N.A.R.V. - 2008 Chevy Express AWD Project

[86cj]

Below are the measurements at the height of my platform..

53.5" - 2nd bench to doors
86" - 1st bench to doors

Just a note if you are a few inches under 6 foot you can sleep sideways in a window van but you have to raise the bed to just below the window where it is widest, so your 53.5" used as a width is fine for two people, a twin bed is 55".


I like the progress nice use of factory plastic..............

 

[LYlqoY2Fo]

Finally got new wheels and tires installed.

Tires: Cooper Discover ATP, E Rated, 265/70/17
Wheels: 18x8.5 MB Razors.
All from DiscountTireDirect.com, mounted/balanced/delivered/tax free.

Trust what other have said...This is THE LARGEST tire that will fit...and it will require trimming.

I installed the tires without any modifications, and there was rubbing on the back of the front tires. (see clearances at https://imgur.com/a/u59eu)

I then cranked the torsion bars to see if it would clear...but no luck. The inch and half or so, of height the torsion bars gain, still is not enough to clear the tires. (see clearances at https://imgur.com/a/BtWoJ)

The solution is to remove the fiberglass body panel right in front of the doors and trim them. Also, you will need to remove about 3 1/2" from the plastic in the wheel well from the same location. Here is a look at what I trimmed on the body panel.

In the end, I put the torsion bars back to where I started at and everything fits fine. No rubbing whatsoever. I took it out for a drive and am extremely happy with its road handling now. Now more spongy ride and still very quiet.

Before Pictures w/ clearance measurements
https://imgur.com/a/8pba9

After Pictures - w/clearance After, before torsion bar tightening
https://imgur.com/a/u59eu

Clearances after bottoming out torsion bars (3 & 1/2 turns)
https://imgur.com/a/BtWoJ

TL;DR - Largest tire you can get on the GM AWD w/o lift is 265/70/17, with trimming plastic/fiberglass.

 

[occasionaldirt]

Weird... must be the wheel off-set? Plenty of room with stock Sierra 17x8 wheels & 265/70/17 Michelins, or the BFG's I tried for a minute... absolutely zero rubbing testing on ramps, ditches, etc - even with OEM mud flaps.

Nice looking van by the way!

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

Wrong offset on the aftermarket wheels. It moves the tire outside the wheel well...

 

[LYlqoY2Fo]

I did fail to mention the offset. I did in my first version of the post that didn't post for some reason. My bad.

My goal was a wider stance, so yeah...that cause the rubbing. -6mm offset on the wheels.

There is a +25mm that was available too, which would have been closer to factory, and likely would have cleared the fender.

Everything fits and looks perfect now.

 

[DEFENDERBEAM]

Does anyone know off the top, what the backspacing is on the stock wheels?

I think the stock wheels, both steel and alloy, are 17"x7.5" ? I could be wrong though?

I am in the research phase of what wheels/tires I want to get for our '14 AWD 1500, so this topic is of interest.

Thanks for the pictures and info thus far.

 

[LYlqoY2Fo]

I think you are correct on the size. According to DiscountTireDirect the factory offset is +30mm.

 

[86cj]

LYlqoY2Fo,
I like your wheels, the choices these days are so complicated and busy looking I long for wheels of decades ago..............:ylsmoke:

Does anyone know off the top, what the backspacing is on the stock wheels?

I think the stock wheels, both steel and alloy, are 17"x7.5" ? I could be wrong though?

I am in the research phase of what wheels/tires I want to get for our '14 AWD 1500, so this topic is of interest.

Thanks for the pictures and info thus far.

The stock wheels are 17x7.5" wide, you can keep the stock backspacing and gain some stance with a wider wheel or play with both and trim as necessary....

As a general rule you can play with tire sizes alot on stock wheels, getting backspacing right on the aftermarket wheels you like, can mean sticking with smaller tires........

I would like to see some 17x9's with a 32" tire on a 1500 AWD myself.......

 

[LYlqoY2Fo]

The lift kit (Traxda 404045) is installed. 3" front, 1" rear. It was a breeze to put on, and I'm very happy. I had the torsion bolts set to the original depth with the new keys upon reassembly, but it raised the front too much. I ended up loosing a little to level it out before getting it aligned. Overall, it raised the body (measured behind the wheels) to 16 3/4" with my new wheels/tires.

The kit comes with 1.5" (I think) shock extenders for the front. The factory shocks fit the 1" in the rear. Overall the ride is about the same.

If you are considering the same and want another inch, call and have them swap out the 1" blocks for a 2" (or 3"), and just tighten the torsion bars. It looks like the u bolts that come with the kit are generic to all sizes. Another poster on EP, said that they would swap them for no charge. You can easily get the inch (possibly two) extra. You will likely need new rear shocks if you go above 1" though. You "can" do this lift with a good c-clamp instead of a GM torsion bar tool, but I wouldn't recommend it. Beg/borrow/steal, as it makes it so much easier.

Lift Kit:
$307 via http://traxda.com/chevy/express-1500/2003-2014-chevy-express-1500-4x4-lift-kit.html
$230 via Amazon or http://store.newlevelmotorsports.com/traxda4445.html (drop shipped directly from Traxda)

Let me know if anyone wants any detailed pics and I'll make it happen.

 

[tincanExpress]

Looks really good !
I'll be checking into that lift kit for my van.

 

[DEFENDERBEAM]

I would like to see some pictures of the front before / after if you have them.

any pictures are always appreciated.

I am looking at the same kit, and also changing shocks and adding the sway bar?

 

[BigDan]

what engine do you have 4.8L or 5.3L

did the lift & tires affect fuel milleage .

love your van !

Dan

 

[mrwall1]

Very nice!! I Want one of these for a future build!

 

[LYlqoY2Fo]

DEFENDERBEAM - I didn't forget about you...I just never think about it when it is light out.

BigDan - it is a 5.3, FlexFuel. I'm still on the first tank since the tire/lift/alignment combination, and I'm running SeaFoam through this tank, so the last number is not a good sampling. But here are my averages so far.

14.95mpg - Stock
13.73mpg - After New Wheels Tires
12.94mpg - After Lift & Alignment

 

[Russmocksyou]

Wheel / Tire Size with the lift

Recently lifted my van 2.5" and was wondering if you think you could have gotten away with 275/70R17 without any modification and this would be without an offset/wider stance. Im about to pull the trigger on some BFG's and wondering if i should play it safe and go with 265/70R17 instead. Thanks and the van looks awesome man!