18s or 20s

[TREYR8D]

So I've been looking at a wheel tire combo that I would want for a while. I really like the black XD Monster wheels for my black truck, and I like the way the 20s look as opposed to the 18s just based on the wheel design alone because of the longer spokes. But, I have heavily considered just going with the 18s to keep a good tire to wheel ratio (and tires are slightly cheaper). I will be leveling out my 07 z71 with the CCM 2.5/1 kit and I want to keep a descent "off-road" look. If i go with the 20s, i'd put on a 305/50 R20 = 32 x 12. If i go with the 18s, i'd put on a 305/60 R18 = 32.4 x 12. I'm worried that the 20s will have too little of tire and give too much of a street look. I will most likely be going with the Nitto terra grapplers because of their reviews on pavement, ice and snow pack, all very common to the Denver area and ski hills.

I did some looking around and didn't really see any pictures of either of these set-ups. If anyone has one of these set-ups could you please post some pics! Comments and thoughts are also appreciated.

 

[UofMZ71]

if you do this i will hate you forever!
ha, ok i couldnt but i want his setup and have been debating the same exact thing!

I just got the BFG a/ts last year so no new tires for me for a while, which is why ive been thinking 18 (could replace stockers with same tire) but the 20s would look great - would have to buy a whole new set of even more expensive tires!

If you do this or come across pictures i would love to see the monsters on our trucks!

 

[Conor]

Go with a 22 and a meaty tire

 

[blueflamed03]

20's, minimum

 

[TREYR8D]

UofM, yea, i thought the same thing. I know i will need new tires around november for the winter season, but didnt know if i'd have the $$ to pay for the rims as well, so that is why the 18s are still a viable option. Turns out, for the 305s i want i need at least a 9" wide rim, stock is 8.5". So, I'll most likely just scrounge together all the $$ I can, bite the bullet and do it right w/ 20x10s. I wonder if i could stuff the 305/55 R20s (= 33.2 x 12) in there w/o too much rub. I have 12.5" wide tires on my Jeep and just love the way the wider tires look (esp. nitto TGs look better the wider they are). Do you have any rubbing with the 285/65?

 

[blueflamed03]

305's will fit, a 20x8 will work, I have a 20x9.5 with a 285/50/20, lowered 2/3 and no rubbing

 

[UofMZ71]

Trevor, i have a very small rub spot but nothing im going to complain about. With the 305 being wider then you may have to do some trimming, but i wouldnt think too much.

when you get this done i would love to see pictures, as i too will probably wait for 20's!

 

[TREYR8D]

I can deal with some plastic trimming and pulling back the plastic the in wheel wells, but i really don't want to do any metal trimming. I actually like the way the front air dam looks trimmed. I think 2ELO has good pics of his trimmed up.

 

[Zed 71]

Trey you will definitly need to do some trimming. FYI, I have Nitto Trail MT 285/65/18s with the CCM 2.5"f/1"r and had to trim ~2 inches from the front black plastic pieces. This much was taken out to minimize rubbing when flexing the suspension off-road. The tire diameter as measured was 32.5" with a width of 11.2". With the stock rims and these tires, the tires also rubbed on the sway bar at full lock. Check the offset on the Monsters...

For some reason it seams like the NNBS Z71 have less room to stuff larger tires than the normal versions. Go figure. So remeber 2ELO does not have a Z71 and the front bumper facsias are different.

 

[UofMZ71]

Trey you will definitly need to do some trimming. FYI, I have Nitto Trail MT 285/65/18s with the CCM 2.5"f/1"r and had to trim ~2 inches from the front black plastic pieces. This much was taken out to minimize rubbing when flexing the suspension off-road. The tire diameter as measured was 32.5" with a width of 11.2". With the stock rims and these tires, the tires also rubbed on the sway bar at full lock. Check the offset on the Monsters...

For some reason it seams like the NNBS Z71 have less room to stuff larger tires than the normal versions. Go figure. So remeber 2ELO does not have a Z71 and the front bumper facsias are different.

you really had to trim that much for your MT's? ive never gone full flex but do you think it makes a difference with MT's vs AT's? they are the same size

and yeah our front facsias are different, just the two little pieces on either side...

 

[Zed 71]

Yeah I was really surprised they required that much trimming. I do think it makes a difference MT vs AT. I take it off-road at least once a month and I do flex the suspension to its max while at full lock.

BTW did you measure the width of your BFG ATs? I am just curious what the difference is. It seems like people installing BFG AT 285/65/18 do not have a problem (very minor rubbing), but other tires (especially MTs) require trimming.

 

[UofMZ71]

no but i can go check it out now...

whats your MT width?

 

[Zed 71]

I will check mine when I get home too. I recall it is 11.2X". Very close to the theoretical 11.22" (285 mm).

 

[2 E L O]

I'm a little curious how my 285/70-17s are going to fit when flexing offroad. I don't do much offroading so I'm not going to worry about trimming anything yet. Normal driving, even at all lock and pulling up the slope up into my driveway I don't have any rubbing....but I have yet to check the sway bar as mentioned in a separate thread....

 

[UofMZ71]

yeah 2ELO i havent checked the sway bars either! ha oh well, guess ill be looking this weekend. i would like to take the truck off road but just really havent found the opportunity.

im measuring from side wall to side wall and getting about 11.25 or maybe a tad more, BUT i also have the tires at just under 40psi as i hated the DIC telling me i had the tires too inflated at 48 psi and dont want to spend $200 to reprogram!

 

[TREYR8D]

Hmm....I dont want to have to trim that much, may just have to stick with the 285's. That still gives me an extra 20 mm over stock tires. I think if i just go with the 20x9s instead of 20x10s it'll give me the exact same look, tire on the rim. Prolly try to match stock offset/backspacing so they wont stick out at all.

 

[UofMZ71]

yeah that seems like a good plan, im not a big fan of tires that stick out, but the one good thing about the Z71s are the fender flares so having a bigger and wider tire doesnt seem as awkward... not that any of the other trucks here look bad! just not my taste...