04 with Ford Keys, 285's or 315's?

[big mean]

I am putting in Ford keys next weekend and need to decide on tire size. I want to go as large as possible, but not have rubbing issues. Common sense tells me to stick with the 285's, but I am going to run stock 17" wheels. I have seen a few other run the 315's with just keys and spacers. Will I have to run spacers on the back? I really just want to do the keys and keep it level. I am ok with a little trimming and molding of the wheel liners, but dont want to go extreme. This will see about 99% highway, I just want it to look mean. Thanks in advance, James.

 

[AquinoSteven]

Go with the 285s if you dont want to do spacers. If you want to do the 315s then go with the 2" rear spacers

 

[Tonka Tahoe]

Go with the 315's. You will wish you did if you get the 285's. I always hear from people that buy tires that they wish they would have gone bigger. Trust me you wont regret it.

 

[big mean]

Thats my issue, I know I will wish I had gone bigger. I am worried about shocks in the rear though. I want to keep the stock rear air system, while it is still working...lol IT only has 55k miles and still works great. I plan to use shock extenders up front, but I am not sure what to do in the back?

I am spending the bucks on BFG AT's, so i dont want to regret not getting the 315's now. On the other hand, I am having my first kid in a couple weeks, so I dont want to have issues down the road when I am broke.

Thanks for the suggestions, James.

---------- Post added at 08:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:40 AM ----------

SInce I want to get rid of the rake, I will probably go with the 285's. I dont want to try to crank the front up so far that it rides like crap, just to level it out and run 315's.

 

[andrew383]

Another option is the 295/70,it runs about a .5-.75 taller

 

[big mean]

Do they make that in the BFG AT? The sites I looked at went from 285/70 to 305/65. I am sticking with the BFG AT's, i know for a fact they last.

 

[indian mark]

So, Are you guys saying a 285/70/17 will fit a stock 2000 Yukon with 17 inch (Escalade) rims? I don't know what "keys" are.
I'm a big fan of the BFG ATs, they're great.

 

[KrautBurner]

Another option is the 295/70,it runs about a .5-.75 taller

here's some 295's (but not BFG's)


what about going to 305's 305/65-17
same hight as the 285/70-17, but wider

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fi...true&cf=false&rd=17&sw=false&rc=WASINT&cs=305

 

[big mean]

here's some 295's (but not BFG's)


what about going to 305's 305/65-17
same hight as the 285/70-17, but wider

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fi...true&cf=false&rd=17&sw=false&rc=WASINT&cs=305

I saw those, but on stock rims I dont want to go too wiiiiide. I am basically going for the look of how a 4x4 Tahoe should have came from the factory. Leveled with decent AT tires. I am pretty sure I am going to run the 285's. I am having a hard time spending the money on bigger tires to get worse fuel milage. I had to remind myself that this is not going to be show truck or even driven that much, so no need to go all out. Hell, its an 04 with 55k miles...lol

---------- Post added at 11:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:53 AM ----------

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

 

[KrautBurner]

I'm finding myself in the same boat,

trying to decide if I wanna go with 275's (and no suspension work)
or do keys and 285's

 

[AquinoSteven]

If you go with the 315s your gonna have to crank you keys all the way making the front higher then the rear. The 285s will give you a nice level look and make some space in the fender wells making it look a bit taller. I want to run 315s too but sometimes it just doesnt work out

 

[DIY_DAD]

I got 2" keys and 2" spacers with 265/75's right now, and they look small, if i were you i'd go 285/75 with ford keys and 1" spacer in rear, itll look mean, but still work with stock shocks and drive almost like stock still

 

[big mean]

Looks like we are all thinking the same thing. I am getting some ford keys Thursday, $20 from craiglslist. Putting them in Friday, thank you to my buddy with a lift...lol Hopefully getting the 285's saturday with an alignment. I will make sure to post pics.

 

[brucebruce45]

lol u don't need a lift to put keys in. a floor jack is plenty

 

[AquinoSteven]

Lift helps. Mine keys were a pain in the ass. They were stuck on there so we had to torch them off.

 

[big mean]

Correct, but I am sure going to use it. I cant imagine it being easier on the ground, plus I only have a very small floor jack.

 

[swtz71]

I agree it's a lot easier to maneuver under a lift than laying on your back!!

 

[macrylinda1]

Go with the 315's. You will wish you did if you get the 285's. I always hear from people that buy tires that they wish they would have gone bigger. Trust me you wont regret it.

Thats my issue, I know I will wish I had gone bigger. I am worried about shocks in the rear though. I want to keep the stock rear air system, while it is still working...lol IT only has 55k miles and still works great. I plan to use shock extenders up front, but I am not sure what to do in the back?

I am spending the bucks on BFG AT's, so i dont want to regret not getting the 315's now. On the other hand, I am having my first kid in a couple weeks, so I dont want to have issues down the road when I am broke.

Thanks for the suggestions, James.

 

[PUGLIA]

If you go with a 285/70 instead of a 75 you shouldn't run into any rubbing without trimming at all. With no keys or spacers right now I have plenty of clearance. Tromping through dunes and the beach no rubbing. It will give you the look your looking for without the issues.

 

[big mean]

I went with 295/75 nitto terra grapplers. They didnt have bfg's in stock and made me an offer I couldnt refuse. I will try to get pics ASAP.

BTW using the lift was awesome, we were done in an hour. When I first pulled it off the lift the front was a good 2-3 inches higher than the back...lol The CV angles were horrible as well. I lowered it back down to level and it looks and rides great. I didnt have to use spacers for the shocks and it rides exactly the same. Ir eally figured I would notice a change in ride.