255/80/17 to 285/70/17 on SCS Stealth 6

[jpaws]

Hi Folks,
So here is the deal. I am currently running Ridge Grapplers in 255/80/17 which are 33.3's and weigh 55lbs. These are on SCS Stealth 6's with the -12 offset. I had to do some trimming with this setup and ended up having to cut off the bottom weld on my body mounts. It's tight but works now.

Issues with the 255's
1. The E rated tires get on my nerves (harsh around town).
2. They aren't ideal for the 8.5 inch rim they are on. My offroad adventures are at the beach and airing them down seems sketchy on these rims and a wider tire would be better for the terrain.


I am thinking about selling them and putting on some 285/70/17's Ridge Grapplers in SL. These 285's are about 6lbs lighter (49lbs) then my current 255's. My MPG already really sucks at about 13.8 with that being 90% stop and go.

Concerns with this move
1. The 285's are 32.76 and I know this will help a little, but will this wider tire most likely cause me to do a more aggressive chop with my setup? My castor is maxed out (recent alignment) and I have about a 2.5 inch lift.

2. Should I expect even worse gas mileage? Don't really care about the same, but I don't want to go down any lower.

Thoughts? The 275 Wildpeaks were an option, but those things weigh 58 lbs. Other then the Kuhmo's, all other 275's are E's. I don't like Kuhmo.

 

[Trek11]

I run 285/70/17 BF KO2 load range E tires. I have a 2.5'' front lift as well. No issues at all with my Stealth 6 wheels. I did remove the front mud flap and move the fender liner forward some. I had to trim the front of the actual fender about a 1/2''. It's unnoticeable and really easy to do with a Dremel. No rubbing on the body mount.

I switched from 275/70/17 tires with no regrets.

 

[ryan87]

P rated falken is also listed at 50lbs

 

[zw470]

C-rated KO2s are 51lbs.

 

[jpaws]

Thanks for the replies.

My 2 main concerns are will I need to chop more and should I expect even worse MPG?

I understand the physics of a wider wheel, but will the 5 lbs lighter make this a wash with MPG? I can't justify going lower.


As far as BFG's, the only reason i wouldn't rock them is because everyone else in the world does. I just sold the pro wheels that came with my XP to my neighbor to get the stealths for the same reason:crazy:
Just like being a wee bit different I guess.

 

[4runnin4mylife]

Thanks for the replies.

My 2 main concerns are will I need to chop more and should I expect even worse MPG?

I understand the physics of a wider wheel, but will the 5 lbs lighter make this a wash with MPG? I can't justify going lower.


As far as BFG's, the only reason i wouldn't rock them is because everyone else in the world does. I just sold the pro wheels that came with my XP to my neighbor to get the stealths for the same reason:crazy:
Just like being a wee bit different I guess.

Honestly i would say it would be close to a wash in my opinion. I was running 275 E KO2's (55 lbs) on Pro wheels (7" wide) and swapped to 285 C KO2's (51 lbs) on SCS Ray 10's (8.5" wide) and i literally only lost .3 MPG. Your contact patch on the road will definitely change a little more than mine did by swapping over, but I really don't see it being a huge difference.

I think you will be alright both from the MPG standpoint and also the chopping/making it fit standpoint also!

By the way... why do you get such crappy gas mileage now? I know you said 90% stop and go but damn! I haven't seen your build thread or know what ya got on your T4R, but it seems it would need to be a lot of weight, etc. to get down to 13.8 mpg... Just curious!

 

[jhguth]

My offroad adventures are at the beach and airing them down seems sketchy on these rims and a wider tire would be better for the terrain.

there are a couple things to keep in mind. 1) most of the increase in size when you air down comes from the length, not the width, so the surface area of your contact patch will be more long than wide. what that means is yes a narrower tire will have a smaller contact patch but the difference is smaller than you think because if they tires are the same height they will have the same length so percentage wise it's not a huge difference. 2) wider isn't actually always better in sand because it also means more rolling resistance. the theoretical perfect tire would be like a tank track, extremely long in relation to it's width. you will find a lot of people who spend time on sand tracks who prefer narrower tires.

in the context of just heading out to the beach for the day i don't think it will make much of a difference for you either way, i wouldn't worry about it

 

[jpaws]

I appreciate the insights fellas. As far as my current MPG, it's never been great since day 1. I was only getting about 16 with mostly city driving. I have 13K miles and it's a 2018.

I have about a 2.5 lift (kings), prinsu 3/4 rack, RSG sliders (100lbs) and a victory front bumper which I am switching over to aluminum, and these big tires. That's it for weight gain.

Interesting perspective on driving in the sand and tire size. I do rip right through the sand with no problems at all, the "fear" is airing down the 255 on an 8.5 inch rim. It's always in the back of my head. Would just suck to deal with.

 

[dsms4ever]

Do you have any good photos of the ridge grapplers on the 8.5” wheel? I am looking to do the 255/80/17 on ray10’s but like you was concerned about airing down. Is it just a myth it’s an issue or have you ever heard of someone actually rolling a bead because of it? What’s the tread width of this set up? St maxx is 8.1” wide, how does the ridge grappler compare? How much sidewall bulged out? We’re you worried about screwing the rim if you came up on a curb wrong? Thanks!