duratracs. you may want to make sure you are finding tire sizes that are common. if they are common they tend to be cheaper.

 

Have you looked or priced BFG's? I have them and really do enjoy them mine have about 8,000 and they still look new.

 

duratracs. you may want to make sure you are finding tire sizes that are common. if they are common they tend to be cheaper.

Those look just as expensive at the others in a 20 ... seems to run the same 300+ price a tire in a couple of the standard sizes that fit a 20" rim.

$306 each at TireRack.com (I would go with the the main Open Country or Trail Grapplers tires if I had to pay that much).

 

It might be hard to find an All Terrain tire that will fit 20's with a lift that are going to have some "beef" to 'em for under $300. What size are you looking for?

 

Have you looked or priced BFG's? I have them and really do enjoy them mine have about 8,000 and they still look new.
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Looks to be about $260-300 all depending on size.

Still once I get in that price I'm back in the range of just spending and extra 100 or so bucks for the good stuff.

Starting to wonder if they sell a value A/T tire in a 20"

 

It might be hard to find an All Terrain tire that will fit 20's with a lift that are going to have some "beef" to 'em for under $300. What size are you looking for?

Not a clue yet till I get the lift ... but something like a 305/50/R20 or like a 295/55/R20 .... those seems to be a couple sizes working for most guys with a small 3.5-4" lift ... a 33" tire I suppose (forgive me I am new to trucks as this Sierra 4X4 is my first ever and I'm just starting to learn)

The more I start looking I can't find much for a A/T tire that has ANY kind if value at all ... was hoping for something around 200 each but I think I may be dreaming .... which would mean I may be only dreaming about new wheels if this is the case

 

Check out Terra Grapplers they are Nittos All Terrain.

 

Check out Terra Grapplers they are Nittos All Terrain.

Looks liek WallyWorld sells those for a half way descent price.

About $275 a tire for 305/50R20XL tires! That put me at about 1100 instead of the almost 1300 the Open Country's would have cost ... and really these have the same look and are A/T.

I see 275/60/R20 is only $254 .... can I get some help on what tire I may need? ... 305/55/R20XL are $309 at walmart ... so why such a big price different in tires sizes when they all fit a 20" wheel? ... found the 275/55/R20XL for $221 .... I need to figure out the difference in all of these.

I was just wanting something with the look that are A/T with a good price point .... sure wish they we're about 250 ... I would For Sure be okay with these for 1K since they have that same kick ass look and really a top notch brand!!!

This is now the one I will be looking at other then the other main two I listed above.

Is there anything else a little bit cheaper? Sure would like to stay at about 1K or less if possible (probably not but I'm hoping)

 

i just realized how much you wanted to pay for the tires... i dont think 150 is realistic. you should be able to do it for 200 though. you could go the route that so many here have and look for a lightly used set. you can get them pretty cheap and most tires seem to last at least 30k if not more like 40k

 

i just realized how much you wanted to pay for the tires... i dont think 150 is realistic. you should be able to do it for 200 though. you could go the route that so many here have and look for a lightly used set. you can get them pretty cheap and most tires seem to last at least 30k if not more like 40k

I'm a little okay with the about $250 or less kinda prices (lower is better but I'm starting to realize that's about as good as it may get for a good A/T tire) of the above recommended Nitto Terra Grapplers ... they seem to range in price based on size.

Really I have bo clue what size I should be looking for ... can I get a little help in that department as well???

I will be getting something like a 3.5-4" lift from Rough Country or Tuff Country (want ReadyLift but I need to pinch the pennies so probably one of those two) with control arms.

Quick side question though ... can I still buy these kind of tires and 20" rims and run them on a stock Sierra 4x4 without the lift (wanting to do that first before lift is possible)? Or maybe just something like a level kit to start. What tire size is best for stock? And will is still look descent when lifted a couple more inches?

Not sure what else you may need to know to steer me in the right direction a tire size I should be looking for.

I don't need anything massively huge or the biggest of the biggest ... just something that most guys get like the 32-33" tire (looking to run on stock with level to start maybe) ... but like I stated above they list a few sizes for 20" rims and they vary from like 200 to 275 .... just not sure what the different sizes mean?

Thanks so much for all the helps ... it is Greatly appreciated.

 

I'm pretty sure the largest tire you can run safely with no lift is a 265 but with a leveling kit I've heard a 285 (33") tire will fit nicely when you get up into the suspension lifts I can't be much help there, sorry. Running a 265 tire with a leveling kit in my opinion doesn't look bad, but if you are looking to try and buy 33's you might just want to do it all at once and save up, which will take longer I know.

 

What is the 285/50 etc. etc. ???

Is there a huge difference between say a 285-50 and a 275/60 .. or like a 275/55 .... what the difference in all of these ... then I see like the 305/50 tires for more.

What do these numbers mean? I would assume a larger tire for the most part since the price in these vary about $50 or so bucks all depending on which one you get.

Which tire can run a truck with say the 2.5" level? And the largest size that fits that (which may be the 285 you state above) stock leveled ride ... how will that look when I put the 4" lift?

Can you really tell the difference in size between all these tires?

 

For a 20" wheel, stock tire size on the 1500's is 275/55r20. 275 is your tire width, essentially, in millimeters. At 25.4 millimeters per inch, that's 10.82 inches wide. The 55 is the sidewall height, in a %age of the width. In this case, 275/55 means 151.25mm, or 5.95 inches. That's the distance from the outer edge of the rim, to the outer edge (driving surface) of the tire. Since there's tire above and below (all around, really) the rim, we double that number, and then add the rim height (20 inches, in this case) to get overall tire height (5.95+5.95+20=31.9" overall tire diameter). This is just a general math, though...different brands end up coming out sized slightly differently with the same size measurements, due to tread depth differences and what not. So the stock tire size for the 20" wheel is essentially 31.9"x10.82" r20 (275/55r20).

275/55/r20 fits fine, zero rub, stock. You COULD get the 20" wheels you want, and put 275/55r20s on to be safe and get one step of the whole upgrade done immediately, and then continue to save money until you have the cash for the tires you actually want, plus the lift. With the RCX 3.5" lift, you're looking at like $500+ for the kit after shipping, probably 400-500 bucks to install if you can't do it yourself, around 75-100 for an alignment, 1200+ for the XD Monster 20" wheels, and even cheaper decent, non-AT tires are going to cost you at least $900 for a set of 4, mounted and balanced, more if you need to transfer your TPMS sensors, and quite a bit more yet if you need to buy 4 new sensors. So you're looking total at around...3 grand on the low end, 3500 more realistically. If you're balking at $1200 for tires, when at the very least you're going to have to spend $800-900 anyhow for a decent set, I'm sorry to burst your bubble but the extra ~400 for high quality A/Ts is just a drop in the proverbial puddle. Your truck can look awesome with just the lift, the wheels, and some decent tires...but if you really want looks that set it apart, and actual offroad capability, the A/Ts are kind of a must, imo.

Personally, I'm getting rid of the 20's that came with my truck as soon as I get money saved, because A) I actually like 17's on a 4x4 better, and B) I can buy 4 tires and wheels in a combo for around the same price I'd pay just for tires @ 20 inch, and have more options (hard to find tire sizes that will work for me in a 20" wheel, whereas the 17" wheel has a bazillion tire size options).

In the end, it's a matter of taste and doing what makes you happy. I hope you find what you're looking for, though I recommend you raise your expectations to at least $225-250\tire if you want -decent- All Terrains, and that'd be a pretty good bargain. Most of the ones I like are between 289 and 365\tire in the 20" wheel sizes. Check around your area too, a lot of tire shops do buy 3 get one free tire sales, for a $300 tire that effectively brings your costs down to $900 for 4 tires, or 225\tire. If you're patient, and shop smart instead of impulsively, you can save big bucks. Also look to save by doing a wheel and tire package, or find a place that does mounting and balancing free (a lot of places will charge 20-30 bucks\tire on aluminum wheels, while some may do it free if you buy the package from them. Another 80-120 saved if you can get it.) A lot of online shops do mounting and balancing free with tire\wheel packages...I believe Tirerack does, or at least they used to.

If you're just looking for a decent tire in 20" that will get you by until you can afford the lift and high quality A/Ts, try Mastercraft Courser AXT 275/55r20. My buddy uses these, and likes them well enough. Gets a lot of life out of them, too, and they can be had for around 180-200\tire. I presently have Mastercraft Courser MSR 275/55r20s mounted on my Sierra, stock other than an exhaust. My dad had bought them before I bought the truck from him, last november in anticipation of bad snow (one on it when he bought the truck were apparently a crappy summer highway tire, did awful in bad weather.) They're fairly aggressive looking, and get good enough offroad\mud traction to pull my 94 C3500 diesel and hitched 12" chipper outta 18" of mud without any problems. Still, on a 20" wheel there's not a lot of "meat" to the tire in that size, but you really can't fit much bigger under there without rubbing without at least a leveling kit.

Sorry for rambling a bit. Been up touch over 24 hours now, and for some reason still can't sleep.

Edit: If you buy a leveling kit, you'll have to remove it to install the lift kit, they won't work together. So if you intend to lift in the near future, a level may be a waste of money. If you install the RCX 2" level yourself, the part is only $60-some bucks, but you'll still need to do an alignment...depending on shops in your area, that could be $60, or $100. If you can't do it yourself, you're looking at 80-160 bucks (again, depending on shops in your area) to do the install. So between $140-320, for a leveling kit you intend to get rid of soon anyhow, may not be a wise investment, especially since you're looking to pinch pennies already wherever you can on this overall modification.

 

"285-50 and a 275/60 .. or like a 275/55 .... what the difference in all of these ... then I see like the 305/50 tires for more."

285/50r20: 31.2" tall by 11.22" wide
275/55r20: 31.9" tall by 10.82" wide
305/50r20: 32.0" tall by 12.01" wide

That's the differences in those tire sizes, basically. Rough Country recommends a tire 33" tall by 12.5" wide for their 4.75" lift, 32" tall by 11.5" wide for their 3.5" lift. So 305/55R20 would probably be a good fit for the 4.75" lift, but wouldn't come close to fitting stock. 275/55R20 Would be a good fit for the 3.5" lift (though you could probably fit larger, with a little trimming) and would fit stock (this is the tire size I run currently).

Hope some of this helps you a little. Sorry if it's all a little confusing, but if you get a chance get a tire shop to bring out a couple different size tires for you to compare side by side so you can understand the differences in sizing better.

 

EXCELLENT Info ... thanks for taking time to help a brother out guys.

I found a pic of my Sierra with some A/T Tires and 20" XD Monsters but it looks like it only has a level kit on it and it look pretty nice.

Thinking I may do that to start (I know I'm saving money but I want to tires and rims first and may need to wait till next year for the lift) ... just get the level for like 160 bucks hopefully then get the 20" Monsters and then figure out what is the max size tire I can run on that set-up?

I would like to have something that is still going to look good when I throw the 4" lift on later down the road.

I saw a guy a few weeks ago that did a level and was running 305/50/R20's ... and did some cutting on the plastic wheel well.

Would like to stay in the $250 range and I did find a great price on the Nitto Terra Grapplers at Walmart and Discount tire ... they range form about $220 to $275 all depending on size.

I just want to make sure I buy the right size tire that fits my truck with a level and is as big as I can get so it still look good when I throw it up to 4"

Also I'm curious what size XD Monster rim to get ... they sell SO many different variations that I am lost (I may start another thread for that though).

Love all this info guys ... it's helping me figure out my options so I have a starting point on what I want to do.

EDIT: after posting just saw your above tire details and recommendations. So from what I read If I am going to do a level then later down the road do a 3.5" kit then the 275 is all around the best size tire to fit my needs on both applications right? Could I fit the 285 like stated before? Would like to get the max for a level and still look for a 3.5" kit as well (read earlier that a 285 would be the max but not sure if only applied to the 3.5" and not a level. (any cutting on wheel well needed or maybe recommended to fit a larger tire?)

 

This is kinda the look I am going for to start of with then make my way to the 3.5-4" lift area later. This first pic is a great start I think for just a level looks like.

Just posting this to give you guy an idea of the look I am wanting right now and later plus just getting an idea on how big a tire I can fit on either option ... sound like the 285/50 or 275/50 are the sweet spot for a level kit and still looking good on a 3.5" lift as well ... will either fit for either of these kits?

Am I on the right track here?

This looks to me like a stock truck with a level kit and 20" Monsters with A/T tires ... this is how I would like to start. ............

This one is the 3.5" RC from what I read on his page ..........

 

If you go with a 285/50 your tire is gonna be a little shorter than the stock 20" wheel tire size of 275/55. I'm sure with some wheel well trimming, 285/55r20 would fit.

Again,
275/55r20: 31.90" tall by 10.82" wide
285/55r20: 32.34" tall by 11.22" wide
285/50r20: 31.22" tall by 11.22" wide

With a level, and some trimming in the case of the 285/55r20, i would think all 3 tire sizes would fit. Don't quote me, since I don't have a lot of experience in fitting tires to these trucks specifically. Just going by RCX's recommendations (ie, their level kit recommends a 285/70R17, which is 32.7" x 11.22"). If you chose to forgo the leveling kit until you can do the lift, 275/55r20s are only .44" shorter than the 285/55, and will fit with no modifications necessary on a stock suspension setup. While a bit smaller than the 285's, it's not such a huge difference as to look "out of place" any more than the 285/55 would, really, and with a lift of 4+ inches I'd think you'd want to go with something really substantial, like a 33x12.5 tire (the closest trail grapplers come to this for 20" wheels is LT295/55R20), and I'm almost positive you won't get those to fit on just a leveling kit without extensive cutting\wheel well modification, and not at all under a stock suspension setup. Again, don't quote me on that, but I don't see how it could. I don't see how anything bigger than 275/55r20 is going to fit a stock setup without some cutting involved.

Again, I think your best bet is going to be to get the wheels you want, wrap them in 275/55R20s for now, save your money for as long as it takes to wear out those tires, and do the lift\new 33x12.5s at the same time. The lift likely won't work with your stock wheels (I believe, I could be mistaken), so you're going to have to do wheels either before you get the lift or at the same time as the lift, so doing the lift first is out of the question. But you can do the wheels without the lift, and wrap them in quality "temporary" A/T tires to hold you over until you can afford the lift AND the size tires to complete the look at the same time. If you level, which is entirely up to whether or not you want to sacrifice the cash for the temporary fix, you can probably run the 285/55r20s with some trimming. Anything bigger...I dunno. Probably not without rubbing somewhere pretty severely. I know what it's like to want it all and want it right now, but you could be looking at quite a bit of money and headaches if you don't really think this through and plan it out intelligently.

I want to lift my truck 4" (BDS probably), swap my 20's out for 17's, and get 33x125" Trail Grapplers, but right now I have a lot of tread on my tires...so I'm gonna wait until I have to get new tires anyhow, and get new 17" wheels and 285/70r17tires together with a 2" leveling kit at the same time. Then once those tires wear out, I'll get the 4" lift and the 33x12.5 Trail Grapplers at the same time. Doing it incrementally, especially when budget is a concern, is much easier imo. (I don't mind losing the 70 bucks on a leveling kit, because I can do the install myself, and get alignments free, and will likely get 2 years of use out of it before I lift anyhow.) By the time the 285/70R17's wear out and need replacing, I'll have enough cash saved up to do the 4" BDS lift and 5 trail grapplers (4 to use, 1 for my spare), and in the mean time I'll still have a sharp looking set up, gradually getting more aggressive with every stage of development.

Just remember, don't run yourself into the poorhouse trying to keep up with some of these guys. A lot of the people here, on other forums, or maybe in your neighborhood with these badass trucks, lifted on 35's with 20" custom wheels either have a lot of disposable income (which I, and based on your previous comments I'm assuming you also do not have) or are running up a buttload of debt to make it happen. If you're smart, take your time, save up to pay cash and wait for the best deals you can find instead of rushing to get it all complete ASAP, you'll get exactly where you want to be without breaking the bank.

EDIT: Also, if you're changing tire size don't forget to make sure you calibrate the speedometer for the new tire size. This can be done at the dealer, many tire shops can do it, or you can do it with many of the handheld tuners, like the popular Diablosport InTune or Trinity. Would be a shame to get an awesome new set of wheels and rubber, and have the first person to notice be the cops because your speedo said you were doin 55 in that 50, when you were really doing over 60.

 

These are what I put on my stock 20's. same tire and same website. They were about 15$ a tire cheaper back in February when I ordered. So far no complaints. 33" tire with a rough country level on 2013 sierra crew.

http://www.treaddepot.com/tire/352060.html

 

dbmachine, did you have any rubbing issues\need to trim at all?

 

I was worried at first if a 33" would be on with just a level and I have just over 1.25" of clearance at the closest point at full lock. No trimming and no rubbing. I even tried hitting some good size bumps while at full turn going forwards and backwards with no rubbing. My truck is brand new so my front springs may be stronger than a truck with some age. Let me know if I can be of further help. Tread depot had the tires to me in 2 days and shipping was around 75$ for the set.

 

These are what I put on my stock 20's. same tire and same website. They were about 15$ a tire cheaper back in February when I ordered. So far no complaints. 33" tire with a rough country level on 2013 sierra crew.

http://www.treaddepot.com/tire/352060.html

Amazing Price for the Quality of the very acclaimed Toyo Open Contry AT-2Tire !!!

How do these compare to the Nitto Terra Grapplers? (these are the perfect price point but the other seem to have a better meaty look, but still may not be worth the extra couple hundred bucks for looks)
What about road noise? some great reviews on very low road noise on the Nittos .... wife will be driving this often to work so I don't want any A/T tire that is load in any way.

Shipping is actually $144 to make it to me in CA. ..... Buuut, one thing really nice is there is no tax on the deal so that saves a little.

If this place is reputable and works out I can get this size tire shipped to me for $932

Now question on the size ... how does a 275/60 compare to other ties as far as look of size? I will for sure be moving to a larger 4" lift down the road and wanted to make sure whatever tire I buy now will still be good for larger lift and most importantly Look Good as well and not seem to small or something.

This is a killer price and thank you so much for the link.

Sure hope there isn't a huge difference in the look of size between say this and the 285 etc. etc. .... cause that price point is Stellar for an Open Country!!!

Quick side question ... they don't come with white lettering right? I want a tire all black.

 

Seems as if Toyo makes a ATII regular and an ATII Xtreme tire. (the linked one is the regular)

The Xtreme seems to be the one with the bad ass meaty look. Was kinda wanting to go that route if possible but I just can't get past this price for the regular ATII (may not look as nice but still a great price .. any thoughts?)

 

A good A\T tire for cheap is Falcon Wildpeaks. I paid 800 for a set. You can easily fit 305/55r20 with a positive offset with a 4+" lift..

 

A good A\T tire for cheap is Falcon Wildpeaks. I paid 800 for a set. You can easily fit 305/55r20 with a positive offset with a 4+" lift..

Thats a great looking tire right there! Has a little bit of that meaty look that I'm looking for and the 275/60 tires are $200 each from DiscoutTireDirect.com (285/50's are only $206!!!)
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direc ... ruck%2FSUV

Now That's right in the sweet spot of price point!

Free shipping as well.

Might have to pay tax but that would only be about $70

$870 total for these (or even 900 total for 285/50) is a Great Price for a nice lookin tire (I like the look of this better then the regular ATII)

This is all good stuff guys ... thanks for all the help ... I have brought my initial thought price of what a set of tires would cost form almost $1,300 now down to $900 .... saved $400 bucks so far with all the help.

What is the sweet spot tire for a Level to start then a 4" lift down the road (I can only buy tires once)??? Is there a tire big enough to where I can maybe trim a bit with the level and then be good once the 4" comes and have them still look nice and large with the bigger lift?

.

 

NP sir, good luck on your tire decision.