Biggest tire size for stock 18's

nyguy4u · 08-07-2011, 02:21 PM

Hello all..

I've searched these forums, but can't really find a definite answer to my question.

I have a 2006 SE with the stock 18's. I don't have a lift or anything like that - everything is stock.

I noticed that my tires are getting bald, so I'm going to need to bite the bullet and buy some new rubber. The current tire size on there now is 265/70/18, which I am assuming is stock? I bought my truck used, so I don't know. I'd like to possibly get some 275's rather than 265's, to add some width. I guess the question is - is there a problem going to 275? Can I go even wider to a 285? Is it even worth it, or would the extra width barely be noticeable?

Sorry for such a newbie question - but I want to get this right the first time.

Thanks in advance.

Jexster · 08-07-2011, 02:57 PM

I put 325/60/18's on mine. They stick out a little, maybe half an inch or so. The widest size they recommend for the stockers are 305 I think. My tires are 33's and if they were any taller I might have to do the "PWM". My truck is filthy right now cause I'm on the rig. But these pics will help show you how much room there is and how much they stick out. I have about half an inch between the tire and the UCA. I do have a leveling kit but that does not change the height enough to matter IMO.

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

nyguy4u · 08-08-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jexster

I put 325/60/18's on mine. They stick out a little, maybe half an inch or so. The widest size they recommend for the stockers are 305 I think. My tires are 33's and if they were any taller I might have to do the "PWM". My truck is filthy right now cause I'm on the rig. But these pics will help show you how much room there is and how much they stick out. I have about half an inch between the tire and the UCA. I do have a leveling kit but that does not change the height enough to matter IMO.

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

Hey, thanks for the response (and photos). I appreciate it.

I can go up to 305/70/18? (assuming I stay with the 70).

Like I said in my original post, my truck isn't lifted, and never will be. And, I don't want to do any mods to my truck to make tires fit - I just want the widest tire possible. So, you think it's a safe bet that I can go from 265/70/18 to 305/70/18? I'd hate to buy new tires only for it to rub somewhere and not fit lol

nyguy4u · 08-08-2011, 11:02 AM

Quick question, if I go from my stock wheel to a 305/60/18, how much wider is 305 from 265? How much am I losing from dropping to a 60 from a 70? Are we talking just a matter of a half inch?

Sorry for the stupid question

Jexster · 08-08-2011, 12:47 PM

Get on the discount tire website and they have a tire calculator. It will tell u what the difference is. I wouldn't recommend going much taller than a 33". You might be able to get 34" but without any mods or trimming you might have rubbing. They also explain how to read your tire size so you understand a little more.

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

Tights24 · 08-11-2011, 03:43 AM

nyguy4u,

Did you find your answers? A simple explanation is that the first number is the width of the tire, and the second number is the percentage of that width to make the tire sidewall height. So, a 305 is 40mm wider than a 265, or about 2 inches. A little less actually. Going from a 60 to a 70 is dependent on the tread width since it uses that in the calculation. So if you want to know a height difference, you must base it off of the same tire width to get an idea. Make sense?

nyguy4u · 08-11-2011, 05:10 PM

Thank you all for the help regarding this. You guys were a huge help. Everything you guys are saying does make sense.

What I WAS going to do was go a bit wider, and get a 275/70/18 - the Hankook's were almost $1,300 total from discount tire. But then for the heck of it, I looked at the price for the stock tire size (265/70/18) - and it's only $800!! I realize it's almost a half inch difference. But really, is the half inch really worth $500 more? Can you tell a difference once it's on the truck? A $500 increase in price seems a bit steep for less than a half inch of width.

Jexster · 08-11-2011, 06:32 PM

A little more traction but I went with 325/60/18 so mine are +2" wider and 1" taller. The roads I drive on and the look I wanted justified me going to more expensive tires. If you don't need the bigger tire or are unsure then I would suggest just going with the stock size. You can always get bigger next time. Just my 2¢

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

12glocks · 08-11-2011, 06:34 PM

And actually if you are driving around in New York winters you are going to like a stock size all season radial or MS tire much better than a wider tire. Been there done that.