I'm clueless about wheels and tires... advice on knobby offroad tires on stock 99...

hilldo · #1 (**permalink**) 08-18-05, 01:11 AM

It's time for new tires and rather than go the 22's or 24's and low profile tires I'm going for a higher profile knobby tire on my stock chrome 16' rims...

I'd like a wide knobby tire that is a good mix between treadwear, road, and offroad performance.

I have 265/70/16's on now... I'd like a wider tire with shoulder tread and a little lift to the truck. What are my options width/lift wise without having to put a lift kit on?

Any offroaders have a suggestion?

nickc280 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-18-05, 01:12 AM

I thought you where just looking for 20's?

hilldo · #3 (**permalink**) 08-18-05, 01:19 AM

I was but I do use my 4wd on the beach a lot... right now I'm better off with the knobby look since I won't have to buy new rims.

I'm thinking of getting 22's and lo-pros then stash the 16's and knobbys for beach excursions.

But right now the knobbys make more sense financially.

**hcvone** · #4 (**permalink**) 08-18-05, 08:25 AM

Here are some choices
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....rrain+T%2FA+KM

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ler+M%2FT+D673

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....rangler+MT%2FR

You would not want to drive these on the highway too many times, they would be very loud, and the highway would wear them down quicker.

T-Dizzy · #5 (**permalink**) 08-18-05, 09:05 AM

Up in New England I run BFG's Mud/Terrains on my '02 EXT. They look incredibly agressive (huge lugs, shoulder-wrapped, etc), and don't run nearly as loud as I thought they might. I have 285/70R17's, so you'd need to find the right size for your '99, but they're great tires IMHO.

- T

hilldo · #6 (**permalink**) 08-18-05, 12:19 PM

Diggin these:

Thanks for the links... how tall/wide can I go without putting a lift on my 99 rig?

hilldo · #7 (**permalink**) 08-18-05, 02:59 PM

When ordering from these online shops I see there can be substantial savings but after shipping you have the added cost of tire installation... is it easlier just to go purchase them retail? Is the savings worth ordering online, waiting for shipping, then taking them to get installed?

nickc280 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-18-05, 03:13 PM

NO it isn't worth it, go to a local shop where if you have any problems you can go back and have them back the tires, I would never order new tires online unless it was just a real steal, know I did buy some used rims and tires and that worked out good but I also put them on myself and got a steal on them

hilldo · #9 (**permalink**) 08-18-05, 03:49 PM

I dont' mind used tires that are in great shape and at a steal, the last two sets I had were slightly used... but the first set was free from the dealer and the second set was 1/4 of what I would have paid new.

But now, I'm ready to nut up on some sweet tires... I'll buy local. Makes sense.

Ford Assassin · #10 (**permalink**) 04-18-09, 12:35 AM

Another run at the top....

**Rolex** · #11 (**permalink**) 04-18-09, 02:37 AM

Bridgestone Revos

BFG A/T KO

Michelin LTX AT2

All excellent a/t tires with decent on road manners.

Ford Assassin · #12 (**permalink**) 04-18-09, 02:43 AM

But will 285/75/16's fit with the stock height?

T-Dizzy · #13 (**permalink**) 04-18-09, 09:12 AM

They *should* fit, and be a little snug. Stock - I believe - was/is 245/75R16, and you can quick calculate the overall height like this:

245 (mm) * .75 (sidewall ratio) * 2 (top and bottom sidewall) / 25.4 (mm-to-in conversion) + 16 (rim diameter) = about 30.5 inches stock tire height.

A 285/75R16 would then be 285 * .75 * 2 / 25.4 + 16 = 32.8 inches.

That's a 2.3" difference, which is really 1.15" on the top and the bottom - so you're only sucking up 1.15" more wheelwell space. GMs stock heights give you at least that much leeway.

They'll also be a bit wider, so you may run into some rubbing on tight cornering, and aggressive treads can do a number on any plastic flashing, so keep your shears handy so they don't wind up tearing apart the fenderwells.

-Tony

obxdiver · #14 (**permalink**) 04-18-09, 09:43 AM

Before my current 05 ESV, I had the 1999 Yukon Denali. This was basically the same truck as the 99 Escalade.
The stock tires were Firestone P265 70R 16
I put Michelin LTX P275 70R 16's on after the Firestone's
http://www.michelinman.com/tires/lig.../ltx-ms/98835/

I did very much beach driving in NC. and it did just fine. I ran them at 35psi and I never needed to let the air down for beach driving
They were very quiet on the highway
Here is a picture of the truck with this tire on the beach in The Outer Banks (OBX) of NC.

Ford Assassin · #15 (**permalink**) 04-18-09, 09:59 AM

[quote=obxdiver;1849584]Before my current 05 ESV, I had the 1999 Yukon Denali. This was basically the same truck as the 99 Escalade.
The stock tires were Firestone P265 70R 16
I put Michelin LTX P275 70R 16's on after the Firestone's
http://www.michelinman.com/tires/lig.../ltx-ms/98835/

I did very much beach driving in NC. and it did just fine. I ran them at 35psi and I never needed to let the air down for beach driving
They were very quiet on the highway
Here is a picture of the truck with this tire on the beach in The Outer Banks (OBX) of NC.

That's great dude. Do you happen to have any side shots of your old Denali?

Thanks again.