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

[GldMembrGx]

I'll keep looking at the kenda. First I'm hearing about them, though open to suggestions. I don't want to body mount chop. Doesn't sound like need to chop for 33s. St maxx and kenda both rt?

 

[bahador]

I understand the desire to go taller, but from my understanding, 285/55r17 is the largest you can think of going without having to have a rear tire carrier. I can't imagine the 35 Kenda fitting in the stock spare location. Then there's the body mount chop...

 

[bahador]

duplicate

 

[bahador]

duplicate

 

[nakman]

I put a 255 80 r17 in the stock spare location. Had to air it down, and it still rubbed the panhard rod, but it fit up there. That said, I wouldn't recommend going to that big of a tire, you'll feel the performance loss & measure the mileage loss, for what amounts to very little rise in lift height. Sure looks cool though with big tires!

 

[joabmc]

Can’t help you out with w/ the 285X70 vs 255x80 as I have the former. Already had 8.5 wheels with 0 offset so they went on fairly smoothly. I can attest to the MAXXs. I’ve ran them on my Tundra, FJ and GX. The current set on the GX have over 50K on them and still at 5/32. I’m in the Northeast and they’ve handled everything quite well. Snow, Ice, mud, rocks and sand. They are tough as nails and as long as you rotate regularly, they stay as quiet as on can expect from an aggressive tire. They are expensive but you get what you pay for in a tire IMO.

 

[bahador]

I put a 255 85 r17 in the stock spare location. Had to air it down, and it still rubbed the panhard rod, but it fit up there. That said, I wouldn't recommend going to that big of a tire, you'll feel the performance loss & measure the mileage loss, for what amounts to very little rise in lift height. Sure looks cool though with big tires!

This is gold. Thank you.

 

[GldMembrGx]

I put a 255 80 r17 in the stock spare location. Had to air it down, and it still rubbed the panhard rod, but it fit up there. That said, I wouldn't recommend going to that big of a tire, you'll feel the performance loss & measure the mileage loss, for what amounts to very little rise in lift height. Sure looks cool though with big tires!

I'm interested in hearing of negative experiences as well. Did you run st maxx? Uphill struggle? Gear searching?

 

[nakman]

This is gold. Thank you.

of course! pics here, starting with post 131 GX470 Wheel/Tire/Lift Picture Combination Thread

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Just to clarify, you need to convert tire sizes to compare apples to apples. These are from a tire calculator, but each mfg varies from these numbers so check their specifications. Even a 33" tire will sometimes be closer to 32.8" than 33", so don't just go by these numbers but here they go...

255/75R17 = 32.1" x 10"
255/80R17 = 33.1 x 10"
255/85R17 = 34.1 x 10"

285/70R17 = 32.7" x 11.2"
275/70R17 = 32.2" x 10.8"
265/70R17 = 31.6" x 10.4"
265/65R17 = 30.6" x 10.4 = Stock

33 x 10.5 R17
32 x 10.5 R17

I believe that once you start going wider than 10.5" and taller than 32.1" on stock oem wheels, you will start to rub and will need to make modifications. The taller you go and the wider you go...the more mods you will need to solve the rubbing issues.

Also, on non-kdss models, your spare location will fit about a 32.2" diameter tire fully inflated with the short hitch. I have a 255/75R17 KM2 as my spare and it fits fully inflated on non-kdss with a short hitch. The spare location will vary depending on full hitch vs short hitch, kdss vs non-kdss, and how much your panhard is bent!

I can't find the actual specs on the Kenda Kevler RTs at 33x10.5, but since the 35" appear to run slightly short...I'll assume that the 33s will also be a hair short of 33" (maybe like 32.9" just a guess). This means these are taller than most 285/70R17s, but a bit narrower. They are a bit shorter than the ST Maxx 255/80R17s, but a bit wider.

Again, I've seen @Vlad recommend Kenda and I haven't heard any bad reviews. Everywhere I look seems to have a good review and maybe because it's a value tire that performs well.

Anyways, good luck with your purchase and post back what you decide on and how they turn out.

 

[GldMembrGx]

Just trimmed the bumper, moved the liner forward and heat gun around the well. Any issues with the pinch weld? I'll probably secure the spare inside with a cover until a more permanent solution. Or custom drawer setup with d rings to strap down the tire.

 

[nakman]

I'm interested in hearing of negative experiences as well. Did you run st maxx? Uphill struggle? Gear searching?

My set is Nitto Ridge Grapplers. Yes a lot of gear searching, tough to even get to 5th gear when pulling a trailer, wound up shifting to 4th and just leaving it there for extended periods. mileage went from the 13's to the 11's.. this all at altitude, so YMMV in California especially at sea level.

As far as ride height consider the bulge on the bottom, it's never as much as the math says it will be. But rolling up and over stuff is easier with the larger circumference. And big tires look cool.. I still have them, and funny was thinking of putting them back on now that I'm not really driving anywhere, and gas is so cheap now.

 

[bahador]

View attachment 2286829
Just trimmed the bumper, moved the liner forward and heat gun around the well. Any issues with the pinch weld? I'll probably secure the spare inside with a cover until a more permanent solution. Or custom drawer setup with d rings to strap down the tire.

I can't remember where I saw it but somebody made a very nice bolt in bracket that mounts where one of the third row seats used to be and has a mounting plate for the spare if you want to put it inside. Keep an eye out for it.

Edit: This isn't the one I remember seeing but it's the same idea: GX470 Interior Spare Tire Mount

 

[GldMembrGx]

My current tires are almost new so I'll probably get some wheels for them and switch them up every once in awhile. Do you think a regear would help?

 

[GldMembrGx]

Do 255/80/17 put any extra strain on front cv's spinning off road or effect atrac engagement?

 

[indiana dad]

Hello. I just went through the same process and settled on the LT255/80/17 wildpeaks for price point and fitment ease. These tires feel way better on road than the stock spec street tire i started with. Very little noise but noticable weight with stop and go. Offroad they hook up great on dry surfaces. No mud yet. Didn't notice a difference with atrac. Did notice a smoother ride doing mild offroading without airing down.

 

[GldMembrGx]

Hello. I just went through the same process and settled on the LT255/80/17 wildpeaks for price point and fitment ease. These tires feel way better on road than the stock spec street tire i started with. Very little noise but noticable weight with stop and go. Offroad they hook up great on dry surfaces. No mud yet. Didn't notice a difference with atrac. Did notice a smoother ride doing mild offroading without airing down.


View attachment 2287173

They look good! I've heard way more pros than cons about the 255/80/17. I've moded it for extra fitment, hopefully was enough.

 

[Jstawgn]

My current tires are almost new so I'll probably get some wheels for them and switch them up every once in awhile. Do you think a regear would help?

Definitely will help but not a must.
To bring this to stock you need 4.10 gears. To regear front and rear at least cost $2K without adding any locker.
If you want to upgrade to 8.2 rear diff from 150 series, it only available in 4.56 and 4.88. No 4.10, 4.30 or 5.29 available currently in the market.

Do 255/80/17 put any extra strain on front cv's spinning off road or effect atrac engagement?

Definitely does add some stress but the OEM parts would not have any problems. Although doing carrier bearing preload refresh are always highly recommended. The rear 8" diff are known to self destruct when they lose bearing preload.

CBPL refresh

Make sure those carrier bearings are TIGHT!

www.gearinstalls.com

Brake conditions impact ATRAC performance a lot. Brake pads that have better low sped grab would improve its performance. Many people are satisfied with Hawk LTS or Akebono Performance Ceramic.

 

[subspd]

The ST Maxx are not loud. At least not with the 10k I have put on mine so far.

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.

Yes I cut the lower portion off and then shoved it all the way forward. I was able to just drill a hole in the liner and use heavy duty zip ties to keep it tight and from flapping at high speeds.

 

[subspd]

This is gold. Thank you.

mine rubbed bad even aired down. I ended up with a tire carrier on the door.