To 285 or not to 285?

[fish0281]

Here's how my truck looks now and a few things I'm considering while trying to decide on 285's or 265's:

- I drive a lot, mostly highway (~15k/year)
- Lots of time on snow, mountains, mining roads (summer)
- 4.30 or 4.10 gears
- Not worried about rubbing (body and suspension lift)
- Need to replace 1 tire, which really means 2 tires
- Can't decide if my tires actually look small with my lift or if I'm making excuses for big bad a$$ tires...
- I'm considering Duratracs, Definity Dakotas, and lightly used (900 miles; asking $750) BFG AT's

So, I'd like to hear your opinions and if you've got one, what tires would you recommend?

 

[02_SE_Runner]

Here's how my truck looks now and a few things I'm considering while trying to decide on 285's or 265's:

- I drive a lot, mostly highway (~15k/year)
- Lots of time on snow, mountains, mining roads (summer)
- 4.30 or 4.10 gears
- Not worried about rubbing (body and suspension lift)
- Need to replace 1 tire, which really means 2 tires
- Can't decide if my tires actually look small with my lift or if I'm making excuses for big bad a$$ tires...
- I'm considering Duratracs, Definity Dakotas, and lightly used (900 miles; asking $750) BFG AT's

So, I'd like to hear your opinions and if you've got one, what tires would you recommend?

Myself I am getting 285/75/16's with my 2.5" lift. As far as I have read you will rub no matter what, but at full lock. (Which shouldn't really be a huge problem) It's an odd size, I am also thinking about 265/80/16s. Anyways I would say definitely get some bigger tires. :reddance:

 

[SCRunner12]

285's or 255's /thread.

I did that debate and while my 265's were fine, I do not regret going with 285's now. Just works better with our vehicles and the power is noticeable, but not the end of the world. I'm getting better mileage with my 285's than 265's because I've slowed down, which isn't a bad thing at all.

 

[audiness]

I'm in the same boat. I have a really nice set of 265s on right now, but now with the Toytec lift, the 265s look small. I really like BFG KM2s, but they run big for a 285, so i'd be getting out the saw and hammer to make em fit.

another thing is the cost of a good set of 285s is well over a grand now.....

 

[fish0281]

... another thing is the cost of a good set of 285s is well over a grand now.....

They certainly aren't cheap! However, discount tire quoted an out the door price for 4 Duratracs at just over $1k.

Also, Pep Boys has a MT (Definity Dakota, an off brand of Cooper) for real cheap, about $800. I just don't think I want an MT considering how much dry pavement they'll see.

 

[mizzle415]

I'd get the 285 duratracs. All the reviews I've read on vehicles our size are positive. Especially if you drive in snow.

That said, going from 265/70/16 yoko ats at 17-20 mpg to 285/75/16 Toyo mts at 13-14 mpgs definitely hurt.

I think the duratracs are considerably lighter than the toyos. (~10lbs per). Would've gone dtracks had I not got such a good deal on toyos.

 

[smkd13]

I recently did a 3' toytec lift with 285/75r16 duratrac. they ride nice and quiet. as far as on the freeway though i am no longer really able to go 75 comfortably because of gear searching. I am able to get away with 70 with minimal downshift but 65 was definitely the sweet spot. no to bad on the gas mileage though calculated it to be about 16 and got about 264 with around 17 gallons used. 50 miles in town and 210 on freeway.

for looks here ya go:

 

[cj80cruiser]

315s :behindsofa:

 

[Doc2012]

Personally, I'd go with a set of 255/85/16.

They're narrower, and slightly lighter than the 285's, but over 33" tall, I think like 33.5" or something along those lines.. Here's a couple articles reguarding 255's.

Toyo MT 255/85R16 (and comparison pics) - Expedition Portal)

Expeditions West: Tire Selection for Expedition Travel

I plan on getting a set in the near future. Rudy97 runs them on his Runner, and he loves them.

 

[DGO-SR5]

I agree that the 285's will look the best by far! However, I also live and drive in the mountains constantly and driving up the passes with a 33" tire and 183hp with stock gearing is not very fun, or at least I don't think so. After lots of research and searching I decided to get some 17" wheels and 255/75/17 tires. Its a "real" 32" tire and can be found relatively cheap. I was only able to locally find the Wrangler RSA's on craigslist for $250 brand new. I have seen some bfg MT's in Denver on craigslist off new Jeep wranglers and are usually about $600 for a nearly new set. It's not the biggest tire but for me it was a really good option and I have still maintained 19mpg in mixed driving of town and mountain passes. I put my wheel/tire combo together for $400 and I'm sure you could get wheels and BFG mt's for around 600-800. Just my .02

 

[fish0281]

From my understanding, MT's kinda suck in the snow - am I wrong?

I hear you on the power and mileage though, that part makes me nervous. That would either drive me to downsizing tires or dumping lots of money into a supercharger and/or gearing.

I'll have to look into the 255's again... I just really like the big ol 285's, even though I completely understand (and agree) with the advantages of the narrower tire.

Also, I am limited to the 16" wheel.

 

[Millerad1651]

I love my 285 Falken ATs. Quiet n the road, and have had nothing but success off road and in the snow we've been getting. And right now, Discount has them for $180 a piece with a 50k warranty.

 

[smkd13]

ha ha ha i just realized that we put the toytec stickers in the same place lol

:bravo:

 

[sportscarfan]

Regardless of your size choice, my experience is that Duratracs are GREAT in the snow.
I went with 285's partially because I got them for $740 out the door @ discount almost 2 years ago.

 

[Bryan1]

Are those procomp 7069's?

[MENTION=71594]fish0281[/MENTION] your truck would look sweet with 285's! Gas mileage/functionality < Looks :naughty: Nice bumper btw...I love the ODL's

 

[fish0281]

Regardless of your size choice, my experience is that Duratracs are GREAT in the snow.
I went with 285's partially because I got them for $740 out the door @ discount almost 2 years ago.

$740?! Wow. I'm going to go over there this eve and see if I can get them to match Tirerack's current $208/tire offer and go from there. If it were under $800, it wouldn't even be a question! Good to hear about the snow too - my Hankook's haven't been super impressive in snow.

... Gas mileage/functionality < Looks :naughty: Nice bumper btw...I love the ODL's

Haha, thanks!

 

[smkd13]

Are those procomp 7069's?

[MENTION=71594]fish0281[/MENTION] your truck would look sweet with 285's! Gas mileage/functionality < Looks :naughty: Nice bumper btw...I love the ODL's

yes sir they are

and i agree i like the looks of 285 and well i can afford to drive them lol

 

[white_n_slow]

You could go with cooper 285's as they're somewhat undersized (so gearing isn't as much of an issue as a true 33), and they're pretty cheap. I paid $720 for the set.

 

[mcaz5]

You could go with cooper 285's as they're somewhat undersized (so gearing isn't as much of an issue as a true 33), and they're pretty cheap. I paid $720 for the set.

Aren't the coopers really heavy? Or at least that's what I read about the St Maxx

 

[BeachWagon]

After Cooper quit making the Dean Wildcats, I switched to the Definity Dakota A/T. So far I have put roughly 5,000 miles on them mixed between plenty of 14 hour road trips, camping, and just cruising the back dirt roads. I love them. I'm running 265/75/16 and was able to convince my buddy with a Taco who has been a lifetime BFG man to switch, he says he's never going back to BFG! Mine still look new on the tread, did a curb ride during a u-turn a couple weeks ago and you can't even tell anything happened. Plus you still get white letters, or black side out if your into that.