how small a tire w/4in lift

[lokjaw777]

88k5,4in lift.36x12.5-15 tsl's......she hates pulling our new camper(18ft micro lite 3300lbs) would 33s help ??.....how bad would 31s look or should i just take the lift off an go back to stock.....also what would the stock gearing be (changing gears not an option/i'm paying for a new camper lol) thanks for any and all help

 

[The Pumpkinator]

I would look around at some pics of other rigs just to give you an idea, 31x10.50 would be teeny under there , but 33x12.50 would look fine. Also I'm not sure if it was 88-91 where 3.73 gearing was common or 89-91, you would have to check your RPO codes on the glove box sticker. I have 33s with 3.73 gears coupled with a picky 700r4 trans, it moves when you want it to and it even gets decent gas mileage on the highway

 

[Chaddy]

88k5,4in lift.36x12.5-15 tsl's......she hates pulling our new camper(18ft micro lite 3300lbs) would 33s help ??.....how bad would 31s look or should i just take the lift off an go back to stock.....also what would the stock gearing be (changing gears not an option/i'm paying for a new camper lol) thanks for any and all help

First, I hope you have a good tranny cooler.
2nd, 33's would help a ton, without looking like a shopping cart.

 

[k20]

Heres an old old pic of my truck with a 4" lift and some 33x12.50s. IIRC they were about 32" tall

 

[NorCal_Chris]

33 is smallest i would go.

They look a little dinky, but not too bad

 

[lokjaw777]

yes tranny cooler is next on my list........

 

[USSkoval]

I would probably get a set of 31's on a different set of wheels to use for towing duty only. Of course, that won't work if you need the bigger tires when you get where you're going.

33's look good with a 4 inch lift though.

 

[ryoken]

88k5,4in lift.36x12.5-15 tsl's......she hates pulling our new camper(18ft micro lite 3300lbs) would 33s help ??.....how bad would 31s look or should i just take the lift off an go back to stock.....also what would the stock gearing be (changing gears not an option/i'm paying for a new camper lol) thanks for any and all help

I'm guessing this is a 700r4.... stock gears, more than likely 3.73's + 36" tires + towing = nuked trans.... your trans has gotta be hatin ya.... even without towing, I'd get a cooler ASAP on that trans... and DON'T tow in OD.....

I'd run some 33's, but even that wont be an ideal rpm range for that trans with those gears.... .

 

[4xcrazy]

I'm thinkin i'd spend the money on a regear rather than a new set of tires. Just my opinion though.

 

[4xcrazy]

or just put a 14bff and a Dana 60 on it, cause you KNOW you'll need it,,,,
















at least that's what everyone will say here

 

[Chaddy]

or just put a 14bff and a Dana 60 on it, cause you KNOW you'll need it,,,,















at least that's what everyone will say here

I actually do need the axles I have

 

[ryoken]

I'm thinkin i'd spend the money on a regear rather than a new set of tires. Just my opinion though.

I concur......

 

[4xcrazy]

It sounds pretty obvious that they are a stock 3.42 or 3.73 gear, and with those 36" tires, yeah, the truck is not happy.

I'm running a 35" tire with 4.10 gears, it does OK, but it definately needs at least a 4.45 - 4.88 to be just right, especially during towing.

 

[dlm1984]

Definately check the codes in the glove box - I discovered my 88 has 3.08's. I have 35's and I don't bother with OD.

 

[blazinzuk]

How is the truck not happy? Swaying, no power, bouncing? Whats going on?

I have towed plenty with bigger tires and have not really had a problem, always ran them at close to or their max psi to reduce sidewall deflection.

Possibly a re gear and some airbags or a rear swaybar?

 

[chulisohombre]

you could run 33x12.5s and it wouldnt look too bad.36s with that and stock gearing is never gona be good.unless you came with 4.56.but unfortunately blazers werent offered that way.lol.usually 3.73 or 3.42 or 3.08s.so either way you are taxing the system.

 

[Blue85]

Sure TSLs are a crappy towing tire, but all they really need for towing is some deeper gears - like 4.88s. The parts cost is like $500 for the gear change, which is probably less than a new set of 33's. Even if you drop to 33's, your stock 3.42 or 3.08 won't work well for towing. If you happen to have 3.73 it could work.

But I can't see making the truck look dorky just to compensate for having the wrong gears. If you want radials for the longer treadwear and better road manners for towing that's one thing, but doing it instead of fixing the gearing problem is silly.