The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Lift to fit tires?

I've got H2 rims on my Bolt with some 315mm tires and when I hit a ramp for a parking structure or even to get in my alley the tires rub. I want to lift it a bit but I'm not sure how I should go about it, whether it be body or suspension. I would like to lift it anyway so would it be possible to both remedy the clearance issue with a lift?

Lifting is fairly easy, just turn up the torsion bars. However, with the wheels you have (I posted this in the other thread about tie rods), you will have rubbing issues due to the backspace and offset.

Lifting may not do anything depending on where it's rubbing. You need to climb under your truck and see where the problem is.

Just checking the tire size, 317/70/17 (standard H2 tire), it equates out to a 35x12.50x17, that's a bit on the large size for a 2wd. 32x11.50s are about the maximum that will fit without suspension alterations. Any reason you're using such a large tire?

Well it came with them, the gentleman I bought it from had them on there siting that it was the only modern rim that would fit on it. So simply providing more vertical clearance might not stop the rub?

No, you're going to need to get the correct wheels for it. Smaller tires will also help. I would suggest a 16x8 or 17x8 wheel with a 3.5" backspace, might be able to get away with a 4' backspace ('88-'00 GM 3/4 HD or 1 ton 2wd) with no bigger than a 285/75/17 tire.
Sounds like the PO just grabbed whatever he could get cheap that would bolt on, and really didn't check the fitment.

You still need to check where they're rubbing. Depending on where it's rubbing, you'll have to determine if the best course of action is a lift or smaller tires, or a different wheel offset.

Look under it with the wheels straight, and cranked each direction to see where it needs more clearance. You'll be able to see what the best course of action is for you.

The tires are definitely rubbing on top of the wheel arch in the fender, still almost 8 years later haha. I can see where the tread has bent it during contact. I think the PO did just put the first rims and tires he could fit on there easy and cheap. To his credit I think the truck looks really good with the big tires.

Luckily I've found the rubbing is not a problem as long as I take ramps slow. Thing is the tire height gives me more MPH on the highway which was great for how much highway commuting I used to do with it. I'd like to do more and with a tight budget I really can't afford to loose the speed the tires give me, I want to take my fiancé and dog camping and to the cabin a couple times a summer and right now the engines almost at 3000 with my foot in it.

I used a coil spring lift on my ZJ (jeep). I was able to get 2 inches of height without changing any major components. I did have it aligned though. Obviously, your truck does not have the same suspension.
Very cool truck though.

Thanks Rusty, I think a couple inches would make a noticeable difference. One day I'll need the clearance when I'm driving it down some rough trails . Trouble is I can't seem to find any way to lift it other than crank up the torsion bars. Once I swap out the front end with the one from the '87 Silverado I have I'll try and rustle up some spring for that assuming it will still fit in my garage lol.

Found some lift springs and upper control arms for 1963-1987 C20 and C30 here

https://www.x2industries.com/produc...-lift-kit-w-coil-springs-and-upper-arms/

Those with some one ton springs would give me a nice lift all around I think.

Anyone ever order custom springs? Since there is so little aftermarket support for these trucks, other than stock replacements if you’re lucky. I would imagine with a little knowledge someone could have a specialty shop make some spring pretty easy, trouble is I’m missing that knowledge.😅