Thinking about upgrading from 255s to 285s

[hearno]

I currently have 255/80s on my truck. I'm happy with them and their performance but the tires/rims were originally purchased for my 4th gen and carried over to my 5th since they were still new when I traded trucks. I don't feel they fit the 5th as well as they fit the 4th and have been eying some 285 Duratracs. The other issue I have is that I bought spacers to help with fitment but they require shaving the factory studs down which I really don't want to do. So.... my question is: Should I switch to the 285s or install the spacers and stick with the 255s? Anyone?

4th: They look good and have just enough poke from the fenders.

5th: Not quite as much poke as the 5th had lower factory offsets

 

[Jono.ful]

few guys around here like the tall and skinnies, but many, many more run 285/70/17 (myself included). if you really want to change the appearance, I'd go that route. cutting down your wheel studs to fit spacers sounds like a sketchy endeavour

 

[hearno]

few guys around here like the tall and skinnies, but many, many more run 285/70/17 (myself included). if you really want to change the appearance, I'd go that route. cutting down your wheel studs to fit spacers sounds like a sketchy endeavour

Kinda what I was thinking. I didn't realize that I'd have to do that when I bought the spacers. They're only .75 inch to get the look I want. I was worried about the BMC but I think I'd rather do that than trim factory studs. I'm hoping that selling the spacers and 255s will get me half of what the 285s will cost but hope in one hand...

 

[Jono.ful]

Kinda what I was thinking. I didn't realize that I'd have to do that when I bought the spacers. They're only .75 inch to get the look I want. I was worried about the BMC but I think I'd rather do that than trim factory studs. I'm hoping that selling the spacers and 255s will get me half of what the 285s will cost but hope in one hand...

shouldn't have to do a body mount chop to fit 285's, especially with a lift and aftermarket UCA's. I barely rub (even with nobby goodyear MTR's), and only at full lock in reverse. finding someone who is willing to take the time to do a proper alignment is more important

 

[4RnR Grl]

This might help you make your decision....

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/156378-5th-gen-tire-fitment-guide.html

 

[tristero]

I like the 285s. I kind of wish that I had jumped to 33x12.5 considering the price was about the same between the two tires I was looking at.

 

[hearno]

This might help you make your decision....

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/156378-5th-gen-tire-fitment-guide.html

Thanks, seen the guide and have read just about every page of every sticky. I'm hung up on which route would be best to get me to where I want to be. Add spacers,.chop studs. Or pony up bucks for new tires when current tires only have 6k miles at most. Based on veet skeet's recent pics, I'm thinking 285s are the way to go.

 

[Jono.ful]

285/70 MTR's on 17x9 -12 offset 4.5 backspace, on about 3" of lift

 

[4RnR Grl]

Thanks, seen the guide and have read just about every page of every sticky. I'm hung up on which route would be best to get me to where I want to be. Add spacers,.chop studs. Or pony up bucks for new tires when current tires only have 6k miles at most. Based on veet skeet's recent pics, I'm thinking 285s are the way to go.

285s are the way I'm going to go. My stock Dunlops have only a couple months left on them.... think I'm going with BFG KO2s.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Thanks, seen the guide and have read just about every page of every sticky. I'm hung up on which route would be best to get me to where I want to be. Add spacers,.chop studs. Or pony up bucks for new tires when current tires only have 6k miles at most. Based on veet skeet's recent pics, I'm thinking 285s are the way to go.

The tires you have look fine on your 5th gen. I would wear those tires out and get something different later if you still want to.

 

[BeachRunnerSD]

33 Grabbers are damn beefy, and just a smidgen bigger than 285's. Thats my vote, if you wanted to know!

 

[Ol'Baditude]

285/70 MTR's on 17x9 -12 offset 4.5 backspace, on about 3" of lift

This is a really good setup. I know a few guys running these with their lifts and aftermarket wheels and they give the appearance of being larger than a typical 285, without actually having the width of a full-on 33 x 12.5.

 

[sprocket47]

I know this is a dated response, but it's what I'm researching right now.

I personally love the look of 255's on the 5th gen and that's the direction I'm going.

Were you looking to add spacer for the look or to help with rubbing/fit? I assumed the slightly narrower tire would be an easier fit than 285s plus they're not quite as tall.

I'm curious what the minimum lift needed to fit 255/80 tires. I know 255/75s will fit stock but according to the guide, there will have to modification for 80s.

 

[chmura]

I went from 255/75/17 to 285/70/17. S

I personally like the look of 285's better.

 

[KidVermicious]

Not an upgrade, IMO. Duratracs are the most overrated tire ever, and the 255s will perform better than 285s on every terrain except where flotation is required (and even there, they won't make much difference). Unless you're putting looks over performance and like the look of the wider tire, I'd stand pat. And even then I'd get something besides Duratracs. They're trendy right now, but there's better tires for the money.

 

[Slow]

Not an upgrade, IMO. Duratracs are the most overrated tire ever, and the 255s will perform better than 285s on every terrain except where flotation is required (and even there, they won't make much difference). Unless you're putting looks over performance and like the look of the wider tire, I'd stand pat. And even then I'd get something besides Duratracs. They're trendy right now, but there's better tires for the money.

Preach on

 

[Dalko43]

I think this article (by Scott Brady of Overland Journal) has been referenced quite a bit on this forum, but I'll throw it out here just for the sake of it:

Expeditions West: Tire Selection for Expedition Travel

The basic takeaway is that narrow tires are generally better for offroading applications for reasons of deformation, mechanical keying and adhesion, as well as fuel economy (less rotating mass and rolling resistance vs a 275 or 285 type tire). The major exception would be for environments where the vehicle will run into soft sand, snow or mud that is extremely deep (he defines that as 110% of the vehicle's minimum ground clearance).

It is one man's opinion, but he seems to be the only one who has taken the time and care to thoroughly examine the issue.

As for more people on this forum running wider tires (285's or 275's) as opposed to narrower ones, I wouldn't let that be the basis for your own decision. A lot of people, even on this forum, put mods on simply because they look cool. If the 255's have worked well so far for your 4runner, you should keep using them.

 

[4fun-ar]

I know this is a dated response, but it's what I'm researching right now.

I personally love the look of 255's on the 5th gen and that's the direction I'm going.

Were you looking to add spacer for the look or to help with rubbing/fit? I assumed the slightly narrower tire would be an easier fit than 285s plus they're not quite as tall.

I'm curious what the minimum lift needed to fit 255/80 tires. I know 255/75s will fit stock but according to the guide, there will have to modification for 80s.

I just fitted 255/80 Coopers with Icon Stage 2. Initially rubbed to body mount on the passenger side. But a good alignment and Caster set to 4.1° (which with Icon Tubular UCAs it was easy to achieve) solved the issue. It does not rub anymore, and it steers and handles better than the stock setup. I didn't use any wheel spacer and I'm running TE stock 17x7.5 rim.

 

[Dr_Dooms]

Another option is to get aftermarket wheels that accommodate the factory stud sticking through the spacer. That's how my level 8 wheels are