Need Help!

[rschock17]

As it says, I need some help/advice.

Im trying to put some bigger tires on my 07 TB. Right now I'm running 265/50/R20 nitto terra grapplers. They are nice, but I am trying to find bigger and more off road oriented tires. Not necessarily mud tires, even better All terrains would be good. My problem is finding tires of a 20 in rim that aren't huge.

Any advice/help/information/suggestions on tires that will require either no or little wheel well cutting would be much appreciated.

[DirtyBacon04]

Well, none of us really have any experience on that topic. None of our members have had time to write lenthy posts about these most common topics. Since its such a rare phenomenon to offroad a TrailBlazer, not many people have asked questions like this. So we're all learning together.

[rschock17]

That's completely understandable. Was just hoping that someone may have some helpful input. I see people with bigger tires quite frequently, but always on smaller rims. The 20 inch rim has been my problem. So I guess I'm hoping (and i know it's kind of a long shot) that someone has had this or similar problems and is willing to share what they did.

[DirtyBacon04]

Yea, so if you know anyone who might have some knowledge on something like this, see if they can share their knowledge with us. Most of us are just a bunch of rednecks who guess alot and don't mind trial and error runs, especially with expensive suspension parts.

Not many people that I know of have had 20" rims and were off-road oriented, btw. So you're a rare breed.

BTW, without a massive lift/body lift combo, you wont be able to go up in tire size much with 20" rims. 16" or 17" is where you gotta be. 16" is the smallest we can run because of our brake rotor.

[fishsticks]

Bacon...

[JorDaneeKey]

After reading the massively long "OMG look what's on the OS thread".....

I think that thread should be mandatory reading before a first post is allowed...

[Cable810]

^ Agreed

[JorDaneeKey]

Not many people that I know of have had 20" rims and were off-road oriented, btw. So you're a rare breed.

Didn't you hear? Running 20s on the trails allows mud and water to pass through more easily, keeping the resistance down so you can maintain positive forward momentum.

[DirtyBacon04]

I think I have read something about that. But you have to make sure you don't have "clutter" rims. The less metal, the better. Ideally, you would'nt want any more than 4 spokes, unless you have bicycle rim style spokes. Also helps alot if you have at least one throttle body spacer.
But times are tough and prices are high, so if one has to make a 4" Outside the strut spacer out of PVC, it'll get the job done.

[djthumper]

This reminds me... I need to take a pic of my neighbor's SS that wants to make more off-road worthy.

[JorDaneeKey]

It's like the donk cars. They really only came about after Hurricane Katrina. All those low-riders lost their cars, so they lifted and added the rims to prevent future vehicle loss in case of mass flooding. Only makes sense to bring that concept offroad.

[rschock17]

Well, for those whom I have inconvenienced, I apologize. And those who tried to help, Thanks

[Regulator1175]

Well, for those whom I have inconvenienced, I apologize. And those who tried to help, Thanks

Seriously, you come in here asking about putting mud tires on 22's and your surprised your getting smart ass answers. Look around a bit, this is an enthusiast site for serious off roading. I am sure your not going to find mall crawling here.

[NC_IslandRunner]

I know a guy running 20"s on his Duramax, but he also has 54" super swampers mounted on them!

[rschock17]

Seriously, you come in here asking about putting mud tires on 22's and your surprised your getting smart ass answers. Look around a bit, this is an enthusiast site for serious off roading. I am sure your not going to find mall crawling here.

Well, usually people who consider themselves "enthusiasts" or "serious" about something are willing to help people who are obviously less knowledgeable about a topic understand and learn. So again, I’m sorry that I bothered you with my apparently, completely, absurd questions.

[fishsticks]

Didn't Kyle roll 20s for awhile?

I think we made fun of him too.

[Regulator1175]

Seriously, you come in here asking about putting mud tires on 22's and your surprised your getting smart ass answers. Look around a bit, this is an enthusiast site for serious off roading. I am sure your not going to find mall crawling here.

Well, usually people who consider themselves "enthusiasts" or "serious" about something are willing to help people who are obviously less knowledgeable about a topic understand and learn. So again, I’m sorry that I bothered you with my apparently, completely, absurd questions.

You are correct. Here is some help.

Sell the 20's. Use that money to buy your suspension lift and wheel spacers and then pick up a set of 265/70-16's.

[The Roadie]

Sell the 20's. Use that money to buy your suspension lift and wheel spacers and then pick up a set of 265/70-16's.

Best advice. Yes, we are serious. We typically assume that folks do a minimum amount of reading and searching before asking questions. And looking at our Build threads or the suspension pictures threads would show up almost instantly that nobody runs large rims. Even 18's are very, very rare.

For *serious* offroading, you need sidewall. For protecting your rims from rocks, for airing down to double your traction. It's second nature to all of us, which is why we were incredulous you even asked about 20's. When we're incredulous, we get sarcastic.

Ditch the 20s, ditch running boards if you have them, ditch the bumper cover if you start collecting too much mud behind it or rip it on rocks. That's the ticket.

[JorDaneeKey]

When we're incredulous, we get sarcastic.

Or we spent WAY too much time reading Roadie's comments on the OMG look what's on the OS and actually reading the threads on the OS......it rubs off on ya.

But everyone is right. 20s will leave minimal sidewall. We experienced first hand on our trip how important it is to have that extra sidewall once you've aired down. Maximum traction and it protects the rim when the tire gets pinched between the trail and the rim as you slide down sideways......

[rschock17]

I already have a 2" inch suspension lift and a 3" inch body lift and front wheel spacers. Maybe I should have mentioned that first, I'm not trying to put up big tires on a stock truck. I may not know a lot, but trust me, Im to that naive either! But it sounds like to get the bigger tire I need new rims? You guys obviously know a lot, so I will look into that.

but to maybe ease the minds of some who think I am a moron, I was told by multiple people whom I trust when it comes to cars/mechanics that 20" was my only option.