OBS Tahoe Potential? expo-light

[y5e06]

as much as I like 3/4 ton's, I've decided to try the wagon.
'00 tahoe Z71, fully loaded. very last of the OBS.
G80 factory posi 10-bolt with 3.73's
246 auto-tragic
4L60E
tow package & hitch
HD trans & oil coolers
133,000 miles
leather interior, heated seats, blah blah blah
265/75/16 factory sized tires
16" factory Alcoa's (I like these!)
140Amp alternator
factory grill guard
barn doors!
flip down factory (small) tv screen for rear seats
basically fully loaded with everything available for 1/2 ton OBS tahoes

I need to do the brakes, flush rad fluid, get the tires re-balanced, maybe new shocks.
the truck looks great. It will be expo-light. light for mods, but heavy truck.
thanks for all the replies to this thread.
down the road, hopefully before i'm forced to do it, i'm planning to go 241 manual shift.

http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=8bc6dc3e88a173696cbbd47cbb382743&sid=0AbuHLJk2Zt2LC_A

 

[Jean-Seb]

Looks great ! Nice start for sure.

 

[Rot Box]

I've always like those--great looking rig! Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Those front bumpers were actually first designed for the 6.5 turbo diesel in 92 to move more air through the radiator. The holes make a great place to put fog/driving lights as GM later found out :sombrero:

 

[y5e06]

rad flush & hoses done.
new brakes & fluid flush done.
relash valves & covers gaskets done - had light tick
door lock switch fixed
tire balance done - rears need replacing. will be going 285/75/16 but not ready to spend the money on a full set of tires & spares yet.

going on a TX/NM/AZ trip in three weeks. need to get it ready.... and pick out some expo worthy trails.

 

[KLAKEBRONCO]

rad flush & hoses done.
new brakes & fluid flush done.
relash valves & covers gaskets done - had light tick
door lock switch fixed
tire balance done - rears need replacing. will be going 285/75/16 but not ready to spend the money on a full set of tires & spares yet.

going on a TX/NM/AZ trip in three weeks. need to get it ready.... and pick out some expo worthy trails.

You probably have heard already, but I would look into TreadWright for the 285's. If I were looking for a size they produced I would be all over them. (I'm going to switch wheel sizes when these tires wear out just to use their tires)

 

[y5e06]

yep looked over them pretty good already.
I was thinking about trying the 265's for the rears for short term, would be about $250 after I get them mounted locally. my current fronts have plenty of tread but are the weak Longtrails, P-rated too I think.

However, even though about all the reviews i've read were good and none had issues with tread separation at speed, I'm still nervous about retreads. specifically, since I plan on towing in the future and wouldn't want all that weight over the rear exacerbating any kind of issue. short term would be try them on the rears then get the 285's for all four from BFG in AT KO's E-rated.
I had a 235/85 let loose on the suburban while towing back from dallas and it was memorable experience, not to mention the mashed front fender I ended up with.

been waffling on the decision since the weekend.

 

[y5e06]

Went with the treadwrights and only one pair for the rears in the original size.
Tires look great.
I have about 50 miles on them, however they are a bit bumpity-bumpy. somewhat irritating vibration through out the entire road speed range with a tad more vibration at 34-45 and maybe at 70 & above. The 1st 10 miles felt great. Then when I drove it later i noticed the vibration, I may not have noticed it earlier or it 'set it' afterwards. after I put a few more miles on them I'll go back and have the balance checked. However, with the 'bumpity' feel at all road speeds I think might be an irregularity in the tire tread or shape.
we'll see. so far I think they would be great for OHV only, but not something that sees road continuously. just a tad too irritating, but I'll have to make due for the short term since I'm going out of town soon.
pics attached, comparison picture is versus a 235/85/16 I'm using for a spare. same height, just a tad narrower for a great, tight fit in the spare tire cubby.
also mounted my best take-off on another rim for a second spare... just in case.

 

[KLAKEBRONCO]

based on that tread pattern you shouldn't have a problem like that....Did you call them up and see what they said?

The mud terrains will likely do that a little just due to the tread design, but those should be pretty smooth.