22" tire's on dirt roads.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Since I have to keep my Silverado I decided to make it more custom to my specs . One of my floating ideas is to lower it further, and get some 22's. I need 2 new tires before winter, and why not upgrade while at it anyways.

I like to take my kid fishing or other dirt road adventures several times a year. If any of you guys are familiar with the Bishop Ca area the roads have a fair bit of rocks, but nothing to hard. By any means.

Is that asking to much of 22's, and i should just stick with the 18's for a taller sidewall? Right now I am not sold on 20's as I don't see any benefits vs 18's, and only slightly better looks right now.

[1976gmc20]

About the worst idea ever, IMO

I live on a dirt road.

[special-K]

If they handle urban potholes...

22" hardcore hc09 rims with amp mud terrain...

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

Since I have to keep my Silverado I decided to make it more custom to my specs . One of my floating ideas is to lower it further, and get some 22's. I need 2 new tires before winter, and why not upgrade while at it anyways.

I like to take my kid fishing or other dirt road adventures several times a year. If any of you guys are familiar with the Bishop Ca area the roads have a fair bit of rocks, but nothing to hard. By any means.

Is that asking to much of 22's, and i should just stick with the 18's for a taller sidewall? Right now I am not sold on 20's as I don't see any benefits vs 18's, and only slightly better looks right now.

It will handle the roads just fine. There’s thousands if not hundreds of thousands or more out there right now handling all kinds of terrain.

I had some factory GM carbon 22’s Off of a 2015 or so Chevy truck on my slammed 09’ Tahoe and i drove 12 months of the year through all kinds of Canadian terrain, and yes, that includes gravel roads. So, if you like the look, the performance will be just fine.

The tires were factory GM takeoffs. 285/45/22

[jweb]

Some of the 2014+ had 22’s from the factory so it should handle just fine

The tire size and style could definitely have an effect. Also depends on how much your truck is lowered.

A really low profile tire could end up with a bent wheel if you aren’t careful.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by jweb

Some of the 2014+ had 22’s from the factory so it should handle just fine

The tire size and style could definitely have an effect. Also depends on how much your truck is lowered.

A really low profile tire could end up with a bent wheel if you aren’t careful.

I am not concerned with the handling. As it will or should be better then the 18's. Like you said i am worried about a bent rim, or a torn up lip. I believe running the widest tire i can or any size over a 265 will help, and as much sidewall too.

As for the truck. If I leave it static dropped. I will increase it to a 3.5/6 roughly. Right now it has spindles, shackles, and the block removed. If I go with air ride. It will roll at roughly 5/8. Then I can raise it to 3/6 to roll down dort roads.

Which drop i go with, or no more drop will effect rim/tire choices. I never have had low profile tires on a truck, and looking for advice.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by YBNORML

It will handle the roads just fine. There’s thousands if not hundreds of thousands or more out there right now handling all kinds of terrain.

I had some factory GM carbon 22’s Off of a 2015 or so Chevy truck on my slammed 09’ Tahoe and i drove 12 months of the year through all kinds of Canadian terrain, and yes, that includes gravel roads. So, if you like the look, the performance will be just fine.

The tires were factory GM takeoffs. 285/45/22

Do you have any rubbing at that drop?

I do like the look, and there are many choices to in style. I would like the 22" transportation rims, but they are expensive for what they are to me.

[Ol Blue K20]

I guess I'm just getting old. I don't understand lowering a 4ed and then putting short sidewalls tires on a rough road to shake my teeth out?

[Palf70Step]

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

I guess I'm just getting old. I don't understand lowering a 4ed and then putting short sidewalls tires on a rough road to shake my teeth out?

It is not a 4wd.

[jweb]

I know on the 14+ Silverados that are lowered 305/40/22 is a popular size.
You can find a lot of info on the newer trucks here:
https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/top...?ct=1596722519

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

It is not a 4wd.

Oops, I stand corrected. It probably won't see the roads I was thinking of....

[67C10Step]

Are we talking a typical gravel/dirt road or anything remotely similar to off road? If only gravel/dirt and only occasional exposure, I don't think the 22's and low profile are going to be a big concern. If the road has any sections that might resemble something more off road I'd get concerned about wheel damage but as was stated, you can get tires that overlap the wheel edge enough to relieve some concern.

Totally different concept, but my 2020 4Runner has 265/70-17's on it and it soaks up on road and off road bumps with ease. I can't corner with the gas pedal on the floor but to get the places I like to fish the ground clearance, 4x4, and grip is needed.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Just a essentially flat fairly well maintained dirt road. The DWP uses them to maintain equipment, and like others I use them to get to fishing spots. My car handled them with 245/45r18's, but my truck is heavier. Plus I can take alot more which I do. So just trying to stay ahead of the curve a bit.

I am not sold on the 22's, but lowered they look better. If I lower it I may just keep the 18's, and space out the rears to fit flush with the wheel well lip. Plus a slightly better ride.

The ideal plan is to bag the truck for a 5/7 drop, and a soft ride. Then lift the truck for the few miles I cruise off the road.

Or add drop shocks to the front, and re-arch the rear leafs to match. For a 3.5/6 drop, and add helper air bags.

Either way my ability to tow comfortably will increase a good bit. If I do the 22's I will get a set of 16's or 17's for cheap E rated tires when I tow at max weight. If I do sell the 18's.

I need tires before winter so I am trying to plan ahead, and have 3 months to plan.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

I ride motorcycles - dirt, street and dual sport. It's insane how many street bike riders wouldn't dare hit a dirt road on their bike... people in south Dakota thought I was lost when I came off of one. It's no big deal at the right speed. Same with 22s. If you are on pavement 95% of the time, then prioritize street performance and drive carefully on the dirt road days.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by TwoFiftyShifter

I ride motorcycles - dirt, street and dual sport. It's insane how many street bike riders wouldn't dare hit a dirt road on their bike...

I can total a $25k Ducati by knocking it over on the showroom floor before its even had gas in it. Might have something to do with it...

[weq92f]

.
I was never afraid of dirt or gravel roads on my bikes. Never.

Sand though....that scared the $hit out of me.

-klb

[1976gmc20]

I swapped our little car from 215/50r17 to 205/65r15 steel junkyard wheels. Rides better, gets better mpg, and does somewhat better on dirt/mud/snow. Still keep it parked most of the year because it's too hard to clean out underneath such a low car.

The pickup came with brand new 265/70r17 and I'm already wondering about something taller? Lots of vertical wheel well clearance! Maybe 285/75r17 ?????

[burnin oil]

I would advise against it. It is easier to tear up a rim but traction is the bigger issue when getting off the main drag. More sidewall flex is a major advantage off road, even in wet grass. It only takes getting stuck once to regret a decision when waiting hours for rescue. Now if the truck has an open rear and you install a lokright then you would probably be alright. They drive the tires harder than a standard posi and work about as close to a detroit as you can get.

[special-K]

Airing down has been an off road tactic from way back when. Not much to gain with so little sidewall and you increase risk to damaging those fancy rims. Ever try running a hard tire forklift off the pavement?

I've ridden my chromed up Harley (16" wheels) on many miles of dirt & gravel road. I do ride it like a wussy, real slow as to not grit blast all the custom plating. It is also lowered, obviously not built for off pavement. I have come upon fords in the rode. I have only turned around at one. I could see it was rocker panel high to a 4wd that day. But I have crossed many and even on my way to a dyno-tune appointment I crossed a flooded area of road I am very familiar with that always floods. It down poured just as I was about to get on the bike and didn't stop till after I got the shop. I keep my appointments. I know this is an issue for bike (Harley anyway) shops when it rains.

I guess you can drive most anything with most any tire size on most dry dirt road surfaces. But if I was figuring on that being a regular occurrence I would want wheels and tires most appropriate for that use. There are good compromises for combination on/off road use.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by burnin oil

I would advise against it. It is easier to tear up a rim but traction is the bigger issue when getting off the main drag. More sidewall flex is a major advantage off road, even in wet grass. It only takes getting stuck once to regret a decision when waiting hours for rescue. Now if the truck has an open rear and you install a lokright then you would probably be alright. They drive the tires harder than a standard posi and work about as close to a detroit as you can get.

Yesterday I was getting a tires swapped onto different rims for a friend's project at a independent shop. They had a good stock of 22's, and they swapped them on for a test drive. As i was worried about the truck riding to stiff. As when I do the air ride suspension. I want the 72 Cadillac ride for long drives.

Not to say the 22's rode bad, but it was not what I was aiming at for this truck. Although they still look better. I feel there is to much being giving up for profiling.

Maybe I will do 20's, but right now I am just looking for rims to get polished half heartedly.

The truck will be getting a new gear-set, and a posi of some kind. Probably a Detroit wave trac at this point.

[burnin oil]

After a detroit locker a torrington Unit is my preferred limited slip. The Torrington design works well in a front axle also.

Most of my rolling stock is on 17" rubber now. The jeep is still on 15s. My 5500 is on 19.5s and burns through tires. Its half way through set number 3 at 75k miles. There is a good chance that will get 22.5 semi low profiles next. I am sick of rocks eating them up. I still stick with steel rims since the bounce through ruts everytime I drive them. Good luck with your decision.

[Yukon Jack]

My 2015 Ram 1500 had 20"s on it from the factory with passenger tire rather than LT tires. I found the tires got damaged pretty easily due to the weight on the truck and the fact that even the factory spec size had a fairly good sized sidewall, the tires just weren't good enough for a lot of driving on gravel roads.

I went through all four tires within two years of purchasing the truck due to gravel roads damaging the tires. I luckily had tire protection so they got replaced. When it was time to order tires outside of the warranty, I went with LT tires and haven't had a problem since.

[special-K]

I am truly amazed that a new truck can come through wearing car tires. Abso-funky-lutely amazed!! What are the federally mandated/regulated ratings for if automakers can get away with that?

[67C10Step]

Originally Posted by weq92f

.
I was never afraid of dirt or gravel roads on my bikes. Never.

Sand though....that scared the $hit out of me.

-klb

In Arkansas you had to watch the roads in the hill country after thunderstorms. Lots of gravel driveways that would puke sand/gravel in corners. Scared me to death riding a sport bike. Hit one once in a corner and the whole bike slid from mid lane to the yellow line with me leaned into the corner. Both tires, complete sideways skid but they grabbed at the yellow line. About 1/4 mile down the road I pulled over and walked around a bit so my breathing would return to normal.

Z - Good to hear the tire shop let you ride on the 22's before you made the final decision. My last GMC 4x4 had 20" wheels and it rode fine. Tires weren't low profile though. I am a 5%'er around these parts in that my trucks actually go further off road than just a maintained gravel road. Here is my GMC and my now 4Runner at the same place. 4Runner has 17's with beefier tires and it rides as good as the truck on road but much better off road.