30x9.5 or 255/70 on aftermarket 15's, 1st post!
 

*First post*

I'm not a "noob" when it comes to wheel and tire sizes. I have a boosted '05 s2000 and a '73 240z that I track, and work on religiously. The right tire comes into play a lot more there than it will ever in the following situation.

Because I have 2 cars that I track, I obviously had to have a daily driver... so I chose a '98 4x4 Blazer. I only had it for 3 months before a police officer (at fault) ran into me totaling it out... after all that was taken care of I found a pristine '00 GMC 4x4 Jimmy. After driving the blazer and having a sense of "I can damn near go anywhere" I had to find another one. So with that said, I am fairly new to the S10/S15, 4x4 game.

Anyways, enough with the history, on to the question.

I bought wheels for the Jimmy. They are 15x8, 4.5 back spacing in the front and 15x8, 3.75 back spacing in the rear to even it up. They look awesome. I love black on black. I reused the tires that were on the stockers because they were pretty much brand new. (235/75/15, 9.3 inches wide)

They rubbed just a little at full lock going over bumps. I took out the lower bolt that holds the fender liner because that was the main source of the noise and trimmed some of the lower valance/fender trim at the bottom of the fender. I have not cranked the tbars any. (Stock height) Now I have to try to make them rub.

Now, I want new tires because the 235s look kinda dinky. I know I want General Grabber AT2 tires because they look sweet and will more than likely out perform the tires I have now anywhere, anytime. I just don't know how much I can push it. I am wanting the wider 255/70s which are 10.2 inches wide because I like beef (My s2000 has 265s on it LOL!), but I'm not sure if they are gonna fit very well rubbing wise. Do you think I'd be ok with them and doing the tbar crank (slightly) and 2in shakles? Or should I just go for something I know will fit, the 30x9.5?

Long post, I know.

Recap: 15x8, 4.5 BS in the front, 3.75 in the rear. Will 255/70s fit with slight tbar crank and shakles, or should I just do the 30x9.5s?

Going for a beefy look. I'm not even going to try 31x10.5s...

Thanks, and please don't tell me to search, I did, not many people post what wheel specs they have.

Just go with the 31x10.5's! I just did and no regrets at all, I did a t bar crank, and added a rough country add a leaf kit and it's working great and looks good!

Do you have aftermarket wheels close to my specs? I could see that being doable on stock wheels, but mine stick out a lot further so when I turn the wheel they are already that much closer to the inner lower fenders.

Got pics??? I really want the 31s but I don't want to sacrific to much drivablity.

I don't have staggered offset wheels, but mine are 0mm offset like your front wheels. Mine are 15x7 with 4" BS but they sit exactly the same, relative to the vehicle (just a half inch narrower on each side). I had to do a tbar crank as well as cut away a good portion of the inner fender where it initially rubbed.

Yeah, I looked at your build when I was searching. No way am I going as far as you did, LOL. At least not right now. I have my race cars as play things. The size I want is only 29.1inches tall, but again, it's 10.2 inches wide, so it'll have a little more around the edges basically.

Besides, I know/knew it would take a lot to fit 31s. That's kinda why as soon as the thought crossed my mind I asked myself "are you stupid?"

I'm really thinking I can fit the 255/70s under there and they will be fine once I lift it a bit. I'm just not sure and don't want to make a $500+ mistake ya know?

Anyone else with some insight?

bump. I need some thoughts here guys...

i just fit 31s on my blazer with a 1.5 tbar crank and an 2 inch shackle installation check out my garage

I have 255/70/15's on stock rims and the only place they rub is on the sway bar when turning full lock to the right. With your shallower back-spacing you wouldn't rub there. I do have a 1.5" T-bar lift and a 2" add-a-leaf lift in the rear, but I haven't modified my fenders. I'm no where near rubbing on the back of the fender (where you pulled the bolts from) or the upper fender when flexed, so I strongly doubt you would rub at the back of the fender. I'm like you, and love the look of a meaty tire, and would never go back to the stock width. Here's a rear view of my 255/70/15's with the 31x10.5's that I'm putting on after I install my body lift, and a 265/70/17 from my Durango.
Left to right:
-Cooper Zeon LTZ 265/70/17
-BFG AT KO 31x10.5 15
-Uniroyal Laredo 255/70/15

http://www.flickr.com/photos/preteygoodpics/6026152878/
Here's a couple of crappy iPhone pictures of the back of the front fender with the wheel turned left and right. Let me know if you want some better pictures, and I'll take some when I get home and can control the lighting.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/preteygoodpics/6026350588/http://www.flickr.com/photos/preteygoodpics/6026349504/

WOW! Thanks a lot!

Next time I go to Canada, I'll get you a case or take you to Tim Horton's. LOL!!!

No worries. I realize that your rims are a smaller back-space but hopefully those pictures help a bit with your dilemma. The 255/70's look way better than the stockers on the blazer.