Convince me to go to 285s

[snowpeak]

I have a stock 2020 TRD Off-Road Premium and I’m about to pull the trigger on a set of Falken Wildpeak AT3 in 275/70/17 load range C. My previous rig had KO2s in E load and the cool factor wore off pretty fast around 20,000 miles with some serious vibration and road noise. Harsh ride the whole time. Hopefully I’ll be happier with C load LT tires.

I’ve debated back and forth with myself and buddies about whether or not to buy tires now while I can get a great deal (around $260 off a set of 4) or wait until I have a lift installed and go big or go home with 285’s.

275/70/17 Pros/Cons
- No mods required to prevent rubbing
- split the difference between stock and 285 means the best of both worlds?
- closer to stock gearing and spedo more accurate
- about 2 lbs lighter than the 285 (57 lbs vs 59)
- able find it in load range C

285/70/17 Pros/Cons
- need to wait until the lift to install tires
- mods required to prevent rubbing
- more capable off-road
- better looking larger tire
- more options available than the 275 size

I’m looking at a mild lift, Bilstein 5100s all the way around with 1” taller springs in the back.

Should I wait and get 285s, or will I be happy with the lift and 275s? My off-road preference is some tough but mostly easier trails and overlanding.

 

[hwnrunner]

Ok, I'll help you. Why not go all the way up to 295 if going up to 285, same trimming and BMC required. Sounds like you want the bigger tire.

 

[Jarheadoo7]

Ok, I'll help you. Why not go all the way up to 295 if going up to 285, same trimming and BMC required. Sounds like you want the bigger tire.

He’s right. 285 is the gateway drug you waste money on. 295 is where you’ll get the most beef for your buck and get kicked in the gas enough to prevent you from entering the 300’s.

 

[snowpeak]

He’s right. 285 is the gateway drug you waste money on. 295 is where you’ll get the most beef for your buck and get kicked in the gas enough to prevent you from entering the 300’s.

Gateway drug is what I’m worried about with the 275’s haha. Thanks for the advice

 

[snowpeak]

Ok, I'll help you. Why not go all the way up to 295 if going up to 285, same trimming and BMC required. Sounds like you want the bigger tire.

That does not help, that’s yet another good option to consider! [emoji23]

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

285/70/17 on stock suspension with nothing more than a fender liner mod. No BMC and no rubbing. Street driving only of course. I am now on a 295 but that's already been covered.

 

[Dillusion]

If someone else needs you to convince you to do something its the wrong decision.

 

[mynameistory]

I like the 275/70 tires. Mine are E-load KO2s. They were a bit rough on the stock suspension and wheels at first, but I switched to lighter wheels (21 lb FN Six shooters) which helps cycle the suspension closer to the stock rate. I also got Pro takeoff shocks, which smoothed it out even more.

Speedo is dead on, checked with GPS (speedo with stock tires reads fast).

Personally, I don't think the extra headache for getting all of the required clearance is worth it. You're only gaining a quarter of an inch of ground clearance (32.2 vs 32.7 diameter) and less than a half inch of width. And width doesn't really do that much for you besides look cool. Lots of guys run 255/80 "pizza cutter" tires which are 33.1" diameter and require much less work to clear. Most don't need a body mount chop even for full stuff/lock.

I think 275/70R17 is the best bang for the buck, as long as you like the tire brands/models.

 

[snowpeak]

If someone else needs you to convince you to do something its the wrong decision.

It’s just a title to capture your attention. Thanks to everyone else providing valid opinions. This is helpful

 

[El Dusty]

285/70/17 Pros/Cons
- need to wait until the lift to install tires
- mods required to prevent rubbing
- more capable off-road
- better looking larger tire
- more options available than the 275 size

I was pretty upset with my 285s in the fresh snow this morning. On slush and fresh snow the width really hurts your traction and tends to float you around...

Not sure if this matters in San Diego but with your name I figured Id throw it out there.

 

[Thai]

Going 285, 295, etc........don’t you lose a ton of power on the road? Good luck using cruise control or mountain passes! Heavy as hell too...all unsprung weight. At what point do you have to re-gear?

 

[Dillusion]

It’s just a title to capture your attention. Thanks to everyone else providing valid opinions. This is helpful

Well 285's ain't go big or go home but it is bigger.

You are asking a very opinionated question to some how convince your self you will be happy.

If you are worried about power personally bought the wrong vehicle to start.

I went with 285's because I didn't want to see the 275's on there and have them look to small. So I went to the biggest possible I knew could fit with minimal cutting. And of course some peoples opinion think 275 are more than big enough.

Best thing you can do it look at the million pics here and just go for it.

 

[Justin.Geer81]

So if I have a revtek leveled 2018 TRD off road premium ... lifted 3” w/dif drop in the front ... 2” rear

Will the 285/70 17 be fine ... what about the 295’s? (Which I hadn’t considered until this post ... thanks ... lol)

Also on TRD stock black wheels

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

So if I have a revtek leveled 2018 TRD off road premium ... lifted 3” w/dif drop in the front ... 2” rear

Will the 285/70 17 be fine ... what about the 295’s? (Which I hadn’t considered until this post ... thanks ... lol)

Also on TRD stock black wheels

285 is max on stock wheels, 295 is a very bad idea. You will need wheel spacers also which will lead to a BMC and other rubbing issues. Your main issue is stock Pro wheels are just not a good fit with bigger tires in general. Yeah I know people do it, doesn't make it right. Magic number is 17x8 with 4.5" back spacing and 0 offset.

 

[Inv4drZm]

4Runner Tire Guide:

285 is the largest easy size to fit with very minor trimming.

315/35's takes some money and trimming.

295's combine the worst of both worlds.

You can move to 37's only once you think your 35's "look" small.

 

[Justin.Geer81]

285 is max on stock wheels, 295 is a very bad idea. You will need wheel spacers also which will lead to a BMC and other rubbing issues. Your main issue is stock Pro wheels are just not a good fit with bigger tires in general. Yeah I know people do it, doesn't make it right. Magic number is 17x8 with 4.5" back spacing and 0 offset.

Can you expand on that? Last sentence specifically I don’t quite understand

My main reason for even debating 285’s is that I’ve seen plenty of people around town with 285’s ... and if it helps ... the tires I will be getting are the nitto hybrid ridge grapplers ... they just look so sick ... I’d love to go bigger ... just not willing to drop the cash into it right now

It’s just winter ... and the nitto terra grapplers are about done ... at least for snow ... fine around town


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

Can you expand on that? Last sentence specifically I don’t quite understand

My main reason for even debating 285’s is that I’ve seen plenty of people around town with 285’s ... and if it helps ... the tires I will be getting are the nitto hybrid ridge grapplers ... they just look so sick ... I’d love to go bigger ... just not willing to drop the cash into it right now

It’s just winter ... and the nitto terra grapplers are about done ... at least for snow ... fine around town


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I ran the Ridge Grapplers. Worst tire I have ever had. Driving in rain was like driving on ice. They look great, good in snow, quiet on road, horrible in rain. Anyway, the stock Pro wheels are 7" wide, not even really enough for a 285 The perfect wheel spec is 17x8 with 4.5" back spacing and 0 offset. With that combo, you will have the least possible chance of rubbing. Here's mine lifted 1.5" with 295/70/17 Ridge Grapplers on MX Pro wheels. All I did is a fender liner trim, no body mount chop, no rubbing.

 

[snowpeak]

I was pretty upset with my 285s in the fresh snow this morning. On slush and fresh snow the width really hurts your traction and tends to float you around...

Not sure if this matters in San Diego but with your name I figured Id throw it out there.

Thanks for the advice! I do get up in the mountains a lot, and motoring up to the ski lifts with friends will be important. This will be my daily driver so on-road performance is more important to me than off-road performance. I try to stay out of any off-road situation that's too extreme, so a larger tire may not be right for me. I've read good things about the Falkens, and with a slightly larger tire, the 275's should give me the improvement I'm looking for off-road as well.

 

[snowpeak]

Well 285's ain't go big or go home but it is bigger.

You are asking a very opinionated question to some how convince your self you will be happy.

If you are worried about power personally bought the wrong vehicle to start.

I went with 285's because I didn't want to see the 275's on there and have them look to small. So I went to the biggest possible I knew could fit with minimal cutting. And of course some peoples opinion think 275 are more than big enough.

Best thing you can do it look at the million pics here and just go for it.

Thanks Dillusion, one of my concerns with stock tire size is looking too small after a lift. I figure that 275 cuts the difference between the two and it will look good both with stock suspension and a built suspension. Maybe I should stop thinking short term between no-lift and lift, and just wait until the lift to get the right tire.

 

[snowpeak]

I ran the Ridge Grapplers. Worst tire I have ever had. Driving in rain was like driving on ice. They look great, good in snow, quiet on road, horrible in rain. Anyway, the stock Pro wheels are 7" wide, not even really enough for a 285 The perfect wheel spec is 17x8 with 4.5" back spacing and 0 offset. With that combo, you will have the least possible chance of rubbing. Here's mine lifted 1.5" with 295/70/17 Ridge Grapplers on MX Pro wheels. All I did is a fender liner trim, no body mount chop, no rubbing.

Dang that looks good! Happy to see that size tire with minor trimming. This might be enough to convince me to go up in size!