255/85r16

[Real]

You could have the wheel on ebay at your doorstep for $96.99, but best of luck finding one locally. I have not seen any wheels advertised locally around here. I don't think too many people are modifying their cruisers here. Maybe the market is different by you.

 

[Enrique Sonora]

Hi,

Very curious if you are still using 255/85R16 still? I have a tough budget choice for my first set of tires for my LX 470 '03. The choice is either 255/85R16 or 285/75R16 size tires. I would appreciate your experience with the skinny tire. Thanks.

 

[staggrlee]

I'm on my second set of these in the BFG KO2s with a medium lift. Great tire on/offroad IMO. We've done a couple RTs from Seattle to the NE coast, been in mud/rock/snow etc. I had the center lugs siped on both sets. I have had a bead break loose when aired too far down and one puncture repair and that's it.

255s can tend to tramline in badly rutted pavement in my experience and the size is not ideal for flotation in deep sand. Other than that it's a good all around tire size and good bit lighter and less rolling resistance than a wider 33", which in theory helps with acceleration/fuel economy etc.

I also like that they offer plenty of room to run chains on a 33" tire and carry Rud 4x4 chains.

 

[joseywales]

Hi,

Very curious if you are still using 255/85R16 still? I have a tough budget choice for my first set of tires for my LX 470 '03. The choice is either 255/85R16 or 285/75R16 size tires. I would appreciate your experience with the skinny tire. Thanks.

Hola Enrique. I’m running 255/85s on my ‘99 after selling some 285/75s that I ran for 3 years. The steering is much lighter and acceleration and braking are a bit improved as well. I’d like to think I’ve gained on the fuel economy front too but I don’t bother to track mileage in this rig. I had light rubbing with the 285s, but now have none with the 255s. I do notice that the skinnier tire does follow the troughs in the road a bit more (is this what you mean by “tramlining” staggerlee??). Overall, I’d say if I had to buy tires again tomorrow for a 100, I think I’d go 255 again.

 

[staggrlee]

...is this what you mean by “tramlining” staggerlee??

Exactly. The truck tends to wander around a bit in ruts.

 

[flintknapper]

I've been looking at some 255/85/16 tires (not many to choose from in that size) for my 80 series. I think it would be the perfect size tire for what I do with my Cruiser.

There aren't many to choose from and I noticed the price is significantly higher than the same tire in a 285/75/16.

 

[joseywales]

Exactly. The truck tends to wander around a bit in ruts.

It’s not a crazy wander/pull, but it is odd that just going an inch or so narrower seems to let this happen. I ran 255s on a ‘98 Dodge Cummins truck and it didn’t do this. Even with the infamous front end looseness.

I just noticed you’re in Seattle staggerlee, and I’m up by Blaine. I only really notice the wander on I5. Not when I’m in BC etc. Maybe it’s a localized phenomenon?

 

[blatant]

Ive no wandering, however it does take some getting used to.

Prefer 255s over 285


Here is 255/85/16

 

[DieselEd]

Love the look!

I think you made the right decision. I tried a few options, but in germany (or europe/asia/africa) there is also the question of availability if you do a lot of overlanding.

275/70R16 - Stock tires, bad availability ... everywhere, don't like the size just
255/85R16 - Seems to be stock tire size for Land Rover Defender, 3 tires to select from in germany, often difficult to get here. I like how it handles, the light steering and less stress on your components!
285/75R16 - Good availability, gives a bit more height than stock tires and many choices of brand and type. I drive this size and like it because no mods are requiered to make it just go.
265/75R16 - Awesome availibility, many choices of brand and type. Lacking a bit of height, would prefer the 235/85R16 over those.
235/85R16 - This tires you can get everywhere. Huge choice of brands and type. Is higher than the 265/75R16, but missing 1" height to the 285's. Man you FEEL how light such a tire is, and you FEEL how much your cruiser loves you for that less stress on all components.

 

[staggrlee]

I just noticed you’re in Seattle staggerlee, and I’m up by Blaine. I only really notice the wander on I5. Not when I’m in BC etc. Maybe it’s a localized phenomenon?

Perhaps it is, I've also really noticed it on I5. It's most likely been due to misalignment from the lift though, and a wider tire somehow better compensates for it? Either that or the M/T KO2s are just more susceptible.

Recently installed adjustable control arms front and rear and should be able to get back to factory caster/camber and thrust angles. We'll see if that helps.

 

[joseywales]

Well, let us know here if it does. At least this discussion has let me reinforce to the wife that while it may follow the ruts a little more than it did with 285 KOs, it doesn’t mean the truck is going to explode at any moment!

 

[staggrlee]

Actually the cure to the thrust angle is an adjustable panhard rod, which I also had installed. A Tough Dog one from @reevesci, (thanks!) and we'll see how it goes.

It could also be that I've outgrown or worn out the OME 866 springs when loaded up as you can see in the first from picture below. Upgraded those to 863J heavies.

 

[Enrique Sonora]

Hola Enrique. I’m running 255/85s on my ‘99 after selling some 285/75s that I ran for 3 years. The steering is much lighter and acceleration and braking are a bit improved as well. I’d like to think I’ve gained on the fuel economy front too but I don’t bother to track mileage in this rig. I had light rubbing with the 285s, but now have none with the 255s. I do notice that the skinnier tire does follow the troughs in the road a bit more (is this what you mean by “tramlining” staggerlee??). Overall, I’d say if I had to buy tires again tomorrow for a 100, I think I’d go 255 again.

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Thanks for the reply and answer. Looks like I will be favoring the 255s. I currently have 285/60R18 all-weather tires and she is riding smooth and quite, but no off-roading on these tenderfoot tires (blown one already). I am glad it is not too radical of a tire change. I live in the desert and road conditions vary constantly from bad paved roads with ruts and potholes and washboards to soft-sandy washes and sharp mountain rocks. Courious though, how about driving longdistance between cities? Noisy, poor handling?

 

[shermantank55]

Thanks for the reply and answer. Looks like I will be favoring the 255s. I currently have 285/60R18 all-weather tires and she is riding smooth and quite, but no off-roading on these tenderfoot tires (blown one already). I am glad it is not too radical of a tire change. I live in the desert and road conditions vary constantly from bad paved roads with ruts and potholes and washboards to soft-sandy washes and sharp mountain rocks. Courious though, how about driving longdistance between cities? Noisy, poor handling?

I have been driving on Cooper ST/Maxx in 255/85 for a couple years now. I upgraded from BFG KM2s so went from noisy to quiet. You may notice a bit more noise than your AT tires, but they are very well mannered and quiet in my opinion. I have been all over the southwest deserts and mountains and these tires are awesome. I'm about to put them on two 100 series cruisers as well.

 

[flintknapper]

I have been driving on Cooper ST/Maxx in 255/85 for a couple years now.

That is the tire (haven't decided to go 285 or 255 yet) that I am about to put on my Cruiser (Cooper ST/Maxx).

Going to take some almost new Bridgestone Revo II's off of mine, put them on the wifes LX470 and go with the Coopers on the Land Cruiser.

I've been running the Revo's on my Cruiser for years....and I like the tire O.K. (don't get great mileage out of them though), but I think the ST/Maxx will be a better tire for the L/C and the Revo's can replace the Michelins on the LX.

 

[joseywales]

ST Maxxs are the best all around tire I’ve ever run. And I’ve been running offroad tires on my Toyota’s since I bought my first one in 1986. I run them in a 35 on my one ton diesel, and now on the 100. Love the Coopers!

 

[flintknapper]

ST Maxxs are the best all around tire I’ve ever run. I run them in a 35 on my one ton diesel, and now on the 100. Love the Coopers!

I have a set of STT's on my Early Model Bronco and really like them. Rarely have to use 4WD for anything.

But I think the ST's would be a good choice for my 80 series. Just need to decide what size to get now. We have mostly mud (clay actually) to deal with around here and a tall, skinny tire is just ticket for that. But my 80 see's mostly highway use.

I've been running 285/75/16 on it for years.

 

[joseywales]

I like 285s as well, but I had a bit of rubbing in the front with that size (even more with the 305 scampers that came on the truck). 255s don’t rub, and theoretically should give slightly better economy on the highway. The STs are very smooth and quiet so they could be the ticket for you.

 

[flintknapper]

I like 285s as well, but I had a bit of rubbing in the front with that size (even more with the 305 scampers that came on the truck). 255s don’t rub, and theoretically should give slightly better economy on the highway. The STs are very smooth and quiet so they could be the ticket for you.

Is the 255 a good fit for stock rim width?

 

[BEG]

Is the 255 a good fit for stock rim width?

Yes. The stock rim width is within the range provided by most tire manufacturers for 255. I run 255/85R16 Dick Cepek Extreme Country on stock rims and they fit fine.