I have a leveling kit on my '02. The previous owner installed 265/70-17 tires on 3rd Gen factory wheels on it. I need new tires and bought a couple sets of 2nd Gen factory alloy wheels. I'd like to put 285/75-16 tires on, but I'm not sure if tire chains will clear the control arms. If not, I'll stick with 265/75-16 tires.

On my old '97 without a leveling kit, I installed 285/70-17 tires on 3rd Gen 17" factory alloy wheels. The tires would rub the control arm at full lock.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

I can't speak about tire chains, but when I bought my 12v, it had 305/70R16 tires on the factory 6.5" steel rims, I didn't have any rubbing. You'll be running narrower tires, so I think you'd be ok. The 3rd gen rims have more backspacing than the 2nd gens, so that would be why you had rubbing issues then.

 

You are correct about the 3rd Gen alloy wheel having more backspacing than a 6.5" 2nd Gen steel wheel. It has exactly 1.5" more backspacing. However, the 2nd Gen 8" alloy wheel also has exactly 1.5" more backspacing than a 2nd Gen steel wheel.

On my '97, 285's rubbed on the control arms when the steering wheel was at full lock. Unless the control arms are further inboard on the '00 to '02 trucks, which I doubt they are, then the same rubbing should occur with the same outside diameter 285 on a stock '02 truck. However, my '02 has a leveling kit up front, so I'm wondering if that might provide a little extra clearance, enough so that tire chains would even clear.

Anybody have any experience here?


Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

If 35's would fit without rubbing you can fit chains on a 285.

I know this is true on a 3rd gen, but not sure on a 2nd.

 

LOL!! Yeah, I need to make sure it will work on a 2nd Gen. Thanks though.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

The point being that people claim 35's fit on OEM rims without rubbing correct? And if a 35 fits then a 285 with chains will fit.

 

Well, it certainly matters whether this is on a 3rd Gen or 2nd Gen truck. I'm sure there are obvious clearance differences between the two trucks.

If a 2nd Gen truck, is that with a 2nd Gen 8" alloy wheel or 2nd Gen 6.5" steel wheel?

Of course this is with trucks with leveling kits, correct?



Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

Leveling kits actually decrease clearance a little, but not on the control arms but rather at the firewall side of the fender.

Doing a search provided data that 35's fit on stock wheels, 6.5 or 8's, and might rub the control arm (not all tires) and might touch the fender (not all tires).

That says you should be able to clear 285's and chains. You may get a little contact on the control arm at full turn but thats it.

I also understand the control arms from a 3rd gen are a direct bolt up, but are narrower which reduces contact.

 

You're not answering my question. Are these folks running a leveling kit or not? Also, you stating that leveling kits decrease clearance on the firewall side of the fender but not the control arms does not tell me whether control arm clearance has increased or stayed the same when using a leveling kit.

I should have asked this earlier, but how wide of a 35? That will make a difference on whether there is any rubbing going on.

I mentioned already that I experienced rubbing on my stock front height '97 when running 285/70-17 tires mounted on 3rd Gen 8" wide factory alloy wheels. As far as I know, all measurements, other than diameter, between the 2nd Gen and 3rd Gen 8" wide factory alloy wheels are identical. This means I would also have rubbing on my '02, whether I'm running 285/75-16's or 285/70-17's, UNLESS the leveling kit makes a difference.


Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

Some are running a leveling kit, and some aren't.

A leveling kit will have zero effect on control arm clearance. And yes your 97 and your 02 will have the same clearance, or lack there of.

 

I don't have a definite answer to your question, but my truck has a 2" leveling kit and for a while I ran 295/75/16s on the factory 8" alloy wheels and the tires would rub the control arms at full lock. There's about 6/10" difference in height between these sizes so I would guess that the same setup with 285s and chains would be awfully close...

 

Chains will hit the control arms on 285 tires with stock suspension when the steering wheel is turned to full lock.