Anybody using 33X9.5 R15's on a 2.7L Tacoma?

[PACMAN]

Is anyone using 33X9.5 R15s on a 2.7L Tacoma? I have an 01 singlecab with 31X10.5 R15s and I'm thinking of moving to the taller, narrower tire. I'm just wondering about loss of power. I think the loss of 1" of tread-width in a 31" circle will go a long way to offset the gain of almost 2" of sidewall in a 33" circle.

Although I'm gaining almost double the rubber I'm losing, I think the effects will be offset by the fact that the gained rubber won't be in contact with the road.

With the 31X10.50's I've been fine, a little slow on hills, but that's to be expected with the little 4cyl.

Anybody with experience here? Also, if you've got a tacoma with these tires I'd love to see a picture!

Thanks!

 

[Duane]

I noticed a difference running 235/85R16's on my 2.7 and that is only a 32 inch tall tire.
Here is a link that discusses a similar idea

https://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyota-trucks/324677-better-mpg-235s.html

 

[PACMAN]

Thanks Duane - that thread is helpul - I'm terrible at the conversion here - your 235/85's are 32" tall - how wide are they?

 

[TRDparts4u]

I've run 33 and 34 x 10.50's on my standard cab auto 2.7L 4.10 gears. The heigth of the tire is what changes your final drive ratio. With the 34's any kind of hills forget the overdrive. With the 33's it's kind of marginal when you get into hilly areas, but I've been getting by on 33's for the last two years. I can still run over 70 on flat ground. Ideally you would regear.

Thanks,
Gerone
866-233-4305

 

[bustanutley]

My buddies 2.7L truck is on 37s and I think it has 4.10 gears, I'm pretty blown away how well that little motor pushes that truck around. I don't think you have too much to worry about. Maybe see if you can borrow someones 33s for a test drive?

 

[PACMAN]

Thanks fellahs - I've done a little more research and I'm pretty sure I'll be okay on the 33X9.5's.

I bought this truck with 74K on the clock about 3 years ago, and the previous owner had already put warn manual hubs and Old Man Emu shocks and springs all around... he may have had larger tires before he traded it in...

Anyone have any idea how I could tell if he re-geared??

Thanks again.

 

[Matt60]

i run 285 75 16s on my 4.30 geared 2.7 and have no problems with top end speeds.

 

[Duane]

Thanks Duane - that thread is helpul - I'm terrible at the conversion here - your 235/85's are 32" tall - how wide are they?

235/85R16 therefore 235 mm wide or 23.5 cm wide divide by 2.54 cm in an inch = 9.25 inches wide. (section width)
The 85 is the sidewall aspect ratio meaning the sidewall above the rim is 85% of the width being the 235 mm.
Therefore 235 X .85 = 199.75 mm divide by 25.4 = 7.86 inches above the rim.
To calculate approx tire height.. 16 inch rim + 7.86 + 7.86 = 31.72 inch tall tire.

I'm thinking to sort out a rear end ratio, short of pulling a cover or carrier to count teeth, jack up a rear wheel, block the vehicle so it won't roll away on a flat surface, mark the raised wheel top center and mark your rear driveshaft. Rotate driveshaft making note of how many revolutuions it takes to get the wheel to rotate 1 full turn. That ratio should be close.
Will this work..hmmm, I think maybe
Attached picture of my 96 runner with the 235/85R16's

 

[PACMAN]

Thanks again Duane _ I actually got a pen and took notes off your post! you know, I've looked around a bit, because I like the "32" x 9.25"" set-up you run, but it's hard to find that size for 15" wheels. (I'm locked into them because I bought some black alloy 15" wheels a year ago, wish I'd gone with the 16's now. All that snow in those pictures in Medicine Hat? - My wife and I recently camped out in the Valley of the Gods for a couple of nights. Beautiful.

Matt60 - I really like the look of your truck. What are those leafs & shocks? Do you have any more pictures, or an album?

Thanks-

 

[bustanutley]

I'm thinking to sort out a rear end ratio, short of pulling a cover or carrier to count teeth

Gear ratios are stamped on the ring gear, no cover to pull if I remember correctly

but yeah, drive shaft rotation and wheels will work

 

[Duane]

All that snow in those pictures in Medicine Hat? - My wife and I recently camped out in the Valley of the Gods for a couple of nights. Beautiful.
Thanks-

Yes 15 inch tire options are likely shrinking as time goes on.
Snow pictures are from last winter here in "The Hat". We seem to be getting more of that stuff here in the recent years. We often had brown Christmas's here before.
Thanks for the Valley of the Gods comment.. looks like a place to put on the list!
I'm not sure what ratios your Taco has but my 2.7 runner sure worked to spin those Michelin's in the pictures. It was great off road and in snow/mud because of the narrow tire but highway hills with a headwind required patience some days.
I just bought some BF Goodrich KM2's for it and should have them on it this weekend. I chose a LT245/75R16 as I wanted a truck tire, narrow but not over 31 inch. I'm hoping I will be happy with the choice. It's about a 3 hour drive to the mountains, 70 mph to stay with traffic, so I sacrifced some offroad height for highway gain.

 

[SteveLCetc]

I have a '99 4Runner and some 285/75/16 BFG AT's (33x11.50, basically) I want to put on it. I'm thinking ot Bilstein 5100's with their 2.75" lift for the front, and using some stock FZJ80 front springs for the rear. Will they rub? Is there a website with all that info on it that anybody knows of?

 

[Duane]

You will have to search but I recall reading several threads on here and 33's require a lift that I remember. I think "theferg" had commented on this in one thread..think he runs a Sonoran 1.2

 

[Jetboy]

FWIW, stock gear ratios are marked on the pinion flange. If you pull the drive shaft there should be a paint mark on the end of the pinion or pinion bolt. The color will tell you the gear ratio. If you know it's stock, there's no need to pull the diff. Just look at the color.

 

[Duane]

Hey good pointer on the color code Jetboy!
Pacman here is a couple pics of what the LT245/75R16's look like mounted on
16 X 7 2003 Taco chromed steel rims on my 96 Runner.

 

[Matt60]

Matt60 - I really like the look of your truck. What are those leafs & shocks? Do you have any more pictures, or an album?

Thanks-

downey shackles , deaver leafs & 5100 bilsteins for the rear and OME 880 with 5100 bilsteins adjusted at max for the front.