[Sherpa 60]

Making a run from Bay Area to Cabo San Lucas next month and time to replace my 10.5 X 15 BFG ATs (mounted on stock rims). The run down is on Baja Hwy 1 (off-road back). Hwy 1 is narrow, high crowned, and has no shoulder. Put a wheel off and you are in the bushes (if you are lucky!). A loaded "Cruiser" with a bit of front end drift can be real exciting when the semi heading the other way is taking its 2/3s of the road!

So... I am trying to keep the truck as stable as possible. Front end is tight, new tie rods, etc.; just replaced rear Extra HD OME springs (with same) and added extended shackle (to minimize loaded rear end drop which effects front end steering geometry). Going to larger diameter sway bar front and adding one in the rear.

Rim / tire selection is next on the list. Will be running BFG ATs again with possible following sizing options:

33 X 12.50 - 15 w/ 10" rims (12.4" section width)
285 X 75 - 16 w/ 8" rims (11.4" section width / 33" diameter).

Idea is to minimize "squirm", so rim widths are chosen based on BFG's "design rim width". Assuming rim conflicts with calipers / tie rod ends / etc. can be dealt with, the trade-off is the wider section width on the 15" and shorter sideway height on the 16" option.

Any experience with, or opinions on, which is the more stable option.

Thanks in advance.

[Mike S]

If you are concerned about 'squirm' use the 16" rims. More rim = less sidewall height. With taller rims, you could run a lower sidewall weight say a 31" or 32" tire. I don't like really wide tires for roads - they are harder to control, IMO.

[DirtyLittleSecret]

I dont think youre going to even notice the difference really.

[brownbear]

I like even narrower. Really stable. 235/85/r16 is almost 33 inches and 9.5 inches wide. Also super common if you need replacement tires in and out of the way garage.

16 inch is great size for these wagons. Better load ratings on similar sized tires and more commercial tires are available.

For rims I use 16 x 6 factory toyota rims.

[Sherpa 60]

Thanks for the input.

I was leaning toward the 16" rims as intuitively I gotta believe the nominally shorter sidewall is the better option (although I agree the difference is probably minor!)

Still thinking of the slightly wider tire, just for the added stance/footprint over the 33X10.5 - 15s currently on the rig. BFG makes a 285/75 QR16 AT that has 10 ply sidewalls (vs. 8 ply. for the 285/75 RR16). Greater load carrying capacity and stiffer.

I am looking into correct offset for the 8" wide rims. Local shop has some steelies with an 12mm offset which they say should work. Based on my translation of offset to backspace (negative/positive?) not sure what it really is, but plan on test fitting early next week. If a bust I will probably go to Marsh Racing Wheels http://www.mrt-wheels.com/ and spec. the offset. 3.5" backspace seems to be the call for 8" wide 15"rims, assume would be similar for 16"?

[Sherpa 60]

Thanks for the input.

I was leaning toward the 16" rims as intuitively I gotta believe the nominally shorter sidewall is the better option (although I agree the difference is probably minor!)

Still thinking of the slightly wider tire, just for the added stance/footprint over the 33X10.5 - 15s currently on the rig. BFG makes a 285/75 QR16 AT that has 10 ply sidewalls (vs. 8 ply. for the 285/75 RR16). Greater load carrying capacity and stiffer.

I am looking into correct offset for the 8" wide rims. Local shop has some steelies with an 12mm offset which they say should work. Based on my translation of offset to backspace (negative/positive?) not sure what it really is, but plan on test fitting early next week. If a bust I will probably go to Marsh Racing Wheels http://www.mrt-wheels.com/ and spec. the offset. 3.5" backspace seems to be the call for 8" wide 15"rims, assume would be similar for 16"?

[cody c]

the 16" rim will give you less sidewall and less "squirm", but for the extra 1/2" rim and less 1/2" sidewall under you i dont think it would be a considerable difference.
It would be the same as running a 1" smaller tire on a 15" wheel.

One of the benefits to running a 16" wheel is that you can get tires with a heavier load rating. You could run 10 ply tires and get alot of tread life, but the heavier tires wont flex as much and you may notice the ride is a little harder.

[Sherpa 60]

True enough...the difference is probably questionable.

Your comments about heaver load rating and ride harshness are well placed. Tread life is not a concern, and although I don't mind a stiff ride, part of the balancing act here is on-road vs. off-road performance. The modifications I am doing here kinda run against off-road principles. But, with the extended range tank and all the kit and bodies in the truck, the sucker gets pretty heavy and there have been some pretty spooky on-road moments getting down there.

All the way back?...no tarmac!!! Trying to find that reasonable balance.

[philos1]

don't forget that 16" tires are hard to come by in many places in Baja (from my experience), then again so are 33X10.5X15s... that is the ideal size for Baja in my experience over the last several years. good enough on the road, enough in the sand, and perfect for Mexican washboard.
(previously had 30X9.5, 31X10.5, 33X12.5 on the blazer, and some 31X? on the blazer as well)

my.02

[Sherpa 60]

[quote=philos1;2098258]don't forget that 16" tires are hard to come by in many places in Baja (from my experience), then again so are 33X10.5X15s... that is the ideal size for Baja in my experience over the last several years. good enough on the road, enough in the sand, and perfect for Mexican washboard.
(previously had 30X9.5, 31X10.5, 33X12.5 on the blazer, and some 31X? on the blazer as well)

Philos...first congrats on gettin thru CARB. I looked into the V8 conversion about 10+ yrs ago and no records of an FJ60 having been thru the process. The CARB guys I talked to thought I was from Mars! Big bucks with no guarantee of success. Went for the 2F rebuild in frustration!

I have only run the 33X10.5s on the stock rims which are a bit narrow for the tire (at least in Mr. BFG's view), and IMO a bit squirrely under load. A wider rim has gotta happen, irrespective of 15"/16" consideration.

I generally travel in Baja with two spares and with other Toyota guys who generally running 33X12.5 MTs. So swapping can be done in a jamb.

Looking for best application for the condition...those FJ guy's run 17" rims, but I can't see the short sidewall in the rough stuff.

[Dave-T]

Usually tires for 16" rims are more expensive then tires for 15". That's why I'm sticking with 15.

[87CRUSR]

Drove to Muleje several times...nice drive
I run Michelin LTX AT 31.5x10. Drive quiet and have worked flawlessly on the trip south.

[Sherpa 60]

Originally Posted by 87CRUSR

Drove to Muleje several times...nice drive
I run Michelin LTX AT 31.5x10. Drive quiet and have worked flawlessly on the trip south.

Yea,

Baja has got to be one of the most accessible and beautiful places to wheel, now that the National Park Service has taken over.

Been down to Mulege as well, beaches just south ot town are incredible. Just never made the additional push to Cabo (which to be truthful I really could care less about!). But, we are going to do the full length of the peninsula this trip. Lot of miles, close to 3,000 round trip from N. Cal.

[philos1]

you'll love the east cape. lots of little spots between the super expensive homes there. if you skateboard, then take a day and go to the skatepark in Todos Santos/El Pescadero (pacific side)it's nice and gnarly/scary- but in a fun way... a little civilization is sorta nice too.

if you've got two spares and a plug kit, you'll be good with whatever you decide on. although I still prefer the 10.5 myself...

have an awesome trip.

[acer]

I run 10 ply tires on 16's, I like the tall narrow approach, stable and i believe easier on the steering etc than a wider tire, as they tend to pull side to side as there is more rubber on the road. Also, less resistance=better mileage and easier on the old 3b.
.02

[TheJackRabbit]

I second Brown Bear's comment about tall and narrow 16 inch rims and tires. I did the same and it has worked out well.

Let see, the last time I drove "Numero Uno" down to La Paz was in 1977. I did it in a 3/4 ton Dodge Van with a I-6, three on the tree and only two wheel drive. Your comment about their being no shoulder I believe is true in the north. The road used to widen out onto sandy shoulders. they were perfect for watching the sunset, opening another brewski, rolling a smoke, etc.

Have a nice trip and send us a post card.

[Sherpa 60]

Talk about counter intuitative (at least in my head!). Narrow tire more stable?, longer contact patch, etc.? Most of the 'Cruisers I have driven in that fall into the "stable" catagory have been running the time tested 33(or 35)X12.5-15 set-up on 8" or wider rims. But ...if that were the case, semi's would be running on wide meats. (unless economy/rolling resistance/cost drives the tire choice?).

So...I'm still on for 16" dia. (higher load carrying capacity, shorter sidewall, etc.); 8" wide rims (as Mr. BFG still wants that or more for anthing over 9.5" wide). Something narrower than 285? Hmmmm....

And, on the non-practical side...I've always thought '60s looked better on narrow tires.

[sandcruiser]

31x10.50s worked fine for us, months of driving around baja.

I do think you might have an easier time finding spares in 16" tires as that is a more common truck-wheel size. I doubt you'll find good-quality spares. Period. But in a pinch I'll bet you can find a 7.50r16 tire just about anywhere (which isn't all that different than a 235/85/r16)

but then, if you've got two spares and a plug kit, you should be able to get home anyway. Consider throwing in a single inner tube as well.... if you tear a sidewall, having an inner tube can be a lifesaver.

[cody c]

although the 15" tires are cheaper and easier to find in some of those places, I think that there is a reason. The 16" tires that are made for heavier vehicles with heavier load ratings are a heavier tire, and seem to have harder rubber. If i was driving the baja roads (which i havent) i would think about running a tire like a toyo or a yokohama, I also like the cooper discoverer STT's, which are heavy and have a thick sidewall. Also if the vehicle was mostly driven on gravel roads i would probally go to skinny, but for me I think I'll try boggers next.

[cody c]

actually you should do something different and order a set of one of these up:
http://www.silverstone.com.my/tyre_mt117Xtreme_spec.asp