AFTERMARKET WHEELS & TIRES

I have run into a problem finding a set of “cool” wheels and tires for my 10-year-old GMC diesel pickup, and was wondering if you could either offer an opinion or point me in the right direction for finding a decent set of wheels and tires.

I purchased my new-to-me truck about two months ago and I got a good enough deal that I had enough left over for wheels. (I had chosen the Helo Maxx 8 16s along with the Bridgestone Dueler A/T REVO 2 LT265/75R16.) I later heard that the Helo Maxx 8 16 won’t fit the 2500HD because of brake caliper interference. You can use these wheels if you put a spacer on them, but I’d rather not. I could go with the Helo Maxx 8 18s, but Bridgestone does not make a REVO for an 18-inch rim. Chris Whelan Via Email As far as the Helo Maxx 8 16s, if they don’t clear the brake calipers, don’t use them. Spacers will move the backspacing geometry outward, which usually negatively affects steering (i.e., wandering, bump-steer or pulling right or left). Increases in rim width and a possible backspacing offset change can affect how wide the tires can be and still clear the front wheel well corners in a fulllock turn. On the other hand, the REVO tires are a popular choice for the diesel crowd, and they do look great. We recommend you spend some seat time with the stock wheel and tire sizes so you know how the truck drives as it left the factory. From what we’ve read, GM used the same wheel offset for all 1988 and newer full-size 1500/2500/3500 single-rear-wheel pickup trucks and SUVS, which is a positive offset of 30/31mm for all of their factory wheels. The offset of a wheel is defined as the distance from the hub mounting surface to the center line of the wheel. GM’S factory offset puts the machined hub surface of the wheel 30/31mm closer to the outside of the wheel, as measured from the centerline of the total wheel rim width. Factory GM wheel offset and backspacing: 16 x 6.5” wheel = +30mm positive offset, 5” backspacing 17 x 7.5” wheel = +31mm positive offset, 5.5” backspacing 18 x 8” wheel = +31mm positive offset, 5.7” backspacing 20 x 8.5” wheel = +31mm positive offset, 5.9” backspacing The 16- and 17-inch GM factory wheels are produced for the 2500s, while the 18- and 20-inch wheels are for the 1500s. So, one option is to get a set of 17-inch wheels having a +30/31mm positive offset. Also, the Bridgestone Dueler A/T tires are available in 17 inches. As popular as these trucks are you shouldn’t have any trouble finding wheels that suit you. Good luck.