1st Post - Tire Size?

[iaonbb]

Hey all...Been lurking awhile getting a feel for the board...Need some advice. My (new to me) '97 SR5 4x4 has some off brand "Chaparell A/T Steel Radial" 275/75/16. Is this a pretty uncommon size? I can't seem to find much in the way of replacement tires that size. I realy like the overall apearance...tall and wide, however it seems lke this may be affecting handling a bit. Truck sems to drift a lot on the highway and has ton of body roll, even during normal manuevers. Looking for some advice. Can I stay "tall and wide" and still get a good tire with better handling? What about a more common size like 265/70/16's? I just don't want to sacrifice height or width as I think it fits the vehicle's overall appearance perfectly as-is. How do the numbers actually work? Would a 265/70/16 be shorter and skinnier or am I misinterpreting how the sizing works? Any advice greatly appreciated!!!

PS - Had Michelin LTX M+S on my old '01 Sport Trac and loved the overall apearance, ride, handling, traction, etc. Sticker shock when I priced those! $800!!! Can anyone recomend a very similar tire that might cost a few bucks less?
TIA !
MDB

 

[toyoboy]

your trying to brake the rules of physic. Its hard to make your vehicle look tall and handle well around corners. but there are ways to make its handle better,,,like stiffen the suspention and sway bar. but the down side to that is trouble ride quality and off roading. So I would just leave it the way it is and don't take corners too fast, cause its a 4runner and a Supra.

 

[Thai]

275/75/16 is a rather uncommon size and is much bigger than your stock size (265/70/16). If your 4runner is not lifted, then this big size WILL RUB when you turn your steering wheel far to the side and during off-roading (at maximum wheel articulation).

There are two "up-sizes" that you can put on your '97 4runner without rubbing:

265/75/16 (taller; 32" tire)

275/70/16 (a bit taller & wider than stock; 31.4" tire)

Both of these sizes are common and you should have no problem finding a tire in these sizes. IMO, i would go for stock size (265/70/16)...you will notice much better handling and acceleration. I used to have 265/75/16 on my 3rd gen 4runner (same as you) and this size just killed acceleration on the highway. When i switched back to stock size, my 4runner felt much better.

Michelin LTX M/S tires are excellent. If they are too expensive and you still want a high-quality tire, then i would check out: Bridgestone Dueler H/L, Goodyear Fortera, and Yokohama Geolander HT-S. Out of all these, i would think that Yokohama HT-S is the cheapest...they are still excellent from the reviews i have read. My brother's Land Rover Discovery II has them and he likes them.

Hope this helps.

 

[lee]

thai makes some good points... any increase in tire size will effect handling and acceleration and by the way, you should be aware of the fact that your speedometer is most definitely reading too low with your current tire size.

so be careful when speeding by the po-po... youre probably 3 to 5 mph off.

265/75/16 is the size im going with on my next set of tires. seems like a nice combo of good handling while not effecting acceleration too badly.

i recommend this size unless you're going to lift, in which case you can go up to 285/75/16.

 

[Thai]

265/75/16 is the size im going with on my next set of tires. seems like a nice combo of good handling while not effecting acceleration too badly.

Remember, a taller tire will affect acceleration MORE than a wider tire. So, 265/75/16 will slow your 4runner down more so than a 275/70/16 size.

 

[iaonbb]

THanks guys...looks like I'll probably go witha 265/75/16 as an accepable compromise. The height of the tire is more important to me than the width. I just hate the look of a small tire in a large wheel well. No plans to lift. I'm really an on-road kinda' guy who likes to play ocaisonally. I prefer a clean toy! The current tires do not rub fyi....Thai- I loked at those bridgestones and really liked them...thnks for the newbie advice...
MDB

 

[Thai]

Thai- I loked at those bridgestones and really liked them...thnks for the newbie advice...
MDB

I am not sure about cost, but take a really close look at the new Goodyear Fortera with SilentArmor. It is supposed to be a luxury SUV tire with excellent puncture resistance. It would be my choice of tire for on-road ride due to this. It is not good for off-road.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The 265/75 is about an inch taller than the stock 265/70 size which I had on my '97 and on my '99 I have the 265/75s and they fit perfect with no rubbing issues and even with a the 1"-2" lift the Bils and PP springs I will be adding soon they will look good.

Also I've seen on Discount Tire's website the 265/75s are actual;ly cheaper than the smaller stock size. You can get a set of Yok Geolandars for $500 out the door around here but I think I'm gonna pony up another $100 and get the Nitto Terra Grapplers.

 

[bonson]

4 tires $445

Today on the 2000 4R SR5 4WD we removed the Goodyear Wrangler 265/75/16 tires (2 even had nails) that came on truck.

Installed all new Dunlop Radial Rover A/T P265/70/R16 with 14/32 tread and a 500 A B rating at $92/ea+
It is not so off-road looking as the Goodyears it had so I can understand acceleration and noise being better
In any cae, the 4R feels a whole lot better, even aceleration for whatever reason

Discount Tire was $445 out the door in SATX. Only problem is good luck finding those tires in stock locally - telephone and check online everywhere - you may have to order them like from Tire Rack or a local or online Discount Tire

BTW - the Toyota dealer book lists as using 225/75/15 or else using 265/70/16 so I am sticking to their engineering
And btw - the Toyota dealer said $186 for one Dunlop tire!

 

[Thai]

Re: 4 tires $445

And btw - the Toyota dealer said $186 for one Dunlop tire!

Never buy any tires from a dealer...they always rip you off! Anyway, a lot of people don't realize what a BIG difference in acceleration and smoothness between 265/70 and 265/75 tires. The 3rd gen 4runner does not have a lot of power reserve to begin with...so, a bigger tire will take a big toll on acceleration, acceleration on hills or high altitude, and passing power on the highway.

 

[Nixin]

How come everybody goes with 16" rims? Am i the only one out there that wants 15" rims to get more rubber?

 

[Rock Slide]

This weekend I'm replacing my tires and rims on my '99. I'm going from 225/75 with the 15" rims, to the 265/70 with the 16" rims. Do you think this setup will rub? It's a 2WD model, so it already sits low. I plan on putting new shocks and longer springs in soon though. Just curious for the time being.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

How come everybody goes with 16" rims? Am i the only one out there that wants 15" rims to get more rubber?

Because that's what most of us have stock and the OEM 16" '99-'00 Limited wheels look sweet.