First post, new K5 owner, questions

[freakdave]

Hey, this is my first post. Hi everyone! great site. i will be picking up my first K5 in a couple of weeks. It is a 1985 with only 78K original miles. It was "grandpa'd" and garaged for its 20 years of existence. All stock, 305 V-8 with 3.08 gears and itty bitty 225 tires on 15"rims. Excellent shape. Question, in the future i would like to put bigger tires on. My driving habits are 95% street/highway with average of 45-65mph. Other 5% is light/medium offroad. I'm really wanting to get rid of those small tires and put on something that "fills the wheel well." Should i wait and get the truck raised 2.5" and change gears to 3.73 and buy 33" tires with 16" rims. How does one of these K5 look with the stock lift and 31-10.50-15 tires? I really want to keep the truck as stock as possible. thanks, dave

 

[stick]

in the tech section, there is a table for tire fitting. also alot of other cool stuff that may answer the many questions you will have. welcome

 

[clarkjw24]

Hook it up with some 32s and you'll be fine at stock height and those gears. Once you start lifting you can't stop so if you want it to stay close to stock I wouldn't put any money in a 2.5" Ask me how I know.

 

[freakdave]

i was thinking either 32-11.50-15 or 265-75-16 (same size as the 32" but 10.50 and not 11.50). Like the 16" rim better but 6 of one, half doz another. whats yall's take.

 

[tRustyK5]

31x10.5x15's was offered by the factory. I prefer the 32x11.50 on the stock factory rims with no lift for a dead stock K5. The narrower 16" version just doesn't look as nice IMO...

Rene

 

[freakdave]

15 X 8 rim or 15 X 9 or 15 X 10 ??? thanks, dave

 

[clarkjw24]

Stock is 15x8 I think. 32x12.50 look pretty good on a stock height truck and there should be no rubbin.

 

[blazerguy 90]

My blazer is all stock with 32-11.50-15 tires, I think it looks good. looks like it has a small lift on it.

 

[freakdave]

what rim size would you go with? 15X8 or 15X10 with a 32" tire and stock lift? thanks, dave

 

[freakdave]

i think 32's will be what i buy. most of my driving is on pavement. any suggestions on decent tires that are quiet. looking at the Pro-comp A/T and Pirelli Scorpion A/T.

 

[unclematty]

Don't hang out too long here! you'll end up lifting , chopping, welding adding lifts (big) with big ole meats, then adding big horsepower and big axles ect,ect ect. it kinda grows on ya!
Alot of us have the bug BAAAADD!

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

15x8" wheels with either 32 or 33" tires (you will have to cut the fenders a very small amount to fit 33's). You will want better gears than the 3.08's.

 

[firefighter184]

Here's a pic of mine, stock, with 32x11.50 tires on 15x7 wheels. Unless you're going to be running a monster bogger type tire that is 14 or 16 inches wide, stay with a 7 or 10 inch wide wheel. 10's look lame. As far as a good AT tire, you CANNOT go wrong with the BF Goodrich AT/KO. The best damn AT ever made. Period.

http://image07.webshots.com/7/6/94/21/91669421TmzYaA_fs.jpg

 

[firefighter184]

Here's a pic of mine after I put 33x12.50 BFG At tires on it, 15x8 wheels, still stock suspension. Up to about 35 or 37, you shouldnt need to trim the rear, but if you look at some of the other pics in that album, you'll see that I trimmed my front. I trimmed alot more than you should need to because I whell the piss out of it. If you just cut the little "fang" at the front and back of the fender up front you should fit fine. Just like an inch or so, cant even see it unless you're looking for it.

http://image09.webshots.com/9/3/24/21/124232421iOXYfj_fs.jpg

 

[tRustyK5]

like everyone else I prefer a 15x7 or 15x8 for that width of tire.

I have a real soft spot for the factory ralley rims...and they're 15x8's

Rene

 

[wraenking]

hello dave. i started out just like you almost 2 years ago. i wanted to stay stock at first and only remove the running boards. here she is, 1986 k5 blazer , untouched the day i got her.

here she is after finding this board and meeting these guys! lol its addicting, my fiance hates all the work i do in the garage, but its worth it. i added 4" lift, 35" mud terrains, 14 bolt rear with disc brake conversoin, dana 44 front, 1991 gmc front clip, 1991 rear gmc bezel for tail gate, new auto meter gauges, swapped in a 355 sb, added holley truck avenger carb, and a new 700r4 with shift kit. i know there more. i have a 1" body lift from ord, new body poly bushings, and new sheet metal for the floor ready to go int! i wouldnt trade it though. i knew nothing about vehicles before i found this site.

 

[freakdave]

what size tire did your blazer originally come with in that picture ?