experience help please: 33 SUA Tires for dirt and rocks.

[Randy88FJ62]

I plan on purchasing 33 in tires. Still deciding between 10.5 and 12.5 width. I assume 3.75” backspacing is standard. I plan on using my 62 in California, mostly Sierras which means rocks and dirt. Snow is a secondary concern and I plan on avoiding mud. Here are my questions:
1. What is the best tire for rock and dirt? My budget is around $200 per tire ($800 total) not including rims.
2. What does the 2 in difference in width matter? Why go 10.5 versus 12.5?
3. Where can I purchase the cheapest black steel wheels (summit racing etc?) Best place to order tire combos?
4. Rim Ø: I plan on going 15 in because tires are cheaper for 15’s. Why did people choose other heights?

I don’t want to rush into a pair of tires I’m going to hate after awhile. I would like to hear from people running similar terrain. I have a second vehicle so my 62 is a weekender and an offroader. It will see around 6,000 mi per year.

I know this question is repetitive and I’ve searched extensively as well as reading the three main threads in the FAQ about tires and wheels. It’s hard to make a decision and invest money without the warm fuzzy feeling that I get when reassured by people with the same vehicle who have been wheeling since I was in diapers. Thanks for your patience and thanks for your replies. Help feed my addiction to my new 1988 FJ62.

[overhanger]

33x10.50x15 tires are as rare as hen's teeth. Swamper and BFGs are about the only games in town and the BFG 10.50s are often back ordered these days. 12.50s will rub some when the suspension if fully flexed - generally not a problem although the weight of the 12.50s is a drawback, IMO. 16" wheels allow for 285/75 tires and there are a bunch of those available. I like the Yokohama AT-S these days for hiway and mild wheeling. Another advantage of the 16" wheel is that you can upgrade the disc brake calipers to minitruck 40/40s and not have clearance issues as you would with the 15s. Take your time and do your homework and you will find something that makes you happy in the long run.

[Randy88FJ62]

Thanks for the 16" caliper clearance info. That's something to consider.

[cfdlighthouse]

bfg mud terrain

[Randy88FJ62]

other people have mentioned the bfg mud terrains. Could you elaborate further as to why these are such good tires?

[PhilC64]

Procomp M/T's are a decent buy and have worn well on my 62.

[Front Range 4x4]

Originally Posted by Randy88FJ62

other people have mentioned the bfg mud terrains. Could you elaborate further as to why these are such good tires?

Both BFG M/T and A/T's are good depending on the conditions you have. If you drive in snow, dirt & rocks as I do the A/T's are good. If you drive in mud the M/T's are a good choice.

The A/T's are lousy in mud as other's will tell you.

[zuluzeugma]

Your ass end is sagging. You're probably gana wana throw some add-a-leafs on at a minimum before you toss 33's on it.

My tire choice for you: Goodyear Wrangler MT/R's

[Bomar]

I would go 255/85/16 on some 16x7 wheels.

I just bought a 16x7 crager soft 8 as a spare it is fits fine with no spacer. $51.95 each

Cragar 3977760 - Cragar Soft 8 Wheels - summitracing.com

You can get 255/85/16 Maxxis Big Horn shipped to your door for $600 via ebay.

eBay Motors: Set Of 4 LT 255 85 R16 8 Ply Maxxis Bighorn Mud Tires (item 330238568094 end time May-29-08 19:26:09 PDT)

They are a 33.3x10 tire and will look and work great.

You would be out your $800 and have wheels and tires. If I had an extra $800 this is what I would do.

My .02

[Randy88FJ62]

Money is not tight so that's not the deciding factor. Suspension is a whole seperate ball game. I know my stock springs are sagged. Suspension will be my next thing to tackle to fit the 33's. Whether I go AAl's or new springs is a whole seperate issue.

Any comments on backspacing? Stock is 3.75 I believe? Why would you want more or less? Advantages or disadvantages?

Thanks for the replies. Thanks for the links Bomar. It''s nice to find all the cheap links. I hate spending tons of money on rims when they will only get scratches and dings.

[REKCUT]

There are many different tire choices out there and as many opinions as their are choices. Most of the name brands will do you well and you will never find a tire that everyone likes. I personally am running the procomp X terrains and love them. I also like the Mickey thompson MTZ and the Dick cepic new tires. My personally am not that big a fan of BFG's but some people are really fans.

One good thing about the Procomp's are that once a year they run a buy 3 get one free sale and that is going on now. Your X terrains normally are about 800 a set and you can pick them up for 600 now. I think that is by far the best value going in a off road tire.

On the backspacing you need a tire that is less than 3.75 or your rim will rub on the front of the 60's. Sometimes you can get away with 3.75 but not usually

[Randy88FJ62]

Originally Posted by REKCUT

There are many different tire choices out there and as many opinions as their are choices. Most of the name brands will do you well and you will never find a tire that everyone likes. I personally am running the procomp X terrains and love them. I also like the Mickey thompson MTZ and the Dick cepic new tires. My personally am not that big a fan of BFG's but some people are really fans.

One good thing about the Procomp's are that once a year they run a buy 3 get one free sale and that is going on now. Your X terrains normally are about 800 a set and you can pick them up for 600 now. I think that is by far the best value going in a off road tire.

On the backspacing you need a tire that is less than 3.75 or your rim will rub on the front of the 60's. Sometimes you can get away with 3.75 but not usually

Saving $200 would be nice to save for the suspension upgrade. Thanks for the heads up.

What backspacing is normal for a 1988 FJ62?

[2mbb]

You should be realistic about how much time you will be spending in the dirt and how much time on the road. I live near San Francisco. The "nearest trail" is three hours away. Basically I spend a lot of time on the freeway, and certainly put in way more highway miles than I do trail miles. I have 33x12.5x15 BFG AT's. These are a good all around tire. Not great in the mud, but since when does it rain much in California? My impression is that AT's are a little better on road (quieter, longer life) than MT's.

[Randy88FJ62]

Originally Posted by 2mbb

You should be realistic about how much time you will be spending in the dirt and how much time on the road. I live near San Francisco. The "nearest trail" is three hours away. Basically I spend a lot of time on the freeway, and certainly put in way more highway miles than I do trail miles. I have 33x12.5x15 BFG AT's. These are a good all around tire. Not great in the mud, but since when does it rain much in California? My impression is that AT's are a little better on road (quieter, longer life) than MT's.

2mbb,
You are definitely the more reasonalbe side of ih8mud. To me performance is very high on the list. I rather spend more money on gas and new tires getting to the trail as long as I can get good perfomance when I get there. Lets be honest, off roading is expensive and takes a lot of money.
The one thing that pulls me to AT's is the snow stud rating which is pretty high. That would be nice to have when going skiing.

My question to you 2mbb is: Have you ever felt that your AT's have held you back when off roading? Have you wished for a better tire when you get to the trail? I don't want to be in that position.

[GAS-A-LOT!]

Just a though...


I upgraded to 4runner calipers on my 60 and have zero issues with scraping/rubbing between the wheel and caliper...

again,
Just a though.

[Carp]

Originally Posted by overhanger

16" wheels allow for 285/75 tires and there are a bunch of those available. Another advantage of the 16" wheel is that you can upgrade the disc brake calipers to minitruck 40/40s and not have clearance issues as you would with the 15s.

x2 When I need new tires, I'm going to get 16's. I work in the tire business, and the 15's are starting to become more and more rare, especially as more and more vehicles come stock with 16s, 17s. 16" tires are coming more prevalent on the market, especially since so many of our 80, 100, and FJC brethren have them stock, not to mention j**ps.

[lowtideride]

33 x 9.5s BFG A/T's good ride, last forever, proven, good in rocks and dirt, pizza cutters are cool. Got the same color fj62 with the same tires I just mentioned. Tires for 15 rims are cheaper and most larger tires are made for them, if you are planning in the 37" plus tires range then get a 17" rim. Look at prices and tires at all the online tire places and yu will see what I am talking about. Onllinetires.com (I think thats what its called as BFGs for 15s cheap)...If only going to 33's keep the stock rims.

[Randy88FJ62]

Lowtideride, I love your 4runner rims. I used to have an 88 4runner so that brings back good memories. Your paint is in a lot better condition as well. My 88 62 is peeling.

GAS-A-Lot, What spacing and size tires do you have to obtain no scrape witht he caliper upgrade?

[Trapper50cal]

MTR's (Goodyear)
16x8 3.75" BS to 3.5" BS since 16 will clear the caliper

[Randy88FJ62]

lowtideride I just red your build thread. Your stock looking truck is anything but.

Whcih tires have lots of vibration at high speeds? I assume knobby ones versus AT's. Any more details than that?

[lowtideride]

Originally Posted by Randy88FJ62

lowtideride I just red your build thread. Your stock looking truck is anything but.

Whcih tires have lots of vibration at high speeds? I assume knobby ones versus AT's. Any more details than that?

Thanks man,

Any new tire really should not vibrate unless its a swamper. Tires with bigger treads, or treads with larger gaps between them will hummmmm on the road. A/Ts seem like your best bet because they are good in the rocks/dirt and are awesome on the road.

[Corbet]

If you already want to buy new rims then I'd definitely move up to 16" rims.

As far as tires, your original post said best for "rock and dirt" so I'd get a MT that your budget allows.

Interco TrXus would be my choice in your position but may not fit the budget. I point you this way because you did make mention to some snow, and these MT's have some sipping. They are available in 33x12.5r16, 285/75r16, and 255/85r16 giving you plenty of choices of width for a 33" tire.

[John McVicker]

Randy
I will join the group & post my thoughts. I wheel in the same areas you are talking about. I believe you would be happy with either Mud's OR A/T's. I use both & in the Sierra's, really see very little difference in perfoemance between the two. I do like the looks of the Mud's better however. And todays BFG Mud's are not at all noisey on freeways.

On one of my L/C's I switched to 16 in wheels (BFG Mud 235-85-16) & now believe 16's is a good way to go. These are load range E & can really take the weight, with a huge safety factor. IIRC with max air, each tire will support aprox 3000 lbs. You most likely don't need that much...but when you go out for a week or so your rig can get heavy...FAST. I like the safety.

For me the best place to buy my BFG's was Costco & I had Stockton Wheels make the 16's. Sounds like you are pretty on top of it, but be certain to get the correct backspacing. Right now I just don't remember the #'s

Have fun trying to digest everone's opinion. However, todays tires are so good, it's pretty hard to make a bad choice.

John

[Kurtis]

I have 33x12.50x15 bfg a/ts and love them. It makes the ride to the trails alot more enjoyable. I wheel mainly in arizona so its alot of rocks sand and hills and I have never had a problem with the a/ts. I have no rubbing with the stock rims and 1 1/2" wheel spacers. I know a few people don't like spacers but I just torqued to spec and they have never came loose. This was a good way for me to feel out my truck and decide which way I wanted to go with it. On the other hand M/ts look cooler in my opinion and my next set will be probably goodyear m/ts and some of those moto metal wheels just for the looks as they do look pretty good.

[1967 TLC]

Originally Posted by Randy88FJ62

other people have mentioned the bfg mud terrains. Could you elaborate further as to why these are such good tires?

IMO, mud terrains are 80% of a locker on tough trails. Since I have installed mud terrains on my 40, I have not needed to use my lockers as much. You can't go wrong with either Goodyear or BFG M/Ts.

But, they are a bit slick on wet roads. Not that it rains much in SoCal. (last week!)

[Elbert]

are you guys saying that a standard 16 inch wheel will clear the calipers...etc front and back and not require any type spacer?