Almost got 255/80/17s, now have cold feet

[GldMembrGx]

Apologies for beating any dead horses. Just when I thought I did more than enough research to go for the cooper st maxx tall skinnies. I would hate to spend all that money and end up feeling buyers remorse. Starting to consider 265-275/70. Would appreciate the slight lift of 80's. I'm starting to worry about drivability impact for a daily and constant weekend fishing trips on twisty coastal roads. Stock height no running boards, will eventually lift. Looking to prepare for mild to med trails in northern California. Any one regret getting tall skinnies? How do they impact performance on steeper mountainous roads without regear?

 

[Jstawgn]

Its definitely a heavy tire. Mine weight 50 lbs and I can feel the resistance. Compared to highway tread stock 265/65R17 to 255/80R17 off road tire definitely have much higher resistance. If you already have AT in 265/70 it would be minimal difference.

The clearance advantages are very obvious. For driving off road its definitely the way to go.

Its not bad on stock gears. It definitely hunt a bit more but you could keep it on 4th gear if needed.

Other options is 255/75R17 or 265/70R17.
265/70R17 is stock for 5th gen 4Runner.

 

[subspd]

Love my 255/80s would never go back. Lost 1mpg on Avg.

 

[tlin]

Love my 255/80s would never go back. Lost 1mpg on Avg.

Ditto here....Plenty of good feedback out there for the St. Maxx - I'd advise KO2's over KM2's (if you're ever considering BFG's) unless you do expect to encounter quite a bit of mud. Good luck!

 

[GldMembrGx]

Its definitely a heavy tire. Mine weight 50 lbs and I can feel the resistance. Compared to highway tread stock 265/65R17 to 255/80R17 off road tire definitely have much higher resistance. If you already have AT in 265/70 it would be minimal difference.

The clearance advantages are very obvious. For driving off road its definitely the way to go.

Its not bad on stock gears. It definitely hunt a bit more but you could keep it on 4th gear if needed.

Other options is 255/75R17 or 265/70R17.
265/70R17 is stock for 5th

Its definitely a heavy tire. Mine weight 50 lbs and I can feel the resistance. Compared to highway tread stock 265/65R17 to 255/80R17 off road tire definitely have much higher resistance. If you already have AT in 265/70 it would be minimal difference.

The clearance advantages are very obvious. For driving off road its definitely the way to go.

Its not bad on stock gears. It definitely hunt a bit more but you could keep it on 4th gear if needed.

Other options is 255/75R17 or 265/70R17.
265/70R17 is stock for 5th gen 4Runner.

Currently on ht's. Are you running the st maxx? Generally sounds like a regear isn't necessary untill 35's. I hear more pros than cons regarding 255/80/17.

 

[GldMembrGx]

Love my 255/80s would never go back. Lost 1mpg on Avg.

I saw your positive feed back awhile ago on those tires, went into consideration when researching tires. Still no rub issues off road? I might mod the fender liners tomorrow. To me seems more of an advantage to run tall skinnies vs the fat 285s every other lifted gx seems to use. Is there any functional advantage with gx to use 285s aside from looks?

 

[Diff Kraken]

I would also look at 255/80r17 Falken wildpeak. They look pretty ideal. Quieter than the ST Maxx but also they are mud and snow 3 peak rated- the st maxx is not- this is important if you want to go through the pass to Oregon during the winter when they sometimes legally require snow rated tires. The km2 255/80r17 also has this rating but was way too loud for my taste.

 

[Jstawgn]

Currently on ht's. Are you running the st maxx? Generally sounds like a regear isn't necessary untill 35's. I hear more pros than cons regarding 255/80/17.

I am running Toyo Open County II. They just released AT3 that supposed to be improved.
They are 33.1" tall compared to ST Maxx 32.8.
The ridge grappler are supposed to be 33.3" tall.
Kenda also have 33X10.5R17 that are about the half inches wider.

Mine does not rub with totally stock suspension, max caster setting, fender liner moved forward and running boards removed.

 

[subspd]

To clarify I have the ST Maxx

 

[GldMembrGx]

I would also look at 255/80r17 Falken wildpeak. They look pretty ideal. Quieter than the ST Maxx but also they are mud and snow 3 peak rated- the st maxx is not- this is important if you want to go through the pass to Oregon during the winter when they sometimes legally require snow rated tires. The km2 255/80r17 also has this rating but was way too loud for my taste.

That is good to know. Never considered falkens. Sounds like more bang for the buck.

 

[GldMembrGx]

To clarify I have the ST Maxx

No rubbing off road stock suspension?

 

[GldMembrGx]

Whats the hype with the common 285 everyone uses?

 

[subspd]

No rubbing off road stock suspension?

Stock suspension. But lots of front fender liner trimming and moving, running boards removed. No rubbing off road. It’s the ideal tire size for these trucks. 285s are about the look. 255s are about the function. Quick YouTube searches will prove the advantage of the skinny tires. But for many the look of a wider tire is just more desirable.
I have run in deep sand and never needed more tire.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Whats the hype with the common 285 everyone uses?

A lot of cool aftermarket wheels with offsets closer to zero or even negative come in 8.5” to 9” wide, so that’s better suited for a 285/70R17 tire. The offset also gives you a wider stance for possibly better balance. So, you get cool wheels and bigger tires at once which equals your cool look.

Also, there’s not much of a performance difference as you think there is between 10” wide and 11.2” wide tires. See this article: Skinny vs Wide Tires! Versus! - Four Wheeler

If you keep your stock wheels, then skinny talls or pizza cutters are a better fit with less mods required. If I had my stock wheels still, someone mentioned Kenda 33x10.5. That would be a hybrid skinny/fat right in the middle tire that probably fits the stock wheels really well.

 

[GldMembrGx]

Stock suspension. But lots of front fender liner trimming and moving, running boards removed. No rubbing off road. It’s the ideal tire size for these trucks. 285s are about the look. 255s are about the function. Quick YouTube searches will prove the advantage of the skinny tires. But for many the look of a wider tire is just more desirable.
I have run in deep sand and never needed more tire.

Did you trim off the front of the fender liner then move it forward into the bumper and secure it with screws? I have a heat gun to push in the upper portion of the liner. I figure I would have to trim the outer corner tab of the bumper. I hope I won't have to trim the bumper much.

 

[GldMembrGx]

A lot of cool aftermarket wheels with offsets closer to zero or even negative come in 8.5” to 9” wide, so that’s better suited for a 285/70R17 tire. The offset also gives you a wider stance for possibly better balance. So, you get cool wheels and bigger tires at once which equals your cool look.

Also, there’s not much of a performance difference as you think there is between 10” wide and 11.2” wide tires. See this article: Skinny vs Wide Tires! Versus! - Four Wheeler

If you keep your stock wheels, then skinny talls or pizza cutters are a better fit with less mods required. If I had my stock wheels still, someone mentioned Kenda 33x10.5. That would be a hybrid skinny/fat right in the middle tire that probably fits the stock wheels really well.

Thanks for clearing that up! I have a buddy who has always sworn by extra fat tires. Just the other he said I need some after I told him I got stuck in my ht's. From everything I researched seems more work to fit then function with the 285s. I will be keeping my stock wheels for now. I just looked up the kendra, they look cheaper then the st maxx.

 

[GldMembrGx]

Can't find much user feedback on the Kenda tires. Any advantages over the st maxx? Still set on the tall skinny maxxs. Falken wildpeak vs st maxx vs kenda. Battle of the tall skinnies. I hope this topic is beneficial for other gx owners in northern California looking into pizza cutters. I'm usually on fire roads, sometimes muddy areas, will make trips to the sierras in winter, and rarely if ever hit sand. E rating is a must.

 

[bahador]

Can't find much user feedback on the Kenda tires. Any advantages over the st maxx? Still set on the tall skinny maxxs. Falken wildpeak vs st maxx vs kenda. Battle of the tall skinnies. I hope this topic is beneficial for other gx owners in northern California looking into pizza cutters. I'm usually on fire roads, sometimes muddy areas, will make trips to the sierras in winter, and rarely if ever hit sand. E rating is a must.

I'm in the same boat as you. I had my eyes on the BFG KO2 34x10.5r17 for the longest time, but they're super expensive. Recently I have been looking at the ST Maxx because of the puncture protection, but many reviews say it's a little loud. Then I started looking at the Wildpeak AT3W as it has the same 3PMSF rating as the KO2 and is quiter than the ST Maxx, and significantly cheaper as well.

 

[GldMembrGx]

I feel tough capable tires are a critical investment as fire evacs are more common in my area. Never know when might need to load up the truck and get out. I don't mind noise as long as their durable. Might have a decent shop in town delete the resonator and shorten muffler for clearance/weight and even out any tire sound. The st maxx mt hybrid advantage plus atracs engagement may have helped unstuck me in a mud patch recently. Not to deep, 4" from diffs, just caked ht's not catching.

 

[Jstawgn]

Many people on GXOR run 35x10.50R17 Kenda. Never heard anybody say anything bad about it. There are no competitors in that size except super swaper which is not street friendly anyway.

Same as 33X10.50R17. A couple people have it. Never heard anything bad about it. Same odd size so no competitor.

ST maxx are more common AT. Nitto Ridge grappler are RT, so does the Kenda. Depend on your intended use AT or RT might be better.