255/80/17 KM2 Lifted 2011 4Runner TE

SEP

SEP

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For those who want to see how the 255/80/17 km2 look like on a TE with 3 inch lift, here it is.

Review: On going...

Appearance: It looks a little odd at first but the longer I look at it the more I like it. I like the side profile of the truck now, it looks like the tire is in proportion to the ride height.

Drive: Easy to brake and accelerate than stock. It doesn't feel like you have a huge tire. I commute about 20 miles to work and it feels like it drives lighter.

Road Noise: Yep, it is there. Very pronounced when at slow speed, I haven't driven it yet on the highway, will get a chance to drive 260 miles round trip this Saturday.

Mileage: As expected, computer calculations on the mileage drop significantly but I have ScanGauge II on order will be here tomorrow. I will add some notes as I test this tire.

Why I chose this tire: In preparation to the FJ Summit. I figured this will give us good mileage and great traction.

Final Thoughts: I like the way it drives right now, the only thing that bothers me is the road noise. Even if I turn up the radio I can still hear the hum. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about it right now, but I can still bear with it and find another means to lower the noise. I'm open to suggestions.

*** I'll add some more notes later as right now I'm in the office just sneaking to add this little review =)


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SEP said:
For those who want to see how the 255/80/17 km2 look like on a TE with 3 inch lift, here it is.

Appearance: It looks a little odd at first but the longer I look at it the more I like it. I like the side profile of the truck now, it looks like the tire is in proportion to the ride height.

Drive: Easy to brake and accelerate than stock. It doesn't feel like you have a huge tire. I commute about 20 miles to work and it feels like it drives lighter.

Road Noise: Yep, it is there. Very pronounced when at slow speed, I haven't driven it yet on the highway, will get a chance to drive 260 miles round trip this Saturday.

Mileage: As expected, computer calculations on the mileage drop significantly but I have ScanGauge II on order will be here tomorrow. I will add some notes as I test this tire.

Final Thoughts: I like the way it drives right now, the only thing that bothers me is the road noise. Even if I turn up the radio I can still hear the hum. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about it right now, but I can still bear with it and find another means to lower the noise. I'm open to suggestions.
Click to expand...

First off, thanks for the post. I am very interested in your findings having considered this tire myself.

I am a bit surprised about the "significant" drop in mileage. Is that compared to the stock 265s that the truck came with? If so I guess a few MPG is not too surprising. Sure those are heavy and have large lugs, but your rolling resistance has to be much less. I wonder how they would compare to the board favorite 285 DuraTrac...

As for the noise I think when tires are new you tend to hear them much more. I bet soon it will be a background thing for you. I kind of like the "rolling thunder" sound. To actually lessen it, maybe some of the sound deadening approaches other members have taken would help. Also, it is possible to sipe just the center of the tire. I have read siping quiets MTs down a bit, but you don't want to do the outer or inner lugs as it can promote chunking.

I think it looks fine, not too skinny. If I owned a 4th I would definitely run a 255 tire. The 5th is a bit bulkier but they still look OK to me.
 
I'm thinking about that but where do you think I will have problem with rubbing? I don't really want to do any body mount chop or anything major, front trim pull and cut is fine with me.
 
453030 said:
I am a bit surprised about the "significant" drop in mileage. Is that compared to the stock 265s that the truck came with? If so I guess a few MPG is not too surprising. Sure those are heavy and have large lugs, but your rolling resistance has to be much less. I wonder how they would compare to the board favorite 285 DuraTrac...

As for the noise I think when tires are new you tend to hear them much more. I bet soon it will be a background thing for you.
Click to expand...

Two thoughts:
1. Drop in mileage is two things:
_a. Computer is off due to larger diameter. MPG has to be adjusted by 3% or so IIRC
_b. Rolling resistance is probably a wash, if not greater - the MTs, despite the smaller(?) contact patch of the skinny tire, are much worse rolling than OEM tires. This has to do with tread pattern and rubber compound.
_c. 15 lb more hung on each wheel. 39lbs vs. 54 lbs ....Hmmm - more rotational mass. While wind resistance/rolling resistance/contact patch might be benefits, there is no denying you just increased the weight of your tires by 38%! Sure, any respectable tire will weigh more, but it is the unsprung rotational mass that kicks your MPG to the curb.
2. my Duratracs got much louder as they got some wear on them. Sure, you get used to it (ie: Turn up the radio!), but it is there and usually grows.


That being said, OP, Nice truck! Tires look good. I mosdef see the benefit of keeping the rotational weight and contact patch better for better efficiency, which changing the tread pattern to get the aggressiveness you need. Thanks for posting!
 
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453030 said:
First off, thanks for the post. I am very interested in your findings having considered this tire myself.

I am a bit surprised about the "significant" drop in mileage. Is that compared to the stock 265s that the truck came with? If so I guess a few MPG is not too surprising. Sure those are heavy and have large lugs, but your rolling resistance has to be much less. I wonder how they would compare to the board favorite 285 DuraTrac...

As for the noise I think when tires are new you tend to hear them much more. I bet soon it will be a background thing for you. I kind of like the "rolling thunder" sound. To actually lessen it, maybe some of the sound deadening approaches other members have taken would help. Also, it is possible to sipe just the center of the tire. I have read siping quiets MTs down a bit, but you don't want to do the outer or inner lugs as it can promote chunking.

I think it looks fine, not too skinny. If I owned a 4th I would definitely run a 255 tire. The 5th is a bit bulkier but they still look OK to me.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I just had this tire for 2 days. The significant drop I'm talking about is seeing the trip computer dropped from 18.9 or so to 16 mpg lol i know it is way off so i'll get back on the real mileage on these tires. Yea, sound deadening sounds like the solution. We will see =) I will look into siping too thanks!

Antman said:
I like it!
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Victor_inox said:
Looks great, like it
Click to expand...

Thanks you sirs.

characterzero said:
That being said, OP, Nice truck! Tires look good. I mosdef see the benefit of keeping the rotational weight and contact patch better for better efficiency, which changing the tread pattern to get the aggressiveness you need. Thanks for posting!
Click to expand...

Thanks! I agree, looks agressive without feeling heavier.
 
characterzero said:
Two thoughts:
1. Drop in mileage is two things:
_a. Computer is off due to larger diameter. MPG has to be adjusted by 3% or so IIRC
_b. Rolling resistance is probably a wash, if not greater - the MTs, despite the smaller(?) contact patch of the skinny tire, are much worse rolling than OEM tires. This has to do with tread pattern and rubber compound.
_c. 15 lb more hung on each wheel. 39lbs vs. 54 lbs ....Hmmm - more rotational mass. While wind resistance/rolling resistance/contact patch might be benefits, there is no denying you just increased the weight of your tires by 38%! Sure, any respectable tire will weigh more, but it is the unsprung rotational mass that kicks your MPG to the curb.
2. my Duratracs got much louder as they got some wear on them. Sure, you get used to it (ie: Turn up the radio!), but it is there and usually grows.
Click to expand...


I understand the properties of why his mileage has and will go down; the weight, rotational mass, etc. And I said it is probably no surprise if he is comparing to stock 265s to lose a few mpg. The 255 is intriguing to me for its thin width. Since guys with 285 Duratracs post they typically lose 2mpg or so, I was hoping maybe the 255 KM2s would not lose as much.

With regards to sound, what I meant was since he just picked up his new tires, he is actively listening to them and really notices the noise. I did the same thing when mine were new. I understand tires, especially mudders, get louder as they wear. I certainly notice more sound rolling on my DuraTracs with 20k miles than when they were new.
 
Looks good and agree with Mike that spacers like Spidertrax giving it a wider stance may make it look and ride even better.

Those 255/80/17's are E-rated ...what air pressure are you running in them?
When I had E-rated KM2's I noticed they were quieter and got better gas mileage when I ran 44-45psi.
 
harper7 said:
Looks good and agree with Mike that spacers like Spidertrax giving it a wider stance may make it look and ride even better.

Those 255/80/17's are E-rated ...what air pressure are you running in them?
When I had E-rated KM2's I noticed they were quieter and got better gas mileage when I ran 44-45psi.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I will look into getting spacers. But do you think I'll rub like crazy with the spacers? I just need to know before shelling out $200 for spacers. I started running them at 35 then now it's on 38. I'll try 44 before going home and see if I like how it rides. Thanks!


jca21 said:
sexallent
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Thanks!
 
To hopefully answer your question regarding rubbing, yes you will probably rub. But seeing you have the light racing UCAs you can add some caster to move the tires forward so you wont have to do the body mount chop, thats how I handled it. In front you will probably need to trim some plastic or pull the fender forward. For me cutting the fender was a no brainer considering they will get cut even more once that dang bumper arrives on my door step.
 
SEP said:
Thanks! I will look into getting spacers. But do you think I'll rub like crazy with the spacers? I just need to know before shelling out $200 for spacers. I started running them at 35 then now it's on 38. I'll try 44 before going home and see if I like how it rides. Thanks!




Thanks!
Click to expand...
It would probably rub about the same as a 285/70/17 after you put 1.25" spacers on,being 285's are 1.2" wider the your pizza cutter tires.

The thing about Spidertrax spacers is they hold their value like gold. Just watch for a used set and they go about $150 or so. If you don't like them or tires rub too much ....you can sell them for about $150 or so ,any day all day.
 
i think they look absolutely fantastic, SEP! :bravo:
you should definitely be running them closer to 45 psi. likely will notice a little mpg boost when you do.
 
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