32 inch tires vs 33 inch tires on a 1989 Blazer

[clutch2k3]

Just posting a pic of 32 inch tires in the rear and 33 inch tires in the front on a 1989 Blazer. I wanted to see something like this when I was deciding. The pic was taken while they were mounting/balancing the other side and all tires were finally replaced with 33X12.5R15's. The front fenders were persuaded to stop the 33X12.5's from rubbing (just the inside corners towards the doors; the tires arrived before the 2" lift kit). The old tires were 32X11.5R15. Now the speedo says 65 MPH while the speed measured by GPS is 70 MPH.

 

[500$k5]

Welcome to the "33" club!

 

[muddybuddy]

So the 32x11.5 fit no problem up front? I dont want to touch my fenders and have been debating about a 1” zero-rate to help clear 32-33’s if needed

 

[500$k5]

With 33's, it all depends on the wheels you have. If you have 15x8's you can get away with it in "mild" 4wheeling. Mine has 15x10's, 33's, Zero rate block, (with the axle moved forwards 1"), 1" body lift, and the front and rear of the fenders trimmed, and it still rubs once in a while! Most people don't take theirs where I take mine' though.

 

[muddybuddy]

Mine is a mall crawler, will have 17x8.5 or 17x9, so will just be normal street driving. I’d like to do a 2” lift but the truck drives so well, that im scared to lose that by lifting. I never thought a squarebody could drive this well.

 

[muddybuddy]

@clutch2k3 whats your backspacing on your wheels? Assume 15x8?

@500$k5 what is backspacing yours? Are those 15x10’s?

 

[fourwheelerjeff]

@500$k5

I always enjoy seeing your Moab pics. your rig seems to work well

 

[Big Ray]

Go with the 33's. Pretty standard for s stock rig

 

[Big Ray]

Check your front springs for wear. Should be ~8 inches from the axle plate to the bottom of the frame.

My old K5 was down to 6 and rode like it. I ran 33x10.50

 

[clutch2k3]

@clutch2k3 whats your backspacing on your wheels? Assume 15x8?

@500$k5 what is backspacing yours? Are those 15x10’s?

Mine was stock, until the fender persuasion and 32X11.5R15 on 15X10 rims didn't rub. mall runner here as well. But I am going to road trip it from FL to OH to CT to PA back to FL starting this Saturday. I'm not sure if I'm more concerned about the truck or spending that much time in a car with toddlers. I plan on keeping y'all updated.

I'll get the back spacing for you when I clean up the wheels this week.

Edit: backspacing is 3.5" on my 15X10s

 

[88Silverado]

Most tires are usually 1/2" smaller in diameter than spec. 33=32.5. You can usually find it in the mfg data sheet.

 

[Big Ray]

Along with revolutions per mile of your going to modify your DRAC...if you have one.

 

[dyeager535]

So the 32x11.5 fit no problem up front? I dont want to touch my fenders and have been debating about a 1” zero-rate to help clear 32-33’s if needed

33x10.5r15's seem to clear for basically everyone, at least with stock backspacing.

Mine isn't super flexy, but in decades of use, the fronts have never rubbed on stock wheels for me.

FWIW, with the tire turned at a 45* angle, a 33x12.5 is effectively 35.29" (inside edge to outside edge of tire) and a 33x10.5 is effectively 34.63". Given the amount of clearance generally needed to run 12.5's without rubbing, I think it's just as likely that dimension is the issue, as it is a backspacing problem.

Edit: FWIW, 32x11.5 = 34" using above math. So *roughly* 1/2" more "clearance" narrowing a 33" tire by 2", or 1.25" more clearance with a 32x11.5 vs a 33x12.5.

 

[Chickntrk]

@500$k5

I always enjoy seeing your Moab pics. your rig seems to work well

Its amazing watching his rig work in Moab. Anyone that thinks they need 40s and one tons needs to go to skool with him.

 

[500$k5]

@clutch2k3 whats your backspacing on your wheels? Assume 15x8?

@500$k5 what is backspacing yours? Are those 15x10’s?

Yep 15X10's Stock back spacing. Very close to the tie rod ends, in fact, they smear the edge of the wheel weights, on the right side.

 

[500$k5]

Its amazing watching his rig work in Moab. Anyone that thinks they need 40s and one tons needs to go to skool with him.

Thanks for the positive input. We have tried really hard to make it work, without spending a huge amount of money!

 

[Blue85]

If you go through the archive of hits/fits https://ck5.com/forums/threads/how-will-my-k5-truck-look-with-xx-tires-on-xx-of-lift.170627/, you'll find the disparity that some are running a swaybar and some are not, which makes it apples to oranges. Once you have flex, the setup of offset, width, axle placing and trim locations becomes 10x more important.