I have a 2004 QC 1500 4wd lwb...Stock 17 inch rims. I am getting new rims and tires.

What is your opinion of 18 inch vs 20 inch rims? I have found a set of rims I like pairing them up with NITTO - TERRA GRAPPLER
285/60 R18 120S

I use my truck around the farm here a good bit. Fuel mileage is not at the top of my worries, it's an 04 with 41100 miles.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah to all

 

If you're using it around the farm, I'm assuming your taking it offroad quite a bit?

I would go 17s with some 33s, you can fit them at stock height, or level the truck out in the front, get some new shocks up there and put some 35s on:P.

Shocks aren't NECESSARY, but you're definitely going to want them driving around the farm. I only drive around the city and I can't wait to replace the stock shocks after my level.

 

No way I would even think about 20" wheels for any type of off-road use, unless it was a solid axle truck and I was gonna go at least 37" on the tires.

You would have way too little sidewall for flexing or airing down, and the ride would be harsh as hell...

 

I've leveled the truck using the stock jack bolts. Can you recommend a shock for the 35s?

 

ok yeah that works as well. The only brand I can remember offhand from me talking with Hammer is bilstein. I believe they are like a mid-grade shock. You will notice a huge difference from the stock ones, but they are around mid-range price and a pretty good quality from what I was told, so that's what I was probably going to go with.

Hammer posted in here as well, and he would be able to give you a lot more info and help you out a lot more in your shock choice than I would.


but yeah I would stick with those 17s for more sidewall since you drive around the farm and stuff. Soon as I can find someone with some decent looking 17s that are either black or I can paint black, with some 35s on them I am going to trade my 20s on 35s for them.

 

Ok, I seen Hammers post about the shocks, I was looking at the Rough Country shocks I seen Hammer had these on his and did not notice a difference between these and the bilsteins.

I was looking at performanceplustire.com, specifically the Mamba M5 as the wheel.

I think I will follow your advice, stay on the 17 wheel, bigger meat. Only thing left to decide is 285/70 or 285/75. My concern here is when I get my feed, I usually get 2000 lbs at a time. Not sure if the shock will compress enough to allow the fender wells to rub on the back with the upgraded shocks.

 

The back should still clear the 35s without a problem since those wheels don't rotate to turn at all.

 

35's on 17's my next step.

 

For the record, I have Rancho 9000s. Bilstein 5100s are SECOND TO NONE! But also among the most expensive. I'd rank the 9000s a good bit below them in a solid second.

After those two, the Rancho 5000, Bilstein HDs, Skyjacker, Black Diamonds, Pro Comp, Rough Country and Monroes are all decent and a hell of a lot better than stock...