NEED HELP 275/70R17 or 265/70R17 on lifted Trailblazer

[ghost_leader07]

I've posted over the Trailvoy forum but the site is pretty much on life support! i'm hoping that i'll have a better luck the awesome folks on this site

I’m in the process of lifting, changing the tires and shocks on my 04 Trailblazer LT and before you scream USE THE SEARCH BUTTON! at me trust me I did and I didn’t find what I’m looking. I want to lift and level my truck while fitting larger tires (I'm currently running Hankook Dynapro HT 245/65R17) and I'm considering either 275/70R17 or 265/70R17 Here’s my work process to get either of them to fit I would appreciate any input or correction.

For the front end:

-Supreme Suspensions 2.5" Front Leveling Kit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IMOLZFU/?tag=gmtnation-20

(I don’t want to go over 2.5” cause from what I read 3” suspension lift kits tend to damage the CV axles and they’re also hard on the ball joints)

- Bilstein 4600 Series (24-103336)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BYNJAPS/?tag=gmtnation-20

(If anyone has any other suggestions on the struts, please do share)

For the rear end:

-BDS 85619 NX2 Nitro Rear Shocks

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1221999097...=0&customid=link&campid=&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

- Supreme Suspensions 1" Rear Leveling Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V9CQKD4/?tag=gmtnation-20



I know whether I go for 265/70 or 275/70 I’ll need to address the upper control arm typically with 1.5” wheel spacers however I bought a set of 17X8.5J with an offset of +12 so I’m guessing that I don’t need wheel spacers or do i?

Now if everything looks good and safe, I would like to address the main question on what should I go for 275/70R17 or 265/70R17? I don’t mind a bit of trimming on the wheel wells or the front bumper but I do have some splash guards on and I would like to keep them if possible but what I can’t go by is modifying the metal fender otherwise I’m good. I don’t plan on going offroad often but it’s nice to have a decent off-roader if I did.


Thanks!

 

[littleblazer]

I can't speak for the wheels and upper control arm fitment but.... I'd go 265/70 simply because its an extremely common tire size and readily (cheaper) available. That was the oem size on most trucks/suvs forever or upgraded to... really common size.

Now on the wheels, probably need all the specs... a +12 offset means nothing without everything else you know? but it may clear but its also an inch or more wider than what is on there... hard to say for myself.

 

[Mooseman]

There is this thread:

You KNOW there's going to be a "will it fit" thread

And we have a whole section on off-road that may yield some answers.

Off-Road

Off-road technical discussion

gmtnation.com

 

[Blckshdw]

For the visual, here's my 05 EXT with 265/70 R17s before and after a 2.5" front only lift. Stock suspension parts, but flipped and swapped the UCAs. Minor rubbing on the rear of the fenders when at full lock in a quick U turn, no trimming needed though.







1.5" wheel spacers all around, as the tires did rub the steering knuckle and cut a small groove in the side of the treads. As you can see, they were just barely touching, so a smaller spacer would have been fine, but I like the way the truck looks with the tires filling out the "shoulders"

 

[ghost_leader07]

I can't speak for the wheels and upper control arm fitment but.... I'd go 265/70 simply because its an extremely common tire size and readily (cheaper) available. That was the oem size on most trucks/suvs forever or upgraded to... really common size.

I was kinda thinking the same and probably settle for 265/70 but at the same i was hoping for someone running/ran 275/70 to chip in.

Now on the wheels, probably need all the specs... a +12 offset means nothing without everything else you know? but it may clear but its also an inch or more wider than what is on there...

I did mention some of the main specs in the OP they're a 17" rims with 6x127 bolt pattern 8.5"(J) width about 1.5" wider than the OEM wheels with an offset of +12, i was just wondering they'd clear the upper ball joint without spacers, i did put them on the truck but it was difficult to determine without having the tires on.

 

[ghost_leader07]

There is this thread:

You KNOW there's going to be a "will it fit" thread

And we have a whole section on off-road that may yield some answers.

Off-Road

Off-road technical discussion

gmtnation.com

Thanks Mooseman, i did came across this chart but i didn't find any mention of the 275/70R17 i did find 265/70R17 but still need more details about 275/70 before deciding.

 

[ghost_leader07]

For the visual, here's my 05 EXT with 265/70 R17s before and after a 2.5" front only lift. Stock suspension parts, but flipped and swapped the UCAs. Minor rubbing on the rear of the fenders when at full lock in a quick U turn, no trimming needed though.

View attachment 103623

View attachment 103622



1.5" wheel spacers all around, as the tires did rub the steering knuckle and cut a small groove in the side of the treads. As you can see, they were just barely touching, so a smaller spacer would have been fine, but I like the way the truck looks with the tires filling out the "shoulders"

View attachment 103625
View attachment 103624

Thanks @Blckshdw from what i'm seeing these 265/70 seem like a tight fit and going above that could require some trimming and hammering which i'm okay with to some extent. any chance i could fit 275/70R17 with current setup? or should i stick with 265/70?

Do you have the front view for these tires by the way? i would love to see that!

 

[Blckshdw]

No idea if the larger tire would drop in like that. When I got these tires, I was planning on getting some 265/65s like I had before, but the shop's inventory was wrong and they didn't have them like they said, so they offered these at the same price. Got lots of rubbing on the top of the wheel wells when coming down off speed bumps or driveways with curbs, and I felt the rubbing of the tires on the steering knuckles so the lift and spacers were ordered immediately.

Here's a before and after pic when I did the wheel spacers.

 

[corky]

Flipping your upper control arms is a easy task and takes the strain off the ball joints, there's a section on how to do it if you look it up.

 

[04ext5.3]

For the visual, here's my 05 EXT with 265/70 R17s before and after a 2.5" front only lift. Stock suspension parts, but flipped and swapped the UCAs. Minor rubbing on the rear of the fenders when at full lock in a quick U turn, no trimming needed though.

View attachment 103623

View attachment 103622



1.5" wheel spacers all around, as the tires did rub the steering knuckle and cut a small groove in the side of the treads. As you can see, they were just barely touching, so a smaller spacer would have been fine, but I like the way the truck looks with the tires filling out the "shoulders

the pic of the ball joint is before the spacers correct?

 

[Blckshdw]

the pic of the ball joint is before the spacers correct?

Yes that's correct, before I got the spacers in, the tires rubbed against the steering knuckle. As a temporary fix, I pulled the wheels and used a grinder to take off just a little of the metal on the knuckle to clear the tire, so I'd feel comfortable driving it until I could get the spacers on.