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Benefits or Issues of having 38x13.50 tires

BlueSteeleHorse07

Well-Known Member
Messages
163
Location
Central Texas
First, its great to be back. Question?

1.What are the benefits of having 38x13.50 tires?
a. Because it just right on a H2?

2. What are the issues of having 38x13.50 tires?
a. Loss of power?
b. Loss of drivability?
c. Loss of torque?
d. Makes the Engine/Drive Train work harder?
e. Did you wish that you should have just left it at 37x12.50?

3. What brand of rims/wheels would you recommend? Not those crazy style design, a design more in line with, heavy duty, simple, industrial, rugged.
a. Both pavement and light offroad, Level 1 - 3
b. Width of Wheel?
c. Backspacing recommendation?

I am just going with the leveling kit, 2.5, and 1 inch in the rear, not going any higher than that.

Thanks,
Dan
 

Big2dabank

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,216
Location
Central Florida
Dan, I responded in the other thread, but in short I have no complaints about running 38s and a leveling kit and will not be going back to 37s. No loss of power, drivability, etc. and hardly noticeable if your already running 37s. I am re-geared to 4.56 and have been running that for 8 or 9 years, but would have gone 4.88s, as its might be a slight bit sluggish, I have not been too eager to upgrade because its not noticeable with the 38s. I am running 18x9 wheels with a -12mm offset and the fit with 38x13.5 tires is perfect.

Pics showing the offset.
fe90d6ae1dfdf73fe77a6cc8d47baf18.jpg
 

Acer4LO

Well-Known Member
Messages
750
Location
Illinois
Go for the 38s! They are awesome! I would go with some beadlocks if they fit your budget! Don't have an H2, but an H3 Alpha. There is loss of power during acceleration but it is a good trade off to allow your rig to sit higher.


i-nQQ29rJ-2088x1440.jpg
 

BlueSteeleHorse07

Well-Known Member
Messages
163
Location
Central Texas
Here' my Plan, within the next 15 months.

PHASE 1. Custom Dual Exhaust - Custom True Duel Flo-Pro "Big Oval Black Tips" Performance Muffler, by Kinneysmufflershop.com


PHASE 2.
a. Leveling Kit, by customtrucktexas.com,
b. Open Country Mud Terrain - 360382, 5ea, customtrucktexas.com,
c. Rims/Wheels XD XD128 Black 18x9 or Gear Alloy 740B Manifold Black, customtrucktexas.com,

PHASE 3. EGR Fender Flares Offroad style black fender flares, customtrucktexas.com

PHASE 4.
a. Shocks 4600 Heavy Duty Front. 24-109369, back. 24-016988,
b. Steering Stablizer. 33-174525

PHASE 5. (When I win the Lottery and if still available)
a. Road Armor Dakar Series Full Width HD Rear Bumper with Spare Tire Carrier,
b. Road Armor Dakar Series Full Width with Brush Guard

PHASE 6. Custom Tune, here in Austin, Texas (custom tuners for Chevy, GM, and Ford).

Funds allowing beginning Oct 2018 - ending Dec 2019 (fingers crossed).

Dan
 

BlueSteeleHorse07

Well-Known Member
Messages
163
Location
Central Texas
One last question, will there be an issue if I purchase 18x10 in lieu of 18x9? other than a larger footprint, especially from behind. I am going to re-gear, just haven't found a shop, it sounds like to just go ahead and re-gear t to 4.88

Danny
 
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BlueSteeleHorse07

Well-Known Member
Messages
163
Location
Central Texas


One last question, will there be an issue if I purchase 18x10 in lieu of 18x9? other than a larger footprint, especially from behind. I am going to re-gear, just haven't found a shop, it sounds like to just go ahead and re-gear t to 4.88


Danny
 

Zach

Mall Crawler
Messages
4,812
Location
So Cal
I’m only running 37’s [emoji22]. But I regeared to 4.88’s. Love that gearing. Especially off-road and in 4low. Going with them, you won’t regret it
 

glpd74

Well-Known Member
Messages
189
Location
WI
Hey Zach, how is the difference from 4.56 to 4.88. Are you still running a premium tune. Now that I’m on 37’s I’m trying decide what would be best for my use. My expedition trailer is about 2,000lbs so I was thinking 4.88 with a 87 octane tune. Hoping that I will b able to tow in overdrive. When I was 35’s I could most of the time so it would be nice to keep that feature, hoping to stay double digits in mpg’s if I can[emoji4]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Zach

Mall Crawler
Messages
4,812
Location
So Cal
Hey Zach, how is the difference from 4.56 to 4.88. Are you still running a premium tune. Now that I’m on 37’s I’m trying decide what would be best for my use. My expedition trailer is about 2,000lbs so I was thinking 4.88 with a 87 octane tune. Hoping that I will b able to tow in overdrive. When I was 35’s I could most of the time so it would be nice to keep that feature, hoping to stay double digits in mpg’s if I can[emoji4]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I went from the stock 4.10 gears to the 4.88’s. Had the 37’s before the gear change. Running on the highway and any type of hill, the trans would downshift and up shift searching for a gear. Since the gear change it doesn’t do that. I run the 91 octane tune. And if you’re looking for double digit mpg’s? Sell the rig now and buy something else
 

glpd74

Well-Known Member
Messages
189
Location
WI
My apologies, for some reason I thought you were at 4.56 before 4.88. Thanks for the info. Yeah when I say double digits, my target goal is 10mpg[emoji4]


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BlueSteeleHorse07

Well-Known Member
Messages
163
Location
Central Texas
Pics

Pics of new Bilstein Shocks 5100 Series (Front and Back); Torsion Keys (2.5 inch front, 1 inch rear), new pipes, Flo-Pro Big Oval True Dual
 

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BlueSteeleHorse07

Well-Known Member
Messages
163
Location
Central Texas
Miscellaneous Pics

I thought I add these Pics
 

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MilamJR

Well-Known Member
Messages
805
Location
Alabama
Great pics. I would highly recommend upgrading your tie rods. I have the DMax ones and they are about 300% bigger than OEM.


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Zach

Mall Crawler
Messages
4,812
Location
So Cal
X2 on the tie rod upgrade. The stock ones bend easily. I’ve been running the Dmax store ones for years and no issues
 

BlueSteeleHorse07

Well-Known Member
Messages
163
Location
Central Texas
Not a happy camper, camshaft and lifter issues (checked with two sources, Chevy Dealers and M&B Automotive (Jasper Engines). GM Reman, $8520.00, Jasper Reman, $6500.00, are anyone familiar with Jasper Reman Engines?

I understand that most GM Reman comes from Mexico (not saying anything bad about it, but have heard horrific stories about GM Reman from Mexico), Jasper Reman, decades ago, were not up to snuff, but since than I have heard good reviews of Jasper Reman Engines (Jasper, IN) and the customer services they provide.

I finally found a shop here, within 20 miles, that specialize in installing Jasper Reman Engines (they are an authorized dealer and shop for Jasper Reman engines) they can also do the upgrades to my gears, headers, performance cats, etc.

Both prices (out the door) include 3 years/100,000 warranty, install kits, parts and labor.
 

MilamJR

Well-Known Member
Messages
805
Location
Alabama
When I have to replace the engine in my H2 I am going to seriously consider converting to a Duramax.


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5gn-h3t

Well-Known Member
Messages
616
Location
Northeast Pennsyltucky
You could probably have it rebuilt for much less money. Does it still run? May just need a cam and lifters. Are you going to do any of the labor yourself?

I had an ‘03 with stuck lifters. I did the labor myself and was in it for under a grand with a BTR stage 2 truck cam, hardened pushrods, LS7 lifters, GMPP springs, milled the heads .050”, new oil pump, and timing chain.
 
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Zach

Mall Crawler
Messages
4,812
Location
So Cal
Not a happy camper, camshaft and lifter issues (checked with two sources, Chevy Dealers and M&B Automotive (Jasper Engines). GM Reman, $8520.00, Jasper Reman, $6500.00, are anyone familiar with Jasper Reman Engines?

I understand that most GM Reman comes from Mexico (not saying anything bad about it, but have heard horrific stories about GM Reman from Mexico), Jasper Reman, decades ago, were not up to snuff, but since than I have heard good reviews of Jasper Reman Engines (Jasper, IN) and the customer services they provide.

I finally found a shop here, within 20 miles, that specialize in installing Jasper Reman Engines (they are an authorized dealer and shop for Jasper Reman engines) they can also do the upgrades to my gears, headers, performance cats, etc.

Both prices (out the door) include 3 years/100,000 warranty, install kits, parts and labor.

I went with Jasper on mine. Have used them before and no issues. Was a lot cheaper than GM. My replacement lost oil pressure. Actually think it wasn’t right from the get go. Not complaining about it, have seen it with GM replacements too. The way they handled it was top notch and an easy deal. Would recommend them. And, I work for a GM dealer
 

BlueSteeleHorse07

Well-Known Member
Messages
163
Location
Central Texas
Now a Happy Camper!, took the truck in March 22, that evening, they started on it, the next day, picked it up Thursday, March 25, after lunch. So far, all is working, runs great, no leaks, but may still be too early to tell. Other good new got my Dyna Tech High performance cats are in, so I'll a week or two before getting them installed at the same shop, forgot total price of the Jasper Reman including kits, and labor $6850.00, to include a new wiring harness.


Forgot to mention, as for re-gearing, an estimated price for change for re-gearing (front and rear), price quoted (just an estimate) may reach up to $4000.00, does the sound fair and reasonable? Tires and wheels may have to wait until after summer, planning to get a performance tune, first, after a couple more months of driving to make sure the engine is good to go and solid before I actually get the performance tuning, just want to make sure the engine is solid before spending $ for the performance tune.
 
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