4 Wheel Drive/SUVs: Tire size on Si;verado Pickup, road magazines, true suspension

Question
I would like to get some larger tires for my wife's 2003 Silverado 1500HD LT pickup. The tires are stock 245x65 16 tires.
It is used primarily as an around the town pickup, rarely used for hauling or towing.
The pickup looks like a pig on skates with the small tires. I would like some beefier tires but still have fairly quiet road noise. I have heard I need to raise the pickup body, either by a spacer on the fron coils or a 4 inch lift kit.

What do you think is the best way to accomplish the desired look?
Thank you,
Tonyv

Answer
Tony,

The amount of lift you need, will be determined by the size of the tire you want to run.  I never recommend a body lift, as they tend to alter the handling characteristics of the suspension.  A true suspension lift is much better, as they are much more stable than a body lift.

Every vehicle has different requirements for the larger tires, such as the lift size, will you need to modify/cut out the fender flares, etc.  Due to this,  I would suggest that you purchase a few off-road magazines, and contact some of the distributors of lift kits, preferably those that specialize in pickups.  They can advise you as to what size lift you would need to install the size tires you want.

Here is a web site for you to check out.  I don't really agree with some of the statements, but this is a good place to start.

http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/suspensionbodyliftkits/abody_lift_kits.htm

Carl