The 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 sits in the era when full-size SUVs had become true family haulers, tow vehicles, and long-wheelbase road-trip machines, with room and capability that made trim and chassis details matter. On this exact model, tire fitment is not one-size-fits-all. Depending on sub-model and GVWR, the Yukon XL 1500 uses 265/70R17, 265/70R16, or 245/75R16 radial tires, so the first step is confirming the wheel and suspension package on the truck. Available choices stay within BFGoodrich's All-Terrain T/A KO2 line with raised white letter sidewalls. That makes this page especially useful for owners balancing correct fitment, load capability, and the truck's intended road or light off-road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500
Three primary tire sizes apply to the 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Two sizes use 16-inch rims, while one uses a 17-inch rim, so identifying the truck's trim, GVWR, and actual wheel setup comes first. Once that is confirmed, the choice is mainly about selecting the right radial tire specification within the correct size.
Fit(s): Denali, SLE w/Z71 Pkg., and SLT w/Z71 Pkg.
Construction: Radial|Rim: 17 in
265/70R17 is a metric radial size in which 265 represents section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 17 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500, this size belongs to 17-inch-wheel configurations such as the Denali and Z71-equipped models. Available choices use BFGoodrich's All-Terrain T/A KO2 series with raised white letter sidewalls, including different load-capacity versions in the same size. This size is the one to evaluate when the truck already wears 17-inch wheels and the goal is to stay with the proper overall fitment class.
265/70R16 follows the same metric radial format, pairing a 265-millimeter section width with a 70-series profile on a 16-inch rim. For the 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500, this size is used on certain SLE and SLT models with the 7000 GVWR setup, so it should not be assumed for every version. The available product is a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letters, built as a radial light-truck tire for 16-inch applications. It is the size to focus on when the truck has the correct 16-inch wheel package and this specific fitment configuration.
245/75R16 is a metric radial size with a 245-millimeter section width, a taller 75-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On the 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500, this size is tied to certain SLE and SLT models with the 8600 GVWR configuration, making GVWR confirmation especially important before selection. Product choice in this size is also centered on the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter sidewalls. This fitment deserves a careful wheel and vehicle check because it shares the same rim diameter as 265/70R16 but serves a different size and load-use context.
Sub-model fitment on the 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 varies by trim and, in some cases, by GVWR or package. Checking the exact sub-model matters here because the truck may use either a 16-inch or 17-inch wheel and one of three different radial tire sizes.
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2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 Denali
The Denali uses a 265/70R17 radial tire, placing it in the 17-inch-wheel fitment group for this model year. Tire selection should stay focused on that size and on confirming the truck still has its matching wheel setup before comparing available products.
The SLE with 7000 GVWR uses a 265/70R16 radial tire rather than the 17-inch fitment or the alternate 16-inch size used elsewhere in the range. That makes GVWR and wheel verification important before choosing a replacement tire in this sub-model.
The SLE with 8600 GVWR uses a 245/75R16 radial tire, which differs from the 265/70R16 size fitted to the lower-GVWR version. Tire selection here should begin with confirming that exact chassis rating and the existing 16-inch wheel arrangement.
The SLE with Z71 package uses a 265/70R17 radial tire, matching the 17-inch fitment group rather than the standard 16-inch SLE sizes. That points the buyer toward 17-inch tire options and a quick check that the truck still carries the correct wheels for the package.
The SLT with 7000 GVWR uses a 265/70R16 radial tire on a 16-inch wheel. Replacement choice is straightforward once that sub-model is confirmed, with attention centered on staying in the correct size and matching the wheel's compatibility range.
The SLT with 8600 GVWR uses a 245/75R16 radial tire, not the 265/70R16 size used on the 7000-GVWR SLT. That difference makes it important to verify the exact truck configuration before selecting a tire for towing, hauling, or regular road use.
The SLT with Z71 package uses a 265/70R17 radial tire and belongs with the 17-inch-wheel configurations in this lineup. Tire choice should therefore start with the 265/70R17 fitment and then narrow by load specification and intended use.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 Tires for Sale
Available Yukon XL 1500 tire choices center on BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 radials in 265/70R17, 265/70R16, and 245/75R16. The main comparisons are wheel-size match, rim-width range, load-capacity specification, and the consistent raised white letter sidewall presentation.
These FAQs for the 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 focus on exact tire size by sub-model, 16-inch versus 17-inch rim fitment, product selection within the available radial sizes, and the maintenance checks that matter before regular road use or towing.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500?
A 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 can use 265/70R17, 265/70R16, or 245/75R16, depending on the exact sub-model. Denali and Z71-package models use 265/70R17, SLE and SLT models with 7000 GVWR use 265/70R16, and SLE and SLT models with 8600 GVWR use 245/75R16.
The key step is matching the tire to the truck's actual trim, GVWR, and wheel diameter rather than assuming all Yukon XL 1500 models use the same size. A quick check of the existing tires, wheel size, and vehicle labeling helps prevent choosing the wrong 16-inch or 17-inch fitment.
What size rim does a 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 use?
The 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 uses either a 16-inch or 17-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The 265/70R17 fitment uses a 17-inch rim, while both 265/70R16 and 245/75R16 use 16-inch rims.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before looking at tire options, because a 16-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 17-inch wheel, and the reverse is also true. Since two different tire sizes share the 16-inch rim diameter, wheel size alone is not enough; the truck's exact sub-model and GVWR still matter.
Why does the 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 have more than one tire size?
More than one tire size appears on the 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 because fitment changes across Denali, Z71-package, and standard SLE or SLT configurations, with additional variation tied to GVWR. That creates separate 17-inch and 16-inch applications within the same model year and body style.
For the owner, that means tire selection starts with configuration, not just model name. Two trucks that both say Yukon XL 1500 can still require different sizes, so it helps to verify the exact sub-model, check the current wheel diameter, and make sure no previous owner changed the wheels or suspension setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 tire?
Start with the correct primary size for the truck's exact sub-model, then compare radial tire specifications that suit how the Yukon XL 1500 is used. On this model, that means confirming whether the truck calls for 265/70R17, 265/70R16, or 245/75R16 before looking at load capacity, rim-width range, and tire construction details.
The Yukon XL's long-wheelbase SUV role makes those details more than paperwork, especially if the vehicle sees passengers, cargo, towing, or rougher surfaces. Choosing within the correct size should include checking wheel compatibility, reading the load figure at its stated pressure, and deciding whether the truck's use leans more toward highway driving or all-terrain service.
What sidewall styles are available for 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 tires?
The available tires for this 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 use an RWL sidewall, meaning raised white letters. That sidewall treatment appears across the listed BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 options in the applicable 16-inch and 17-inch sizes.
Sidewall style affects appearance as much as fitment, especially on an early-2000s SUV that may be kept in a stock-looking or more trail-oriented presentation. Since the available choices here stay with raised white letters, the real comparison shifts to size, load specification, and matching the tire to the truck's intended use rather than choosing between multiple sidewall looks.
What brands offer tires for the 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500?
The available tires for the 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 are from BFGoodrich. Across the applicable sizes, the product line shown is the All-Terrain T/A KO2 radial, offered in fitments that match the model's 16-inch and 17-inch wheel applications.
With one brand represented, the buying decision becomes less about comparing brand names and more about selecting the correct size and specification for the truck. It is still worth comparing rim-width compatibility, maximum load capacity at the stated pressure, and whether the existing wheel and vehicle setup match the chosen tire's intended application.
Restoration & Appearance
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 restoration because the model used more than one original size depending on sub-model, package, and GVWR. A Denali or Z71-package truck presents differently on 265/70R17 than a 7000-GVWR SLE or SLT on 265/70R16 or an 8600-GVWR version on 245/75R16.
Getting that fitment right helps preserve the truck's intended stance and keeps the wheel-and-tire combination in line with its configuration. When appearance accuracy matters, confirm the exact sub-model first, then compare the current wheels against the proper diameter before deciding whether to keep a stock-style presentation or move toward a more utility-focused look.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500?
On this 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500, construction does not create a bias-ply versus radial decision because the primary fitments are radial tires. Appearance is shaped more by size, sidewall treatment, and whether the truck carries the proper 16-inch or 17-inch wheel-and-tire combination for its exact sub-model.
That makes restoration-oriented selection more about proportion and presentation than about switching construction types. The available tires use raised white letter sidewalls, which give the truck a distinctly period truck-and-SUV look, but exact originality questions are best checked against vehicle-specific literature, photos, and marque references before a final appearance decision.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 even when the tire size itself matches one of the correct factory applications. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, suspension lifts or lowering, and brake or body modifications can all change how a 265/70R17, 265/70R16, or 245/75R16 tire sits on the truck.
That matters because this model already spans both 16-inch and 17-inch setups, so a changed wheel package can easily blur what belongs on the vehicle. Before mounting new tires, check wheel diameter and width, inspect clearance at full steering lock, and make sure the selected tire still suits the truck's load and use requirements.
What should I inspect before driving a 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 on new tires?
Before driving a 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, confirm the correct tire size, and make sure inflation matches the tire's and vehicle's requirements. It also helps to verify that the tires clear suspension and body components through the steering range, especially on trucks with package differences or previous wheel changes.
A broader road-use check should include looking at lug torque, valve stems, tread seating, and any signs of rubbing once the truck rolls and turns under load. On a long-wheelbase SUV, stable highway behavior depends on more than fresh rubber, so worn steering parts, alignment issues, or tired suspension components should be addressed as part of the tire change.
How often should tires on a 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 be inspected?
Tires on a 2002 GMC Trucks Yukon XL 1500 should be inspected regularly, with extra attention before longer trips, towing, or carrying heavy loads. A routine inspection should look for air loss, uneven wear, cuts, cracking, bulges, and any signs that the tire is contacting suspension or body parts.
Regular checks matter on this vehicle because its different sub-models and GVWR packages place real importance on correct size and load specification. Even if tread still looks usable, age, storage conditions, and underinflation can affect safety and drivability, so periodic inspection should be part of normal ownership rather than something saved for obvious problems.
