New 17 inch wheels and tires

[bobdro]

I just updated my wheels and tires on a 2003 GMC Safari AWD. Old 16 inch rims were toast due to previous owner abuse. Only 35.000 orig miles on this van and runs great. Question is, after installing tires (23560R17) and new wheels (17x7.5 American Racing ET25) purchased from Tire Rack, back is fine but front is close in wheel wells but do not touch and have about a half inch when turned partially. Is this a problem? How much will they dip on the road? Anyway to get around this without major work on the body? Thanks for the help.

[Jasen]

Can't really say, where does the tire sit in comparison the the fender lip. Jack up one side to load the suspension on the other side and see what it looks like.
I've run tires on other rigs that close and tucked in with no rubbing under the most extreme conditions.

[bobdro]

Thanks for the reply. When jacked up, it doesn't touch but it's close on the other side. It's especially close when turned 3/4 with the outside edge of the tire near the front fender. I guess I will have to see what happens. I was hoping some other members of this forum might have run into this. The truck rides fine and straight with no wander.

[chevymaher]

Mine are 3/8 inch when partially turned. Mine never rub. This is my second set of tires like this.

[Jasen]

You have AWD, you can crank up the torsion bars a tad if you end up needing a smig more clearance.

[bobdro]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I also have about the same clearance as chevymaher so maybe i'm being overcautious. Can I ask if a good alignment shop could adjust the torsion bars. I intend to have a realignment at a good shop locally and would not even have an idea how to adjust the torsion bars. Thanks again.

[Mmusicman]

Congrats on the 17" wheels!

My lower plastic ground effects around fenders (not sure what they are called) were nicely trimmed a little. It's close, and I've only heard it barely rub once.

Every situation will vary, depending on actual body & suspension lifts, as well as actual size (and width) of tire, and backspacing of rims.

I have also discovered some very minor rub against the sway bar (on one side only)... but I've never noticed it while driving... and it doesn't seem to be an issue either way.

1/2" of space sounds like it may be plenty. Certainly watch (and listen) for rubbing... you'll probably see where the problem exists.

[justsomeguy]

Just wondering... was this low clearance likely due to the backspacing and/or offset of the new American Racing wheels? (as opposed to the new tire size). If so, any idea how far off from stock it was? I'm thinking of getting 17" wheels too, but OEM GM wheels from an Escalade or Silverado. So, it's possible those wheels would have the same offset and backspacing as stock 16" Astro wheels, possibly allowing for a bit more clearance than aftermarket wheels which could have different backpacing and offset. I would go with almost the same size tire, just one size smaller than you used - should keep the speedometer a bit closer to being accurate - 225/60R17. That should hopefully give even a bit more clearance. I'll be driving heavily loaded at times, so I don't want to risk wheel rubbing. Thanks!