I have an '82 K5. It has 33x12.50x15 tires. I don't have any clearence issues, but I definitly can't go any bigger. I've read the 32's are the max for stock suspension. Is there any way to tell if there is a lift on the truck? This is my secong K5, this one doesn't seem to sit much higher then I remember my old one being.

 

You pretty much have to be lifted. My '74 has a 3" body lift and still had to be trimmed at the front & back of the front wheel wells for clearance while articulated & turning.

As far as how to tell, body lift is fairly easy as you'll have spacers at each body mount.

 

Yeah, I know it doesn't have a body lift. If it's lefted I can't see it being more then 2in.

 

There are many factors related to what size tires you can fit on a K5. Obviously there is tire height. But a 33" tire is not necessarily 33" tall... If you put a 33x12.5 on an 8" rim then the tire will be taller than if you put it on a 12" rim.

Then there is back spacing of the rim. This is the distance from the wheel mounting surface (WMS) to the inside edge of the rim. Easiest way to measure back spacing is to put the rim flat on the ground facing up and measure from the ground through the hole to the WMS.

Different BS combined with different tire height and width mounted on different width rims all contribute to what size tire you can fit.

FYI you can stuff a 37" tire in the rear opening without a lift.

If you want to know if you have a lift or not look at the steering arm and/or the front springs.

The steering arm will be relatively flat across the steering knuckle and the drag link will be parallel to the ground.

Stock front springs are basically flat. that is to say they almost look like they are frowning because the spring eyes are both even or maybe a little lower than the spring perch on the axle.

 

dont know if it helps much..my 86 was stock and had 33x12.5 on it when i bought it,since i was in question like you,i got to looking around at the truck and discovered that the front fenders are trimmed in a way that it wasnt very noticable..whoever did it did a great job.

 

ive seen it both ways... depends on your offset and how old and crusty your springs are. friend of mine had a k5 with 33s on stock suspension. he rubbed like crazy offroad but could drive around with no problem.

my 86 has a 4 inch lift on it that is older then dirt so its more like a 3inch and i rub occasionally if i have the wheel cranked and back into the driveway to fast but other then that i never hit the fenders.

 

ya, lots of "depends" lol
do you have a 2 or 3 leaf front? My 91 with 3 leaf packs (even though they are tired) still allow 33" BFGs with no problems although I don't do any extreme off-road.
Jim

 

It looks like the fronts have 3 or 4 leafts with a helper spring. It still has the bow in them (like it's frowning).

 

sounds like they are stock then. the reverse arched springs are what came from the factory

heres a bunch of pictures that should clear things up

heres 3 different front leaf springs. goes from 0 lift to 4inch lift to 6 inch lift




heres some stock springs under a 85 k5 blazer thats that frowny face you were talking about



and then heres my saggy 4inch lift kit under my 86 k30 pick up




and heres the tire clearance i have when i turn, cant get no closer then that. its 33/12.50/15 tires on 10 wide rims with 3.5 backspacing

 

Yeah. I'm guessing it is stock too. Thanks for the help.