Tire Size for stock rims

[ntercept]

I have a 2003 1500HD with stock rims, 16x6.5 and wheels 245/75r16. I would like to put taller and slightly wider. What is the tallest and widest I can go on the 6.5" rims.

Thanks

[jeverett]

You can put a tire as big as 305/70/16's on there, but if your only wanting a slightly bigger tire, try a 265/75/16.

[twomorestrokes]

Originally Posted by ntercept

I have a 2003 1500HD with stock rims, 16x6.5 and wheels 245/75r16. I would like to put taller and slightly wider. What is the tallest and widest I can go on the 6.5" rims.

Thanks

If you adjust the bars, 285/75r16's will look good but you'll need to trim your valance. Close fit and rubbing on turns. 305/70r/16's are the same height but about an inch wider. Most guys say they need to do a little more trimming or at least pull the bottoms of the fenderwells back with zip ties to clear the 305's.

Technically both sizes are too big for a 6.5" rim, but you gotta do something. The trucks look silly with 245's on them. I have used 285's on my last two trucks with good results. I use Yokohama Geolandar A/T+II's. Low price and the tread is aggressive on the larger sizes.

Your 1500HD probaly has 3.73's(?) Remember that you are going to lose some gear, and possibly fuel milage. My 4.10 works out to about 3.80 now. Thought I may pick up an mpg or two, but I didn't.

[ntercept]

I was thinking of the 285/75 r 16. What did you mean by the adjustment of the bars and trim the valance. Did you stay with the heavier load rating.

thanks

[twomorestrokes]

Originally Posted by ntercept

I was thinking of the 285/75 r 16. What did you mean by the adjustment of the bars and trim the valance. Did you stay with the heavier load rating.

thanks

I leveled my truck by adjusting the torsion bars up 2". I did this by turning the adjusting bolts in 8 turns each and measuring at the fenderwell to the ground on a flat surface through the hub centerline. I did this before going from the previous 265's to the present 285's, so I can't say if they would have rubbed without the adjustment. IMO it just looks better. It is mandatory that you have it realigned after adjusting the ride height at it will really suck the toe in farther and also change the camber. The tires rubbed the edge of the plastic valance under the bumper imediately on turns in Discount Tire's parking lot. At work, I trimmed an inch off the back edge of the valance and it clears just fine. It was easy trimming with a sharp box cutter.

Since the truck already had 265's on it when I bought it, I don't know the load rating of the original 245's, but I'm sure I have lost some with the larger tires. These are load range D, 3,305 pounds each. I'm not an RVer or anything, so they'll work fine for me.

I sound like I know what I'm talking about but the fact is, I recently posted the same tire size question on this and another forum. Best to get facts from someone else's experience.