33x12.5 and lift

[rwljpl]

i have seen conflicting info so I’ll try to get a definitive answer from the experts here....
Will 33x12.5 tires fit without issues if I go with a 2” lift Tuff Country lift?
Tuff Country’s website says the 2” lift max tire is 32x10 but a couple guys have told me they run 33s with that lift (not sure tire width) and a truck shop here said it would be no problem. But before I order the kit I want to get a few more witnesses.
If there is an issue, is it just the bottom edge of the fender? If so, I guess I’d have to decide if I want to trim, right? If anyone has done this, how much did you trim? Is there a good youtube vid on trimming?
The truck won’t go off road — at least, that’s my plan. Just going for the right “look.”

 

[bucket]

It all depends on the springs, the rim and the actual tire specs. Many 33's are nowhere close to an actual 33" measurement.

 

[rwljpl]

That would explain why I’m getting different answers....
Thanks

 

[Craig 85]

I'll give you my experience with several of my trucks. The '87 K20 had a 4" Rancho lift and had 33x12.50x16.5's. Those tires were only 32.8" tall. That is the same height as the 305/70R16's I just put on my '85 K30. The'79 K15 had Tuff Country 4" springs also with 33x12.50x16.5's. Both of those trucks had 9.75" wide wheels. Both trucks needed trimming on the back of the fender. I usually trim near the last screw at the bottom of the wheel well trim. I may have even moved it out a little before trimming. FYI on the '79 the measurement from the center of the hubs to the horizontal body line was 32".

If you ran 8" wide wheels, you may not need to trim with only a 2" lift, but I couldn't guarantee.

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[rpcraft]

I can't speak for trucks but all my K5's have fit 33 x 12.50 sized tires on 15 inch inch wheels with stock back spacing and I have never needed a lift. In some extreme offroad situations I had a little rubbing on the front corner of the wheel well but it didn't do anything other than chip paint off a crappy paint job.

 

[shiftpro]

The position of cab relative to the frame can vary as much as 1". I like to push the cab rearward as much as I can to gain that space
between fender lip and tire.
There is also variation over the years with stock springs as well as aftermarket regarding the center of the front eye to mounting pad/bolt
I imagine even some of our trucks running the original springs have axles that have moved back from the front eye. Those bushings if you ever replaced worn out ones, can get near egg shaped looking at the bolt hole through it.

 

[shiftpro]

As far as tires touching and damage... aggressive mud tires when kissing metal don't just go 'brrrrrr'...
they go 'bbrrunch'..! And the whole truck shudders and you go FAAAA...
think of those edge knobs on a Super Swamper for example.

 

[rpcraft]

Bushing wear is a good point.

 

[trukman1]

I can't speak for trucks but all my K5's have fit 33 x 12.50 sized tires on 15 inch inch wheels with stock back spacing and I have never needed a lift. In some extreme offroad situations I had a little rubbing on the front corner of the wheel well but it didn't do anything other than chip paint off a crappy paint job.

Same here. I had an '83 with BFG All-Terrain's with no lift and had zero issues. My current '88 K5 has brand new Toyo mud tires on stock aluminum rims with less than 100 miles on them and I'm seriously thinking of selling them to go with the same 33x12.5x15 BFG AT tires I had previously just for the way it makes the truck look. Vanity!

I don't think you'll have any issues. You could try the tires and add a lift later if you run into issues with the tires you choose but I'd try the tires first before laying out the cash for a lift until your sure you need it.

Just my opinion.

 

[rwljpl]

Thanks for all the replies! Very helpful!

 

[cmoore]

Thank you very good info

 

[rwljpl]

Here is the truck with 33s and a 2” lift:

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[rpcraft]

Looks perfect to me!!