Chg to offroad tires - which of these sizes

[jediwebdude]

Now that I've have a Cornfed 3/2 lift, SpiderTrax, and had a taste of true offroading, I'm planning out the next stage of mods. First will be replacing the BFG Long Trail T/A tires (265/65-17), which were okay for offroading, but I avoided more difficult trails because I wasn't confident in the tires.

Looking at getting the BFG All Terrain T/A KO tires. I want a bit wider tread and a bit more height out of the new tires. If I stick with the factory 17" rims, which should I get:

275/65-17
275/70-17

If I decide to replace my stock wheels with black 18" rims, which should I get:

275/65-18
275/70-18

I realize if I go with 70 in the 18", I may need to do some wheel well cutting to prevent rubbing on turns.

One thing to keep in mind is my goal this summer is to replace the XREAS suspension (they are leaking) with the Overland full 2.5" suspension and go with 3.5" for the front and 2.5" rear.

Thanks!

 

[CAN-03runner]

When you stayed away from the more difficult trail, it was purely based on you thinking that the tires would not have the needed traction? Too muddy? Afraid that jagged rocks, gravel, dead tree branches would puncture your tires?

Did you think that rocks on the ground on the trail were taller than you would be able to clear without scrapping the underside of your truck?

I think these questions need to be answered first.

But with 275/65-17 you are barely gaining any height clearance, a little wider stance and could chage up for some more agressive tire than ou have now..

275/70-17 gives you some more height and would fill up the wheel well better with your lift. It also is a little wider, to give a nice stance, but is still only 32" tall, and so it might still fit in you stock tire carrier location under the rear end. Gas mileage would take a lesser hit while giving some height, and you speedo would not be that much off then if you went with 33"

If I decide to replace my stock wheels with black 18" rims, which should I get:

275/65-18 These are also only 32" and you have a 32" size you like in the 17" rim so save the money and get rock sliders and or skid plates if you don't have them yet and or some recovery gear.

275/70-18 These would be 33". If the 275 size is what you like instead of the 285 size for 33" then get these for the best clearance, if one of the reasons for you wanting to change tires for offroading was that the trails you avoided were avoided because you felt you would scrape the underside of your truck.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

+1 to the above.

IMO a 32" tire isn't enough for 3.5" of lift. With the plans of switching to the OW kit, I'd lean towards adding 285/70/17 into the mix if you're sticking with the 17" wheels. With 18's, either 275/70/18 or 285/65/18. I'd definitely do a tire closer to 33", it makes a big difference in both performance and aesthetics. If you're interested, look on page 5 of my build for pics of mine with 4" lift and 32's, then page 6 for pics of it with the same lift and 285/70's.

 

[jediwebdude]

Thanks guys.

The trails I avoided had lots of jagged rocks. Clearance wasn't too much of an issue, but I do need to replace the nerf bars with rock sliders as the bars had clearance issues.

 

[CAN-03runner]

Then do that. Get 32" tires for the 17" rims. I'm not too crazy about the BFG AT KO, old thread design, and looking at them working on other trucks I find they fill up with mud and snow but then other people swear by them and if you like them is what counts. I think you're in Texas, so pretty snowless and dry most always anyway.


And then take 18" rim savings and get some nice sliders.

 

[jediwebdude]

I'm not too crazy about the BFG AT KO, old thread design, and looking at them working on other trucks I find they fill up with mud and snow but then other people swear by them and if you like them is what counts. I think you're in Texas, so pretty snowless and dry most always anyway.

Good point. While snow is a rarity here, the mud at the offroad park is a constant. I would be interested in knowing your tire recommendations. I see you have Mickey Ts.

One thing I should add to the requirements list is the 4Runner will continue to be my daily driver (46 mile round trip M-F) until December when it will become the 3rd vehicle. After reading what the bigger tires do to fuel mileage, I'll stick with the 32" size.

-PJ

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Agreed, sounds like 32's will suffice. However, I would really think about this. I bought my tires based on the same thoughts. However, after about a year and seeing some 4runners with larger tires I was no longer happy. Ended up upgrading to 285/70's, very well worth it and mine's a dd as well. Especially considering that it will become a 3rd vehicle in December, I'd really consider 33's. 32's will get the job done, but 33's may be better in the long run. Don't buy tires for what you need today, but for what you might need them for tomorrow. Another benefit to 33's is that they're also a wider tire, which will improve traction off road.

This can go either way, I think 32's would be more than enough. I'm just trying to put a different spin on things.

 

[CAN-03runner]

Good point. While snow is a rarity here, the mud at the offroad park is a constant. I would be interested in knowing your tire recommendations. I see you have Mickey Ts.

One thing I should add to the requirements list is the 4Runner will continue to be my daily driver (46 mile round trip M-F) until December when it will become the 3rd vehicle. After reading what the bigger tires do to fuel mileage, I'll stick with the 32" size.

-PJ

My feelings for my Mickey T's are mixed. Mine are the 12.5" wide. They look cool on the 4th Gen riding to the "Mall" It took a lot to get rid of almost all the rubbing. But I was a little disapointed with them on some trails and on ice. Being wide i find that they float and wander too much. And if in a slippery muddy rut, and you try to turn and climb out of it, I find it donest bite enough and you basically corkscrew forward. On the 4th Gen I would not put 12.5 wide again. My buddies went the 285/70/17 Mickey T's and I see those working best.

Now that those tires are on my 1st Gen. I kind of like them. Weird because it weighs less. But they work better on the 1st Gen for me.

Now I think the BFG Km2 is better and is what I should have gotten. With my buddies we are probably split 40/40 between Mickey's and Km2 and then all the rest. For where I wheel. The Km2 seems to perform better. But I like the way the wide MTZ look on the 4th Gen.


But I also learned, that the longer you spend researching tires and lifts, the longer you sit at home researching tires and lifts rather than just doing it, and getting out there. :moon: haha LOL I know because that's what I did. And then now after all that...i still have buyers remorse.

 

[jediwebdude]

275/70-17 gives you some more height and would fill up the wheel well better with your lift. It also is a little wider, to give a nice stance, but is still only 32" tall, and so it might still fit in you stock tire carrier location under the rear end. Gas mileage would take a lesser hit while giving some height, and you speedo would not be that much off then if you went with 33"

I ended up going with BFG A/T 275/70-17. To fit in the spare tire well, the 5th tire had to be deflated, pulled up, and the inflated once in place. Changing a flat will be interesting when the time comes. At least I carry an air compressor.

Again, thanks for your input.