i have a 2003 ext. cab z71 with 63000 miles on it. i also have a 25 foot travel trailer that weighs approx. 75oolbs that i tow. i am thinking about a 4 or 6 inch lift and bigger set of rims and tires, i am all stock right now. what things would i have to change to still tow the trailer. and size rims and tires would you recommend.

 

first thing would probably be a drop hitch to allow the trailer to sit level instead of at an angle. if you went w/ the 6" lift, 35" tires would be the way to go. KMC makes a great wheel, (just dont try and jump the truck or they will crack down the center all the way around the wheel, dont ask how i know this). also, do you want to go w/ an all terrain tire or a more aggressive off-road tire? i am running the 35" BFG All Terrains, but then again the idiot that originally put the rims and tires on the truck put 16.5" wheels and only one manufacturer makes one tire for a 16.5" rim and it is the BFG All Terrain, so im stuck w/ those until i get my new 37" tires and new wheels. i would say go w/ at least an 18 or even a 20" wheel depending on the look you are going for. 18" KMC wheels are going around $350 a wheel right now and im in California. there are many wheel and tire combinations and the best way to go is to do some searching and get an idea of what you want, i.e. aggressive or mild, chrome, powdercoated, flat, diameter of wheel and tire. once you refine all these things, you can narrow your search down to what is going to work best for you. let us know if you need anything else and good luck!

 

You are gonna want to get 4.10 gearing w/ that setup if you want to have any go at all while towing that TT. I tow a 30 footer that weighs 6700 dry w/out the big tires w/ 3.73 and it does fine, but i won't win any races.

 

i think i am going to go with an 18 rim with a mildly agressive 35 tire, nothing to crazy. i dont plain on going to far towing the tt, no more than 400 miles max one way. does anyone know the gear ratio is in the stock rear. what about 3.73 gears instead of 4.10. what about a cold air intake

 

Stock gears are more than likely 3.73. But, if you want to put 35's on it you should switch to 4.10's weather you're towing or not. As far as rims, I would go with 18". That way you can get larger rotors and upgrade the brakes. Again, with 35" tires you should upgrade the brakes to at leasat 3 piston calipers up front and 2 piston in the rear. If you have the cash, I'd go for a big brake kit to fill out those wheels and get the extra stopping power.

 

look into Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ Radial, BFG Mud-Terrain T/A KM, and ProComp line of wheels and tires. it reallly just depends on how much you want to spend. defineately agree w/ bfg112 on upgrading the brakes. you can get cross drilled and slotted rotors for around $320 that dramatically improve stopping power.