Tire size??

Well, the post on types of tires sparks this question: What fits on a 92 (or similar year) Chevy pickup??? I currently have 265/75R16 on it and seems to be plenty of room for a bigger size. Different websites say that is the max... one site saying I can fit a 285/75R16, but isn't that pretty much a 31/12.50?? What fits??-- I'm probably going to be putting the truck down for a new motor soon (darn "new" one is knocking at 14K), so being this deep in the hole open to suggestions on getting the biggest tire with a stock suspension or minimal lift-- for me it's all about axle clearance rather than how high the truck actually sits.

I ran a 275/60R15 (I think) on my '98 pickup. I know it appears there is plenty of room for something bigger and I'm pretty sure there is. But I stuck with that size because they gave my truck a good stance and made it look mean in a way. However, I admit that I had plans to put on some 20" or 22" rims when I got it fixed up. I believe 20"s will fit w/no modifications (given the right offset), but I think some cuttin' would of been neccessary for a set of 22"s. It also sounds like you prefer bigger tires for off-road purpose according to the size you had mentioned. I'm into lowering rather than raising, but I do believe the 31/12.50 would work just fine on the rear, but I think 12.5 is too wide up front. 9" wide in the front I know will work and maybe even 10"s will do.

I have a 92K1500 and I believe the 265 is about the largest tire you can run without some type of modification ...(lift kit). I run 285 75R 16 on mine but I have one of the small rancho lift kits 3-4"... Running stock wheels with this is aobut as large as you can go, and with a stock setup I think you are maxed out at the 265 size.

Agreed

Agreed

OK... I guess tomorrow, with a half-assed amount of energy, I'd like to start a new thread on lift kits! I just love the way the truck rides and going to be tons of fun with this new motor going into it... but hate the idea of lifting it... and at the same time need the ground/axle clearance for snow.-- and for you wondering, yes... it's common to see 2-3 feet of snow in a night up here! My stock 77 with 31/10.50's handles it well.. just trying to figure out how to fit a similar tire on my 92.. and if forced with a lift kit, finding something with a similar ride.

the 285s will fit fine! i have a 94 suburban and have no problem. the worse case would be to crank your torsion bars up just a bit, but i wouldnt worry, unless you hardcore wheel/ jump your truck, 285/75 16s will fit no problem. only bad thing, because of the weight of the tirre you may lose 1mpg.

i have a 94 and its got 285 / 16s on stock rims but the torsion bars are tightened

Yup, the 285's will fit, I've seen them on stock ride height, if your front is ever fully compressed and you're turning though you might notice a tiny bit of rubbing, but chances are you'll be going too fast to notice. A janitor/custodian that worked at school had a 94 reg cab, everything stock height, and he had 32/11.50/15's on it, so that's a pretty tall tire, and wide also, but he had aftermarket rims with just the right amount of backspace so they didn't rub. Oh, your 285/75/16's are 33.1" tall.

I'm running 265's on my 94, I have a friend running 285's on his '98 no lift or torsion bar adjustment, there is a little fender rub with the tires turned and the suspension is compresses, not bad though.

Well, the post on types of tires sparks this question: What fits on a 92 (or similar year) Chevy pickup??? I currently have 265/75R16 on it and seems to be plenty of room for a bigger size. Different websites say that is the max... one site saying I can fit a 285/75R16, but isn't that pretty much a 31/12.50?? What fits??-- I'm probably going to be putting the truck down for a new motor soon (darn "new" one is knocking at 14K), so being this deep in the hole open to suggestions on getting the biggest tire with a stock suspension or minimal lift-- for me it's all about axle clearance rather than how high the truck actually sits.

I have a 1995 silverado ext cab 4x4 5.7L with 285/75/16 on it, no problems. I am unsure if the torsion bar bolts have been twisted or not.
(does anyone know what stock height is on frt for this year/model?)

I have BFGoodrich all-terrain 285/75/R16 ' s on mine. No adjustments at all to torsion bars. This is before the body lift, they look rather small now. I believe the 75's are 33 inch or close to, my friend has 31's on his truck and they are a lot smaller than the 75's

Tightening the torsion bars can give you about an inch and a half in the front but after doing this you really need to have your truck re-aligned or your tires wont last long and your suspension will be a little more stiff. If you get a new torsion bar key (ebay or a fords) you are able to tighten the bolt more adding more lift. As for the rear of the truck you could try shorter shackles and adding a leaf (ebay for cheap). Im going to do this soon to my truck to give me about an inch and a half to level it from tightning the torsion bolts. Giving me a total of 7 1/2 inches of lift fitting 35x13 easily with no rubbing. And you can also go with the body lift but i dislike the look of these. GOOD LUCK

A 285/75 on 16 inch wheels is about 32.8". If you look at the ACTUAL diameter of a 33 inch tire, it is usually about 32.8 or 32.9, so heavyredchevy was right about them being close to 33's. National Tire and Wheel has a "what fits" section on their website that tells you a recommended lift amount for each vehicle type and tire size. They also used to have a Metric to English equivalency chart. When I switched my stock 16" rims to an aftermarket 15" rim, I put 32X11.50's on my '94 to give me the same diameter, but I got a little wider. I now run 33x12.50's with a three inch body lift. If you buy the "gap guards" and the rear bumer relocation kit, they look fine. Without those extras, bodylifts are very noticeable. Most people can't tell that mine has a body lift, without taking a closer look. Your trailer hitch will be the giveaway.