265/70/r16 vs. 285/75/r16

[Herculean T4R]

Any real advantages of 285/75 over 265/70? I know 33's look pretty cool but do they offer any real advantage when wheeling. I am not into hard core offroading. I recently installed 3" Toytec suspension lift and trying to decide if I need bigger tires. Financially doesn't make sense as my current nitto terra grapplers A/T tires are only 6 months old with 5 K on them. I may be able to get $450 for them if I sell them on Craigslist. Upgrading to bigger tires will cost me at least $300 provided I am able to sell my nittos.

What do you guys suggest?

 

[Supermoney]

Of course there is a performance advantage to 33s, but also with a 3" lift the 33s really make the truck look better as well. Keeping the stock tire size on with a 3" lift looks like you are skipping leg day. You will notice a mpg drop, however.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Dedicated Lift Tire and Wheel Thread

Any real advantages of 285/75 over 265/70?

Tons of info on here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/180131-lift-tire-wheel-central.html

If you keep your 265/70/16's with a 3" lift you couldn't justify adding a fancy TRD sticker on your rig - just wouldn't be cool (Kidding of course - your name is on the title!)

 

[Unner]

Tires are the only thing that can provide more ground clearance for your diffs and things that don't get raised with a suspension or body lift as well. There certainly is an off-road advantage to bigger tires.

 

[white_n_slow]

In your shoes, I would wear out your Nittos and worry about buying new tires later. I'm cheap like that.

 

[C-RAIG]

I would sell yours and go with 285's. I ran the same lift for a year with 265's now that I made the switch it looks so much better. I haven't been off-road yet though, I expect a lot of rubbing though. Maybe list yours first then when they sell get 285's.

 

[habanero]

Voting for the wearing out of current meats and preparing for 33s if that's what you decide you want, though I'd completely get it if that wasn't what you want to hear...
1 1/2" higher dif and bits, true and useful to some degree.

I am running a 1" adapter to clear the a-arms with 33's on the 96 with SS 1.2. Also stopped frame rub. Had to clearance the pinch weld and valance, but that was cheap. Am running a 1" body lift too, helps with some of the flexy rub. Heavier tire, speedo off a little, gas mileage dropped a little.
And there is the issue of what you'll do about the spare. Stick with the 31 that fits in the stock location or get a used 33 and find an alternate location or remove/modify hitch to get it up into the stock spot?

 

[masphx]

255/85/16

 

[psraff]

255/85/16

X2 on this. This is what I have and I like them. I don't need the big fatties and the extra weight from them wasn't wanted.

Most everyone wants to put the wide tires on around here, yet they never do anything with them. Since mine is still a DD I like to think of the bigger picture.

I had the Nittos on before this. Huge difference. These Toyos are much better of a tire. It really depends on what you want to do for the next year. Lots of camping \ exploring... or are you stuck in town all summer? Do you need the new tires or just want them. That's how I have to look at most large purchases.

 

[JayRolla]

Here is 285 vs my new 305s. Now tell me there is no advantage, LOL. Larger tires just make it easier offroad period.

 

[masphx]

Here is 285 vs my new 305s. Now tell me there is no advantage, LOL. Larger tires just make it easier offroad period.

According to this your wider tire only helps in sand and mud. Everything else a skinny tire is 'better'. Well, besides looking cooler.

Expeditions West: Tire Selection for Expedition Travel

Mu next size is 255/85/16. It is even taller then the 285 tire!

 

[psraff]

According to this your wider tire only helps in sand and mud. Everything else a skinny tire is 'better'. Well, besides looking cooler.

Expeditions West: Tire Selection for Expedition Travel

Mu next size is 255/85/16. It is even taller then the 285 tire!

That's the exact document I used when I decided to get my tires two years ago. I learned a lot from it. I'm glad it's still out there floating around.

 

[JayRolla]

According to this your wider tire only helps in sand and mud. Everything else a skinny tire is 'better'. Well, besides looking cooler.

Expeditions West: Tire Selection for Expedition Travel

Mu next size is 255/85/16. It is even taller then the 285 tire!

According to my actual experience yes your right. The wider tire at 10psi seems to help rock crawling IMO. Plus looking better is all that counts. Where have you been. Lol.

 

[issmeihede]

I would wear out your Nittos and worry about buying new tires later.

 

[Bumbo]

255/85/16

This... because it actually works better.

 

[Chim]

265:

285:

 

[Ryan_B]

265:

285:

Thanks for the visual. I've been going through the same decision. 285's... Much better!! Correct me if I'm wrong but it's a 285/75/16? Correct? Wheel and tire game on point! I'm digging the combo.

 

[thezentree]

285s definitely look cooler, but you'll take a significant gas mileage hit. In the 400 miles I've been able to drive mine since I lifted it and put 285s on it, I've averaged roughly 15mpg. Granted, that's only two data points, but I was averaging 19.0mpg before.

YMMV ...quite literally.

 

[vukos]

With a 3" lift, will 285/75/16 have any rubbing?

 

[thezentree]

With a 3" lift, will 285/75/16 have any rubbing?

Yes. Mine is minor, had to trim the inside of the fender flares where they meet the bumper, and they kiss the pinch weld.

Keep in mind that I have SPC upper control arms so I can adjust the caster at the upper ball joint to push the tire forward, then adjust the LCA cam bolts to correct caster.