Topic: New Winter Tires for the Yukon

[HeliDriver]

The Yukon needs new winter tires this year. We've had Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT2 studded tires for the past 6 winters and they've been awesome, so that part is decided: we're getting another set. The only question is size.

Last time, we had 245/75R16, which worked perfectly fine. My only reservation is that they do look a little bit small. Yeah, I know.  [emoji15]



I think my preferred choice would be 265/75R16. It matches the diameter of the stock 265/70R17 tires perfectly, but there's a big snag in that our winter rims are only 6.5" wide, which is 1/2" too narrow. Kal-Tire is the only seller of Nokians here, and they won't mount the tires on rims any narrower than 7". I guess I could buy the tires there and find another shop to mount them, but that's a pain. I'm also not crazy about the doughnut look of a wide tire on a narrow rim, and of course it's just plain not ideal from a tire engineering point of view.

I could buy some wider aftermarket rims, but it's really tough to find any that aren't of the vomit-inducing bro-dozer style.  [emoji14]  I could probably live with these, but now we're looking at an extra $800. But the old rims are rusty AF (only on the inside, chrome face still looks good), so maybe it's time for new ones anyway.  [emoji53]




The last option is a little out of left field, but I'm tempted to take it old school with a set of tall and skinny 235/85R16s. The overall diameter is a perfect match for stock, and the narrow tires will fit fine on the current winter rims. I think ride quality might suffer a bit, and I'm not sure about handling, but on the other hand, narrower is better for winter blah, blah, blah...

If I had a 1987 Suburban 2500, for sure I'd go with the tall and skinny tires - I love that look! Just not sure how it will work on a 2011.  [emoji53] Not mine, obviously, but this is the idea:

[ktm525]

85 series interesting...Ride would be fine, handling may suck.Skinny tire good in loose snow with hard bottom. Wider arguably better on ice (to a point) and bottomless snow.

[Gurgie]

My vote is in 

[HeliDriver]

Damn you both! 

Just looking up more info on those rims, and seems like polished aluminum would be a bad choice for winter. If I go that way, will probably have to go painted black.

For the record, I'm leaning toward the 235s. Haven't voted yet, though. 

[Gurgie]

Check these out... https://www.4tires.ca/roues/search-dimensions-wheels?annee=70&marque=17&model=6116&modelsoptions=114&option=6&categorie=2

[HeliDriver]

^^ Thanks for the link, but not quite what I need. Guess I should have mentioned that it's a Yukon XL 2500, so I need 8-lug rims and LT tires.

Tried to search on that site, but the 2500s (Suburban and Yukon XL) weren't even on the list.

[Gurgie]

^^ Thanks for the link, but not quite what I need. Guess I should have mentioned that it's a Yukon XL 2500, so I need 8-lug rims and LT tires.

Tried to search on that site, but the 2500s (Suburban and Yukon XL) weren't even on the list.

Yeah, I just did a Yukon, wasn't sure if the lug patterns were the same or not.

Just found these though https://www.canadawheels.ca/2011-gmc-yukon-xl-2500-wheels

[JG20]

I like the new rims too 

[HeliDriver]

^^ Thanks for the link, but not quite what I need. Guess I should have mentioned that it's a Yukon XL 2500, so I need 8-lug rims and LT tires.

Tried to search on that site, but the 2500s (Suburban and Yukon XL) weren't even on the list.

Yeah, I just did a Yukon, wasn't sure if the lug patterns were the same or not.

Just found these though https://www.canadawheels.ca/2011-gmc-yukon-xl-2500-wheels

Thanks. Prices there look pretty decent.

I think these rims are my favourite (available in 8-lug as well), but my wife said no way. I kind of agree that the blue and red stripe are a bit much. I think if the truck was blue or red, though, it would be perfect.

[tortoise]

Is that just pin striping that can easily be removed?

My vote is for the 235s. Assuming the rims will last another 6 winters.

[HeliDriver]

Ugh. The more I look into it, the more I hate the aftermarket options. All have ridiculous offsets that will stick out more than stock (I can't believe people like that look  ). The pinstripe ones were some of the worst. The best I found were the Type 164s in the picture above, and even those will stick out an inch further than stock.

Now I'm considering buying a used set of stock 17" rims and going with 265/70R17 for winter as well, but there's nothing on kijiji. I could get some fairly cheap from the States, but I'm sure shipping would be a killer, so it will mean a 4-hour drive to the border and back to pick them up.

So, still leaning towards the 235s. The current winter rims are holding air perfectly fine, but good question as to whether or not they've got six more years left in them.

[Fobroader]

235s....and some el cheapo black rims. I love the Cragar Soft 8s on 4x4s, they just look right to me

[HeliDriver]

^^ Yeah that doesn't look too bad. Still is going to stick out a bit more than stock, but about the same as the Type 164s. Would probably be fine with the narrower 235 tires, now that I think about it...

Maybe I'll take the old rusty rims in and have them checked over and cleaned up. I've actually been meaning to do it myself for a few winters now, but obviously never got around to it.

[Fobroader]

If you can remove the horrid chrome covers and clean/paint the steel wheels underneath I think that would look great.

[Firm]

The 8-bolt thing is what throws a wrench into this...Those Cragers style rims on the Tahoe Fob posted are 6-bolt and I am guessing not available (or at least not widely available) in 8-bolt.
I'd be looking into the used 17's, or just squeezing the meatier tire on the existing old rims...hit the backs with a wire wheel and some black tremclad to extend their service life and call it done.

[HeliDriver]

If you can remove the horrid chrome covers and clean/paint the steel wheels underneath I think that would look great.

LOL, I actually don't mind the chrome covers. 

I did check on the Cragars, and they're available in the 8-165 pattern I need. Also just got off the phone with a wheel refinishing place and they told me not to bother. Said if they're holding air, not to worry - I could buy new rims for cheaper than it would cost them to spruce them up for me.

And yeah, I should have done the wire brush & Tremclad thing myself, but I've got no time or patience for that right now. 

[Fobroader]

If you can remove the horrid chrome covers and clean/paint the steel wheels underneath I think that would look great.

LOL, I actually don't mind the chrome covers. 

I did check on the Cragars, and they're available in the 8-165 pattern I need. Also just got off the phone with a wheel refinishing place and they told me not to bother. Said if they're holding air, not to worry - I could buy new rims for cheaper than it would cost them to spruce them up for me.

And yeah, I should have done the wire brush & Tremclad thing myself, but I've got no time or patience for that right now. 

Uggghhh....my dad had those rims as the winters on his Avalanche and they were the worst thing I had ever seen. To each his own though.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

235/85R16, I think. Even better with black steel rims and centre caps.

[Ex-airbalancer]

I surprised you are not rolling on 18's

[tortoise]

And yeah, I should have done the wire brush & Tremclad thing myself, but I've got no time or patience for that right now.  [emoji14]

I'm assuming the GTI consumed the last of your patience and time.