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

[bahador]

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

This thread has been so helpful. Thank you everyone. I'm not the OP but I am in the same place. I'm going to go 235/80r17. I don't want a tire carrier. I don't want the spare to rub the track bar. I want skinny high profile tires. This video helped too:

The AT3W doesn't come in 235/80r17 but the KO2 does. The other option is the ST Maxx but that isn't 3PMSF rated and it's heavier. There's also the Geolandar AT G015, which is 3PMSF rated and quieter. I still need to do more research on it.

 

[GldMembrGx]

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.



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.

Great info! I was unaware of carrier bearing maintenance, I'll have to look into that. Unfortunately need to find space to perform that degree of work. I have fresh break pads, soon as I need to replace I'll shoot for those to.

 

[GldMembrGx]

Now what I'm asking myself is, what is the biggest tire that the gx was designed to use. Seems that the 255/80/17 might be the limit

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Without mods and on stock oem wheels and stock spare location, I say 255/75R17 or 32x10 tires are the max it was designed for. Anything over this and you need to start modifying things.

 

[Diff Kraken]

Without mods and on stock oem wheels and stock spare location, I say 255/75R17 or 32x10 tires are the max it was designed for. Anything over this and you need to start modifying things.

Stock- Without worrying about a thing. This is correct.

 

[rockyjco]

255 80 Cooper STT here for 1.5 yrs now w/ OME 2" lift. I love them. Someone else here said they were not rated for the snow but these things are a beast in the snow imo. I have K02's on my Xterra and those are not great in the snow or mud. I drive the GX in the winter mainly because it's badass. Her nickname is buttercup because of the way she slices through the snow, like a hot GX through buddahh. I got some spacers and they are on oem wheels and they look nice, otherwise they sit a little too narrow for me. I got my tires on Ebay, it was discount tire direct ebay store. You can get $100 off coupons sometimes and with ebay it's usually no tax and free shipping. I got 4 for $540 delivered (after $100 off for presidents day buy 4 deal and some other rebate) then they charged me $40 to mount at my local discount tire. Right now a set of 4 is $960 but they do offer deals quite often that can be used with the ebay store. Hope that helps!

 

[GldMembrGx]

Without mods and on stock oem wheels and stock spare location, I say 255/75R17 or 32x10 tires are the max it was designed for. Anything over this and you need to start modifying things.

Does the st maxx at 255/80 being a tad shorter grant some wiggle room in staying closer to a 75? My fenders and bumper have been prepped for larger tires though still stock suspension. I'm use to the idea of breaking drivetrain parts due to large slicks coming from drag racing fwd. Watching trail vids seems like people running 285s don't phase atrac engagement, which is reassuring.

 

[subspd]

Without mods and on stock oem wheels and stock spare location, I say 255/75R17 or 32x10 tires are the max it was designed for. Anything over this and you need to start modifying things.

I will quantify that this is true if you do not want to trim ANYTHING. But if you don't mind some minor trimming then 255/80 is perfect for these trucks.

 

[chiz45]

I have experience with two sets of ST Maxx 255-80s. Both started on my 5th gen, for a total of 59k miles.

I put the first set on the GX with 32K on them and used the "Snowflake" SR5 wheel, and kept them for another 10k. My GX had 2.5" front lift, 3/4" SSO conversion spacers and they fit great. I did have to trim the front fender, push the liners forward.I replaced them with 265 114 Wildpeaks.

My second set is still on my 4R, with about 17k on them currently.

I've used them in rain and snow, and they have done well for me. They do hum. Not MT/R loud, but definitely a steady drone. You will experience a noticeable drop in fuel economy. But you didn't buy a fulltime 4WD for fuel economy.

 

[GldMembrGx]

Welp folks, I can't thank you all enough for the input. This has all helped to finalize my decision. I knew I could count on mud for quality advice. The Kendas are appealing as well, maybe down the road that'll be my next purchase. I'll post back when I get the tires on, probably in a week or so since things are kinda crazy.

 

[GldMembrGx]

7 months later and finally made the move. Some used/worn 245/75/17 st maxx laying around at work went on back in August during the fire storms. They were cupped in the rear and rode like s***.
The 255/80 are smooth and no pull. When parking at the grocery store heard what sounded like corner of the bumper making contact. Otherwise, these tires look perfect. Now my eyes can stop bleeding from the tire research.

 

[GldMembrGx]

Im torn between 2016 t4r trail wheels or the popular cheap sequoia wheels, which offset would work best? Seems close to the upper control arm. Will diff offset from stock cause body mount contact?

 

[NoWayOut]

Can anyone provide some feedback on the 255/80's in deep sand? Our beaches are powdery and deep.

 

[rommelrommel]

They probably aren't ideal for sand, but I also think the differences in width and contact patch size are a little overblown on the internet.