I've almost scraped enough coinage together to re-shoe my truck. Since it's sporting a 6" Fabtech/3" Body Lift, I can definitely run a 37x12.4x17, and "probably" a 38x14.50x17. My wheels are Helo Maxx6 17x9 with -12 offset 4.5" backspacing.
After much research here, I have read that a 14.5" wide tire would possibly rub on the tie-rod end, and/or the chassis, at full steering lock. As well, a small chunk of the lower control arm will need to be trimmed off.
Since my neighbor is an a**hole, pulling into my driveway can be a tight turn-in, and my concern with 14.5" wide tires is that my wife will whine about the rubbing.
I can get a 37x12.5x17 BFG KM2 for $400 a tire and 38x14.5x17 for $475 a tire.
I really want a 38", but not if it will rub badly on my truck. I know I can get the 37"s and bolt 'em right on and never change anything else.

So tell me if your running a 38x14.5 on a 97-03, where/if the tires rub, how bad?
Would the rub ever keep you from running a 14.5" wide tire?
Would your wife ever keep you from running a 14.5" wide tire?

I know a guy with a Chevy sporting 38x15.5's and it look pretty bad-a**, so I think the wider tires would look awesome on my rig.



What's your opinion?

 

Definitely Go Wider Man. If you dont your prob gonna regret it and wished you did. I think the wider would look awesome on your truck man.

 

I can't recall his user name, but that guy who posted in this forum quite a bit, - had a white 97 w/39's on it that looked bad ***.

 

go with the 38's!!

ask z7what or efuerin. they are both running 38's and i know cashel used to.

 

If you have the room I would definitely run 38's. Like the other guy said if you're considering it now and you go with the smaller size you'll probably regret it in the near future.

On another note...... is your 9" rim too narrow for a 38/14.50? I've never mounted anything over a 12.50 on a 9" wheel but I assume it could be done.

 

No luck getting a 38x14.5x17 KM2 here in Canada. My tire guy says he can only get one tire, with no date set for production of more.WTF?
The only other 38x14.5x17 is a Goodyear MT/R with Kevlar. Anyone running these?
Any other choices I have missed?

 

I'm running 38-14.50-16 Toyo MT's. The only place the tire rubs on my truck is the torsion bar, that's only because the side wall is so aggressive. By the way I have the same wheels except mine are 16's. My truck would be a good one to compare to.

 

Thanks for the info Jason. Sweet looking truck you have,too. My wheels are 9" and I see your sig says your running a 10" wheel, so I'm not sure if that makes much difference, but it sounds like it would be a minor rubbing issue, rather than grinding the lugs off the side of the tire.
I wish I could find a 38" tire in Canada though. I've been calling around all afternoon with zero luck. Nobody knows when BFG KM2's will become available, Goodyear MT/R Kevlar 38x14.50x17 goes into production Sept.13th, but not for sale till Thanksgiving, apparently Pro-Comp Tire Shipping can take months as well. I'm having lots of luck finding 37x12.5x17's though.

But after seeing Jason's truck in his album, I think I'm willing to stand out in the cold for months,waiting for my order,to be able to roll on 38"s. That is the look I'm going for with my rig. Good job,man.

 

mt/r's with kevlar are sweet. I dont own any, but have seen them and such. very nice tires.

 

what gears are in the truck??

 

he is running 4.88's

 

Thanks man. It will be worth the wait for 38's!

 

Just talked to BFG headquarters and they say no production date set, minimum of 60 days. So it looks like next year. I think I'll grab some 37"s and maybe look for the 38"s when tax season hits again.
If anyone reading this post is running a set of 37"s, can you measure the actual height and width of them as it sits in your driveway.

 

Well I was wrong about finding any 37"s here in Canada. What a joke. I can't find a single set of 37" tires anywhere in Canada for a good price. The only guy who said he can get em' wants 490 a tire for BFG KM2. I think thats way way too much.

 

why not run some super swampers?