New Setup Help

[Defenbach]

Hey guys,

I just recently bought my trailblazer a few months ago and I really hate how it looks with the stock wheels and tires.

I'm looking to get a set of wheels that are 16 x 7 and I would like to get some fairly aggressive tires on them. I know that the ball joint sits right above the tire and clearance can be a bitch.

So my question is, if I were to get spacers for these wheels how thick would the spacers need to be and then how large could I go (in inches in diameter) with my tire size before I run into any other clearance issues.

Also, same question if I were to get wheels with an 8" offset.

Thanks in advance guys.


Kyle

[navigator]

welcome Kyle.
Search is your friend my friend
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3060

[djthumper]

Welcome, you may want to put an intro post up as well and put in your location. The guys are more likely to warm up to you in that way instead of coming in here and no one knowing anything about you or your intentions.

As Chris said search and reading around here is your friend. There isn't a lot that hasn't been done and not posted on this site.

I would like to see you get an 8" offset on a 7" wheel...

[Sputnik312]

Welcome to the site- try searching around alittle- you'd be surprised how much you can learn in less than 10min...... It gets addicting too haha

[mikekey]

Gee, do you even need to search? You posted in the forum that has the info your looking for as stickies in the top!

[v7guy]

yeah, those 3 stickies at the top should answer every question you have and then some.

[Defenbach]

Alright I read up on the stickies and they did give me a little better of an idea. But one questions I couldn't get a good answer for was how thick the spacers need to be. I'm sure that the offset plays a large role in this for backspacing, but obviously the ball joint is a concern as well.
For example, if I were to pick up a set of wheels like these:
http://bellingham.craigslist.org/pts/3629896283.html
Would I be able to get away with just a 1" adapter and throwing 31" tires on there? I just dropped $3,000 into rebuilding my transmission so I could tow a boat often and over long distances, I'd like to try and avoid spending a bunch of unnecessary money.
Thanks again guys.



Kyle
Lynden, Wa
2005 Trailblazer LS
122,000 miles

[Conner299]

The least amount, people usually go on spacer thickness, is about 1.25". And that requires grinding of the lug bolts. I really don't see 1" being feasible. Seems to me, 99% of the build threads I have read, everyone uses the MarkMc 1.5", or something comparable.

[Sputnik312]

Depending on the tire you may not need spacers if its only 31 in exactly. The generally rule is that 30.5 is the biggest you can go but it really depends on the sidewall and type of tread and brand of the tire... But I would only recommend markmc's spacers which are 1.5 in if you go that route. I don't believe there are really any quality ones out there besides his

[mikekey]

I just dropped $3,000 into rebuilding my transmission so I could tow a boat often and over long distances, I'd like to try and avoid spending a bunch of unnecessary money.

Holy cow! I had my transmission built up to the same standards the SS guys are using pushing 500HP and I didn't pay anywhere close to that.

[Defenbach]

I just dropped $3,000 into rebuilding my transmission so I could tow a boat often and over long distances, I'd like to try and avoid spending a bunch of unnecessary money.

Holy cow! I had my transmission built up to the same standards the SS guys are using pushing 500HP and I didn't pay anywhere close to that.

Well I blew it (6k miles after buying the truck). Lost 3rd and 4th gear and I need it for work so I had them put in a Corvette cervo, Sonnax Smart Shell and all that stuff. They ripped me off and I let them know it but there was nothing I could do and I needed my car back.

[DirtyBacon04]

Spacers need to be a minimum of 4". Don't listen to these noobs telling you 1.25" or 1.5".

[JorDaneeKey]

I just dropped $3,000 into rebuilding my transmission so I could tow a boat often and over long distances, I'd like to try and avoid spending a bunch of unnecessary money.

Holy cow! I had my transmission built up to the same standards the SS guys are using pushing 500HP and I didn't pay anywhere close to that.

Well I blew it (6k miles after buying the truck). Lost 3rd and 4th gear and I need it for work so I had them put in a Corvette cervo, Sonnax Smart Shell and all that stuff. They ripped me off and I let them know it but there was nothing I could do and I needed my car back.

Can totally understand needing the car back. I lucked out with a cheap Kia rental from the Stone Age, but it still sucked until we got it back (about 4 days). However, with what you added in, I but she drives a whole lot better than stock!

[HARDTRAILZ]

1 inch would have a full lug nut engagement. I was going to do them if I swapped wheels awhile back.

[navigator]

those are only 5 lug rims.
Our rims are unique 6 lugs with a 5 inch bolt pattern.
Most full sized chevys are 6X5.5.
Most guys run 1.5" adapters and full sized Chevy rims because there are more takeoffs available.

[v7guy]

Dirtybacon is right, anything less than 4" and your ball joint will get ripped off the truck by the tire and the whole thing will burst into flames after oozing all it's ectoplasm. Also make sure you don't cross the streams, it would be bad.

[DirtyBacon04]

Dirtybacon is right, anything less than 4" and your ball joint will get ripped off the truck by the tire and the whole thing will burst into flames after oozing all it's ectoplasm. Also make sure you don't cross the streams, it would be bad.

Jeesh FINALLY someone else with some sense! All these other guys just hazing the new guy with this bullshit info!!

[v7guy]

yeah, I don't know why people gotta fu(k with the new guys all the time, those stickies are confusing as all hell

[DirtyBacon04]

yeah, I don't know why people gotta fu(k with the new guys all the time, those stickies are confusing as all hell

Homeboy isn't even acknowledging our sarcastic-asshole-ishness...

That makes me sad...

[Moots1288]

yeah, I don't know why people gotta fu(k with the new guys all the time, those stickies are confusing as all hell

Homeboy isn't even acknowledging our sarcastic-asshole-ishness...

That makes me sad...

Maybe he just doesn't like you