[Pack]

To go up a tire size, is leveling kit needed? Just wanting a little more aggressive look without losing much fuel efficiency.

 

[Workinonit]

To go up a tire size, is leveling kit needed? Just wanting a little more aggressive look without losing much fuel efficiency.

I have a 2" level kit, gives me the needed clearance on the bumper and 265 17 70 tires. I wish I had gone with 256 17 70

 

[tex2018]

I have a 2" level kit, gives me the needed clearance on the bumper and 265 17 70 tires. I wish I had gone with 256 17 70

Numbers mixed up. Do you mean 265 70 R17 or the somewhat skinner & smaller 255 70 R17

 

[JDB]

@Pack All the info is here How to lift your Colorado or Canyon and what tires fit. You’re better off doing a small level-lift up front, so you can go up a couple tire sizes. You’re really not going to feel that buying tires just to go up a single size gives much of a visual enhancement, nor will one size do much for off pavement clearance. Put Bilstein adjustable coilovers up front and give yourself some leeway to experiment a bit more with tire size.

 

[Workinonit]

Numbers mixed up. Do you mean 265 70 R17 or the somewhat skinner & smaller 255 70 R17

I wish I'd put 255 70 17r instead of the 265 70r 17 because they rub slightly on the frame. I got cooper LT 265 70 17r to replace the crappy stock tires. If you go over a 2" leveling kit you'll need a dif drop to keep the front axles from being at too much angle.

 

[JDB]

I wish I'd put 255 70 17r instead of the 265 70r 17 because they rub slightly on the frame. I got cooper LT 265 70 17r to replace the crappy stock tires. If you go over a 2" leveling kit you'll need a dif drop to keep the front axles from being at too much angle.

Yeah, i went with 255 75 17, and as noted in the link above, there’s slight rubbing at full steering lock (similar to your 265 70). I’m at maybe 1.5” level-lift, and may go a bit higher but havent bothered yet since i havent done a diff drop yet. My bigger takeaway is the difference in handling feel from stock. The 75 profile tires feel more laterally compliant (tippy) at speed, but part of that is changing from stock AT tires to the Coopers which although well regarded by the ‘overlanding’ crowd don’t seem as firm. I’m guessing that a 65 profile, by its lower aspect ratio, will have a bit more lateral support for when we’re sweeping around rocky mountain interstate bends at 80 mph LOL.
I’ll mention for the OP that the Icon UCA kit with sway bar relocation block is a solid bet. I grease the UCAs annually with their handy Zerk fittings.

 

[mwswarrior]

I've got a 1" level on the front of my ZR2 with 255/75R-17 BFGs. No issues and an easy install.