another damn tire thread..

[petegangies]

Hi Mudders,

I'm pulling my hair out trying to decide which path to take. My 80 is currently running 285/75R16s BFG MK2 mud terrains. I believe factory size is 275/70R16, which are difficult to find in stores in Australia, which would make it hard in an emergency to source a replacement. My car runs an LPG tank for now, so no spare tyre. My car is stock height and will remain so. It has aftermarket shocks and springs which are about 10% stiffer over stock. I tow a small to medium boat often and dont do any off-roading apart from some easy trails and launching the boat off soft banks sometimes. Current tires look "tough" but have affected steering feel and acceleration. Someone suggested a 265/75R16 might be a viable option but I cant find any pics to see how it looks. I have an old pic of mine running the factory tires. I belive the bottom blurry pic was when it had stock size and top is current. Based on my trucks usage etc. What would members recommend? Replace tires with same size all terrains like the Yokohama GEOLANDAR g018 or same/similar all terrain in the other 2 sizes mentioned above?

Many thanks
Pete

 

[robnicko]

265/75x16 is a good choice but since going 285 i dont think ill revert back

below pic is 265/75x16 with an ARB 50mm lift - main advantage is your speedo stays true and they are readily available at most tyre shops. a 265 is i think a 31.8" tall tyre and 10mm thinner than std but hardly noticeable. i Ran them for 3 sets before switching to 285's

275/70x16 you pay a decent premium in Aus for them and not many shops stock them unlike 265/285s

 

[petegangies]

265/75x16 is a good choice but since going 285 i dont think ill revert back

below pic is 265/75x16 with an ARB 50mm lift - main advantage is your speedo stays true and they are readily available at most tyre shops. a 265 is i think a 31.8" tall tyre and 10mm thinner than std but hardly noticeable. i Ran them for 3 sets before switching to 285's

275/70x16 you pay a decent premium in Aus for them and not many shops stock them unlike 265/285s

View attachment 4077615

I can get a set of Yokohama GEOLANDAR g018 in 275/70R16 for a decent price.

 

[Tim Herald]

I can get a set of Yokohama GEOLANDAR g018 in 275/70R16 for a decent price.

What you have now looks tons better than the stock photo. That one looked empty to me. I think the 285’s would look even better.
Below is 285/70/r17 which is32.8-33” diameter with no lift. Same as 285/75/r16. You would just have more sidewall that would look even better. Just my opinion.

 

[petegangies]

What you have now looks tons better than the stock photo. That one looked empty to me. I think the 285’s would look even better.
Below is 285/70/r17 which is32.8-33” diameter with no lift. Same as 285/75/r16. You would just have more sidewall that would look even better. Just my opinion.

My top pic is the 285/75R16

 

[Marvelicious]

Not going to comment on size, because I keep looking at my 315's thinking they're a little small...

As for what TYPE of tires, here in the muddy, rainy pacific northwest, I DO go offroad and I still won't put up with a mud terrain. Too noisy, too squirelly on the road, and they wear out quickly. Since you're running without a spare, I assume you've at least got an air compressor? If so, run a good set of all terrains and drop air pressure when you need the traction. If not, you NEED an air compressor and a tire repair kit more than you need new tires!

 

[petegangies]

Not going to comment on size, because I keep looking at my 315's thinking they're a little small...

As for what TYPE of tires, here in the muddy, rainy pacific northwest, I DO go offroad and I still won't put up with a mud terrain. Too noisy, too squirelly on the road, and they wear out quickly. Since you're running without a spare, I assume you've at least got an air compressor? If so, run a good set of all terrains and drop air pressure when you need the traction. If not, you NEED an air compressor and a tire repair kit more than you need new tires!

Yes. Carry an air compressor and tyre weld can and repair kit.

 

[Marvelicious]

Perfect. I don't think you'd feel bad about switching to a good All-terrain. Most of my friends run mud terrains and it's weird how I never fail to go anywhere they go, but make less noise going down the highway and replace tires less often.

 

[Tim Herald]

My top pic is the 285/75R16

my bad, misread it. I like it (basically same as mine) . I wouldn’t go down in size. If the are hard to get, that sux, but I wouldn’t go down. Does switching to 17” help any about availability?

 

[petegangies]

my bad, misread it. I like it (basically same as mine) . I wouldn’t go down in size. If the are hard to get, that sux, but I wouldn’t go down. Does switching to 17” help any about availability?

Oh I can easily get 285/75R16 not an issue. Its the factory sized tires that are hard to get. I think I'll just stick with the 285s and hopefully just swapping from these old muddies to some fresh all terrains will make enough of a difference to keep me happy.

 

[Bigtoepfer]

Almost anything will be better than old KM2. The day I changed out mine was night and day difference. But keeping the same size and just swapping to some quality ATs will definitely make for an improvement.

 

[Batameez]

I notice the 275/70R16 tax comes from them only really being factory tire size of 80/100 Series, and the GU Patrol.

 

[petegangies]

Almost anything will be better than old KM2. The day I changed out mine was night and day difference. But keeping the same size and just swapping to some quality ATs will definitely make for an improvement.

I'm booked in on Monday for some new Yokohama Geolandar AT4 G018s in 285/75R16... can't wait!

 

[greentruck]

Just wanted to note that the KM2 is passe and the KM3 is a considerable improvement. The new compound is grippier in the rain, longer wearing in the dry and less noisy. You might find a few KM2 still for sale somewhere, but KM3 is what is current production.

 

[petegangies]

Just wanted to note that the KM2 is passe and the KM3 is a considerable improvement. The new compound is grippier in the rain, longer wearing in the dry and less noisy. You might find a few KM2 still for sale somewhere, but KM3 is what is current production.

my KM2s are being removed today and replaced with Yokohama Geolandar G018s. 99% of my driving is on the pavement, so wanted something more appropriate than the muddies!

 

[fjbj40]

Personally I like 255/85/16, 33”, narrow to reduce rolling resistance(mpg dream)

 

[petegangies]

Almost anything will be better than old KM2. The day I changed out mine was night and day difference. But keeping the same size and just swapping to some quality ATs will definitely make for an improvement.

Exactly what I've decided to do.. new Yokohama Geolandar G018s are being fitted in about 5 hours from now (but who's counting? haha).. I'll report back later today when I get home.