17,18,19 inch wheel options on 4x4s

[Govern]

Anyone running larger wheels and their 4x4's ? If so please post pic and specs... Im curious because im due for new tires( currently have bfg 35" on 15.5 inch wheels)

Curious are there pros/cons of larger wheels? better handling? smoother ride? I read on here larger wheels can stress the brakes, is there truth to that? Im interested in running 18inch wheels with 36" tires

[cal30_sniper]

Mine's no 4x4, but it is a 3/4 ton. I've been running 17x8.5 Hummer H2 rims and 32" all terrain tires for many, many miles without any issue. Handling is way up over the factory stuff, as is traction on and off road.

Here's mine:



You don't mention what lug pattern you have. That's going to play a large role in what wheels are available to you. I would recommend staying with the factory GM stuff off of newer trucks with larger diameter rims. They will be hubcentric to your truck, which 99% of the aftermarket stuff won't.

[Govern]

I have 1/2 axles w/ 6 lug.. I do really like those hummer wheels unfortunately they don't have a 6 lug pattern.

I also really like the modern stock wheels but as I understand my front hubs wont fit thru the wheels. Is that correct? I even like the looks of some of the 17 inch spare wheels

[BONUSCAB]

Originally Posted by Govern

I have 1/2 axles w/ 6 lug.. I do really like those hummer wheels unfortunately they don't have a 6 lug pattern.

I also really like the modern stock wheels but as I understand my front hubs wont fit thru the wheels. Is that correct? I even like the looks of some of the 17 inch spare wheels

H3's are six lug. I think you are gonna get 5X the quality of if you go with a factory wheel. 99% of all the aftermarket wheels out there these days are chinese junk. And they all look the same, it's all skulls, stars, flat black and polished accents. I think you will have a better looking truck that stands out on it's own with a well picked set of wheels off a late model truck. No one is gonna notice your truck if you have the same motometalrockstarmudmalitia rims every other 23 year old spends his tax return on. But if you are rolling around on color matched 22 inch GM transport steelies, you're gonna stop traffic!

[Govern]

i agree. i am not a big fan of after market wheels. Late model stock wheels or even late model spare wheels are what im interested in. Im just curious will my front manual hubs create a problem with the later model wheels? Does anyone know of any late model wheels that do fit over the manual hubs?

[sean1969c10]

As long as you find a lug bolt circle that is right, you may be able to take the wheel to a machine shop and have the center hole bored to fit your hubs.

[Govern]

know of any stock wheels out there that do have the center hole big enough from the factory to clear the manual hubs? Also curious about the back spacing on newer wheels. Starting to think its not possible as I haven't seen anyone do it. I Just really like the look of modern truck wheels and the benefits of having a taller wheel. Anyone pull this off yet?

[f.monroe]

This isn't a square but it will give you a visual image to look at. I like stock wheels as well as aftermarket wheels. My sons dodge has 35-12.50-18 Nitto trail grapplers on BMF Novakanes. The wheels have a great finish and are super smooth riding . I think the truck looks much better with them than the factory polished 17 inch wheels we had on it . I can say that this setup is nice and the quality is very good on both the Nitto and BMF brands.

[f.monroe]

And

[79Betty]

Offset kills it for me. I like my wheel sticking out (reason mine are 15x14 with 3" bs) and with anything newer than 88 style i don't like em. I have seen a square running around with 3/4 ton 2000? Style wheels. Looks good. So i'm sure its possible

[Govern]

I actually don't mind the look of a thinner wheel. Plus the other reason i prefer the factory style wheels is you can pick up a set pretty cheap. Ill try to post a couple pictures of the wheels i like. Im thinking those 2000 3/4 ton wheels are most likely 8 lug. Im working with 6 lug.

[Govern]

I even like these in the brushed aluminum finish.

[carboncrew]

This might help:
This is an 18" wheel. Tire is 285/75 (34 inch)

[Malo83]

Originally Posted by carboncrew

This might help:
This is an 18" wheel. Tire is 285/75 (34 inch)

Good looking truck carbon!

[Govern]

love these wheels. They are 17x7.5 i think... and 6 lug. I guess I should find a set and measure the center opening to see if they would clear my front hubs

[Govern]

Carbon that is close to the the look I'm going for. Very nice. What is the back space on those wheels?

[Edahall]

These are 17's off a newer Chevy truck. They fit perfectly and even the center hole is a perfect fit. Tires are P265/70/17. They a little light duty with the heavy 6BT Cummins diesel under the good but they sure wear like iron and return good fuel economy.

[Govern]

Ed outstanding truck, don't think I would have done anything different. Love the wheels but they won't work w my 6 lugs. I'm wondering if the modern 8 lug wheels have a larger center opening?

[Edahall]

Originally Posted by Govern

Ed outstanding truck, don't think I would have done anything different. Love the wheels but they won't work w my 6 lugs. I'm wondering if the modern 8 lug wheels have a larger center opening?

The modern 8 lugs Chevy wheels have the same size center opening as what's needed for our square bodies. These wheels that I put on my Suburban were from a 2007 Chevy truck. I paid less for the whole set including good tires than what it would have cost for 1 new tire.

[Govern]

That's my plan I'm glad that worked for you. I'm concerned the 8 lug wheels have a larger opening then the 6 lug wheels. It just appears that way in pictures.. Unless I can find someone w one of our trucks running modern 6 lugs wheels, I guess I'll have to ask to measure someone's wheels( awkward conversation) haha

[bojak]

Ed, did those bolt right up? i thought the 8 lugs changed layout at some point. I am running newer (2004ish) steelies on my square but i really like the style of those rims you are running.

[Edahall]

Originally Posted by bojak

Ed, did those bolt right up? i thought the 8 lugs changed layout at some point. I am running newer (2004ish) steelies on my square but i really like the style of those rims you are running.

Yes they bolted right up. They're a perfect fit other than maybe having slightly less offset than OEM. I've got the center caps as well but have to cut a hole to fit over the hubs in the front.

[carboncrew]

Originally Posted by Govern

Carbon that is close to the the look I'm going for. Very nice. What is the back space on those wheels?

I'd have to double check but pretty sure a common -25. thx

[cal30_sniper]

Originally Posted by Edahall

These are 17's off a newer Chevy truck. They fit perfectly and even the center hole is a perfect fit. Tires are P265/70/17. They a little light duty with the heavy 6BT Cummins diesel under the good but they sure wear like iron and return good fuel economy.

That looks awesome. Same size tire I'm running on my C20, I went with the Michelin A/T 2s when it was time for new tires, highly recommend for guys that spend a significant amount of time on trails. Same dimensions on my H2 rims also, except the H2's are a bit wider (17x8.5" rim).

Originally Posted by bojak

Ed, did those bolt right up? i thought the 8 lugs changed layout at some point. I am running newer (2004ish) steelies on my square but i really like the style of those rims you are running.

The post-squarebody rims have 1" less backspacing than the newer aluminum stuff. That's the only difference I'm aware of. It's really a non-issue, especially with the 17" rims. 16" aluminum alloys with the newer offset might have issues clearing the 13" HD drum rear brakes on some of the bigger squarebodies. That's the only issue I could forsee. 17" should clear just fine.

[cal30_sniper]

From: http://wheelhelp.com/Chevrolet_GMC_Bolt_Patterns7.htm

67-87 1/2 Ton 4x4 Trucks = 6x139.7, 78.3mm center bore, Low Offset
88-98 1/2 Ton 4x4 Trucks = 6x139.7, 78.3mm center bore, Medium Offset
99-06 1/2 Ton 4x4 Trucks = 6x139.7, 78.3mm center bore, Low Offset
07-Up 1/2 Ton 4x4 Trucks = 6x139.7, 78.3mm center bore, Medium/High Offset

So, all the 6x139.7 truck rims have the same center bore. Offsets will change, but almost all should work except for some of the very new stuff. Medium offset will work, high might not (probably wouldn't try a high offset rim on these, its going to screw up your suspension geometry without spacers and may cause interference with ball joints, tie rods, etc). Everything else should be good to go.

-cal30sniper