What size wheels for '94 Suburban 2500?

[pristau]

The former owner of my new-to-me '94 Suburban 2500 2WD 3/4TN replaced the stock wheels with nice looking but wheels too big for the truck. In order to get clearance, he's installed LT 31x10.5 R16.5 tires, which are too small for the wheels. Consequently, the tires, esp. the front, seep air and I am having to reinflate 20-30 lbs. twice a week. My mechanic has tried a rim sealant with limited success.

I want to replace the wheels but don't know what size I should buy. My mechanic told me the stock tire size was LT 245 75R16, though I don't know if that translates to a 16x7 or 16x8 wheel size. Can anyone tell me what is the correct size? Moreover, would I have the same clearance problems if I went to a LT 265 75R16 tire on 16x8 wheels? The wheels are 8-lugged and finding 16x7 has been a little harder than 16x8.

Thanks!

[Davandy]

Welcome to the site

You can have a look on this site it has a lot of info.

http://www.1010tires.com/tech.asp

[unplugged]

The former owner of my new-to-me '94 Suburban 2500 2WD 3/4TN replaced the stock wheels with nice looking but wheels too big for the truck. In order to get clearance, he's installed LT 31x10.5 R16.5 tires, which are too small for the wheels. Consequently, the tires, esp. the front, seep air and I am having to reinflate 20-30 lbs. twice a week. My mechanic has tried a rim sealant with limited success.

I want to replace the wheels but don't know what size I should buy. My mechanic told me the stock tire size was LT 245 75R16, though I don't know if that translates to a 16x7 or 16x8 wheel size. Can anyone tell me what is the correct size? Moreover, would I have the same clearance problems if I went to a LT 265 75R16 tire on 16x8 wheels? The wheels are 8-lugged and finding 16x7 has been a little harder than 16x8.

Thanks!

First the stock tires used a 16x7 wheel. You don't have to stick with the 7's, 8's are OK depending on the tire.
I recently bought a set of take offs for my burb. They were 265/70R 16's from a later model Tahoe. New tires, alloy wheels, lug nuts and center caps all for $400. (See post) Buying take offs from someone who pimped their ride can save you a bundle. I didn't have clearance problems, but my burb is lifted 3". I don't think you'll have a problem with fit at this size, but you could always try 'em on before you buy 'em.

[skivhere]

Even if the stock rim is a 16X7 (i'm not positive, haven't had mine off yet!), but like unplugged said, you could go with a 16X8, but you will have to double check the backspacing first. I tried to put the 16X8 Arco rims from my '96 2500 SCLB onto my '97 Burban. It worked great and the black rims looked great, but I couldn't put the 16X7s on the '96 (the center caps wouldn't work), so I had to swap them back.

Here is a list of tire sizes from another site. I am guessing you are stock height, but there are others for various lifts. This is all for the OBS trucks.

These are only common lift/tire combinations that seem to work well together. Some setups may rub in off-highway situations, but most allow for clearance. Any wheel that is 'not recommended' for that particular height can be run, but is not advisable.

Metric Tire Size Conversion

OBS Trucks (88-98), OBS SUVs (92-99):

Stock height
- 285/75R16 & 32/11.5R15 on Stock wheels or 16x8/15x8 (possible torsion bar crank); 16x10/15x10 not recommended
- 305/70R16 & 33/12.5R15 on Stock wheels or 16x8/15x8 (torsion bar crank and light trimming); 16x10/15x10 (torsion bar crank and heavy trimming, or cutout flares)

3" Suspenion Lift or Body Lift
- 305/70R16 & 33/12.5R15 on Stock Wheels or 16x8/15x8; 16x10/15x10 (possible torsion bar crank and light trimming)
- 315/75R16 & 35/12.5R15 on Stock Wheels or 16x8/15x8 (torsion bar crank and heavy trimming, or cutout flares); 16x10/15x10 not recommended

4" Suspension Lift
- 305/70R16 & 33/12.5R15 on Stock Wheels or 16x8/15x8; 16x10/15x10 (possible torsion bar crank and light trimming)
- 315/75R16 & 35/12.5R15 on Stock Wheels or 16x8/15x8 (torsion bar crank and heavy trimming); 16x10/15x10 (cutout flares)

6" Total Lift (3" Suspension Lift + 3" Body Lift or 6" Suspension Lift)
- 315/75R16 & 35/12.5R15 on Stock Wheels or 16x8/15x8; 16x10/15x10 (possible torsion bar crank and light trimming)
- 36/12.5R16 & 36/12.5R15 on Stock Wheels or 16x8/15x8 (torsion bar crank and heavy trimming); 16x10/15x10 not recommended

7" Total Lift (4" Suspension Lift + 3" Body Lift)
- 315/75R16 & 35/12.5R15 on Stock Wheels, 16x8/15x8, or 16x10/15x10
- 36/12.5R16 & 36/12.5R15 on Stock Wheels or 16x8/15x8 (torsion bar crank and light trimming); 16x10/15x10 (torsion bar crank and heavy trimming, or cutout flares)

9" Total Lift (6" Suspension Lift + 3" Body Lift)
- 315/75R16 & 35/12.5R15 on Stock Wheels, 16x8/15x8, or 16x10/15x10
- 36/12.5R16 & 36/12.5R15 on Stock Wheels, 16x8/15x8, or 16x10/15x10
- 38/15.5R16 & 38/15.5R15 on 16x10/15x10 (torsion bar crank and light trimming)