Tires again

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Vanny

Vanny

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Joined
Jan 12, 2006
Threads
164
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1,226
Location
Ladner, BC, Canada
Website
www.lentelconstruction.com
I am getting the jump on a tire decision. Right now I am running 285/75/16. By summer 2013 I will need new rubber (probably should replace them now but it's mostly a pavement vehicle). I was thinking of going up to a 305 but going skinny. I like the look of a skinny tire and deflaring but they will look too small if I don't go taller. If I went taller and skinnier would my vehicle power be about the same as it is now? I don't want to up size if it means I will want new gearing because of it(sorry Steve).

Appreciate thoughts/experiences
 
I had a set of 305 MTs that came with some rims I wanted. I put them beside the 285s and decided that they looked way too big for a small NA diesel. The 285 MTs are on now and unless I am off the pavement, I don't like them too much. Most of my driving is highway and they are very loud. When they wear out, I am thinking of a 255 85 16. (a big 33 but skinny). Hopefully I can find them in a quieter tire than the Yokahamas.
 
I maybe wrong, but I thought a bigger wheel takes more power to turn it than a smaller one even if they are the same weight. I do know a taller tire will increase your final drive, it will reduce your RPMs and be good for economy on the Hwy, but you will probably trade off on poor economy having to step on it more to get going. I had to re-gear if i wanted to keep running 37s, it bogged down going uphills, also your speedo reading will be off too.
 
I know even with 33's it is borderline with the power. I was thinking the skinnier tire may balance off the extra 2" in height. Less rubber on the road but more diameter may make it a trade off...or not.
 
Size of the tire will affect it more than width for power. Width will rob you a little of power but it will affect your steering and control more. If you go bigger, regardless of width, you are going to have issues with less power, especially in places where you are under load.
There is no way around mathematics and physics, something has to change to maintain velocity and power. Either smaller tires or a gear change.
 
Sometimes a tire size increase can help you to better match your gearing. In my case, going from the stock size of 31s to 265 75 16 or 285 75 16 gave me an improvement in drive-ability. Now on big long grades on hwy 3 like the slide hill, Friday Creek hill or the mine hill, I am doing 75 k at about 2600 rpm and she still has more in her if I want to push it. The stock gearing between the 5 spd and the auto is very different.

My recommendation is to try and borrow a set of larger tires for a few hours and go for a drive up the cut and out towards Squamish and back. There are enough hills there to give you an idea on how your rig will perform on the highway with those tires. If you are like me, highway travel will be your main concern.
 
You planning on moving up to 35 skinnies? Yeah! Definitely, definitely definitely re-gear, yeah definitely. Uh oh fart.
 
Well I have a year to think about it. I kind of knew the answers to my question but was hoping someone could give me a glimmer of hope to size up and not re-gear. I know the best thing I did with my BJ60 was going to 456's after I went to 33's. The problem with re-gearing is when I have it apart do I now put in a locker? If the truck is just sitting around the new house not wheeling (other then Triangle Road) I need to do something to it.

I guess I could post the same question in 80's tech. They are just so techie in that section...better make sure I use all the correct terms or I will be corrected.
 
I vote 255/85
Loved that size. Gearing does come into play, but the skinnys are easy on axles and steering, make manuvering quick and effortless and they like to dig into solid ground. I could have used them this past weekend, where my wide mall-terrains just sat and spun around.

cruiser.webp


winching.webp
 
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Not sure if mine is just a mutant 1fz but I have not found the 315's to be that bad on stock gears. It does not have the snap of the stock 31's and I never expected that. I was expecting it to be much worse than it is before I did it. The largest hit was in the mileage department, I was getting high 17's MPG (US)on the hwy with stock tires and the 2.5" lift after tires I can squeak out mid 15's. Around town went from mid 13's to low 10's.

If you want to drive a truck with 35's and stock gears you are welcome to take mine out.

I do plan to re-gear mine to 4.88's at some point so I'm not trying to convince you its a rocket. A re-gear sounds like a great time to get a locker or two.....;)
 
Here is a picture of how well Mike's 255/85 16s worked in the mud in the Chilcotin.

Mike swamp.webp
 
ForealBoreal said:
255s are the tire to get
If they made a 35 10.5 in something other than a swamper I would look into that route
Click to expand...
255 is a great tire size, which I would love to have, but I am not prepared to turn around everytime there is mud on the trail
 
drifter dave said:
Oh boy here we go :) - Let the skinny tire debate begin!

The Camel Trophy must turn around for their whole route!
Click to expand...

Nah, they just pop down those nifty sand tracks. Aussies also like to carry a few strips of carpet. They say it does the same thing on soft ground and can be multipurpose.
 
I don't see too many skinny tires mud boggin' on Speed channel. Don't see too many skinny tires running the Hammers (rock crawlin'). Skinny's are way better for gravel travel, highway, or any occasion where you can dig down to find hard pack. I'd rather have wider tires and use massive amounts of wheel spin to generate some flotation. Skinny's don't work so well on two feet of snow, but fatties at 0 psi with a little hp goes a long way... until you sink.
Be curious to know what the average tire size was at Moab, my guess, 33 x 12.50 or 35 x 12.50
Bring it on! :p
:cheers:
 
Granite Grinder said:
Be curious to know what the average tire size was at Moab, my guess, 33 x 12.50 or 35 x 12.50
Bring it on! :p
:cheers:
Click to expand...

That would be correct. Then the next debate is m/t vs. a/t, and while most tires there were m/t's, with the crazy traction all you really need is street tires.


For some BC comparisons, my 45 has 33x9.5x15 bfg m/t's. I took it up Eagle Ridge (yes yes eons ago) and it did fine. I had changed out to some 33x12.5x15 swampers one time and did the same trail. It was noticeably EASIER with the wider swamper. There was no mud involved, just more surface area to contact the ground.
 
I am sure wide tires are the norm in the US & Canada. That is what the market wants. Just like gas engines tend to be the norm here. But you know, with my travels in the Americas and Asia, skinnies seem to be the norm. The only time I saw real wide tires on a Cruiser was this one in Equador. (gotta love his spare and his departure angle capabilities)

DSC06669.jpg


Now compare it to this one and tell me which one gets to see MUD or any offroad wheeling?

DSC08113.jpg
 
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