Suburban/Tahoe owners what size tire do you run?

[Lykos]

I'm new to Suburban ownership and am curious as to what tire size others are running.

So whatcha got? Year/model/lift/ size tire?

If you've gone up in size was there a reduction in mpg and if so was it worth it?

What kind of driving do you normally do?

 

[legendaryandrew]

2003 Suburban LT, 8.1 4l85E, .373 gears, magnaflow, cone filter, blackbear tune, 5-6" cognito lift, 35x12.5 toyo m/t, some trimming in front still. 12-14mpg freeway, 8 city. Economy got slightly better or didn't change with tire upsize due to tune.

 

[Lykos]

Got better with the tune? I thought tunes are snake oil on stock engines. They'll legitimately increase fuel economy on a non modified truck?

 

[legendaryandrew]

Generic tunes don't do much. Mine was actually tuned.

 

[02TahoeMD]

2002 Tahoe LT with the 5.3L V8. 3.73 gears, 2 inch coil spacer lift with F150 torsion key crank. Nitto Terra Grappler 295 / 70 / R17 tires. Also have the BlackBear Performance tune that I love. They actually rode around in my truck with their computer connected to the OBD port and tuned the engine program to what I needed. Definitely a step above a "plug in" over the counter tune. I can get about 14-15 MPG highway on a long trip so long as I am gentle with the skinny pedal. Never tried to figure out the around-town MPG.

Lots more info in my build thread if you need anything.

 

[snowblind]

2001 Suburban 2500 LT
8100 Vortec with Black Bear 89 tune
3.73 gears
285/70/17 Michelin LTXMS2
2" torsion bar lift
Gibson cat-back exaust
electric fans

Average 11 around town and upwards of 16 on the highway. The Black Bear tune really helps economy on the highway below 75mph. Set the cruise control and relax.

I just added the electric fans and am seeing an increase of maybe 1mpg. Roughly 40 miles more on a tank.


Matt

 

[AA1PR]

3.73 gears
285/70/17 BFG TA KO's

 

[rayra]

'02 k1500 Z71 Sub and the '05 k1500 Z71 Tahoe both wearing 265/70R17s, 'factory' size and pretty well matched. ~31" tall. Running a 285 will give you another 1/2" of ground clearance and cost you a 1/2" fenderwell clearance. You might be able to stuff 33s in there with a leveling kit or crank on the torsion bars. But might rub at full steering lock or full suspension compression. You'd need a lift to get anything bigger in there, I think.

 

[Duramax3388]

275 70 17KO2's. Wanted 285's but got talked out of it but there's Plunty of room for them on a stock 2004 Z71 Tahoe

 

[11MPG]

33x12.5R17 tires. Stock keys cranked with the tabs flipped, 1.5 rear coil spring spacers, and a 1.5 inch body lift. End of the day, 4 inches of total lift in the front and 3 inches of total lift in the rear for $220. No rub when flexed with 9 inch wide and 4.5 inch backspaced wheels.

 

[Lykos]

How did you get talked out of it? Why?

 

[skysix]

BF Goodrich AT/KO2 LT34/10.5R17 on OEM 17" rims, 3.73diff, 2" lift/3" keys, 1" wheel spacers for stability (usually has RTT on top) after trimming wheel studs to not hit rims. No fender trimming. Would like to go with lower gears but 4.56 too low / 4.11 not quite enough so still searching.

 

[11MPG]

Would like to go with lower gears but 4.56 too low / 4.11 not quite enough so still searching.

Motive makes a set of 4.30s for the 10 bolt rear and 8.25 ifs.

 

[Smithy]

99 2500 Suburban. Currently 4.10 gears Goodyer MTR 37/12.50/16.5" tires 4 inch "lift". No real change in fuel mileage (diesel), driving is everything from highway to rock crawling. Future plans are 4.88 gears and 40" tires, with some fender trimming.

It came with LT245/75/16s, Ive run LT265/75/16 and LT285/75/16 with no lift, no torsion bar crank.

 

[Lykos]

Mine is a 96 with 5.7 and 3.73 gears. A black bear tune and CAI are the only engine modifications planned.


Is there a tire size that falls in the sweet spot of bigger tire and mpgs?

I know, it's not a Prius. But an mpg or two add up over time.