larger tires on my '85 K10 4x4 swb - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Demented · 08-08-2016, 12:05 PM

What's the largest tire you can run on a 1/2 ton pick up without having to change/ tighten the front wheel bearings all the time & or have any front end issues. I currently have an '85 K10 44x4 swb pick up with a small lift. I have 33's on it now & there is a huge gap betweent he top of the tire & the wheel well. I am definitely going with a larger tire to attempt to fill the gap but I am not sure how big of a tire I can run without front bearing & or front end issues. I really don't mud with the truck. It's a daily driver.I bought it with the lift & just want to make it look better. Any information is greatly appreciated.

**JIMs70GMC** · 08-08-2016, 08:10 PM

I'd say go with no more than a 35" 12.5" wide tire on the factory rims (15x8) but no wider than 15x10 with around 4" of back spacing. Post up some pics.

I forgot to add, going larger will have an effect on getting power to the ground. i.e. your speedo will be off and you might feel like you lost some power turning the larger tires. Re-gearing the axles will put you back in the power band.

Demented · 08-09-2016, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIMs70GMC

I'd say go with no more than a 35" 12.5" wide tire on the factory rims (15x8) but no wider than 15x10 with around 4" of back spacing. Post up some pics.

I forgot to add, going larger will have an effect on getting power to the ground. i.e. your speedo will be off and you might feel like you lost some power turning the larger tires. Re-gearing the axles will put you back in the power band.

I have a '77 3/4 ton that I just took the front & rear end out of. I am considering swapping out the 1/2 ton stuff & bolting the 3/4 front & rear end in. I think this might be my best option. I am better off for strength & with the 4:11 gears I will have some power back like you pointed out. I am not sure how many options I will have for a 16.5" tire & I am not sure if I will be able to get them at a decent price since they are pretty much a tire no one really uses anymore. If you have any information on rims or tires let me know I would appreciate it. Thanks.

**JIMs70GMC** · 08-09-2016, 01:58 PM

You should be able to run some 16" rims. Not many 16.5" tires out there. 16x10s with some 35" tires would look good. the 4.11 gears will keep you in the power band.

AnotherWs6 · 08-09-2016, 02:41 PM

Not too many cheap 35 inch tires in general. I said last summer that I would change them on my Silverado before last winter. They are still on there. Prices seem to start jumping up very quickly once you hit a certain size.

08-08-2016, 12:05 PM	#1
Demented Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Blasdell,N.Y. Posts: 2	larger tires on my '85 K10 4x4 swb What's the largest tire you can run on a 1/2 ton pick up without having to change/ tighten the front wheel bearings all the time & or have any front end issues. I currently have an '85 K10 44x4 swb pick up with a small lift. I have 33's on it now & there is a huge gap betweent he top of the tire & the wheel well. I am definitely going with a larger tire to attempt to fill the gap but I am not sure how big of a tire I can run without front bearing & or front end issues. I really don't mud with the truck. It's a daily driver.I bought it with the lift & just want to make it look better. Any information is greatly appreciated.

08-08-2016, 08:10 PM	#2
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Re: larger tires on my '85 K10 4x4 swb I'd say go with no more than a 35" 12.5" wide tire on the factory rims (15x8) but no wider than 15x10 with around 4" of back spacing. Post up some pics. I forgot to add, going larger will have an effect on getting power to the ground. i.e. your speedo will be off and you might feel like you lost some power turning the larger tires. Re-gearing the axles will put you back in the power band. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm Last edited by JIMs70GMC; 08-08-2016 at 08:20 PM.

08-09-2016, 01:58 PM	#4
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Re: larger tires on my '85 K10 4x4 swb You should be able to run some 16" rims. Not many 16.5" tires out there. 16x10s with some 35" tires would look good. the 4.11 gears will keep you in the power band. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

08-09-2016, 02:41 PM	#5
AnotherWs6 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 602	Re: larger tires on my '85 K10 4x4 swb Not too many cheap 35 inch tires in general. I said last summer that I would change them on my Silverado before last winter. They are still on there. Prices seem to start jumping up very quickly once you hit a certain size. __________________ 1968 C-10 Suburban - Original 396/TH400 2002 Transam WS6 - M6 - Black/Black - Evil Garage Queen 2000 Silverado - DD - Small lift+Body lift+35" Duratracs+4.88's + Eaton TruTrac - Monster Truck 2010 Cadillac CTS Wagon Sport - Wife's DD and the only classy car we have.

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