285 vs 265

[Cyclist1]

Hey everyone!
Been lurking for some time now, and thanks to this forum and a forum over at advrider I'm a proud owner of a 2012 Chev express AWD passenger van. I've already done a Rough Country 2 inch torsion key lift, and now is the time for wheels and tires. After much reading here I was previously decided on going with a 265/70/17, but a local tire shop is trying to sell me on the idea of going with a 285. I've had 285's previously on my old pickup, so I am familiar with the size. I am leaning more towards the 265, but looking for opinions from people here.
I have followed "sgosine" thread called "VanGo". Great looking build. He's running the 265 St Maxx, which is a tire choice I'm considering. Also considering: ******** Cepek Fun Counrty, Micky Thompson ATZ p3, BFG AT, Toyo Open Country A/T 2.
Also trying to decide whether to go up to an 18inch wheel or stay with the 17.
Here's a before and after pics with the lift.

 

[derjack]

Hi,

this is a tie thread?! i was wondering where these numbers will lead me to.

You are considering optics or functions?
if it's functions my first point would be how are you using you car? street, offroad, both, muddy. If it's Ontario i would guess you will have different tires got snow in winter?
Winter tires are an absolute must, if you want to use your car car safely.

wheel diameter depends on what you are looking for. giving 32" you will have the lower sidewall on an 18" wheel that will give you a better control on the car, like steering, breaking, body role.
a 17" gives more comfort in riding.


The difference is honestly not that big. i think you should have in mind what kind of profile you want! A to aggressive profile can ruine the ride quality, in loudness, braking, steering. or the other around if you want to go offroad (but i guess you don't want).


imho: On my E350 the wheels, 245/75 R 16 look so silly that these must be changed. but as i will put this thing offroad the min will be 315/70 16. a much bigger sidewall, can be driven with less air pressure, gives more traction on sand etc. but this is for my case.

 

[boardrider247]

I believe I read in one of threads here that a 285 rubs some with the 2" lift.
I can't exactly remember though as I've read through all of the awd van threads so many times.

Are these the keys you used?
http://www.roughcountry.com/gm-leveling-lift-kit-7592.html

 

[Cyclist1]

Thanks for the replies.
As for use of the tires/vehicle, mainly street with some dirt/gravel roads. The odd trail but nothing that a van can't handle. I won't be off-roading like one would in a jeep or true 4x4. The van is my daily driver. I don't want to have to switch between winter and all terrain tires. So I'm looking for something that will be good for winter as well as dirt and street. I know thats a tough find but in the past I found a good all terrain was great for all season driving with my previous 4x4 trucks. I just don't have any experience yet with AWD vans.

The Rough Country kit is :

It came with the keys, rear lift blocks, four shocks, and all hardware. The rear blocks needed to be swapped out for a 1 inch. 2inch block is what comes with the kit.
The guys over at Sportsman Light Truck & Offroad (Kamloops BC) found the kit for me and shipped it out to me. They were extremely helpful and their customer service is amazing! I'd give them a call/ email if there's any info you'd need. They also do 4x4 conversions on most vans.
Here's the link for the kit:

http://www.roughcountry.com/gm-leveling-lift-kit-283n2.html

 

[Desert Dan]

What axle gears do you have? That is a consideration if going to 33" tires.

 

[boardrider247]

Here's the link for the kit:

http://www.roughcountry.com/gm-leveling-lift-kit-283n2.html

Awesome! Thanks!

I spent half an hour this morning cross referencing part numbers from other threads and came up thinking that kit would work.
But it's great to have proof from someone who has done it.
That is a much better price then anything else out there.

Did you install it yourself?
I'm curious if you have the torsion bar tool that you may want to rent out?

 

[derjack]

Thanks for the replies.
As for use of the tires/vehicle, mainly street with some dirt/gravel roads. The odd trail but nothing that a van can't handle. I won't be off-roading like one would in a jeep or true 4x4. The van is my daily driver. I don't want to have to switch between winter and all terrain tires. So I'm looking for something that will be good for winter as well as dirt and street. I know thats a tough find but in the past I found a good all terrain was great for all season driving with my previous 4x4 trucks. I just don't have any experience yet with AWD vans.

Technically it is not possible to build a tire that will work in summer AND winter good. The one or the other, you will need to choose what is more important for you. These preusdo "all year" tires are more or less winter tires.
But there is no rubber material that will work over a range of 25 or even 50 degrees kelvin. eg: I actually still have my summer tires on a 2 seater with some power. traction is dramatically worse (1350kg vs 245/35-18") since we have less than 50F. These work perfect from 70F onwords, not so good until 50 and now at 30F really bad. All this on dry conditions. The only reason for that is the temperature. I´ve my winter tires in my garage will change soon.

Second on winter tires is the lamellar- profile on winter tires that will hold on snow. Nothing else works like this.

As for you I would not recommend 285 and would rather go for 265 on an 18" wheel.

 

[Stumpalump]

I just went from 285 to 265 and could not be happier. It drives so much better on the road and the smaller tire matches the gearing better.

 

[Cyclist1]

Thanks for the replies.
I believe my axle ratio is 3.42, however I'm not sure if that will be adequate enough for a large tire (285). I'm not knowledgable enough on the specific tech stuff like that.

With regards to the install, I had a mechanic shop do the job. I don't have the mechanical abilities for that type of job. After the install I have experienced a slight (very minor) vibration while driving at 40 km. It happens only while cruising at that speed or braking down through that speed to come to a stop. Cruising at all other speeds, the van drives normal. I have yet to get a proper wheel alignment since the suspension parts install, so I assume the vibrations are a result of that. I'll be getting the alignment done next week. Hopefully that solves the vibrations.

"derjack", you're absolutely right about the winter tire vs all terrain. The rubber compounds of either of those tires are specifically designed for each of the conditions.
From my past experience with driving on all terrains during the winter, they provide somewhat adequate traction. But nothing will compare to a winter specific tire. I'm just hoping to avoid changing tires every year.

Once I finally make up my mind, I'll be sure to post up a pic of the van with wheels and tires

Thanks again everyone for your feedback

 

[Stumpalump]

If your vibration does not go away then check your U-joints. For some odd reason used U-joints get loose after a lift. I guess they break in at the stock angle and wear out real fast if you change the angle.

 

[Cyclist1]

If your vibration does not go away then check your U-joints. For some odd reason used U-joints get loose after a lift. I guess they break in at the stock angle and wear out real fast if you change the angle.

Thanks for the tip! I'll get the mechanic who's doing the wheel alignment to check the u-joints at the same time.

If any of you have pics of your vans, please feel free to share here. I'd love to see your wheel and tire choices. I've seen lots of great looking vans over on some of the other threads, like the "VanGo" thread and the "Chevy Awd" as an example.

 

[bdog1]

265 17 now. Used to run the 33 1250's

In addition to the unjoints....Usually.... If you can drive through a vibration like was mentioned, it's a balance issue.


Sent by wing, prayer & ATT

 

[Cyclist1]

265 17 now. Used to run the 33 1250's

In addition to the unjoints....Usually.... If you can drive through a vibration like was mentioned, it's a balance issue.

Sent by wing, prayer & ATT

Great looking van! I like the 265's on your van, fills out the wheel wells nicely.
If the vibrations are a balance issue, that should be solved as soon as I switch out the wheels/tires.

 

[Teamoatmealpie]

I have 275/70/17 BFG All-Terrains - on my Express - my lift is a solid axle conversion with 3". The front tires at turn in come close to the rear part of front fender, no rub but close.

Your spacing will be different of course, but If in doubt dont go with something that is going to rub or cause the gears to be out of the sweet spot.

Imho- The BFG All-Terrain is an excellent tire, long lasting, strong carcass, quiet on the road. Plus good traction on and off road, dry, rain, snow.
I have run them on my jeep and 4 runner for the last 15 years.

 

[Cyclist1]

View attachment 198770View attachment 198769
I have 275/70/17 BFG All-Terrains - on my Express - my lift is a solid axle conversion with 3". The front tires at turn in come close to the rear part of front fender, no rub but close.

Your spacing will be different of course, but If in doubt dont go with something that is going to rub or cause the gears to be out of the sweet spot.

Imho- The BFG All-Terrain is an excellent tire, long lasting, strong carcass, quiet on the road. Plus good traction on and off road, dry, rain, snow.
I have run them on my jeep and 4 runner for the last 15 years.

Great looking van!!
I've had previous experience with the bfg all terrains. Great tire!