Posted by Art V. on June 04, 1998 at 14:02:30:
In Reply to: 97 Tahoe Tire Change 245/75/16 to 235/85/16 posted by Daniel S. McBride on May 15, 1998 at 14:51:07:
I can see why the tire shop doesn't want to do this. . . . you'll be increasing the overall diameter by 4%, and the narrower tread width would make the truck handle quite badly. What kind of clearance ore you looking for? Vertical, or lateral? With this new setup, you'd LOSE over 1/2" of vertical clearance, and you'd only gain about 1/8" lateral clearance. Neither is worth jeopardizing your safety for. If you wish to only increase your load capacity, keep your existing tires/wheels, and stiffen your suspension. Bear in mind, your Tahoe is NOT a heavy-hauler, and much of its GVWR is taken up by its own sheetmetal comprising the rearend. What would you be hauling, anyway?
Increasing overall tire diameter may have adverse affects on the ABS performance, but your engine would be fine. Only thing is your accelleration would suffer.
Art