2022 Limited Wheel and Tire Change for Off-Road

[Gone4Wheeling]

I bought 5 Toyota 17" x 7.5" rims with 15mm offset to install a set of all terrain tires to use when traveling to go offroad, mostly in Colorado. All other times I will keep the stock 20" set on the vehicle. I'm partial to BFG All Terrain tires since I've gone through 3 sets on my 1996 Ford Bronco with no complaints whatsoever.

While most people are trying to install the largest size tire they can, I'm considering keeping the BFG KO2 near the original 20" tires diameter and width. In fact I am leaning towards the 235/80-17's which are 31.8" diameter vs 31.9 of the 20" wheels and width of only 9" vs 9.6" of the 20" wheels. These are load range E tires also. The other options are 245/75-17's (31.5" x 10" load rang E) or 255/75-17's (32.1" x 10" load range C1).

Leaning toward the narrower tire which should help slightly on gas milage and in rocky terrain should be better. I know the load range E tires will be harsher, but when traveling, I pull a small travel trailer which impacts ride quality anyway and having the tougher tires when offroad is likely worth it.

Any thought/comments or recommendations?

 

[mbm112]

Have you considered the OE size for the 17s? 265/70/R17

You’re also looking at uncommon tire sizes, so consider the availability of replacements should you need one while traveling. Although a matching spare would help, you’d still want a replacement sooner rather than later.


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[fkheath]

I bought 5 Toyota 17" x 7.5" rims with 15mm offset to install a set of all terrain tires to use when traveling to go offroad, mostly in Colorado. All other times I will keep the stock 20" set on the vehicle. I'm partial to BFG All Terrain tires since I've gone through 3 sets on my 1996 Ford Bronco with no complaints whatsoever.

While most people are trying to install the largest size tire they can, I'm considering keeping the BFG KO2 near the original 20" tires diameter and width. In fact I am leaning towards the 235/80-17's which are 31.8" diameter vs 31.9 of the 20" wheels and width of only 9" vs 9.6" of the 20" wheels. These are load range E tires also. The other options are 245/75-17's (31.5" x 10" load rang E) or 255/75-17's (32.1" x 10" load range C1).

Leaning toward the narrower tire which should help slightly on gas milage and in rocky terrain should be better. I know the load range E tires will be harsher, but when traveling, I pull a small travel trailer which impacts ride quality anyway and having the tougher tires when offroad is likely worth it.

Any thought/comments or recommendations?

I have a 4Runner SR5 which I outfitted with BFG KO2 tires, original size, load range E.

First, load range E is important for off roading in Colorado because the rocks have sharp edges on them (granite) unlike the rounded rocks, say, in Moab (sandstone). Thus the Load range E will not get chewed up as much as lesser road range tires.

Second, I have not notice these KO2 road range E tires ride rougher than the OEM tires that came on my 4Runner. The KO2 tires actually have a bit wider tread than the OEM tires, even though they are the same size.

I have been very happy with my KO2 tires.

If you do much difficult off roading, I would suggest a good skid plate package (I have the RCI skids), and possibly a modest lift (I have 3" front, 1" rear "leveling" kit).

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I had KO2 275/70/17 load range E on my Limited and switched back and forth with the 20's until they wore out or aged out. The load range E tires road to rough and the heavy weight had a noticeable power lose. I now use KO2 265/70/17 load range c and I am perfectly happy with this setup. Power is back, rides smoother and plenty strong for the fire roads and easier trails in the desert. Even though I still have all sets of wheels and tires in the garage I will never go back to switching tires back and forth, too much hassle. Just put on the tires you want and be done with it.

 

[Gone4Wheeling]

Have you considered the OE size for the 17s? 265/70/R17

You’re also looking at uncommon tire sizes, so consider the availability of replacements should you need one while traveling. Although a matching spare would help, you’d still want a replacement sooner rather than later.


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They are on my list too. Per specs they would be 11" wide on 8" rim per BFG specs which is wider than the OEM 20" set up.

As I mentioned, I was thinking the narrower 9" would have a couple advantages. I guess the wider 265/70/R17 being an OE size would not cause rubbing issues on a 15mm offset rim, is that correct?

Your point about using a common size if a very valid one to consider.

 

[Gone4Wheeling]

I have a 4Runner SR5 which I outfitted with BFG KO2 tires, original size, load range E.

First, load range E is important for off roading in Colorado because the rocks have sharp edges on them (granite) unlike the rounded rocks, say, in Moab (sandstone). Thus the Load range E will not get chewed up as much as lesser road range tires.

Second, I have not notice these KO2 road range E tires ride rougher than the OEM tires that came on my 4Runner. The KO2 tires actually have a bit wider tread than the OEM tires, even though they are the same size.

I have been very happy with my KO2 tires.

If you do much difficult off roading, I would suggest a good skid plate package (I have the RCI skids), and possibly a modest lift (I have 3" front, 1" rear "leveling" kit).

When I took my stock Limited with the 20" wheels offroad last year in Colorado, I was mostly concerned with tire damage. Since I did not have off road tires or aftermarket skid protection, I was very careful and did not have any problems although there were some scuff marks on the tire sidewalls.

I have a full set of skid plates now (just need to install them) and a lift may be in the future.

 

[Gone4Wheeling]

I had KO2 275/70/17 load range E on my Limited and switched back and forth with the 20's until they wore out or aged out. The load range E tires road to rough and the heavy weight had a noticeable power lose. I now use KO2 265/70/17 load range c and I am perfectly happy with this setup. Power is back, rides smoother and plenty strong for the fire roads and easier trails in the desert. Even though I still have all sets of wheels and tires in the garage I will never go back to switching tires back and forth, too much hassle. Just put on the tires you want and be done with it.

I really like the performance of my 2022 LE with the 20" wheels - gas mileage is somewhat better than advertised and pulling my small travel trailer in the mountains is good so I am hesitant about increasing the tire overall diameter. I understand the tire weight will also play a role in the ride and gas milage too. If I want more ground clearance, I'll go for a lift and not larger tires.

I plan on ditching the 20" wheels after wearing out the original tires which should not take too long since they are rated at 280 on treadwear rating. Will only do the switching until the 20" tires are gone.

Are you running the 265/70 on rims with 15mm offset, any lift and do you have any rubbing? I Think the 265's being a more available size may be the better choice even though they are wider.

 

[mbm112]

They are on my list too. Per specs they would be 11" wide on 8" rim per BFG specs which is wider than the OEM 20" set up.

As I mentioned, I was thinking the narrower 9" would have a couple advantages. I guess the wider 265/70/R17 being an OE size would not cause rubbing issues on a 15mm offset rim, is that correct?

Your point about using a common size if a very valid one to consider.

There should not be rubbing at the stock size. However if there is, it would be minimal with the mud flaps or fender liner due to the extra tread depth and squared off shoulders of an AT Easily resolved using a heat gun (look up fender liner mod). I don’t think its an issue at +15 offset as my rubbing was extremely minimal and only at full lock in reverse at +4 offset.

I think you’re overthinking this. E load might even be overkill even here in Colorado for your specific purposes. I ran SL Wildpeaks all over 4-5 rated trails trails here without ever worrying about it. I did recently switch up to C load as I’m doing more rock crawling.


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[03_4x4Runner]

I really like the performance of my 2022 LE with the 20" wheels - gas mileage is somewhat better than advertised and pulling my small travel trailer in the mountains is good so I am hesitant about increasing the tire overall diameter. I understand the tire weight will also play a role in the ride and gas milage too. If I want more ground clearance, I'll go for a lift and not larger tires.

I plan on ditching the 20" wheels after wearing out the original tires which should not take too long since they are rated at 280 on treadwear rating. Will only do the switching until the 20" tires are gone.

Are you running the 265/70 on rims with 15mm offset, any lift and do you have any rubbing? I Think the 265's being a more available size may be the better choice even though they are wider.

I have them on OEM 2019 4runner Trail edition wheels. No rubbing at all no lift needed even though my front is raised one inch.. I off road in the west when on vacation and I did not want to wait for the stock 20s to wear out and do not trust the light duty tire on any trail. I did put the 20s on for long trips with no off road but got tired of doing that and they seemed like they would never wear out. The 20s ride to rough for me also.

 

[Gclark949]

Your wheels are the stock size and offset and will have no problem with rubbing with OEM 265/70 17. The problems come when installing wheels with less positive offset (or negative) as this pushes them outward so the scrub radius increases and then they hit mud flaps or fender liner. That said I am not totally clear on Limited fender liner vs non Limited.

+15mm Offset (pushes wheel closer to brakes and suspension

 

[Gone4Wheeling]

Your wheels are the stock size and offset and will have no problem with rubbing with OEM 265/70 17. The problems come when installing wheels with less positive offset (or negative) as this pushes them outward so the scrub radius increases and then they hit mud flaps or fender liner. That said I am not totally clear on Limited fender liner vs non Limited.

+15mm Offset (pushes wheel closer to brakes and suspension

That's why I bought 17" rims with the same offset as the stock 20" rims hoping to minimize the chances of tire rubbing and give me a better selection of tires to choose from.