I have a 2000 sierra with stock shocks and shot tires. i'd like a little bigger tire for my new ones, i have 265/75s now and i'd like 285s. i was wondering if 285s will fit with a stock suspension set up. however i was also looking at a leveling kit for the truck and was wondering what kits are out there that are recomended, one that would give me new shocks as well as gaurenteed clearence for those 285s. looked at the rough country kit and considering that. any insight would be appreiciated. thanks

 

go with the rough country kit, u can fit 285s fine with the torsion bars raised a bit. u would be able to clear 305s with the RC kit

 

i agree completely.

 

you would need at least a 2 inch lift to clear them. that what my truck has,

 

I have a 2001 GMC Sierra Z71 that has stock suspension. It came stock with the 265's as well. I have however been running 285/75's on it for over two years. All i did was crank up my torsion bars. Just be careful when you do this because you can go to far and bend the bolt. However i have much sufficient room for the 285's after doing that. Your truck may be a little different depending on the exact model but i dont think you should have a problem. And if you do crank your bars up be sure to get your truck re aligned. People also like to say that cranking the bars up makes the ride rough. However i can vouch that it didnt alter my ride quality at all. Also just a little note. I would not go with the torsion bar keys (leveling kit) because the 2.5" that most of them claim is from stock ride. You can get about 2" out of the torsion bars at stock so you will really only be gaining about .5" for the 150-200 dollars plus the money to havesome one install it. Personally i would suggest going with the rough country 4" or 6" lift kit if you want to go up more. Prices are very reasonable and if you call and get a salesman they are willing to work with you on the price.

Thanks,
WWJD

 

Thanks for the input, i also have the Z71 so i know that it does sit a touch higher than other models. wondering how you go about cranking up the the stock bars. i have no desire to spend the extra money so im curious how do raise the front up with the stock keys?

 

http://www.ehow.com/how_5646366_rais...sion-bars.html

Check that website out. It really explains in in text as best as possible just be sure not to turn the bolt to far because that could cause you problems. And be sure to have the truck lined up afterwards. If you are not sure about doing it you might want to have a pro do it for you. If you know a friend who is a mechanic they would not have much trouble doing it. It does not take long at all.

I attached a photo of my truck with the 285's on it just so you can see what it looks like.

WWJD

 

Thanks for the info, definitely a help and your truck is just a year newer, other than that they are the same so the pic helps out a lot, its nice to be able to visualize it all as well. just a quick question, have you noticed the ride change at all? I've read some places that if you just crank up the adjustments it rides noticeably rougher. i dont mind a harder ride to an extent, but i dont want to be losin parts everytime i catch a pot hole. what did you notice?

 

I had an 01 z71 with 305/75's with no lift and it didn't rub it was close but didn't, and I currently have an 04 z71 with 285/75's and they are doing just fine with no lift.

 

Personally it did not change a bit, as far as i can tell anyway. After cranking them up it still felt just as smooth as it had before i did it. I have heard the same thing about the ride being rough after you crank them up though. Maybe that is just a sterotype caused by certain vehicles? Because as far as i can tell it didnt affect my truck. My buddy had a 2003 z71 with his bars cranked up as well and he did not feel any difference in ride.

WWJD