Changing wheel sizes - advice welcome!

Tirerack.com runs a great site for info.

It list a 16" wheel as factory and a few wheel options:

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/results.jsp?autoMake=Chevrolet&autoModel=Express&autoYear=2010&autoModClar=G3500+8-Lug

If you are going to mod from this, here are the considerations:

- anything but the 16" wheel is going to noticeably decrease side wall height --- and with it, many other problems come into play including much harsher ride, lower compliance, and so on.

When you hit your first pothole with a heavy load, a lower profile tire wheel combo risk being real seriously damaged vs. the standard profile.

- getting low profile tires (as opposed to trying to fit bigger tires in the wheel wells is a challenge as few low profile tires are made in Load Range E or better, the only range you can use.


Then there is the question about the wheels itself.

Will the wheels you are getting (8 lug) be certified for this application (a light truck wheel for this load range)?

I'd hate to see a wheel come apart on you.


Edit:

If your vehicle is equipped with Electronic Stability Control, the new wheel / tire sizes will probably not be supported by the software.

Unknown what it will do with ESC.

Remember that if you increase wheel size while keeping overall size the same you decrease the sidewall distance and the amount of air cushion of the tire. This results in a much rougher ride. I can't imagine a 3500 has a very smooth ride to begin with so making it even rougher wouldn't be my idea of a good ride.

Stock size is 245/75/r16e

My BIL works for Firestone, so we'll probably stay with brands we can buy through him on his discount. He's worried that 18" will limit my tire options and disproportionately increase my cost becuase the van wheel wells aren't quite as big as the HD truck wells. He's advising to go for the 17" wheels, but I'm still undecided.

Raising the center of gravity is not good for towing but yours is minute.

Look on your tires, or on the VIN/info sticker on the driver's door, and tell us what your stock tire size is. Once that is known, some size recommendations in 18" can happen.