for street driving :head:

37s will tear your 2wd half ton front to pieces.

35s are even big for it, but it CAN hold it if your easy on it

[EWogy]

I still say do the 10" suspension lift. When I first lifted my 2wd I thought a 6" would be huge, then I added the 3" body, then I wasn't happy as the 4wds with 6+3 were bigger. I would be happy with a 2wd with 10" all suspension being around the same as a 4wd with 6+3. I also think all suspension looks better unless its like 12+3 or bigger. The 37s will be fine on your daily driver. My truck has a lot of daily driver miles on the 40s and the only time anything up front has been broken was taking it 35mph thru whoops, not a good idea. Camburg and CST's kits are awesome, but for just a big daily driver I would go with Full Throttle.
Evan

[Andy]

oh if your keeping the gmc deffinatly get the jeep. Then if you do make sure you go for a tj with the coils

[Aberbaseball7]

The main thing about my old truck was the Windows. So much mud got in the windows and I had to roll them down and it scratched them up pretty bad. Not couting how the carpet looked because of all the mud that had been in it. Paint looked like shit up close and it just didnt clean up too well. But I am pretty picky about things so im sure that isnt major to some of yall but it bugged the shit outa me.

Ewogo I agree that all suspension looks better, and would love to run the FT and 37's. The red truck looks perfect IMO. And also I was one of the biggest trucks in town with my 6+3 here and loved it and will prolly be un happy to be smaller then most.

I still dont think I would trim the lower part of the bumper

http://img24.photobucket.com/albums/v73/Aberbaseball7/GMC/IMGP0367.jpg

[Andy]

http://mct.truckmoxie.com/mygallery.ten?id=4197
this guy trimmed his. It doesnt look bad

[Aquaman]

9.5" w/ 36" Irocs and 20's yo

[Dark Eternal]

The main thing about my old truck was the Windows. So much mud got in the windows and I had to roll them down and it scratched them up pretty bad. Not couting how the carpet looked because of all the mud that had been in it. Paint looked like shit up close and it just didnt clean up too well. But I am pretty picky about things so im sure that isnt major to some of yall but it bugged the shit outa me.


Yeah that I can see. My carpet is 100% trashed, its getting ripped out and line-xed. My windows, paint and everything else is scratched to hell. Its a 4x4, it happens, honestly doesnt bother me a bit. Then again I use my truck differently than most people, and look at it as more of a utility than show item. If you dont like scratches than wheeling definatly isnt for you!

[HBjeff]

you gotta take duct tape offroading. put it at the bottom of your windows so mud cant get down in the tracks :bowtie:

[Kyle]

http://www.mcttrucks.com/gallery/DJERICP/119028.jpg
i really like that for a 2wd

I try to take care of my truck as best i can, but i see how aber felt like he ruined his truck. New always sounds better than old but with a little tlc you make things pretty close to brand new. I would also go the jeep option, I have an old cj 7 beggin for a lift.

[Aberbaseball7]

The duct tape would work but I never had anything to clean the windows off and driving back into town wouldnt have been fun if I couldnt see out the side windows so I would roll them down.

Jeep is a good idea, would love to have it in the summer but no AC with it hitting 100+ every day in the summer and driving it daily wouldnt be to fun. But is still an option. I have trouble making up my mind.


Once I sell a couple of things and do alittle saving I should be able to pull something off. And remember chicks dig big trucks :head:

Dark you up for a 2wd install this summer if stuff works out. Im only an hour or so away from dallas :head:



36's and 20's just dont look right YO... And just because I want a pavement pounder and happen to like 40's and 20's dont mean shit. I wear levi's and Red Wing boots to work and do manual labor so im not a city boy...LOL Thats just the way I took your post Aqua nothing personal.

[HBjeff]

as long as the jeep is topless and doorless and not a daily driver it will be fine :D

you could even weld a tow bar on it and tow it too wheelin spots with your truck :head:

[Dark Eternal]

Im down for a 2wd instal. Ill actually be in houston for the summer probably. Just give me some advance notice because ill be out of town a few times.

Also.... you already have an old jeep? Alot of them have AC, a girl I know have like a early 90s with AC, picke dit up super cheap.

[Aberbaseball7]

Nah dont have a jeep. Just looking around. Its a good idea and would be cheaper for sure. But that red truck looks real good IMO...

There is a kid with a jeep in town for sale, hard top on 35" SSR's that im going to go look at. Im just trying to stay outa debt, but hell the way I look at it I will always have bills...

[Josh]

im jumpin in this thread a little late, i just sold my wheels, so im now in the market for a lift myself. i agree as to the looks of the truck on the first page, but honestly i cant justify spending that much on a suspension im really not gonna use. i know it kind of makes me a hypocrit since im gonna buy the fabtech cradle, but those FT kits are ALOT more. im gonna do the fabtech cradle with 16x8 Weld Renegades and 315/75/16 BFG muds(unless i get a deal on other tires). Then to clear the HD clip in the front im gonna have to do a body lift. so i will be at 10" with 35s on 8" wheels. and i do agree that 35s are pushing it on a 2wd. i really like evan's truck, but i dont have the huevos to put 40s on a truck with rack and pinion steering that is made for 30" tires from the factory. i saw, and helped replace crazy aggies tierod that broke backing out of his driveway on 35s. i will not go bigger than this more than likely.
justin- i say lift it, you know you wont be happy with it until you are on the 35s. you can always get a jeep later :head:

[Aberbaseball7]

Well after searching I think I have a pretty good setup in mind.

The FT kit is damn nice, but I dont see how it will sit higher then the CST 7" and the 3" body. This setup is also cheaper by far.

But I want to be able to clear 37-12.50-17 Mud Terrains on 17x9 Extreme Alloy Fake Bead locks or something similar.

If that red Sierra can clear the 36-14.50 PJ's with 9.5" I dont see a problem with running around the streets on the 37" Mud terrains.


I also more then likely sold my screen tonight so that clears me up to what I need to be.


If I am incorrect about anything speak up for sure. And as far as tires I will get them local and if the 37's dont fit 35's will go on.

[Rednecked_4x4]

lowred, i thought your truck was lowerd? now your lifting it? :head:

[Todd]

Sounds like it will be a nice set up Justin and you too Josh. :head:

[Aberbaseball7]

Well if I can get this damn screen sold I will go shopping :drool:

[Todd]

Yup, after I get my new paint 3 to 4 months later she will be gone. :bawl: (I hope)

[Josh]

Yup, after I get my new paint 3 to 4 months later she will be gone. :bawl: (I hope)
you sellin your rig?

[Todd]

Plannin on it sometime around Sept or Oct.

[Aberbaseball7]

http://www.mcttrucks.com/gallery/DJERICP/119028.jpg
i really like that for a 2wd

I try to take care of my truck as best i can, but i see how aber felt like he ruined his truck. New always sounds better than old but with a little tlc you make things pretty close to brand new. I would also go the jeep option, I have an old cj 7 beggin for a lift.


I talked to the owner of that truck. He said he wished he had went with 37's and he is running the Fabtech and body. And said he is going 37's after the 35's wear down.

[Aberbaseball7]

Well after looking at all my options this will be ordered this week.

Fabtech Ultimate 7" Subframe kit
3" Body lift
35-12.50-17 BFG Mud Terrains
17x9 Extreme Alloy fake Beadlocks

Got a quote for $2800 shipped to me from 4wp (Yes I know, but they have good prices) But im waiting for replies from my local discount tire guy and Patrick from 4wd 4less to see what they can do for me. I think it will look pretty sweet and get me off the ground a bit.

[Todd]

Working fast. It will look good. :head:

You gonna do the install yourself? I still think 18"s on your truck would look killer IMO. And they have those tires in that BFG MT too.

[Aberbaseball7]

I have thought about 18's but even with 17's im loosing sidewall, and less sidewall makes the truck look smaller...LOL Im only going 17's so I wont be just another kid with 35's on 16's. I think it will look real clean and simple and to the point...

[Josh]

Im only going 17's so I wont be just another kid with 35's on 16's.
whats wrong with that :ninja: :insane:

[Andy]

10 bucks he goes up to 37's in a few months :crazy: :crazy:

JK It will look awesome

[Aberbaseball7]

LOL on the 37's.... It is an option just dont want shit to break and not 100% they will fit. Im still looking at options and maybe finding better deals so we will see.

[ryanerb]

had a question. the 7" for the 99-02 chevy trucks 2wd. its the crossmember system. it says its only for ext cab trucks. i have a regular cab. will it work on mine? why does it only work on ext cabs? and why are there two part numbers? FTS21023BK and FTS21022BK. ? if its only for ext cabs because of the stiffer spring, i could still run it on my reg cab right? if it is only for ext cab, are you ever going to make one (same kit) for reg cabs? -Ryan


Armen Mosikian <amosikian@fabtechmotorsports.com> wrote:
At this time we only offer the kit for the extended cabs,the std cabs are not heavy enough.Sorry we have not seen any plans to build a kit for the std cabs.The reason we have to boxes is we could not fit the kit in one box.Thank you

since they aren't heavy enough, what will happen if i put on on a regular cab? do you recommend against it?

Being we have never tried it,I could not say for sure if the truck will be aligned.

[Dark Eternal]

drop in a 8.1 to add the extra weight :head:

[Aberbaseball7]

Wonder if you net more lift if you installed it? I didnt notice it was only for ext cabs. Looks like I will have to go with CST and Bilsteins which is prolly better anyways :)

[ryanerb]

ya, the cst 7" is prob better anyways... i was thinking too that you would get more lift cause the springs would be stiffer, but i dotn know... if it wasnt' meant for it, it wasn't meant for it. you want it to be done right. -Ryan

[HBjeff]

one thing that sucks about the traditional 3 inch coil and new a-arm kits are the horrible angles of the tie-rods and lower balljoints. they will wear out faster than usual at those angles.

the great thing about the 7 inch fabtech and the rcd is that those angles are kept stock so its easier on parts.

[wantitall]

hey guys i found a wheel tire package i like its 18x10 weld mountain crushers with 35x12.50r18 bfg mud terrains what do you think of this set up on a 01 ext cab gmc 4wd . also what size lift would ya l;l run im still thinking 6 inch rcd with 3 in BL thanks again

[Dark Eternal]

That lift combo would clear them very well.

[Aberbaseball7]

Jeff, the new subframe kit doesnt work on a single cab. So does the Fabtech 6" and RCD 6" keep stock angles? I need all the height I can get, and I cant seem to get ahold of Jeff@PLC to talk to him about it and get things ordered...

[HBjeff]

Jeff, the new subframe kit doesnt work on a single cab. So does the Fabtech 6" and RCD 6" keep stock angles? I need all the height I can get, and I cant seem to get ahold of Jeff@PLC to talk to him about it and get things ordered...

well the only reason it wont work is because of the coils being too strong....i would talk to jeff about that and see just how that will affect things. i dont see an ecsb coil being THAT much stronger than an rcsb coil.

the rcd 6 inch keeps angles stock. it is basically the same thing as the fabtech you had on the 99......drop spindles keeping UCA and tie rods in stock location.

the fabtech 6 inch is a 3 inch spindle lift and a 3 inch coil/a-arm kit. the 3 inch coil lift is basically the same as cranking the T-bars up 3 inches on a 4x4.......bad joint angles.

almost all the trucks around here with 6 inch fabtech kits(lots of obs+nbs) have ball joint and alignment problems.

i just dont like the angles that kit gives you....

[Aberbaseball7]

Well I guess I will test my luck.

Just talked to Jeff and ordered the 7" CST 3" body lift and Rancho 9000's. Should be here Tuesday of next week. :ninja:

Just have to wait on a couple more people to get back with me and then I will order the tires and rims. :head:

[Todd]

Damn Justin don't play around. Gets shit going in a hurry. :ninja:

[Aberbaseball7]

Well there is no reason to wait. I want to do it so I get on the ball man... Got to have it lifted before lake season, I wont have time to install if I wait that long. Truck will look better 10" off the ground pulling the sea-doo then 2" from the ground...LOL I cant wait :head: :head:

[Todd]

I hear ya, rollin to the lake with a clean ride and toys is fun. But the bad thing for me I am moving from the water to the desert this summer. :bawl: So I guess I need to buy a quad for the dunes so I can have a new toy.

[Andy]

congrats aber, I think cst is a way better choice :worship: You could a add a spacers to make sure you clear the 37's, but they may make the ride rough

[Dark Eternal]

nice, you installing it Justin?

[Aberbaseball7]

Yea, I believe between me and my 3 buddies that are pretty good with tools we can pull it off. I installed my bro's body lift by myself in about 6-7 hours working at my own pace. Also installed 3 other body lifts so the body wont be a problem. Once I get ahold of the instructions Jeff is going to send me I will read over them a couple of times for sure so I know what it will take to get it done.

Now to get some tires and rims :drool:

[ryanerb]

if this looks too good to resist, im going to have to get this setup too! i have a boat i need to tow to the lake this summer. -Ryan

[Aberbaseball7]

:head: Should be a couple of weeks maybe 3 before i can install. If I can get my tires and rims pretty quick then it wont be as long. I cant wait :bowtie:

[Andy]

what about gears, those next??

[Aberbaseball7]

I went to 4.88's on my last truck and wasnt happy with the results, didnt improve as much as I would have thought. And a poor install with vibration didnt help any at all. So unless its just a dog and i can tell it is realy stressed i will keep stock 3.73 in since i do mostly all highway driving...


And I just got off the phone with 4wp and they will have a set of 36-12.50-16 TSL Radials on my door step in 6-8 days. Got a pretty good deal IMO if they dont fuck it up. $850 for all 4 with a no questions asked warrenty shipped to my door. :head:

[rkik]

And I just got off the phone with 4wp and they will have a set of 36-12.50-16 TSL Radials on my door step in 6-8 days. Got a pretty good deal IMO if they dont fuck it up. $850 for all 4 with a no questions asked warrenty shipped to my door. :head:



Nice :head: .

rkik

[BDZ71]

Nice :head: .

rkik

:word:

Sound good to me!
Thats a nice setup you will be running, cant wait to see it in the air :head:

[Todd]

What kinda rims did you decide on?

[Aberbaseball7]

16x10 Weld EVO Velociti XT or Eagle 102's... Just waiting on a couple of things before I order... Hopefully I will be running the Velociti's, but if it dont work out then the eagles will be great also.

[Todd]

16x10 Weld EVO Velociti XT or Eagle 102's... Just waiting on a couple of things before I order... Hopefully I will be running the Velociti's, but if it dont work out then the eagles will be great also.

Its Christmas in April for Justin. :head:

[Aberbaseball7]

You only live once is the way I see it, so why not have it my way while it last :head:

I just hope I clear the 36's :insane:

[Todd]

Can you stack some coil spring spacers in there too? You would clear them easy if you could.

[Aberbaseball7]

I have no idea if I could or not. I think sometimes it will make it so it cant be aligned or something. Not to sure about all the 2wd stuff still but im learning. I will learn alot here in a couple of weekends when I do the install... :head:

[Andy]

sweet deal :head: :head:

[HBjeff]

coil spacers would be a VERY bad idea for him. the 3 inch coil lift already puts the tie rods and LCA balljoints at BAD angles. making them worse is not a good idea :crazy:

[dreamrr]

Every one has 15 or 16 inch rims on there lifted trucks. If you want it to stand out, get 18's or 20's. Also bigger rims make the truck taller.

[Aberbaseball7]

I agree, I was going to go with 17's or 18's but after talking to RKIK and my buddy i want to run the tsl radials and they have the perfect size for me, and are only in a 16" rim, so they should be here next week...

[dreamrr]

Those look really sick, but if you only driving on the street you will be sorry you got super swampers. Swampers are an off-road tire, not made for the street, they will wear out really fast. Good Luck

[Dark Eternal]

Those look really sick, but if you only driving on the street you will be sorry you got super swampers. Swampers are an off-road tire, not made for the street, they will wear out really fast. Good Luck
You can get over 30k on a set of the radials, which is pretty good in my book.

[Aberbaseball7]

I have had 2 sets of swampers. Boggers and the STS radials the best and the worse. I have a buddy that ran SSR's and they lasted ok but not real well and my other buddy is running the TSL radial and is lasting a good bit with little wear. RKIK also put 24K on his and he said he would guess another 15K left on them. So I will be fine, and you cant beat a swamper "hum" as you drive down the street. :head:

[dreamrr]

Blow Me! Yull see when you are buying 3 sets a year

[Aberbaseball7]

3 sets a year is bull shit IMO. I had like 12-14K on the boggers and they still had plenty of tread to keep on trucking. The radials will last longer then you think...

[dreamrr]

your crazy, get off my nuts

[Dark Eternal]

Blow Me! Yull see when you are buying 3 sets a year
Dude, chill out, no need to get upset over tires on the internet!

Fact is lots of people get well over 30k miles on swampers if they are properly rotated, balanced and the air pressure is kept at good levels. Also good alignment helps premature tire wear as well as uneven.

-Stephen
GMFS Staff

[Aberbaseball7]

Im not sure why you have the comments so if "get off my nuts" is all you have to add then no reason to post in this thread. I have talked to members on the board and have a personal friend that has atleast 10K on his radials and I cant tell they are even worn, but they are, still has tons left. So unless you have ran the tsl radial I dont see how you can say I will buy 3 sets a year. Not all swampers are boggers, they have many different tires to choose from some wear better then others. Nuff said :read:

[y2kboti]

Blow Me! Yull see when you are buying 3 sets a year

your crazy, get off my nuts
Grow up. Your lack of maturity is shinning right now!

30k miles is possible. As mentioned balance and rotation every 3-5k miles is the key. I have just under 20k on my PJs and still have plenty of tread left. It also depends on the driving/road conditions. I have found that towing and constant freeway driving wears the tires down twice as fast as just running around town.

[Dark Eternal]

Towing does wear them fast, but at least for me freeway driving puts the least wear on them. Stop and go is in the middle.

[dreamrr]

30k miles is possible. As mentioned balance and rotation every 3-5k miles is the key. I have just under 20k on my PJs and still have plenty of tread left. It also depends on the driving/road conditions. I have found that towing and constant freeway driving wears the tires down twice as fast as just running around town.

PJ's are not Swapmers. Is all I'm saying is Swampers are soft and ment for off-road terrain. They will not hold up like PJ's , all terrains, or mud terrains. My cousin has them and he does go through 3 sets per year but he does travel a lot. I was just tring to say that I would not get swampers if I wasnt going to use them for what there built for.

By the way, where did you get your skid plate and how much was it? :bawl:

[Aberbaseball7]

Well the point is, some people buy a tire for performance, some for looks, some because the price is right. I dont need them in the mud since mine wont see it. But they look good, and I got a good price so its what I will run. I will run them for atleast a year for sure. They will last that long for sure.

On a side note, my buddy runs my old 37" PJ's and they still have half tread on them and I got those x-mas of 03 :read: If I didnt have terrible luck with my set and had a local dealer I would get them again... But I dont so tsl it is...

I wil be towing a trailer with 2 sea-doos every weekend during the summer but I still have plenty of faith in them and will rotate balance every 3K just like I did with my PJ's.

[y2kboti]

PJ's are not Swapmers. Is all I'm saying is Swampers are soft and ment for off-road terrain. They will not hold up like PJ's...

By the way, where did you get your skid plate and how much was it? :bawl:
Your right they are not Swampers but if you've seen a PJ in person you knpw how soft the compound is. They are radials as are the Swamper TSL radials or SSRs or some of the other tires they've recently released.

I don't remember how much the skid plate was but I purchased it from Jeff at PerformanceLifts.com.