What Wheels and Tires Best Fit a First Generation GMC Sierra 1500?

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Stock Fitment
• Best Builds
• Shop for Your Vehicle

1999-2006 GMC Sierra 1500 Wheel, Tire & Suspension Fitment Guide

The first generation GMC Sierra 1500 represented a significant shift in both design and capacity for full-size pickup trucks. Built on the back of the GMT800 platform, the Sierra offered a more refined riding experience compared to its predecessors, featuring more updated styling and advanced technology. The Sierra 1500 proved itself as a capable workhorse while simultaneously appealing to drivers who wanted a more comfortable ride and higher level of refinement in a pickup option. The truck’s design showcases GMC’s focus on versatility, which makes it a popular choice for both personal and professional use.

If you’re looking for an older truck to serve as your next off-roader build, then congratulations the first gen Sierra 1500 is a great choice. It has powerful engine options, various bed lengths, and multiple cab configurations to suit your needs. But if you’re having trouble figuring out what kind of wheels, tires, and suspension options for your truck, then relax, we’ve got you covered. This fitment guide will go through what kind of wheel and tire options are ideal for your off-roading experiences as well as give examples from our gallery to help inspire the perfect look for your Sierra 1500. If you’re ready to get started, then we are too, so let’s get to it.

Stock Wheel & Tire Fitment for the First Generation GMC Sierra 1500

Available wheel and tire options for the first generation Sierra 1500 were fairly limited on its production. Tire sizes came in either a 235/75 or 255/70 size, while wheels came in either 16x6.5 or 16x7 options. The bolt pattern for the original Sierra 1500 is a 6x5.5 pattern, which is important to remember when you’re looking at different wheel options for your off-roader. You’ll want to make sure any wheel you’re looking at can fit that bolt pattern, otherwise in order to get the correct fit you’ll need to make sure you have an adapter.

In order to get the optimized off-roading experience out of your Sierra 1500, the key is having larger tires combined with smaller wheels. This combination lets you tackle terrain safely without causing damage to the wheels, letting your tires take the brunt of the uneven terrain. If you look at the Sierras in our gallery, you’ll notice a lot of trucks that sport wheel sizes between 17-18 inches in diameter, at most 20”, combined with tires that are typically between 33-37 inches in height. Combine that with a suspension lift around 3-5 inches tall, and you’ll get maximum ground clearance while protecting your undervehicle components from damage. Speaking of ground clearance, one thing you’ll want to keep in mind with a taller lift kit is your suspension’s geometry. You’ll want to make sure that it’s properly aligned before taking it out on the trials. If it’s out of whack, you can end up causing massive damage to your rig’s suspension.

Favorite First Generation GMC Sierra 1500 Builds From Our Gallery

Find the Perfect Wheels, Tires, Suspension & More For Your First Generation GMC Sierra 1500 at TrailBuilt Off-Road!

Now that you know what you’re looking for to turn your Sierra into your dream off-road build, it’s time to head over to the store at TrailBuilt Off-Road to get that process started. Remember that we offer quick delivery, free shipping, and some amazing financing options like Katapult for your convenience. Katapult’s no credit required, low up-front payment financing makes getting your wheels and tires a breeze and lets you make payments back over time to make them more affordable than ever. Not to mention, if you bundle any set of in-stock wheels and tires we also include free mounting and balancing as well. It might sound too good to be true but we promise it’s not! Your new custom Sierra 1500 build is almost ready to take on your next off-road adventure, are you?

Once your new GMC Sierra 1500 rig is finished and you’ve taken it out on the trails, please feel free to add it onto our gallery so we can help inspire other enthusiasts with their very own builds as well. See you out on the trails!