265's or 285's???

[SCRunner12]

Sorry for the lame updates, but I'm almost ready to make a decision. I've narrowed it down to three choices. Duratracs are out due to price and they are on national backorder so I'm not sure when they will be available next.

Option 1:
265/75/16 Treadwright Wardens. $530 shipped and I think they are available now. I've done my research and I'm comfortable with running their tires.

Option 2:
265/75/16 BFG AT's. $375 and ~60% tread left. Here is the link to their for sale thread. 4 BFG A/T Tires. 265/75/16 $400 - NorCal FJs I can get these this weekend and they are load D. I'm just a little leary of spending $375 on half worn tires when I can get new ones (TW) for $160 more.

Option 3:
265/75/16 Yokohama Geolander AT/S with FJ rims. $650, but in LA. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...-five-16x7-fj-wheels-tires-la-cali-900-a.html These are for 5 tires and I could sell the FJ's for $200-300. Least aggressive of them all, but a good deal.

 

[runn4it]

hmmm

​

Sounds like you have your mind pretty much made up. Option 1 is probably going to offer you the best 'peace of mind'. I'm sure you already know this, but if you do decide to go with used tires, please check for all the signs of a b.s tire. Look for uneven wear patterns, feathering or cupping of the tire, signs that the tire may have been run low pressure for quite some period of time (extremely soft sidewall or visible ring), dry/cracked sidewall, and PLEASE check the D.O.T # (importantly the last four digits for the date) to make sure the tires aren't too old. Good luck with your choice!

 

[Gerdo]

I know that Santa Cruz isn't known for snow but an AT will out perform a MT in the snow on the road most of the time. The Duratracs would be the exception.

 

[spongerx]

I struggled with this question also. I ended up going with 285 BFG ATs. No regrets here although I've only had the on for a week. I don't notice much power decrease, nor the need for a regear. MPG seem to have dropped but I not sure how to re-calibrate given that my speedo is now off a little. I do rub on the inside edge of the wheel well even with 3.5 BS on my wheels. Not sure how to fix that but it's not a big deal. I think the 265/75 is a really good compromise for you. Especially if your future wife is gonna have to climb up in there on a regular basis. My experience so far is that I don't regret going to 285's. As far as MPG goes, I have a motorbike that I ride in the summer so I can make up for the lost cash. :zoom:

I'm sure your truck will look and preform great whatever your decision. :cowboy:

 

[madbomber08]

I have to say I love the looks of the 16" fj wheels even better than the 17" fjs. Another positive about the 16s is that I rarely have seen them mounted on 3rd gen T4Rs, even fjs for that matter, so you'd be quite unique!

As far as the yokahamas, not a big fan. To me, they don't look "tough" enough. I don't know if it's the sidewall or the tread pattern, or the lack of white letters, but they just don't do it for me. However, I think they'd be a good all around tire and have great on road manners.

Good luck with your decision. And be sure to update us all with pictures when you get new shoes!

 

[SCRunner12]

I thought I would update this thread since I have made a decision. I've been very indecisive, but finally made up my mind. I'm going to pick up a set of BFG AT's 265/75/16 load D from a guy on NorCalFJs. They have 60-65% left, no cracking and even tread wear. I'm getting them for $350 this weekend. I should have pictures of them mounted on my LC rims Monday or Tuesday.

There are a few reasons I went with these tires. Obviously Duratracs are my first choice, but they are a bit expensive ($40 rebate is no longer available) and I'm not sure how long I will be staying with a 32" tire. I want 33's now, but I don't want to deal with the power or mpg loss. No use getting $800 tires to sell them the next year for 33's. Also I plan on getting a S/C or gears before I get 33's, so this will work out better for me. In a year I will be more financially stable and will have a greater budget.

I also was a click away from getting Treadwrights, but the same reasoning came up. I didn't want to spend an extra $200 for new TW's that are the exact same as the BFG's I'm getting. I still 100% comfortable getting TW tires and might go with them for my next set, but I felt the $200 I would be saving could go towards other things like the $500 traffic ticket I just got. Really annoyed about that one and will setting up a court date for that on.

So to sum up this thread, I settled on 265's based on many members experience with 285's and the power and mpg loss. They are the smartest choice for me as a DD and will perform perfectly for my needs at this time. Hopefully next year I can get some 33's though...

Thanks everyone for your input, it was much appreciated.

 

[econhonda]

$500 ticket? Would you or your attorney like to explain?

 

[Nelsonmd]

$500 ticket? Would you or your attorney like to explain?

No kidding...

I also was a click away from getting Treadwrights, but the same reasoning came up. I didn't want to spend an extra $200 for new TW's that are the exact same as the BFG's I'm getting. I still 100% comfortable getting TW tires and might go with them for my next set, but I felt the $200 I would be saving could go towards other things like the $500 traffic ticket I just got. Really annoyed about that one and will setting up a court date for that on.

That extra $200 also buys you that 35-40% tread wear that is gone on the used tires.

 

[SCRunner12]

$500 ticket? Would you or your attorney like to explain?

Just a ticket for running a red light. I'm really pissed because I shouldn't have been driving when I got it in the first place. My brother-in-law lives next door and I had randomly offered to pick him up from the bars one night. He accepted and so I got the call around 1 am. I'd been fast asleep and went to pick him up. Well we got a 4 way intersection and I was turning left at the left turn signal and as I'm pulling up I was thinking to myself that it was weird the left turn signal was green and the straight signal was turning yellow then red.
I was still waking up a little and I even noticed the cop sitting at the front of the intersection when I was turning. I genuinely thought the light was green for me, but I guess I was seeing the straight light because they are right next to each other. So the cop pulls me over, does the normal drunk/high checking and asks me a bunch of questions about where I was as I'm wearing basketball shorts and slippers. He ends up giving me a ticket probably thinking I'm high or something.
It sucks because I know now I was most likely wrong and did run the red, but at the time I could have sworn it was green. Basically I'm just going to get a court date and hope the cop doesn't show up. Otherwise I'll probably plead my case and hope for a lowered fine. I was amazed that a simple traffic light would cost me $500.

No kidding...



That extra $200 also buys you that 35-40% tread wear that is gone on the used tires.

Yeah it was the best decision financially at this time. I already picked up some shackle mounts from tineman and looking into a new stereo.

 

[jrm]

I got one of those in SF on thanksgiving

They sent me the pics so they had me. I ended up wasting the better part of a day and going before the judge. so i explained why i did what i did and said i was grateful that no one was hurt as a result of my actions. That said my original fine of $480 was reduced to $200 and i was given the option to attend traffic school for an additional $50 which will take it off my record. And i have till March 2012 to finish traffic school and pay the fine. Yeah it was a stupid ****ing ticket to get b/c driving in SF is really stupid. So from now on ill be taking transit, riding my bike or letting someone else drive the next time im tripping round SF.

Your 4runner has 265s on it now right? it looked good @ holister. Sorry you couldnt hang longer.

 

[SCRunner12]

Thanks jrm for the response. Yeah I would be fine just having the fine reduce $300. I'm hoping the cop doesn't show up and I get it written off.

Yeah my 4runner has 265's. I'm happy with them, but I know 285's would look really good. I was bummed I couldn't stay longer as well, but it was worth it to see my daughter doing gymnastics for the first time.

 

[rickashay]

I think you'll be happy with your used 265 BFG choice anyway if you plan on re-gearing or SC'ing later and going to a 33. Still cant wait to see it with the LC wheels on your color combo of truck!

Regarding the fine, haha that sucks.... I once got a $750 ticket, er...several tickets at one time. I went to court and told the Crown Prosecutor that I was a poor University student and that I "screwed up", and that it wouldn't happen again, and all of the infractions of my vehicle at the time, were already fixed. He laughed and made me pay the speeding ticket @ $115 and ripped the rest up. hahah

If I were you, I would go to court and just tell the truth. Tell them you were picking up a family member who had been drinking and you wanted to make sure he got home safely. Just say you are aware that you made a mistake but believe that the $500 fine is excessive and out of your affordable means to pay (whether it is, or not... haha).