My K5's tires had an allergic reaction causing swelling

[Yukon Jack]

My K20 is decommissioned for a while and I will have to yank it's front tires anyway, so I thought, why not throw them on the K5 for a while.







I think these pics show why 4" of lift is generally considered to be inadequate for 35"s The fender flares that I haven't yanked yet make the clearance look worse of course but obviously would have contact if the K5 was used off-road with these tires and no trimming. The front lift is 4" springs while the rear lift is a 2" block along with custom spring perches on the 14 bolt ff.

Here are a couple comparison pics with the smaller tires that measure 31".

[fun in dirt]

Those look alot better to me. At least width wise; the narrow ones make it look so top heavy. What's the matter with the K20? I really like that truck - stylish yet functional!

[Yukon Jack]

The K20 puked it's upper input shaft bearings after getting low on gear oil - the Rockwell transfer cases are notorious for that and I screwed up and didn't check my leaky transfer case before it got to low. I usually add some every 5-6 months and just got lazy this time. Anyway, it's transfer case will be replaced with an NP205 and while I'm at it, I'm going to move the motor forward a bit so I can get the body lift down to a more friendly 2" and for good measure I will also slap in a Dana 60 front axle that I bought in December of 2006.

[Chevyman63]

Originally Posted by fun in dirt

Those look alot better to me. At least width wise; the narrow ones make it look so top heavy. What's the matter with the K20? I really like that truck - stylish yet functional!

I agree! On all counts.

[bouncytruck]

The wheels look good on the Blazer. You know you'd rather drive the Blazer than the K20 anyway...

[Jtrux]

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

The K20 puked it's upper input shaft bearings after getting low on gear oil - the Rockwell transfer cases are notorious for that and I screwed up and didn't check my leaky transfer case before it got to low. I usually add some every 5-6 months and just got lazy this time. Anyway, it's transfer case will be replaced with an NP205 and while I'm at it, I'm going to move the motor forward a bit so I can get the body lift down to a more friendly 2" and for good measure I will also slap in a Dana 60 front axle that I bought in December of 2006.

Sounds like it will be a nice build.

[DURRTY]

It looks good, actually looks good either way, the smaller tires fit better look like the belong on the blazer, as something that would have been used when it was made.

unless it had 3-5 more inches of lift the get rid of the 31s

is that a D60 on the blazer?

[Yukon Jack]

Nope, I swapped in the axles from a 3/4 ton parts truck to get the K5 roadworthy. 3/4 ton Dana 44 and 14 bolt ff with a Detroit Locker.

[68,69 K20]

The tire/rim combo looks great on your rig. I like old school skinnies, but the 35's look awesome.
Good luck repairing the K20, looking forward to that 205, and D60 swap especially, keep us updated.

[special-K]

I like the skinnies better.I just like that look on your Blazer.

[jrdv]

I agree with Special-K, the skinnies look best on your blazer. Of course I'm a little partial to skinny tires!!

john

[AJs72K5]

I said this elsewhere already,but I'll repeat it...the 35s look great. Save the skinny tires for your bicycle

[Yukon Jack]

I kinda like the look of the 35"s on it but it would really need a 6" lift if those tires were staying on it. My K20 will have none of that, so the K5 better not get used to these tires!

[BLUE THUNDER]

The Blazer looks awsome with the 35's. I would def get rid of the flares. I took them off mine. Looks a whole lot better. Later Mario.

[BobbyK]

I like both,but at this stage in it's life I think the steelie set looks better.

[70rs/ss]

4X4's look tough with steelies. Billet, alum, chrome just don't say, "I'll eat you if I have to!"

[Mike C]

Sorry to hear about the truck Mark...

But I have to say stick with the big meats. I'm still running my 4" lift with my 36 12.5 16.5s. I trimmed the front of the rear quarters and moved the 14 bolt back about 3/4" by re-drilling perches. It is now centered in the opening and looks much better. (I had to move it back anyhow to get enough travel on the rear CV shafts splines.)

On the drivers side where my fender is the right shape, no rubbing for street driving, but the f'ed up pass fender does. (PO had poor repair done pre-1977 when we got it!) But it will be replaced soon. I'm thinking about doing some cutting and welding on the front fenders so that they are symmetrical instead of hooking in. Should have no problem running 35's with 4" lift.

My rims have 4 1/2" bs which helps. Because the 3/4 ton axles are wider than the 1/2 tons, overall track of the truck is pretty much same.

[Yukon Jack]

Drove the K5 for the first time with these tires and noted the driver tire in hard right turns was rubbing on the drag link end. Other than that the passenger rear rubbed on the rear edge of the fender flare a bit when I'd hit a bump. No big deal as these tires won't be on here long.

What I find interesting is I didn't have the drag link rub back when my 69 had just a 4" lift and these tires. Maybe that has something to do with the K20 having the closed knuckle axle which forced me to use the adjustable drop drag link while the K5 has uses the modified steering arm to compensate for the lift.

[griesel72]

maybe i'm off in left field, but i really like the 8 lug steel wheels and old mud tires, just something different, i guess, and they kind of match the "look" of your K5