Stock Dueler A/Ts ?'s and replacement ?'s

[emann_01]

I have almost 40k on the stock Bridgestone Dueler A/T tires.....anyone else notice they start to get louder around this time???? Its mainly at the 40-55 mph range. They still have great tread left. I have balanced and rotated about every 6k miles.

I already have the Truxxx 2.5" front leveling kit and Daystar 3/4" rear kit. I want to go wider and taller but dont want to have to do to much trimming.

I am looking at replacing them in the next 10k miles or so ......any suggestions?

Just FYI...I have been eyeballing the Goodyear Duratracs....maybe the 295/65/18? ( I want to keep the stock z71 rims)

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[2 E L O]

I didn't have that many miles on my stock Duelers but mine were awesome at the 25k mark or so. They almost looked new.

I have the Duratracs on my Tahoe in 285/70-17 form.... Love them so far! I have the CCM 2.5"/1" leveling kit and don't have any rubbing and I didn't have to trim at all... They look friggin killer AND they're quiet on the highway. We'll see how tread life is...

However, I believe another member (cannot remember the name) with an NNBS Z71 had the 295/65-18s on a Z71 and had to do some trimming...but I think he only had the 2" front leveling kit and nothing in the rear...

285/70-17:
Tread width = 11.2"
Overall Diameter = 32.7"

295/65-18:
Tread width = 11.6"
Overall Diameter = 33.1"

 

[emann_01]

I have already pulled that plastic crap off that is behind the running boards and I plan to cut the front plastic thing off that is on the bottom of the bumper cover...

also I dont mind punching holes and pulling the inner fenders back with zip ties

I am really trying to just avoid cutting metal

---------- Post added at 11:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:19 AM ----------

also i dont really mind a little bit of rub at full lock....i mean really the only time I ever turn to full lock is in a parking lot so it doesnt really matter

 

[Zed 71]

Yeah my Duelers lasted ~40k with some good tread left. I am selling them on CL so knock on wood...

Emann with what trimming you are willing to do I think you will be fine with 285/65/18s. However IMO 295/65/18 would be too much with the stock rims. FYI, with 285/65/18 on stock Z71 rims, they rub on the sway bar at full lock. If you are still concerned, will the shop let you test fit?

 

[2 E L O]

.....FYI, with 285/65/18 on stock Z71 rims, they rub on the sway bar at full lock. If you are still concerned, will the shop let you test fit?

Hmmmm.... I haven't checked the rubbing on the sway bar with my 285/70-17.... I'll have to check that!!! I know it's not hitting any of the fender liners...but I never paid attention to the sway bar....

The 285/65-18 tires are almost the exact same size as the 285/70-17s that I have...but I'm not sure of the difference in backspacing between the stock Z71 18s and the Police Tahoe 17s....

 

[Zed 71]

Yeah backspacing is the key. I may change rims next year - not sure to what though. I like the Monsters and Rockstars, but there are too many around now.

 

[emann_01]

Zed, thanks for your input...I have been looking at getting some different wheels with less backspace....i dont think it would much take more neg offset to get just enough clearance or just enough to where i could live with it

 

[2 E L O]

So, I checked and there were a couple very small shiny spots on my sway bar! It seems as though maybe at full lock and somewhat flexed it'll bump the sway bars. That shouldn't be any big deal, though... Absolutely no rubbing to date on the fender liners without any trimming...but I haven't had the suspension fully flexed to test it out...