Hi guys,

Long time forum member here but I hardly ever post. I made a few posts when I first joined and have been back to visit from time to time but I've been just a lurker these last few years. Well now I have some questions that give me a good reason to post here once again.

I have a bone stock 2004 Chevy Tracker ZR2 and want to put some bigger tires on. I'm mostly looking for a taller tire, though I wouldn't mind if it was a little wider too. Maybe a 70 series width tire instead of the factory 75 series. What would be the biggest size tire I could run that would work without any kind of modifications? My factory wheels are 15x6 (I think) and my tires are 215/75/15's so I'm thinking I could probably put 235/75/15's or maybe 235/70/15's on without any trouble, right?

I was also thinking about possibly changing my wheels and was wondering if it would be worth it to swap out the factory 15 inch wheels for 16 inch wheels? It seems like there are a lot more choices of different sizes in the few brands/models of tires I'm considering buying for 16 inch wheels than 15 inch. So if it's possible for me to run anything bigger than a 235/75/15 or 235/70/15 I would really think about changing the wheels. From doing some reading here I know that wheels from certain years of other Suzuki and Jeep models will fit but I can't remember which.

Can someone please give me a list of what year and model Suzuki/Jeep 16 inch wheels would work on my Tracker? I just want to go with moderately bigger tires without having to make any changes other than just putting new rubber on the factory wheels or putting on 16 inch wheels which is just a simple bolt on process.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can give me on this guys, I appreciate it.

235/75/15 will rub when turning your wheel all the way a little with stock setting at least it did on my 2000 chevy tracker 4 door.......

bigger tire more strain on all other parts...I hope you have the v6 model to help you out

Yes your rims should be 6 inch rims on a 2004 ZR2.  Those are really nice rims by the way and they would hold 235/75, 235/70 series and 30/9.5015 tires just fine.  I have 235/75 on one of my trucks and 235/70s on another BUT I have the stock 5.5 inch rims on both my trucks.  One has coil lifts the other OME springs. The 235/70s run fine but I can tell you from experience I slid it on the interstate last year and went down into the median and both of the rims on the side of the direction of the slide got mud and grass pressure packed into the rim and tire seat area.  One tire lost some air in the process.  Took it to my tire dealer, had them pull the tires, clean the beads and rims and re-mount = no problems.  

On 5.5 inch rims, 70 series is as wide as I am comfortable with.  I am going to try some 30/9.50/15s though.  With 6 inch rims you shouldn't have a problem fitting them on your truck.  As snow said, the 235/75 series will rub your frame a little on full lock, but depending on how aggressive the tread is on your tires, it really is not significant.  Even with the fender molding on your ZR2, I'm thinking you could get away with a 30/9.50/15 size tire with some coil spacers OR a set of OME springs.  These typically run from about 29.7 inches to a full 30 inches in diameter.  That's as large a diameter as you'll fit on your truck without some significant rubbing.  

IF you are ready to bust for some big bucks on tires, you might consider going to your tire dealership, tell them what you need ask him to mount a 235/75 or 30/9.50 and have them mount it on the front and check out the clearnce.  I too have had the thought of switching to 16" rims for more tire choices... but I have resisted the urge. The Sidekick Sport models  had 16 inch wheels and the aluminum ones were very nice looking.  GVs have 16 inch wheels as well.

I mounted 235/75/15s on the factory 15" wheels on mine.  Had only slight rub on full lock to the left.  After lifting it 2", I mounted the exact same tires on cragar wheels (bigger backspace) w/1" spacers.  I now get some nasty rub when backing up w/the front wheels turned to the left.  I have the 4cyl, and fairly aggresive gearing from the factory.  I really haven't much of a power loss with the bigger tires and heavier wheels.

235/75/15 will rub when turning your wheel all the way a little with stock setting at least it did on my 2000 chevy tracker 4 door.......

bigger tire more strain on all other parts...I hope you have the v6 model to help you out

My ZR2 does have the 2.5L V6. Thanks for the feedback Sn0vv.

Yes your rims should be 6 inch rims on a 2004 ZR2.  Those are really nice rims by the way and they would hold 235/75, 235/70 series and 30/9.5015 tires just fine.  I have 235/75 on one of my trucks and 235/70s on another BUT I have the stock 5.5 inch rims on both my trucks.  One has coil lifts the other OME springs. The 235/70s run fine but I can tell you from experience I slid it on the interstate last year and went down into the median and both of the rims on the side of the direction of the slide got mud and grass pressure packed into the rim and tire seat area.  One tire lost some air in the process.  Took it to my tire dealer, had them pull the tires, clean the beads and rims and re-mount = no problems.  

On 5.5 inch rims, 70 series is as wide as I am comfortable with.  I am going to try some 30/9.50/15s though.  With 6 inch rims you shouldn't have a problem fitting them on your truck.  As snow said, the 235/75 series will rub your frame a little on full lock, but depending on how aggressive the tread is on your tires, it really is not significant.  Even with the fender molding on your ZR2, I'm thinking you could get away with a 30/9.50/15 size tire with some coil spacers OR a set of OME springs.  These typically run from about 29.7 inches to a full 30 inches in diameter.  That's as large a diameter as you'll fit on your truck without some significant rubbing.  

IF you are ready to bust for some big bucks on tires, you might consider going to your tire dealership, tell them what you need ask him to mount a 235/75 or 30/9.50 and have them mount it on the front and check out the clearnce.  I too have had the thought of switching to 16" rims for more tire choices... but I have resisted the urge. The Sidekick Sport models  had 16 inch wheels and the aluminum ones were very nice looking.  GVs have 16 inch wheels as well.

Thanks for the info on the tires and the Sidekick Sport wheels nprecon. I'll have to check out the Sidekick 16 inch wheels to see what they look like.

I mounted 235/75/15s on the factory 15" wheels on mine.  Had only slight rub on full lock to the left.  After lifting it 2", I mounted the exact same tires on cragar wheels (bigger backspace) w/1" spacers.  I now get some nasty rub when backing up w/the front wheels turned to the left.  I have the 4cyl, and fairly aggresive gearing from the factory.  I really haven't much of a power loss with the bigger tires and heavier wheels.

That sucks but at least the rub only happens when backing up and turning to the left. What is the backspace of your aftermarket Cragar wheels? Speaking of backspace, would you happen to know what the backspace is on my factory 15 x 6 wheels?

Rim Lug pattern 5.5 or 5 X139.7 here is what I have found to fit so far.....

98 - on Tracker
05 - on Dodge Dakota
04 - on Dodge Durango
94 - 97 Dodge Ram
71 - 82 Jeep CJ
66 - on Ford Bronco
54 - 97 Ford Truck
03 - on Kia Sorento
94 - 02 Kia Sportage

Suzuki
89 - 97 Sidekick
96 - 98 X90
01 - on XL7
98 - on Vitara
99 - on Grand Vitara

That's a good list of other vehicles that have the same size wheels. Thanks for the list tuxblacray, much appreciated.

Okay now I've got a question about tires. I can't find the proper 15 inch size tire in the model tire I want anywhere close to where I live. I've called all over and everyone says they don't have them and all the warehouses they checked don't have them either. I checked the manufacturer's website and the smallest available 16 inch tire in this model is a 235/70/16.

Is anyone running a 235/70/16 tire on a 16x7 Grand Vitara or XL-7 wheel? The exact tire measurements are: height 29 inches, tread width 7.2 inches, section width 9.5 inches. Can anyone tell me if I'll have any problems running this tire on my stock height 2004 ZR2?

Don't believe they will fit. Maybe 225 x 75  x 16. Unless you want to trim some fenders back.

Here is a Vit link (click on Vit link) with a fellow running 235 x75 x 16 with Jeff's lift under it. You can see how much clearance he has.  

Damn, I was hoping they would work. I definitely don't want to be forced to cut the fenders just to make the tires fit. I guess I'll have to try to find another tire that comes in a size that will work or else just go with the stock size tires again. Oh well, thanks for the info tuxblacray.

One problem with the factory Ford wheels on a Tracker is the center hole being too small to fit over the hub.  My buds tell me I cannot use a hole saw or other means of enlarging the hole because I will weaken the wheel excessively and the center hole no longer being tight on the hub.  They say I will break the studs.  Any comments?

Also I saw the question about back spacing it is 4 and 1/16 in from the backside of the rim to the mounting face of the rim for the 15X6 aluminum rims.

I will check it out... I have a set of 93 OEM Ford Outlaws I am getting ready to mount on mine. Give me a few days an I will let you know. I am using 15 x 7.5 inside diameter or 8" to the outer lip with the center hole being 3 1/4". I did not measure the backspace.

For my application the hub is not an issue since I don't have them. (2wd)