98 obs chevy z71 315 mud tires

[OBS98]

hello all. i was wanting to put some 315 75 16 nitto mud grapplers on my truck...im almost positive i will have to lift it...i am running 285 75 16 mt right now with no rubbing even at full lock. i was thinking with a 2in tuff country suspention lift.would that be enough to clear 315's? with a little trimming or will i have to go bigger with the lift....im just on a tight budget with a new child and all.. just wanting to look a little more beefy with out spending 1500 in a full lift...please if anyone know anything about tuff counrty and there parts? and will 2" be enough.......thanks ahead

[Southernboy2147]

with stock rims, it should fit. gonna be stuffed but should fit

[OBS98]

stuffed is ok i dont really like all the wheel space....i just dont wanna rub like crazy ,,, i talked to this guy who works at an off road shop and he said with a 2 inch suspension lift i should be able to get the tires on with alittle to no rubbing...he said he would put the lift on ..its not a full suspesion either just a tortion key lift leaf spring in back and new shocks.. ...and mount my tires with a full front end aligment for about 400 dollars...im not sure if thats a good price or not,,,from what im seeing i think it is??? not sure thou but thinking about doing it next week.... thanks for the imput southernboy2147.....

[canuckz71]

315's will rub a lot offroad forsure and your front end will need to be cranked to the moon.

Dont buy that 2" suspension lift. All it is is new torsion keys and an add a leaf. First off, you can crank the keys that are in your truck now as high as you can with the ones in that kit. Secondly, you should NOT crank your keys that high for multiple reasons. A few being; the ride quality will be very stiff and you will wear out front end parts like crazy, cranking that high puts a lot of stress on your front end. The kit is a waste of money.

If you want a cheap lift get a 3" body lift from summit. Also get the rear bumper relocation brackets and fab up your own fender gap guards and it will look good. If you dont like the look up the frame showing a lot get some n-fab steps. A BL is a lot better choice then the 2" suspension.

Just my .02 though.

Here's a link to the body lift from summit.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-7810053/

[mainechev]

Lift keys on a GMT400 won't do anything. Please don't waste your money. The stock keys allow you to crank all the way to the droop stops so crank to your hearts desire. Just know that it will ride like sh!t and wear on front end parts much quicker if you crank as high as you can.

FYI I am currently running 35x12.50 x15s on 15x10s on my 98 with the bars only cranked about an inch and a half. Had to trim a tiny bit out of the rear of the wheel arches on the front fenders, but nothing noticeable. I can steer lock to lock all the way through the suspension travel. Don't spend money on a lift if you don't have to imo.

[OBS98]

well if i can lift my truck without messing with the keys that what i will prob do. i dont need to cause more problems ( money) somewhere else...i did look into a body lift now i see they pretty much make em look like the real deal...i have runner boards on my truck so the frame wont be to much of an issue..im just having a hard time finding one with the front and back bumper brackets,,,i will make my own finder guards..i do have another question...being the tires are rather large ( 315 75 16) will i need to do my gears in the rear end or what...i have stock gears right now,,,i just wanna make sure i do this right and i dont have access to info like this,,,,thanks alot guys for the help so far,,,and does anyone know what the stock gears are in a 1998 chevy z71 off road????

[TheBigMortboski]

You'll have to find the code, it could be a lot of different things. The code on my truck is GT4 (which I found in the glove compartment) and that means 3.73 gears.

As far as re-gearing for 315s, well, I probably wouldn't. When I worked for a Ford dealer, we lifted a lot of diesel Super Duties on 35s and never re-geared them. We never had any transmission troubles (well, with the 4R100, no more than stock anyway), and they still accelerated pretty good for a 7000lb truck.

That said, I'm in the vast minority of people on this site in saying I wouldn't regear. In my personal opinion, some people here get a little too gear-happy, but then again, if I were to put 315s on my truck it would mostly be a pavement princess with light mountain-duty; I'm not really into mudding or rock-crawling.

Also, consider the fact that if you have a good shop do it, the rule of thumb for regearing is about $1000 per axle (and you HAVE to do both).

[OBS98]

man thats crazy...i think i willstick with my stock 3.73s wich i found in my glove box...thanks to you....i will not be doing any major mudding or rock crawling...just hunting and fishing...i do have a few nasty spots to go threw to get to the honyhole but that would only be for that not play....i think im gonna put a 3inch BL do all the finders and bumpers and slap my 315s on the stock 16s and roll with it.....thanks to all u guys for the info it has help alot with my choice of lift and tires.....when i finish i will post the pics of my new look...thanks again

[BigAC]

Lift keys on a GMT400 won't do anything. Please don't waste your money. The stock keys allow you to crank all the way to the droop stops so crank to your hearts desire. Just know that it will ride like sh!t and wear on front end parts much quicker if you crank as high as you can.

FYI I am currently running 35x12.50 x15s on 15x10s on my 98 with the bars only cranked about an inch and a half. Had to trim a tiny bit out of the rear of the wheel arches on the front fenders, but nothing noticeable. I can steer lock to lock all the way through the suspension travel. Don't spend money on a lift if you don't have to imo.

Pic's of stuffed 35"s. I love that look.

[Southernboy2147]

u will get about a 1/2 inch to a inch more out of after market keys. After market keys are desgined to level out your truck when the keys are all the way down, there for you WILL get a little more lift out. it is bad on the components of the front end though, IE ball joints, tie rods, cv's, etc... I have buddys that run levelin kits, 315's and flip the block in the rear and have little to no srubbing. if you wanna go with the body lift thats your choice but you WILL get a little more lift out of a levelin kit point blank.

[TheBigMortboski]

You won't get any more lift out of aftermarket keys. If the stock keys can crank it all the way to the A-Arms are hitting on the stops, an aftermarket key won't get you any more lift. They don't magically move the stops, or change the suspension geometry in any way.

I suppose if you want to spend $200 for no reason, go right ahead. But I prefer free lifts, personally.

[mainechev]

Pic's of stuffed 35"s. I love that look.
I'll try to get some tomorrow. The only camera I have is the sh!tty one on my cell phone. I do need to take some pics of it though, it's been a while.

You won't get any more lift out of aftermarket keys. If the stock keys can crank it all the way to the A-Arms are hitting on the stops, an aftermarket key won't get you any more lift. They don't magically move the stops, or change the suspension geometry in any way.

I suppose if you want to spend $200 for no reason, go right ahead. But I prefer free lifts, personally.

:word:



To the OP, if you are going with 35s, start saving for gears. Your transmission will thank you, plus it makes a night and day difference when dropping to 4.56s or 4.88s with 35s. Anyone that suggests not swapping gears when you get bigger tires has never experienced the before and after difference.

To TheBigMortboski, the super dutys you put 35s on still accelerated well because they were diesels. Yeah my 350 accelerates "fine" now with the 35s and 3.73s, but not anything like stock. I'll throw in 4.88s eventually because they are worth every penny imo.

[Norton94]

Does anyone have any pictures of an 92-98 Silverado or Suburban with a 3 inch body lift with 35s? I got my 3 inch body lift today and im gona install it this weekend. I just wanna see what it will look like.

[TheBigMortboski]

To TheBigMortboski, the super dutys you put 35s on still accelerated well because they were diesels. Yeah my 350 accelerates "fine" now with the 35s and 3.73s, but not anything like stock. I'll throw in 4.88s eventually because they are worth every penny imo.

This is true, they were diesels, and had a decided power advantage over a stock 350 (they did weigh a metric sh!tload more, though). I know very well that it won't accelerate as good as stock, however, it won't make it a road hazard, and your transmission won't explode if you breathe hard on the throttle.

[mainechev]

This is true, they were diesels, and had a decided power advantage over a stock 350 (they did weigh a metric sh!tload more, though). I know very well that it won't accelerate as good as stock, however, it won't make it a road hazard, and your transmission won't explode if you breathe hard on the throttle.
No, your trans won't explode if you are always into the throttle, but it will fail prematurely if it builds up too much heat by constantly downshifting going up every gradual incline.

[mainechev]

Pic's of stuffed 35"s. I love that look.

My junk
http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i450/jasonjbent/040312_161100.jpg
http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i450/jasonjbent/040312_161300.jpg

[Quyonmob]

You won't get any more lift out of aftermarket keys. If the stock keys can crank it all the way to the A-Arms are hitting on the stops, an aftermarket key won't get you any more lift. They don't magically move the stops, or change the suspension geometry in any way.

I suppose if you want to spend $200 for no reason, go right ahead. But I prefer free lifts, personally.

:word:

Winner winner chicken dinner! Torsion bars are so simple, yet so misunderstood.

On the Super Duty's not needing gears, whole different animal. My 08 F250 has 4.30 gears, a nearly 500ftlb V10, and a huge auto trans, all stock. I'd bolt 37-40s on it without a thought to gears. 32s made my TBI 305 and 3.42s feel like a slug. :D 35's can be hard on a 700R4/4L60E when not regeared.

[Norton94]

You cant fit a bumper? or you just hadnt put it on yet?

[mainechev]

You cant fit a bumper? or you just hadnt put it on yet?

The one that was on there was all rusty and dented to sh!t when I got the truck a couple years ago. I took the bumper off a couple weeks ago so I could start fabbing up a steel plate bumper. I just got the tires last Friday so I couldn't tell you if they would rub the stock bumper or not. I don't think they would rub, but even if they did it wouldn't take much trimming.

[BigAC]

My junk
http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i450/jasonjbent/040312_161100.jpg
http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i450/jasonjbent/040312_161300.jpg

Nice. Stuffed always looks more tuff.

[TheBigMortboski]

That said, I'm in the vast minority of people on this site in saying I wouldn't regear.

See what I mean? :lol:

[OBS98]

11-33-03_676.jpg

STUFFED 315-75-16 on my 98 z71 ...bone stock....very little trimming

[Norton94]

Lol. No image available

[OBS98]

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/garage_attachment.php?id=4208
try this one....im finding it hard to upload on these threads. gonna have to trim the front wheel frinder but not much at all scrubbs just a hair othere then that on the fram a liittle at full lock but who locks there wheels anyways...lol looks great to me....

[OBS98]

if that dont work go to my profile i have them posted on there...

[Stroked385]

man thats crazy...i think i willstick with my stock 3.73s wich i found in my glove box...thanks to you....i will not be doing any major mudding or rock crawling...just hunting and fishing...i do have a few nasty spots to go threw to get to the honyhole but that would only be for that not play....i think im gonna put a 3inch BL do all the finders and bumpers and slap my 315s on the stock 16s and roll with it.....thanks to all u guys for the info it has help alot with my choice of lift and tires.....when i finish i will post the pics of my new look...thanks again

I ran 315/70/17 on a heavy ass wheel and 3:73 gears with no problem except gas mileage SUCKED!!!! ha .....

[Stroked385]

My junk
http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i450/jasonjbent/040312_161100.jpg
http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i450/jasonjbent/040312_161300.jpg

Ok how the F--k did you get away with this.... Im told i cant even run 33" tires with a 4" spindle lift with out Major rub!!

I love this look !!!

[Quyonmob]

Ok how the F--k did you get away with this.... Im told i cant even run 33" tires with a 4" spindle lift with out Major rub!!

I love this look !!!

Check the pic, that's a 4x4.

Spindle lift = 2wd stuff. 2wd need nearly 4" to be the same height as a 4x4.

[nick613]

u will get about a 1/2 inch to a inch more out of after market keys. After market keys are desgined to level out your truck when the keys are all the way down, there for you WILL get a little more lift out. it is bad on the components of the front end though, IE ball joints, tie rods, cv's, etc... I have buddys that run levelin kits, 315's and flip the block in the rear and have little to no srubbing. if you wanna go with the body lift thats your choice but you WILL get a little more lift out of a levelin kit point blank.

Disregard all of this....


Keys wont do anything on Gmt-400s, its just one more thing to say you did to your truck.

As for gears 3.73s wont be too bad but your major components on your truck will last much longer with a lower ratio, 4.10, 4.56 and 4.88 are all acceptable depending on how you use your truck.

[Stroked385]

Check the pic, that's a 4x4

Yes thank you, i was aware of this.

[Quyonmob]

Ok how the F--k did you get away with this.... Im told i cant even run 33" tires with a 4" spindle lift with out Major rub!!

I love this look !!!


Check the pic, that's a 4x4.

Spindle lift = 2wd stuff. 2wd need nearly 4" to be the same height as a 4x4.


Yes thank you, i was aware of this.

Certainly didn't appear that way.

Then what are you asking? He was able to "get away with it" by cranking the t-bars and trimming, you'll need 4" spindles to get to his stock height.

[Stroked385]

Certainly didn't appear that way.

Then what are you asking? He was able to "get away with it" by cranking the t-bars and trimming, you'll need 4" spindles to get to his stock heigh

Is this how you earned the "resident DICK" title? Cant leave it alone? Anyways 2wd lower ( and you pointed that out once again thanks )33's smaller tire ( but im sure you know that ) stock 4x4 ( that is 4" higher stock than a 2wd, so you say ) 35" tire to fit in the same fender as a 2wd. or does he have magic fenders that grow to fit his tire size.......... So lets say i had a 6" lift on my 2wd and 35" and that would fit ? Funny it rubbed with 7.5" lift And i dont even know why im trying to explain my ? to you

[Quyonmob]

Is this how you earned the "resident DICK" title? Cant leave it alone?

Just trying to figure out your useless 2wd suspension 4wd suspension tire fitment question, and no I can't leave it alone, but I'm betting you can't either. :dunno:




Anyways 2wd lower ( and you pointed that out once again thanks )33's smaller tire ( but im sure you know that ) stock 4x4 ( that is 4" higher stock than a 2wd, so you say ) 35" tire to fit in the same fender as a 2wd. or does he have magic fenders that grow to fit his tire size.......... So lets say i had a 6" lift on my 2wd and 35" and that would fit ? Funny it rubbed with 7.5" lift And i dont even know why im trying to explain my ? to you

Great job. I'm sure everyone gets it now. :lol:


And i dont even know why im trying to explain my ? to you

I don't know either, as I don't really care, 2wd's have their own forum, maybe they'll understand why a 2wd to 4x4 lift comparison is pointless. :D

[Stroked385]

no I can't leave it alone, but I'm betting you can't either. :dunno:

Your right i cant! I have a few words to say.......

OBS98 I apologize for posting a comment in your thread and it going sideways. with that please disregard the above Babble....

Carry on!

[OBS98]

Everybody I talked to told me I would need at leastt4 inches to get 35sit on my truck, well I tried it anyways. Now
I am rrunning 315s stock...who would have known if I didn't try,,,,by factory specs and tire truck combination
I can only run a 285,,,well sometimes u just gotta see for ur self,,,,saved 1000 dollars on a lift,,I like stuffed better

[OBS98]

http://m1174.photobucket.com/albums/soonerfaninsc


Just wanted to see if this works for pic posting on this site.