Right now I have 285s out back and up front too. They actually rub a bit at full turn. Anyways, the wheels are escalade 18s so I know those can't handle any wider of a tire. Can the wheel be widened to handle something like a 315? 325?

 

I have been thinking getting wider rears than fronts as well (for summer) and here is what I have learned so far.

1. These metric tire sizes drive me nuts, mainly because you cant just tell anything from one number like the old measurements. You need all three because their relationship to eachother makes the width change. Check out this link for a quick easy conversion.
www.redrock4x4.com/tech/tire_calc.php

2. How wide you can go in the rear also depends on your wheel backspacing (and if you want to get rear fender flares, which I have not seen yet).
TXsilverado went with a 305/45/18 on an 8" wide wheel that still fits perfectly inside his wheel wells. check out this link for pictures of his rears
http://www.performancetrucks.net/for...d.php?t=415913

3. If you want to go nuts like onyxsilverado and modify (as in tubbed) your rear end check out his build page here:
http://www.performancetrucks.net/for...d.php?t=416987
I drool all over my keyboard every time I see that truck.

I hope this helps, let us know what you end up doing and put up some pictures when you finish to help guide and inspire the guys after you.

 

Thanks for your reply. As far as I know, the maximum width Toyo recommends for an 8" wide wheel (which is what I have) is 285mm. Also, I'm really not sure if it's worth my time to go up to a 305 from a 285. Im not sure how much that would help. I was thinking more along the lines of a 315-335. If that means having the tire stick out past the fender a litte I'm okay with that. I think that's what Trever1T has. Another problem is that Toyo discontinued the tire that I currently have on there, so I'm not sure or not if I'd like having different tires in the front and rear.

 

Change over to Nitto 555 trust me you will like them. I had them on my last car and they were awsome You will be fine with a 305 on a 8" wide rim. It will just not be flush with the rim.

 

Toyo makes a 305/60/18, and I bet I could actually find a set of them in the discontinued S/T's

They are 32.4" tall (1" taller than my 285/60/18) and they are .8" wider. I'm not even sure that's worth wasting my time over. What do you all think?

 

just do the 315 and say *** it. haha I dont see why you cant fit it out back.

 

This is a 16x8 w 5" BS mounted with ET Streets 28x11.5-16.
They tuck nicely with no interference but the w/w lips are trimmed a little.

 

are you staying with the escalade 18's?

If you want to go as wide as you can in the rear, you may find it easier to get new wheels and look at it all as a package.

If you went to a 20x10" wheel you could use a 325/50/20 which is 32.8 x 13.2"

 

yeah, if I went wider than 305 I'd obviously have to change wheels. The escalades are pretty ugly anyways. The only reason I bought them was because where else can you get a set of 8" wide wheels for $200. Maybe it might be better to step up to a 20". I'd actually like a skinnier tire up front so that they dont rub on full turn.

 

The escalade wheels were a good buy, but now that your wants/needs are changing, you will probably be happier in the end making it all work together.

I try to be a "measure twice, cut once" kinda guy, and here is as far as I have got. Currently my 2008 Silverado has stock 20's wheels and stock 275/55/20 tires

I am looking at the Centerline ultra archer or stingray III 20x8.5's and hoping to find Toyo Proxes ST's - keeping 275/55/20 size in front and then 305/50/20 in the rear. Because the centerlines are lighter than my wheels, I will actually reduce total tire/wheel weight and get more grip out back, which is one of the few ways to get both more performance, and save a bit of gas.

You could go with this idea as is, but you will probably change it to make it yours, which is cool, so keep us informed.