Help me choose a tire size: 2.5" lift

[Berty_K]

Ive been patiently waiting for my Bridgestone Dueler Alenza Plus tires to wear down so I can move to bigger AT tires. I'm thinking I'll buy a new set of Falken AT3Ws for this upcoming summer.

I'm currently lifted about 2.5 inches with a TRD Pro Suspension.

Front: Bilstein 6112, TRD springs (Eibach 600# springs), 1/4" top plate spacers, new OEM LCAs, and JBA standard high caster UCAs

Rear: Bilstein 5160 with Dobinson C59-505.

Wheels: Stock SR5 wheels with 1.25" spidertrax.

I keep bouncing between the following few tire sizes, in order of preference.

1. 255/80R17 (33 x 10)
2. 275/70R17 (32.2 x 10.8)
3. 255/75R17 (32 x 10)
4. 265/70R17 (31.6x10.4)

While the 255/80R17 is my first choice, I'm not sure I have enough lift to clear the tires. I'm willing to cut fenders and move liners, but I want to avoid doing a body mount chop.

Any insight? What size would you go with?

 

[JVC8790]

Ive been patiently waiting for my Bridgestone Dueler Alenza Plus tires to wear down so I can move to bigger AT tires. I'm thinking I'll buy a new set of Falken AT3Ws for this upcoming summer.

I'm currently lifted about 2.5 inches with a TRD Pro Suspension.

Front: Bilstein 6112, TRD springs (Eibach 600# springs), 1/4" top plate spacers, new OEM LCAs, and JBA standard high caster UCAs

Rear: Bilstein 5160 with Dobinson C59-505.

Wheels: Stock SR5 wheels with 1.25" spidertrax.

I keep bouncing between the following few tire sizes, in order of preference.

1. 255/80R17 (33 x 10)
2. 275/70R17 (32.2 x 10.8)
3. 255/75R17 (32 x 10)
4. 265/70R17 (31.6x10.4)

While the 255/80R17 is my first choice, I'm not sure I have enough lift to clear the tires. I'm willing to cut fenders and move liners, but I want to avoid doing a body mount chop.

Any insight? What size would you go with?

I've been asking myself the same thing, I'm probably going to go with 265/70-17 myself as I only have a 1.75/1 lift at the moment, but I'd think with the slight extra height you have the 275/70 would fill it out a little better.

 

[Berty_K]

I've been asking myself the same thing, I'm probably going to go with 265/70-17 myself as I only have a 1.75/1 lift at the moment, but I'd think with the slight extra height you have the 275/70 would fill it out a little better.

I agree. I think I could comfortably fit 275/70, but the 255/80s are tempting me. Skinny tires have oddly started growing on me.

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

You are missing the best choice. 285/70r17 for the win. Why are you opposed to a BMC?

 

[Bumbo]

I run a 255/75R17, but I voted for the 255/80R17 because that is the next size tire I want to get.

I don't have personal experience with it 255/80, but the 255/75R17 has been absolutely fantastic from a fitment and performance standpoint.

 

[Berty_K]

You are missing the best choice. 285/70r17 for the win. Why are you opposed to a BMC?

Yeah, that does seem to be a popular choice here. My stock SR5 wheels aren't wide enough, and I dont want to spend more on a new set of tires. The BMC is just another cost I'm not willing to pay to make a bigger set of tires fit.

 

[Berty_K]

I run a 255/75R17, but I voted for the 255/80R17 because that is the next size tire I want to get.

I don't have personal experience with it 255/80, but the 255/75R17 has been absolutely fantastic from a fitment and performance standpoint.

What's your lift situation? Did you have to do any fender modifications or a BMC?

 

[Bumbo]

What's your lift situation? Did you have to do any fender modifications or a BMC?

6112 front, one down from the highest setting. (1/4" spacer on driver side only)
OME 2895 rear coil
17" OEM FJ rims

No fender mods
No BMC
No rubbing from lock to lock
Fits a full size spare in the stock location (it’s getting snug, but I think I can make an 80 fit)

 

[Berty_K]

6112 front, one down from the highest setting. (1/4" spacer on driver side only)
OME 2895 rear coil
17" OEM FJ rims

No fender mods
No BMC
No rubbing from lock to lock
Fits a full size spare in the stock location (it’s getting snug, but I think I can make an 80 fit)

How many inches of lift is that, approximately? My wheel offset should be about the same as yours..

 

[blackoutt]

BMC isn't much extra expense even if you don't have the tools. Harbor freight angle grinder and cutoff wheels, then some semi gloss black rust oleum for coverage after the cut. No need to cap it with welded on plate, they are non structural past the body mounting bushing diameter. I've ran mine open for years now, which is also nice for the next bigger tire, just grind a little more and repaint.

 

[Bumbo]

How many inches of lift is that, approximately? My wheel offset should be about the same as yours..

Not 100% sure, its either 2.21" or 2.5" since the damper said up to 2.75" lift. I installed it years ago.

My front measures 22.5” from the center of the rim/hub to the bottom of the fender

My rear measures 24” from the center of the rim/hub to the bottom of the fender

Before my lift, it was 19”, that measures 3.5” total increase in the front, but I think I am recovering height some sag from old springs. At least that is my guess.

 

[Berty_K]

BMC isn't much extra expense even if you don't have the tools. Harbor freight angle grinder and cutoff wheels, then some semi gloss black rust oleum for coverage after the cut. No need to cap it with welded on plate, they are non structural past the body mounting bushing diameter. I've ran mine open for years now, which is also nice for the next bigger tire, just grind a little more and repaint.

That's good to know. I was concerned about capping it off. Cutting it off is no issue. I already have the tools to do that.

 

[jbssfelix]

Here's mine with 265/70R17. Not sure what the exact lift is (Bilstein 6112 w/ coils up front, 5100 w/ stock springs in rear), but I can measure floor to fender in a few.

Update: ground to wheel well is ~36" front and back.

 

[Berty_K]

Not 100% sure, its either 2.21" or 2.5" since the damper said up to 2.75" lift. I installed it years ago.

My front measures 22.5” from the center of the rim/hub to the bottom of the fender

My rear measures 24” from the center of the rim/hub to the bottom of the fender

Before my lift, it was 19”, that measures 3.5” total increase in the front, but I think I am recovering height some sag from old springs. At least that is my guess.

Lol. Well now I'm in totally sure what my lift is.

My hub to fender before lift was 17.6, and now its 20. Xould my suspension have been sagging 1.5 inches?? This would mean in reality I have a 1" lift.

I'm confused.

 

[BagiMT]

I am very happy with my 255/70R17 LR C but was looking at 255/80R17. There are two factors to consider when choosing a tire, size and load range. If you off-road a lot or carry a lot of weight you probably want LT tires in the C-E range. But E rated tires are stiff and heavy. Generally larger tires (e.g. 285/70R17 in LR E) can result in a loss of 2-3 mpg (compared to stock), don't know how important that is to you.

One of the biggest limitations when choosing tire size is availability. Most brands only come in some of the sizes you listed (and 255 are generally harder to find) and not always in the load range you want. That was what led me to pick the 255/75R17 over a 255/80R17.

 

[Berty_K]

I am very happy with my 255/70R17 LR C but was looking at 255/80R17. There are two factors to consider when choosing a tire, size and load range. If you off-road a lot or carry a lot of weight you probably want LT tires in the C-E range. But E rated tires are stiff and heavy. Generally larger tires (e.g. 285/70R17 in LR E) can result in a loss of 2-3 mpg (compared to stock), don't know how important that is to you.

One of the biggest limitations when choosing tire size is availability. Most brands only come in some of the sizes you listed (and 255 are generally harder to find) and not always in the load range you want. That was what led me to pick the 255/75R17 over a 255/80R17.

Thanks for the explanation. The Falkens happen come in all the 4 sizes.

I'm flexible when it comes to load range. I wouldn't mind a firmer ride.

 

[LOSTR4]

I'm rocking a 255/80/17 shod in Cooper ST MAXX (33") had to push some fender liner in a bit but still had more rubbing then I wanted. I ended up buying some MetalTech body-mount chop plates and cut the front body mounts and welded in the plates...fixed my rubbing issues and it is solid as can be...Best $20 I have spent in a long time...tho the time for welding always makes one questions justifications

 

[andreylights]

Lol. Well now I'm in totally sure what my lift is.

My hub to fender before lift was 17.6, and now its 20. Xould my suspension have been sagging 1.5 inches?? This would mean in reality I have a 1" lift.

I'm confused.

Yeah that's a question I am working on as well. According to my measurements my lift is 2.5" which means I could run 255/80r17 but it is 2.5 comparing to a 12 years old set of coils which is not a correct comparison any more.

 

[Primetime4370]

I'm also in a similar boat. I'm looking at going to a 255/75/17 or a 265/70/17.
Leaning more towards the 255 in a Duratrac though. At a cost of just over $50 a tire more than a 265 Wildpeak. :decision:

 

[hinmo24t]

I have the 255 75 17 and they perform awesome off road and moving forward its a comfy ride w good looking profile. I'm glad I have to wheel offset for them because maneuvering into corners or side to side on road they feel hippies (with a 3" lift too) but it isnt bad.