Time for new tires on my 99 Expy. It's a 4x4, 5.8L 3.73 rear end, Eddia Bauer edition with 4-corner load leveling suspension.
- Stock(and current) tire size is 265/70/17's. I'm interested in the Nitto TG's, but would like to upgrade on size to the 295/70/17's.
- According to Nitto web site, approved rim widths for 295/70/17's are 8"-9.5". I believe that my OEM 17" rims are only 7.5" wide.

QUESTION: How critical is it that my rims are .5" smaller than the approved rim size?? I mean I know that they would fit, but what just wondering if it would lead to problems later on, or if the difference was too little to even matter.

THANKS FOR YOUR FUTURE RESPONSE!!! I'm ready to order tires as soon as I find out. I've read in other threads that some are even running 315/70/17's on stock 7.5" rims, but have reported some additional tire wear. I'm hoping that I won't run into this problem with the 295's...

 

I don't think you will have any problems. As you stated, several people are running 315s. I havn't talked to anyone that has had any problems. In theory, runnin a tire on too narrow a wheel will cause the center portion of the tire's tread to wear slightly faster than normal.

 

I'm not running 17s, but I am running Nitto TGs size 285/75/16 on a 16x10 rim. Nitto says the tire should go on a rim no bigger than 9" wide but I slapped them on 10s without any problems whatsoever. I wouldn't see you having any problems getting them to fit on your setup.

 

I knew I had another question... I've been told that I probably wouldn't notice much of a decrease in gas mileage do to my low gears.. Any truth to that? I really would expect gas mileage to drop when going from a 265/70/17 to a 295/70/17..


Thanks again.

 

You're going to a 2 inch taller tire, so milage will drop just a little. You're right, if you have low gears you won't notice as much of a difference as those of us with 3.55's.

 

I've been running 285/75/16 on stock rims since I got the truck new. Just put the second set of tires on yesterday. No problems at all. Other than the speedo being out about 10%, didn't notice any changes. The speedo error is an easy fix, just get one of the computer programmers and they allow for different tire sizes and gear ratios.