265s on H2 rims... too narrow?

[sled_dog]

Need some opinions from people with H2 rims or familiar with them. I just picked up a set of nice take offs for $51 locally. I want to put them on my 1997 C2500. I want to put a slightly larger and wider tire on the truck to make it actually look like a truck for once. Factory H2s came with 315/70R17s... those are a bit too large to go fitting on my 2wd work truck. I've looked and the best tire size I can find is 265/70R17, the Pirelli Scorpion ATRs aren't expensive, come in Load E(most important thing), and are rated well by the reviews I've found. But my worry is, will a 265/70R17 be too narrow a tire for the H2 rims? From what I can found the H2s are 8.5" wide. The 265s are 10.4" wide. 2" narrower than the stock H2 tires.

I'm gonna see if work minds me grabbing a 265/70R17 tomorrow and slapping it on one of my rims to see how it fits on the truck and rim. But opinions are appreciated...

 

[jac6695]

Most 265's are recomended for up to an 8.5" rim. I ran some BFG Rugged Trail 265's on my 97 with no problems at all.

 

[sled_dog]

yours was 4x4 though wasn't it? My 2wd sits a little lower in the front than most good riding 4x4s.

 

[jac6695]

Yes, but I don't think that will make much difference. I am pretty sure that the 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive OEM wheels are the same (same backspace), so I wouldn't think you should have any issues with tire clearance. I think it should look good. I see a lot of the 90's trucks with 235/85's on them, which are a bit narrower then the 265's, but just as tall.

 

[jac6695]

BTW, there is more clearance in the wheelwells of the 90's trucks them most give credit for. Chris (daleearnhardt01) has 285's on his stock 1/2 ton 4WD, and I now have 315's (on H2's) with just a 4" lift. No rubbing at all (with the exception of the spoiler under the bumper that isn't factory).

 

[sled_dog]

cool, thanks for the info. I want the spacer just to sit the truck up either way. 1 or 2" spacer up front and a zero rate out back.

 

[DEMON44]

My H2's are 9" wide.

 

[Slapperbar]

Lip to lip or bead to bead?

 

[beater_k20]

My H2's are 9" wide.

8.5 according to everything i've ever seen.

 

[DEMON44]

daft I totally read my tape wrong............


I grabbed the outter lip by accident and read to the bead seat


its totally 8.5 seat to seat