16" vs. 17"

[Sandaholic]

I haven't seen a discussion on this, so I would like to see members opinions on the difference between a 16" and 17" wheel tire combo. What are some of the pros and cons with each setup? Obviously you can get the same overall dimensions with either setup, one would have more sidewall the other more wheel. Any difference in road handling? I would imagine on the 16" you would have more sidewall flex, but also would allow you to get a wider footprint when air downed. Are any of the difference big enough that you would notice it in the "real world" or does it just come down to looks?

Thanks

[GMC-2002-Dmax]

Sandaholic,

I just sold my 16x8 M&T Classics with Yoko 285's and bought H2 wheels which are 17". The tire selection is currently very limited in 17" and the tire shops I have contacted want nothing to do with mounting them.

I am probably stuck going to a large truck company that mounts very large truck tires and getting screwed $$$$$$$ big time on mounting and balancing the tires.

Online they have good specials so the tire shops want outrageous money to mount them, cause they ain't makin' nothin on 'em!!!!!.

If anyone knows of any body in CT,NY or MA that is reasonable and good and within 100 miles of Kent, CT let me know.

GMC

[mfontana]

GMC-2002-Dmax,


Why did you just sell your 16x8 M&T Classics with Yoko 285's and buy H2 wheels which are 17". What was the backspacing on the M/T Clasics.

My apology Sandaholic

[ 06-04-2003, 09:14 AM: Message edited by: mfontana ]

[Sandaholic]

mfontana, I didn't sell any wheels.

GMC-2002-Dmax was the one who sold the M&T Classics

[GMC-2002-Dmax]

mfontana,


mfontana, I didn't sell any wheels.

GMC-2002-Dmax was the one who sold the M&T Classics I sold the 16x8's because I liked the way hoot's 01 GMC looked with them, in fact hoot had an extra set that he was nice enough to sell me :D ,

................anyway, I do not know what the backspacing was except they M&T's fit great. The Yoko's were great tires, wish they made a 17" now. I sold them because the H2 wheels are chromed aluminum as the M&T's were raw polished aluminum and much harder to keep looking nice.

If I were to do it over and buy a raw wheel like the M&T's, right after I got them I would have them clearcoated so they would last and be low
maintanince. However the H2 wheels will look really nice when I get my tires.


GMC ;)

[Diesel Dragon]

GMC2002DMAX

You can try Toce tire in Torrington, talk to Sonny he's the owner. Always took good care of me when I was there with my big truck. ;)

And if thats no good you can try Custom Bandag tire in Stratford, talk to Rich he's the manager. Not the cleanest place around, but they usually have good prices. ;)

And if you come down towards Stratford way let me know so I can see your truck. :cool:


Bye Diesel Dragon :cool:

[GMC-2002-Dmax]

Diesel Dragon,

Thanks,

email the phone numbers if you have them.

I will call for pricing first.

Thanks.

If I go, Mackin may be along for the ride, and Bill..............never know.

GMC ;)

[JakeG]

Haven't used this stuff, but from what I read it's a good clear coat. The Por 15 stuff in general is great.

POR 15 Clear Coat. (http://www.por15.com/clearcoat.html)

[mfontana]

GMC-2002-Dmax : 99% of my driving is on the highway. I dislike tire noise. Agressive tread patterns make noise. How much noise is relative to what it is being compared to. Noise comes from trapped air in an agressive tread pattern.
The dealer, can only make changes up to a 33 inch diameter tire. I have a long warrenty and I want to involve the dealer where possible. (No, they didn't install my Juice).

The tire I selected after reading many tire tests was the 285/75/16 Yokohama, Geolander HTS, Raised white outline, HIGHWAY- Non agressive, quiet tires. They are 33 inches in diameter, (The stock 245's are 29 inches. There capacity is 3200# at 60psi) (118.00 delivered each).

285's require at least an 8 inch wide rim. I purchased Mickey thompson Classic II wheels in 18/8/8.(3200# capacity) Backspace is the distance from the hub mounting flange of the wheel to the outer edge of the wheel. Lay a wheel front side down on the ground. Lay a yardstick across the top of the wheel. Use another yardstick, vertically from the mounting flange to the horizontal yard stick. Stock backspace is 4 3/4 inch. The measured distance on my truck in the front from the outer edge of the tread on one side to the outer edge of the tire on the other side is 78 inches, aproximately. The rear is 75 1/2 Stand about 20 feet behind your truck and it's easy to see the difference in width. The H2 wheels have a 5 1/2 inch backspace that improves the front but defeats the purpose in the rear. (They are sunk in 3/4 of an inch more than the stock wheels.)

I purchased two wheels with a 4 inch backspace for the rear, that moved my wheels to the outside 3/4 of an inch or in total 1 1/2 inches each more than the H2's. They look great.
For the front I purchased two wheels with a 5 1/8 inch backspace. This now makes the front and the rear overall width measurement within 1/4 inch. I realined the front end and compinsated for the "Return to center". I realize I cannot rotate front to back but I can rotate side to side. The wheels were 122.00 each from Summett.

PS. There was no rubbing, no cutting, no new keys required and NO adjustment to the bars that would have made the ride harsh.

I just received the product Zoop Seal. It is a ceramic coating that seals the pours of the aluminum. They say it will eliminate the need to clean and polish for two years. In the next week or so I will be installing it. There is another ceramic sealer that is one third the price that I have ordered. Same concept, just less expensive and complicated to use. I will post results.

[GMC-2002-Dmax]

Originally posted by mfontana:
GMC-2002-Dmax : 99% of my driving is on the highway. I dislike tire noise. Agressive tread patterns make noise.........

The tire I selected after reading many tire tests was the 285/75/16 Yokohama, Geolander HTS,
285's require at least an 8 inch wide rim.........

I purchased Mickey thompson Classic II wheels in 18/8/8.(3200# capacity) Backspace is the distance from the hub mounting flange of the wheel to the outer edge of the wheel. Lay a wheel front side down on the ground. Lay a yardstick across the top of the wheel. Use another yardstick, vertically from the mounting flange to the horizontal yard stick. Stock backspace is 4 3/4 inch. The measured distance on my truck in the front from the outer edge of the tread on one side to the outer edge of the tire on the other side is 78 inches, aproximately. The rear is 75 1/2 Stand about 20 feet behind your truck and it's easy to see the difference in width. The H2 wheels have a 5 1/2 inch backspace that improves the front but defeats the purpose in the rear. (They are sunk in 3/4 of an inch more than the stock wheels.)

I purchased two wheels with a 4 inch backspace for the rear, that moved my wheels to the outside 3/4 of an inch or in total 1 1/2 inches each more than the H2's. They look great.
For the front I purchased two wheels with a 5 1/8 inch backspace. This now makes the front and the rear overall width measurement within 1/4 inch. I realined the front end and compinsated for the "Return to center". I realize I cannot rotate front to back but I can rotate side to side. The wheels were 122.00 each from Summett.

PS. There was no rubbing, no cutting, no new keys required and NO adjustment to the bars that would have made the ride harsh.

I just received the product Zoop Seal. It is a ceramic coating that seals the pours of the aluminum. They say it will eliminate the need to clean and polish for two years. In the next week or so I will be installing it. There is another ceramic sealer that is one third the price that I have ordered. Same concept, just less expensive and complicated to use. I will post results. mfontana,

I have the YOKO Geolander HT/S on the wife's Blazer and the are excellent.

I was unaware that GM built our trucks with a front and rear tire that does not track in each others tread. :confused:

I know the H2 wheels will work well and unfortunately I do not know what the backspace was on the M&T rims I had. Wish I checked before I sold them. :rolleyes:

Anyway, post some pics and results of the sealer, it's good info to know. I have some aluminum that I may want to seal.

GMC ;)