Pondering Tire Size

[Bonshee1971]

I have a 79 Blazer with a recently installed 4" Rough Country lift. My question is about tire size and brand. I would like a pretty aggressive tire that has good on and off road ability. I was thinking about going with 35x12.5's on 15in. black steelies. I would go bigger but im not sure how much bigger i can go with my suspension setup and not rub badly. I would really like to go with 37x14.5's but not sure what kind of backspacing would be required to keep from rubbing the frame. If anyone could recommend a good wheel and tire setup, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[pauly383]

I tried 33's when I first got my 4 inch lift , immediately thought I should go 35's . Now I have 35's , and wish I went 36 or 37 .

I am liking the Irok's , a friend DD a set and wheels with them , seem to hold up real well .

 

[Randy92782]

i was happy with the mastercraft coursers but i have Dick Cepeks right now and couldn't ask for better (other than the shakes). too bad you can't get them anymore

as for wheels i like the black steelies idea

 

[Bonshee1971]

I was considering either some TSL's or something from Procomp since they have a buy 3 get one free deal going on. I bet the 36's would work for me just fine, but like you said, I would hate to spend over a thousand dollars wheels and tires and find the tires too small for my tastes. Do you think the 37's will fit moderately well with my lift without any trimming or at least any major trimming?

 

[Bonshee1971]

Yeah, I really like the look of black wheels. The steelies are relatively inexpensive and easy to come by. Right up my alley.

 

[ShiftyK5]

37's wont fit without some trimming, not sure how much but i had to trim a little on the front for my 35's

 

[Randy92782]

i'm not too sure 37's will fit but it really varies with what you have. i'd check out the "tire size and lift" sticky up on top of the garage forum. it gives you a pretty good idea

 

[pauly383]

I had to trim for 35's myself . I have steel wheels now , close to stock backspacing ( can't remember numbers , have the boxes at home ) , and with 12.5 inch wide tires on 8 inch wide wheels , I clear my tie rod ends .

 

[muddermilitia]

Well I have about 4" lift with 42s that will go on in a few weeks. I'm gonna "make" them fit.

 

[barneybasher1010]

I can make my 33-13.5-15 Rockers rub with my 4" Rough Country lift. I had them on 15x10 with 4 inch back spacing and 15x8 with 2.75 back spacing.

 

[mudboggink5]

There is no dout the 37s will rub, you will def need to trim some fender mosly in the front, depending on what your truck is used for. If you plan on flexing it out you will start tearing the tire up. If your only gonna be in the mud, you will probably get away with some trimming of the fenders. I think the pro comp x terrains are a good on and offroad tire. hope this helps

 

[Bonshee1971]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think ive decided on as big as i can afford and make them fit. I had originally planned to make this a dual purpose rig so I could still drive it on the street, but today I found an unmolested 91 Blazer that I bought for 2600 in almost cherry condition. So now I can go fairly extreme with my 79. Thanks again for all you guys input.

 

[cuervo]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think ive decided on as big as i can afford and make them fit. I had originally planned to make this a dual purpose rig so I could still drive it on the street, but today I found an unmolested 91 Blazer that I bought for 2600 in almost cherry condition. So now I can go fairly extreme with my 79. Thanks again for all you guys input.

Let's see some pics of that 91!!

 

[Bonshee1971]

Here are some pics of the 91 along with two pics of my 79 after the lift. The paint on the 91 is classic GM - clear coat peeling, but other than that and being dirty, the body is straight as an arrow. No rust anywhere. If anybody knows a mopar guy, the 63 New Yorker in the second pic is mine and for sale.

 

[TruckNutzDude]

I really liked my 36" TSL's when I had a standard, run of the mill 4" lift. I only needed to nip the front fenders a bit and take some of the inner off but nobody knew how I stuffed my tires on 4" of lift until I told them. I eventually went with 38" tires, then 39.5" tires then 44's... just got less and less fender.

 

[wildman29]

I would definitely go with the 35s. I recently put a 4" RC lift on my 88 with some 34x10.5 LTBs and i wish i would have gone with 35s. The LTBs look tiny on there and they are rough as hell on the street. I would strongly suggest getting a radial tire, i didnt realize how much i drive my blazer on the street until i put those swampers on.

 

[rancid]

just cut it, and get big tires. you will regret not going this route, because your going to anyway. so just do it once,a trim job can look good if done right.

 

[88Silverado]

First question I would ask is what gear ratio is in your truck. If you have less than 3.73's or less I would suggest 33's. A 35" tire with 3.73 comes out to a 3.07 gear ratio. It might look good but it will be a slug

 

[NorCalKid]

If you are going to make the 79 more of a wheeling rig then hold off on getting wheels and tires and put 3/4 or 1 tons under there first. Then you wont have to by 2 sets of wheels. You can also get bigger axles that already have 4.10's which will give you better gearing for the bigger tires. As for tire size I had 35's on for a couple months with my 4" lift and they looked tiny. I would go at least to 36's or 37's

 

[odoa3]

I went with 33's with 2.5 inches of lift and then with 35x14.5x15 Boggers with 6 inchs of lift. I wish I had went with 38's with the 14 bolt (even after shaving it). I had to trim my fenders after stuffing the 35's and slicing a brand new Bogger.

Here is after trimming. I could trim quite a bit more off as well. I am fairly sure I can fit 38's now.

This is all I had trim.