2002 YUKON XL - Max tire size?

pete dieni · Feb 17, 2026

What is the largest tire I can fit on a 2002 yukon xl. I plan on cranking up the torsion bars up front and getting aligned.

Marky Dissod · Feb 17, 2026

Tallest tire I've managed to stuff in the front wheel wells and turn lock-to-lock with an acceptable / barely detectable rub at full lock:
255/7018, which are 32.05" tall
Actually got more rub from 265/65R18, which are 31.56" tall
If you crank the torsion bars to give you a lil lift, you might get away with taller AND wider tires.

6speedblazer · Feb 18, 2026

I had 275/60/r20's roughly a 33" tall tire on my 05 xl Denali and it only scrubbed the front of the inner fender slightly while turning and reversing.

I moved those wheels over to my 06 escalade ext this past weekend and have no Rubbing at all.

mikez71 · Apr 6, 2026

Hiw much lift can one get by cranking the torsion bars?

6speedblazer · Apr 7, 2026

mikez71 said:
Hiw much lift can one get by cranking the torsion bars?

Thats a bit subjective. You could probably get 2-3 inches but have zero down travel and have a truck that rides terrible.

I personally would not go any higher than the upper threshold of the factory Z height.

mikez71 · Apr 7, 2026

Just what I was wondering, thanks!

What is stock Z71 height? 1" lift over stock?

6speedblazer · Apr 7, 2026

Should be the same as all the other torsion bar suspensions except maybe the Silverado SS. The SS is the only thing i see a different spec for vs all the others.

Burban22 · Apr 11, 2026

285/70/17 ~ 32.7" - 33" tire will fit with a torsion bar crank in the front. Here's my 03 Z71 with 1.5" rear coil spring lift spacers and torsion keys in the front. I had to change out the torsion keys up front as my torsion bars are a bit tired after 20+ years.

https://www.amazon.com/Supreme-Suspensions-Adjustable-Suspension-High-Strength/dp/B00VVR6JOW/

295/70/17 33.3 Will fit but they rub the plastic rear inner fender wells when suspension compresses. Would recommend the smaller size above

285 vs 295 on the Z71

2002 Tahoe Z71, aftermarket keys to bring the front to level, otherwise everything else is stock. The current tires are just the factory size, and highway tread. I would like something a bit more aggressive and larger I went shopping at the tire stores today and they pretty much sold me on...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

Fless · Apr 11, 2026

mikez71 said:
Just what I was wondering, thanks!

What is stock Z71 height? 1" lift over stock?

The Z height measurement:

Trim Height Inspection — 2002 GMC C 1500 Yukon XL 2WD V8-5.3L VIN T Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 2002 GMC C 1500 Yukon XL 2WD V8-5.3L VIN T.

charm.li

mikez71 · Apr 11, 2026

Good catch! Thanks!
I had no idea.. And that's too much work

Looks like they spec 1/2" difference between balljoint and control arm pivot height?

But I like the height of @Burban22's ride..

mikez71 · Apr 11, 2026

Would longer shocks allow more down travel?
I've got Z55 shocks, and I don't see replacements available..

Burban22 · Apr 17, 2026

mikez71 said:
Would longer shocks allow more down travel?
I've got Z55 shocks, and I don't see replacements available..

I've run a set of these silver bilstein 5100's and the red KYB Monomax on my lifted burb.
The Bilstiens ride softer than the KYB and there is more of a floaty, boating, ship on the ocean stock ride. The KYB monomax are much stiffer initially but the burb still rides comfortable and not harsh.
You can get part numbers on KYB and Bilsteins site for stock and lifted.

mikez71 · Apr 17, 2026

Thanks, good to know! Surprising the Bilstein are softer.. I have monomax front struts in my '12, and they aren't overly stiff.
(But that's running their coilspring too)

When I lifted my '12 Tahoe with spacers, 1" and even 2" felt OK, but at 2.5" I could feel the suspension was bottoming on droop..
And that was just driving in the street and around the yard..

Burban22 · Apr 17, 2026

Only thing with the mono max front shocks are they are too short unless you are stock height. I had to space out the front shocks running my 2” front torsion key lift to obtain 100% down travel.

The bilstein 5100 are a little too long up front when you just have a 2” torsion key lift so pick your poison.

The rears are just fine for both brands

BigDaddy13440 · Apr 21, 2026

Burban22 said:
Only thing with the mono max front shocks are they are too short unless you are stock height. I had to space out the front shocks running my 2” front torsion key lift to obtain 100% down travel.

The bilstein 5100 are a little too long up front when you just have a 2” torsion key lift so pick your poison.

The rears are just fine for both brands
View attachment 482803

View attachment 482804

I have the KYB Monomax in my '06 Denali with keys/offset arms/cut bumpstops, but I ordered mine for 2-4" of lift. Same cost, btw.

In the rears, I have Monroe LoadAssist coilovers, with 2" extensions. Couldn't cross-reference the correct length, so the extensions had to do.

mikez71 · May 7, 2026

I'm dreaming about a 6" lift if I need keys and offset arms anyways! I'm a ways out, if ever..

Uh, @BigDaddy13440, your profile pic looks a bit more than 4" of lift!

2002 YUKON XL - Max tire size?

pete dieni

TYF Newbie

Marky Dissod

Full Access Member

6speedblazer

Full Access Member

mikez71

Full Access Member

6speedblazer

Full Access Member

mikez71

Full Access Member

6speedblazer

Full Access Member

Burban22

Full Access Member

285 vs 295 on the Z71

Fless

Trim Height Inspection — 2002 GMC C 1500 Yukon XL 2WD V8-5.3L VIN T Service Manual | Operation CHARM

mikez71

Full Access Member

mikez71

Full Access Member

Burban22

Full Access Member

mikez71

Full Access Member

Burban22

Full Access Member

BigDaddy13440

Full Access Member

mikez71

Full Access Member

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Latest posts