Looking for advice: larger tires stock trail boss

[andrwgrcia]

I apologize upfront that a lot of this has been covered in other forums. That said, I have found aggregating all of the advice difficult and confusing. I was hoping for some advice for a newbie.

I am looking to increase the size of the tires on my stock 2021 LT Trail Boss 5.3L. The vehicle spends most of its time on road, but also substantial time on dirt roads, fire roads, driving across open fields, etc. I have not had problems with ground clearance with the stock setup, and much of this is aesthetically motivated.

I would like to run 34 - 35” tires, and am open to doing some minor trimming. I would like to avoid any rub, and assume I would need to install a leveling lift but would like to avoid an additional rear lift.

My primary questions are:
1. Is this feasible, or am I dreaming this can be done?
2. If I install a front leveling lift how large does it need to be? Should I also replace the UCA’s, what are the considerations with this? Should I do spacers or replace the struts? My budget could accommodate either option.
3. Will the added weight of the tires be too much for the 5.3L? What considerations do I need to give to the transmission?

Thank you in advance to anyone who has advice and experience to share.

 

[Stormin08]

with a LEVEL 1.75" the 35x12.5 is easily doable.
1. look at pulling the fender lining fabric back some more. there are unnecessary brackets behind them, that unbolt allow a lot more room...push them back and select your method of attachment. i drilled new hole and use push tree clips to retain a stock appearance.
2. may need to trim small portions of the mudflaps if you choose to keep, or do a delete kit
3. WHEELS ARE KEY (in the terms of offset vs. diameter). A smaller diameter requires more NEGATIVE offset (pushing outward of the fender), where as a larger diameter can be more POSITIVE (inward)...it all depends on suspension part clearance.

i currently run a 22x10 w/ -18 (they POKE out), i ma going to a ZERO or possibly a +12 ish to pull them back in slightly

 

[PistolsFiring]

1. Yes it can be done. 295/70/18 and 285/75/18 has been done on stock wheels with no lift or level. Possibly minor rubbing with the former and mudflap delete with the latter.
2. 1.5 to 2 inches is common. IF you level I would recommend replacing UCAs. Spacer vs strut, your choice.
3. 5.3 will be fine with 34-35” tire. Compare weights of tire preferences if you’re really concerned.

 

[andrwgrcia]

with a LEVEL 1.75" the 35x12.5 is easily doable.
1. look at pulling the fender lining fabric back some more. there are unnecessary brackets behind them, that unbolt allow a lot more room...push them back and select your method of attachment. i drilled new hole and use push tree clips to retain a stock appearance.
2. may need to trim small portions of the mudflaps if you choose to keep, or do a delete kit
3. WHEELS ARE KEY (in the terms of offset vs. diameter). A smaller diameter requires more NEGATIVE offset (pushing outward of the fender), where as a larger diameter can be more POSITIVE (inward)...it all depends on suspension part clearance.

i currently run a 22x10 w/ -18 (they POKE out), i ma going to a ZERO or possibly a +12 ish to pull them back in slightly

Thank you. This is quite helpful.

 

[andrwgrcia]

Thank you, this is very helpful.

Spacer vs strut, does spacer put much more stress on attachments points or angles?

 

[Transient]

285/75r18 Wrangler Duratracs on factory wheels, no lift, no spacers. I did end up doing a mud flap delete because of rubbing. Then had slight rubbing at full lock on the wheel well liner and added 1/2" spacers. 1/2" spacers are the maximum you can go on the factory lugs.

 

[andrwgrcia]

285/75r18 Wrangler Duratracs on factory wheels, no lift, no spacers. I did end up doing a mud flap delete because of rubbing. Then had slight rubbing at full lock on the wheel well liner and added 1/2" spacers. 1/2" spacers are the maximum you can go on the factory lugs.

Thank you. That looks great.

 

[2KWIK2C]

Bigger tires and lifted always look great!

 

[Matty0560]

2021 with the 6.2L, 295/70r18 Toyos R/T Trails, and upgraded Fox 2.0 struts&shocks. No extra level, trimming, or spacers needed. I couldn’t have asked for a better fitment without doing modifications within the wheel wells. Also need to get an updated picture with my new running boards on…

 

[Tokolosh]

I've been using this website as I search for my own wheels and tires with no plans to lift or level from stock.

Wheel Offset Calculator

Use our wheel offset calculator to visualize the new tire position when changing wheel and tire sizes. Convert wheel offset and backspacing to calculate the correct setup for your vehicle.

tiresize.com

I have a 2020. Stock wheels are the 20" x 9" wheel. The OE specs I could find are a +28 offset. OE tires are 275/60R20 Bridgestone Dueller A/Ts. I want to add 285/65R20 Mickey Thompsons which would go to 34.6" versus the 33" OE height. Here is how that looks...

I don't believe that will require any trimming. However, I'd like to also get rid of the silver of the OE wheels so I wanted to find some good wheels to replace as well. So I updated the calculator with the Method MR316s I want. Same 20" x 9" size but the offset is +18 instead of the 28 of the OE. Here is what that looks like...

Again, I don't think I will need any trimming with these numbers but I will find out when the tires and wheels arrive later this month. Being able to visualize the shifts in height and proximity to suspension, etc. really helps.

OE Setup on the 2020 Trail Boss with the 20" wheels:
Wheels are 20" x 9", 6x139.7 Bolt pattern, +28 offset, 39.9 lbs.
Tires are 275/60R20 Bridgestone Dueller A/T RH-S, 33" h x 10.8" w, 40 lbs.

My new setup:
Wheels are Method MR316, 6x139.7 Bolt pattern, +18 offset, 33.4 lbs.
Tires are Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T E, 34.6" h x 11.2" w, 61 lbs.

 

[Stormin08]

Rim & Tire Size Calculator. Custom Offsets

Tire Tech Information - The Wheel Fitment, Tyre Stretch, Rolling Radius and Speedometer Error Calculator. Play with specs, try different settings, compare results

www.wheel-size.com

this is a good tool, go do a few measurements after looking at this...very helpful

 

[BigBadChevyMN]

You should be fine. I just to do a little trimming on the liner for my 35x11.5x20 with a 0 offset and I have the RC level kit.

 

[andrwgrcia]

Thank you all for the input.

I am settling in on the following modification: Bilstien 5100 height adjustable front struts for 1” leveling lift, 5100 rear shocks and Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 285/75/18 tires. These would mount on the stock 18” wheels. I need to confirm if new UCA will be necessary, in which case I am looking at the Bilstien but open to other suggestions. I am really hoping to avoid the need for any wheel spacer just for safety / avoid excess stress reasons.

I debated going the Bilstien 6125 / 5160 route, but feel that would be overkill for my intended use, as would a Fox 2.0 setup.

Have not pulled the trigger yet on any of the hardware, but getting very close.

 

[Transient]

That sounds like a good plan. I do suggest getting the uupgraded upper control arms and at least 1/2" spacers. The aftermarket upper control arms have beefier ball joints that are larger in size. This is where tire rub is a concern. Best case scenario toy don't need and don't use the spacers, thereby refunding or selling them.

 

[andrwgrcia]

I am growing a little bit impatient with the back order on the 6112’s. My thought is to install a level kit and revisit struts later.

Both the Ready Lift and Zone kits appear to be very well designed and liked by those who have installed them. My goal is to match the OEM geometry as closely as possible (for safety and wear) while running the largest diameter tires I can fit (285/70) on stock 18” wheels. I find the language on the websites confusing. For example RL provides a max tire size for 0 offset wheels, but then says on OEM wheels that it can fit the 285/75. Zone on the other hand refers to backspacing, which I am having a terrible time figuring out how to calculate despite the very helpful online calculators (I may just be slow).

I have not pulled the trigger on anything (other than the Bora spacers for when I was doing the Bilstein) in case I ultimately need to change wheels.

Any thoughts or advice?