I couldn't really find what I was looking for so I figured I would ask. I have a 99 four door LS and I'm looking at getting it into off roading. I am trying to figure out if I want to go with a 33, 32, or 31 inch tire.
33 would be preferred but has anyone had problems with cv axles breaking or ball joints wearing very fast at that size. I intend on getting a 2.5 inch RC lift, or a 2 inch body lift, or both.
The wheeling I would be doing would be rocky with big hill climbs and very off camber, high flex situations. I know a SAS would be best but I'm looking at getting out in the mountains again for fairly cheap. Thanks for any input

Last rig and a sample of terrain

 

i ran 33/12.50 thornbirds on a stock 85 s10 blazer and pretty much broke a front axle everytime i turned the wheel offroad. if i kept it straight it was fine, but any tight turns and it couldnt handle it. some people have had luck with them but not me. so i vote the smaller the better. maybe buy a winch to help if you get stuck

 

I have noticed the same thing with my 99 4 door LS, and I just have 31/10.5/15's put it in 4x4 and it don't want to turn to well.

 

@ abig84 what were you breaking exactly just snapping cv axles? Also did your ball joints wear extremely premature?

 

you wont fit 33s with only that much lift. 32s will take some fender cutting also. Stick with the 31 s unless you like fixing things a lot

 

Thanks but I am mostly worried about the front end strength. There is a whole lot of fender that can be trimmed off for bigger tires.

 

I've never broken anything running 33x10.5R15 KM2's, but my buddy has broken plenty of front driveshafts and the front diff with the RC kit on it.

 

33s would seem tobe a bit heavy for stock setup

 

ok thanks, I took it out this weekend and had alot of problems with ground clearance. I think I am going to go with smaller tires though since 14 years in Michigan salt and snow most likely has taken its toll.

 

they would snap inside the boot by the wheel. basically the cup part that the bearings went into would shatter in like 10 pieces or the bearings themselves would snap off the shaft.

one funny thing is i never had any other issues with that truck, same ball joints wheel bearings and front axle for years. with that truck. i eventually just got used to making wide turns and keeping it straight to keep it going without breaking anything.

eventually i put fullsized axles under a s10 and have had no issues