I need help choosing tires

[Snacky]

Sorry for re-posting!

I tried running this in the exterior forum and got a lot of looks but no replys.

I will be installing the CCM 2.5/1 leveling kit on my 07 Z71 next weekend. I'm pretty sure that I will immediately want some bigger/ more aggressive looking tires. I'm not really interested in Mud terrains, don't want the noise, wear, loss in fuel mileage, etc. I have been looking at several all terrain tires, today it seems I'm most interested in the Cooper Zeon LTZ's. I will be keeping the stock 18" wheels and it appears the biggest Zeon size available for these wheels is 285/60R18 (diameter-31.5", width-11.4". Will this look big enough? Anyone have any pics of 285/60R18's with the CCM 2.5/1 (or similar) with the stock 18's? ***edit*** now that I've looked under the Light truck category on Cooper's website, I've found there's another size available for the 18's

Current tire: Dueler A/T 265/65R18, Diameter-31.54"

AT's on my short list:
Cooper Zeon LTZ: LT275/70R18, Diameter-33.15" Width-11.1"
Terra Grapplers: Many sizes to consider... looking at the LT285/65R18 E125R, Diameter-32.52" Width-11.22"
BFG TA KO: A few sizes to consider... looking at the LT285/65R18/E 125 R, Diameter-32.7" Width-11.5"
GY Duratracs: a few sizes to consider... looking at the LT295/65R18, Diameter-33.1" Width-11.8"
Open to suggestions...

Anyone know what the biggest diameter and width combinations (in inches) are that can be put an a Tahoe with the CCM 2.5/1 which will have no rubbing or just minimal rubbing possibly requiring minimal trimming. Note, I will not be "mudding" or doing any extreme off-roading. Whatever I do, I want to do it right. If it costs a few extra bucks to be "perfect", so be it. If I have to do some minimal trimming that's ok but I don't want to go hacking the thing up. I'd be looking for advice here if I have to trim. I'm not looking for a monster truck, but those fender flares on the Z71 beg for a bigger / more agressive looking tire.


Here are some picks of my Hoe before the leveling and tires...

 

[Joshin33]

I am currently in a similar situation only would be wrapping 20" LTZ wheels. I bought them from someone who just put XD wheels and Terra Grapplers on his. He said they wore pretty quick even with rotation. I am considering the Cooper Zeon and the BFG Rugged Terrain. You may want to give those a look. My main reasoning for those is they give a slightly more aggressive look but still have a mileage warranty where the Zeon doesn't. Best of luck and I will be following to see what you decide. Make sure ant take pics when done!

 

[Snacky]

I am currently in a similar situation only would be wrapping 20" LTZ wheels. I bought them from someone who just put XD wheels and Terra Grapplers on his. He said they wore pretty quick even with rotation. I am considering the Cooper Zeon and the BFG Rugged Terrain. You may want to give those a look. My main reasoning for those is they give a slightly more aggressive look but still have a mileage warranty where the Zeon doesn't. Best of luck and I will be following to see what you decide. Make sure ant take pics when done!

Thanks, will do. I ran 2 sets of BFG TA KO's on my Tacoma over the last 9 years. Couldn't have been happier with them. The first set lasted 5 years for 60K. The second set was 4 years old with 30K on them when I sold the truck and still had more than half the tread left. I may give more thought to these. Granted, I know they'll wear faster on the heavier Tahoe.

I guess what I'm really looking for here is the max overall diameter and width (in inches) of tire that can be put on a Tahoe with the CCM 2.5/1 and have minimal to no rubbing...

 

[Ziggy2079]

I like your direction and would offer an opinion except I went straight to 305.

.. either way she's going to look good! My vote is TKO!

 

[Snacky]

I like your direction and would offer an opinion except I went straight to 305.

.. either way she's going to look good! My vote is TKO!

Ziggy, do you have a 2.5/1 level? What is the rest of the spec on your tires? Do you have rubbing? Pictures?

 

[Ziggy2079]

Ziggy, do you have a 2.5/1 level? What is the rest of the spec on your tires? Do you have rubbing? Pictures?

Yes I have CCM, 305/55/20. You'd have to trim with 305. Z71 Screams 305!

 

[Snacky]

Here lately now I am leaning towards the Trail Grappler 285/65R18. I didn't want MTs but dangit those things are sexy on a Tahoe with the CCM 2.5/1.

 

[Bernhard225]

Just installed my CCM 2.5/1 the other day and had BFG AT 285/65/18's put on. Install took about 2 hours with 2 people. Ride and driveability are same as stock. Alignment toe was off but corrected after new tires got an alignment. Hope this helps.
http://imageshack.com/a/img853/1593/noic.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img853/3954/a9vr.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img855/5829/dnnz.jpg

 

[Snacky]

Just installed my CCM 2.5/1 the other day and had BFG AT 285/65/18's put on. Install took about 2 hours with 2 people. Ride and driveability are same as stock. Alignment toe was off but corrected after new tires got an alignment. Hope this helps.
http://imageshack.com/a/img853/1593/noic.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img853/3954/a9vr.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img855/5829/dnnz.jpg

Looks great! What did the tires run you out the door if you don't mind me asking?

 

[CAgilbuena]

Anyone with 17's? Some say 33"s will fit some say you need to trim on the 2.5 1.5 kit

 

[Snacky]

Just installed my CCM 2.5/1 the other day and had BFG AT 285/65/18's put on. Install took about 2 hours with 2 people. Ride and driveability are same as stock. Alignment toe was off but corrected after new tires got an alignment. Hope this helps.
http://imageshack.com/a/img853/1593/noic.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img853/3954/a9vr.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img855/5829/dnnz.jpg

More pics please!!!

 

[Cshayes2]

I put 275/65/20 under my CCM leveling kit. mine is the LT model so I'm not entirely sure if they'll fit under a z71, but its possible.

 

[Snacky]

Ok folks, I've found what I think is a pretty good deal and it may look great on my black Z71. This guy is selling a set of "like new" Dick Cepek GM7 17" wheels wrapped with LT285/75/17 Terra Grapplers for $1000. I haven't seen them in person yet but he says they have about 75% tread left. Tire size equates to 33.86" x 11.3". Will this fit under the Z71 with the CCM 2.5/1 (not yet installed) without rubbing? How do you think it will look? Would I be a fool for not jumping on this?

 

[livingez_123]

I really liked my Continentals. The Yokahama Geolanders aren't bad either.

 

[cjweb11]

that would definitely look beefy and would really only require minor trimming.
heres a link to Emanns thread he's got 2.5"/1.5" w/ 295/65/18 GY Duratracs (very close to same dimensions). He has a walk through of the trimming he did to elminate minor rubbing (and it looks better with the front air dams trimmed off anyway)

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24783

If you decide to just purchase new tires for the stock 18's the 285/65/18 BFG TKO's are always a good bet. I did those w/ 2.5"/1.5" and ended up trimming similar to emann_01 cuz there was a lil rub going on, mostly turning in reverse when parking or something.

 

[Snacky]

that would definitely look beefy and would really only require minor trimming.
heres a link to Emanns thread he's got 2.5"/1.5" w/ 295/65/18 GY Duratracs (very close to same dimensions). He has a walk through of the trimming he did to elminate minor rubbing (and it looks better with the front air dams trimmed off anyway)

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24783

If you decide to just purchase new tires for the stock 18's the 285/65/18 BFG TKO's are always a good bet. I did those w/ 2.5"/1.5" and ended up trimming similar to emann_01 cuz there was a lil rub going on, mostly turning in reverse when parking or something.

Thanks, the craigslist deal sold already, I'm pretty bummed, loved the combo. It took him less than a day to sell.

Funny you mentioned the TKO's. I've been leaning towards those lately with the stock 18s. I would love to do the duratracs but since they don't have a 285 I'm worried about excessive trimming, I've looked at emann_01's thread several times, and they are very tempting, his truck looks awesome!