Also take a look at the Toyo Opencountry M/T. What size are your stock wheels?

Also take a look at the Toyo Opencountry M/T.
What size are your stock wheels?

17". I actually want smaller matte black wheels with only slightly larger than currently stock tires. Am I correct in assuming that a meatier tire will grip better than a short-walled tire with large wheels (obviously only if I let a little pressure out)? What's a reasonable size combination for that purpose? As I mentioned earlier, I won't have money for a lift for a few years, so it's only going to have clearance afforded from a leveling kit. Thanks for all of the input everyone, I really appreciate it, keep it coming.

If you do a leveling kit, (We have a 2" kit available for 129.00 Shipped to your door) you can use a 33" tall tire with no problem. With that size tire on your stock 17" wheel you should have no issue with traction. Also you will get more offroad traction with mud tires like the Cooper SST or the Toyo Opencountry M/T. But they do come at a higher cost.
If you don't have a lot of money to spend then a A/T might be the way to go. ( Nitto Terra Grappler, Toyo Opencountry A/T, & Falken Wild Peak A/T are all good choices)

What is you budget for wheels?
I'm not sure you can go down to a 16" wheel on your truck & still clear the brakes.

Installation Notes
1. New extended shocks are not required to install this leveling kit properly.
2. Designed for 2007-2010 Chevy Silverado models with front struts only. Vehicle with torsion bars please see part # 12903.
3. If upgrading to a larger tire (285/70) with aftermarket rims a positive 30 offset is required. If lower than a positive 30 offset wheel is use, trimming is required. If kit is used with factory rims, no trimming will be required.


Would anyone be willing to clue me in on a positive 30 offset. What's that mean, how is it achieved?

The offset is where the mounting pad of the wheel is in relation to the center of the wheel (on width)
So, they are saying the mounting pad would need to be +30mm from the center of the wheel.
Your factory offset is around +31mm

But like it says if you use a wheel with a lower offset (or even a negative offset) you would need to trim some of the inner fender & lower bumper plastic. (not to hard to do)

hey guys new to the site just bought a 2011 GMC sierra ext cab slt 4x4 Gray Green Metallic, I got 18 inch rims and I am looking for an aggressive tire with a high ply rating because of where I live I have to drive dirt roads to get out, I am having a hard time finding 18 inch tires, my truck has 265/65/18 stock can anyone give me a suggestion i would like to stay factory size or bigger without rubbing problems