17" Rim Skinny Tires Advice

[Chuy]

Hello CSC,

Im looking for some skinny tire advice on a 17" rim. Im a big fan of the KM2 255/85/ on a 16" rim, but Im wondering whats the equivalent or close for a 17" rim from real world experience. For the record I really liked the 80 series with 315/75/R16 off road, but I think it suffered a little on the highway and for normal DD mpg and acceleration wise (flame suit on). I found the KM2 255/85/r16 to be a great compromise for the trails I did.

Now that I have a GX470 (GVWR 6200), Im seeing some mixed reviews from different 120 members.

Scott from expedition west suggest:

5,000-7,000 GVWR

9.5-10.5 (235-265) Mixed Terrain Typical

10.5-11.5 (265-295) Soft Surfaces Typical

But I have no idea what this computes to with the 2nd value 235/?/R17. Short term Im loving the way the GX470 glides on the highway and how smooth it rides with the stock suspension and tires. If the air bags go out I plan to switch to a conventional suspension system and Im very partial to OME. Stating that, Im thinking maybe 1~2" lift max. I plan to keep this my DD in the average 15mpg+ range or close. Im thinking the toughest trails I will tackle will probably be the Coke Ovens, Chivo Falls, Broken Arrow and Crown King. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I plan to keep the stock rims, but Im not against wheel spacers.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

275 works great on our LX470

 

[ftbshop]

Try 235/80R17 or 245/75R17. These are 31.8/9.3 and 31.5/9.6 respectively. Or, the equivalent to 255/85R16 is going to be 255/80R17

 

[Chuy]

275 works great on our LX470

Thanks Phil, do you recommend them in 275/70/r17 or a different size? Are these the same tire size you were running a few years ago or did you switch to these?

Try 235/80R17 or 245/75R17. These are 31.8/9.3 and 31.5/9.6 respectively.

Thanks ftbshop, Im leaning towards the two you recommended. From the threads I read here and online they seem like popular choices for the 120. Im going on a beach camping trip later this year so I was a little concerned about going to skinny. The 255/85/r16 did fine in the sand when I had them on the 80, but I noticed they did dig noticeably more than 315/75/r16

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Thanks Phil, do you recommend them in 275/70/r17 or a different size? Are these the same tire size you were running a few years ago or did you switch to these?

Not sure pictured is our current LX470 with 275-70-18

 

[murf]

if youre looking for the closest equivalent size, the 25585r16 = 33.1 outer diameter and 10" wide

so the equivalent size in a 17" rim would be 25570r17 = 33.1 O.D. and 10.16 wide

Almost identical to each other.

 

[tlin]

I'm running 255/80/17 BFG KM2's (stock wheels) on my '08 GX470 and absolutely love them. I went with the KM2's (over the KO2's) for the following reasons:

1. they weigh slightly less (~5# each but don't quote me on that) - lower rotational mass but whether it's ever made a real-world difference is beyond anything I'd be able to quantify/qualify
2. I run the KM2's on my '92 FJ80 - second home "up north" and when it rains that red clay is slippery...so I went with what's worked really well for me on my 80
3. they cost less than do the KO2's.....

There are other tires folks over in the 120 Series section also really like. Having positive personal experience with the KM2's definitely helped push me in that direction and I have zero complaints. Freeway road manners are surprisingly really good for these tires and offroading is juuuuuust fine.

Good luck!

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I'm running 255/80/17 BFG KM2's (stock wheels) on my '08 GX470 and absolutely love them. I went with the KM2's (over the KO2's) for the following reasons:

1. they weigh slightly less (~5# each but don't quote me on that) - lower rotational mass but whether it's ever made a real-world difference is beyond anything I'd be able to quantify/qualify
2. I run the KM2's on my '92 FJ80 - second home "up north" and when it rains that red clay is slippery...so I went with what's worked really well for me on my 80
3. they cost less than do the KO2's.....

There are other tires folks over in the 120 Series section also really like. Having positive personal experience with the KM2's definitely helped push me in that direction and I have zero complaints. Freeway road manners are surprisingly really good for these tires and offroading is juuuuuust fine.

Good luck!

The narrow tires, actually the whole set up looks great.

 

[bwesty]

Another idea, stock Jeep Rubicons come with 255/75/17 BFG M/T. These tires can be had (brand new or like new) for a real bargain if you shop around classifieds.

32x10 = 255/75/17

 

[Chuy]

Another idea, stock Jeep Rubicons come with 255/75/17 BFG M/T. These tires can be had (brand new or like new) for a real bargain if you shop around classifieds.
32x10 = 255/75/17

Thanks bwesty, I may have to try those out if I come across a set.

if youre looking for the closest equivalent size, the 25585r16 = 33.1 outer diameter and 10" wide

so the equivalent size in a 17" rim would be 25570r17 = 33.1 O.D. and 10.16 wide
Almost identical to each other.

Thanks Eric, I figure these would work ok on the GX and give me a little ground clearance.

 

[tlin]

@Chuy - responding here so I can post a few pics.

I'm not running spacers and the ride isn't what I'd call "squirrelly" but it definitely rides tall if that makes any sense. Sweeping freeway runs (e.g. 87 north to Payson, 260 east to Heber) are ones I'm definitely sticking to no more than 5-8 mph over the speed limit (I generally don't ever travel faster than that anyway). Spacers have never crossed my mind but admittedly your query has me thinking - I'll ask some of the other guys in the 120 section and see what they come up with.

If you aren't in a major hurry, maybe we can find a way to let you drive mine but I couldn't make it happen anytime soon (work/life....). A few pics I've got handy (sorry, just parked it up north so can't run to the garage for any specific shots - these are random):

https://goo.gl/photos/ptdjebuatS5mQcA57

https://goo.gl/photos/GBnfdPGZ9SrryDt76

https://goo.gl/photos/6phqhMifdHunLVNE9

https://goo.gl/photos/GBEQ3M5yk9x5vxqW9

 

[Chuy]

@Chuy - responding here so I can post a few pics.

I'm not running spacers and the ride isn't what I'd call "squirrelly" but it definitely rides tall if that makes any sense. Sweeping freeway runs (e.g. 87 north to Payson, 260 east to Heber) are ones I'm definitely sticking to no more than 5-8 mph over the speed limit (I generally don't ever travel faster than that anyway). Spacers have never crossed my mind but admittedly your query has me thinking - I'll ask some of the other guys in the 120 section and see what they come up with.

If you aren't in a major hurry, maybe we can find a way to let you drive mine but I couldn't make it happen anytime soon (work/life....). A few pics I've got handy (sorry, just parked it up north so can't run to the garage for any specific shots - these are random):

https://goo.gl/photos/ptdjebuatS5mQcA57

https://goo.gl/photos/GBnfdPGZ9SrryDt76

https://goo.gl/photos/6phqhMifdHunLVNE9

https://goo.gl/photos/GBEQ3M5yk9x5vxqW9

Thanks tlin,

Looks excellent I think Im settled on that tire with a 3" Ultimate Toyotec lift. I might run a 1" or 1.25" wheel spacer just to get the track a little over factory spec. Those step sliders look great.

 

[tlin]

Thanks tlin,

Looks excellent I think Im settled on that tire with a 3" Ultimate Toyotec lift. I might run a 1" or 1.25" wheel spacer just to get the track a little over factory spec. Those step sliders look great.

We obviously didn't get much response over in the 120 section regarding spacers in use. If you do decide to go this route, please post a pic or three and your impressions before/after if you can as I'd definitely be interested in hearing your thoughts. thx!

 

[LOTFB]

Try 235/80R17 or 245/75R17. These are 31.8/9.3 and 31.5/9.6 respectively. Or, the equivalent to 255/85R16 is going to be 255/80R17

I bought 235/80/17 Yokohama X-AT tires (E rating) for my 2002 Lexus LX470. These are 32.2 inch tires and weight only 50lbs (source: Yokohama Geolandar X-AT Tires - https://tiresize.com/tires/Yokohama/Geolandar-X-AT.htm). I downgrade from Falken Wildpeak MT 34.8 inch tires which weight 80lbs (source: Falken Wildpeak M/T Tires - https://tiresize.com/tires/Falken/Wildpeak-MT.htm). So this saves 150lbs with 5 tires ! I am done with wide, heavy, large tires and will convert to pizza cutters.

 

[Lc80series]

255/75R17 Michelins on my 04 with OME suspension.

 

[LOTFB]

I bought 235/80/17 Yokohama X-AT tires (E rating) for my 2002 Lexus LX470. These are 32.2 inch tires and weight only 50lbs (source: Yokohama Geolandar X-AT Tires - https://tiresize.com/tires/Yokohama/Geolandar-X-AT.htm). I downgrade from Falken Wildpeak MT 34.8 inch tires which weight 80lbs (source: Falken Wildpeak M/T Tires - https://tiresize.com/tires/Falken/Wildpeak-MT.htm). So this saves 150lbs with 5 tires ! I am done with wide, heavy, large tires and will convert to pizza cutters.