Best DD tire size and the mountains (1 Viewer)

[Yossarian]

This isn't so much about brand and type, but more about the best size tire for a vehicle still used as a daily driver, but with needed off road capability in the Rocky Mountains.

I have searched Mud and the Rising Sun 4WD club forums high and low. Many in mountain country have posted in the past very good observations and opinions. This being the internet and a forum I am looking for some up to date thoughts on the subject.

In the past with my 1990 4runner (4 cyl 5 spd) I made the mistake of putting bigger tires (BFG AT) than required and it really hurt performance on road in the daily sense. It was pathetic going up 70 into the mountains, or pushing through Wyoming wind (3rd gear floored and slowing).

1997 LC, OME stock height lift (thank you Slee), mild back country exploration with the growing family. R&R the OEM tire with 265/75/16 vs. 285/75/16 etc.

Thoughts?

 

[alpendubber]

I live in the Rockies as well. I'm running 285's. With the PWR button off it's absolutely terrible on the passes, constantly jumping between redline 2nd and lugging in 3rd. It actually got pretty hot the last time I went over Eisenhower . I have since fixed the unplugged PWR button and with the different shift points it's much better. Mine is also a 97 with a 2.5" OME, I'm getting 11.5MPG with the button on driving I70

 

[60wag]

Best daily driver, the 265/75-16 but the 285's aren't bad. Driving up to the tunnel, yea I'm in the slow lane but it's way faster than my FJ60 was. Lately I've leaving the "power" button pressed. I think it offsets some of the sluggishness created by the larger tires especially around town.

 

[alpendubber]

So funny, I spent 5 years in the right lane going 25 in my 60. I still miss it though.

I got more thumbs up than middle fingers!!!

 

[vol375]

I am new to the 80 series and will not take possession of my 1997 LX450 for another month. All my advice comes from my 2007 Tacoma double cab.

I drive a 265/75/16 Treadwright retread with their Kedge grip (walnut and glass added for snow and ice traction). I drive over wolf creek pass several times each winter. 9.5" of clearance and good tires have never failed me. I have waited while they cleared for avalanches and never had a problem. I was clad to have the extra clearance from an OME lift while leaving the Wolf Creek Ski area lot after 22" of snow.

Hope this helps. Will update with 80 series info once I pick it up.

 

[kbahus]

One thing I will advise as someone will chime in to go 315's, don't do it unless you like getting passed by semi trucks in the snow on I70.

 

[alpendubber]

Agreed. Glad I didn't.

 

[Michael Hanson]

31-10.50-15 MIke

 

[2 E L O]

I run 285/75-16 Duratracs. If based solely on on-road performance, I'd definitely go with stock diameter tires to maximize engine performance at those higher altitudes. But if you mix in off-road use then I think 285/75-16 or 255/85-16 are the way to go depending on what kind of off-road use is planned.

If you throw aesthetics into the mix, I think 285/75-16s look the absolute best on these trucks with stock or near stock suspension.

I would never, ever go with 315s unless you plan on a re-gear and upgraded brakes. 315s and stock gearing would be MISERABLE at high altitudes.

/$0.02

Sent from my HTC Evo using IH8MUD

 

[BrotherRob]

One thing I will advise as someone will chime in to go 315's, don't do it unless you like getting passed by semi trucks in the snow on I70.

I run 315s and I have no trouble passing semi trucks going up hill with a headwind.
In impact of an oversized tire depends on how the transmission reacts. I've never run 285s or 295s but from what I've heard, they put your tranny between gears, so it tends to fish for gears. 315s will have you over geared by about one gear. First gear performance will suffer, otherwise it's just peachy, highway driving on flat ground is improved, hill climbs on the highway usually require you to drop out of OD.

 

[93yotasr5]

285's

 

[bobbyp]

Looks like you have your heart set on stock size or slightly larger, but what about pizza cutters - 255/85 tires?
I'm currently looking for a set that has good snow performance and decent off-road performance for a non daily driver but from what I heard, this size gives you a little extra height, a bit better mpg, and work well on anything but serious rock crawling.

 

[Schwein]

305 70 16's look better than the 265's and the 285's and are very close to stock height, look about 100 times better too..

 

[2 E L O]

305 70 16's look better than the 265's and the 285's and are very close to stock height, look about 100 times better too..

305/70-16s are almost identical in diameter to 285/75-16s (32.8"). The 305/70s are also also about 5 lbs heavier per tire than 285/70s for a standard E-rated tire. The stock tire height is about 31.2"...

While I do agree that 305/70s look great, they're not that practical for on road use in the mountains, especially in snow and icy conditions. If anything, the 255/85 would be the best for the icy/snowy roads.... They are a little taller at about 33.1" and tire selection is a little limited at this size, though...

Again..... /$0.02.

 

[Grench]

Wow - I'm kind of shocked that nobody has gotten to the meat of the question.

Pick whatever diameter of tire you'd like to run - but if you're going above stock tire size, budget in changing out the gears to match the new tires.

If you're sticking with stock gears, 265/75R16 is a pretty solid choice. My wife's truck has Duratrac tires in that size on it - they perform nicely.

I'm running 285/75R16 on my truck with 4.88 gears and a supercharger. Last summer I was going West to East through the Eisenhower (not the Eisenhower going that direction - but can never remember the name of the other tunnel) I went down to 2nd gear @45mph. I was fully loaded for a week long camping trip (7100lbs with fuel,food,8 feet,etc.) and I wasn't in a hurry (vacation). So - I'm sure I could have gone up the hill faster if I'd have really wanted to overheat.

If your objective is to 'get up that hill' faster, you can go even higher in the gear ratio to tire equation.

Keep in mind though, a stock FJ80/FZJ80 weighs around 4800lbs empty and it's being pushed uphill by a 220HP 200lb-ft (or thereabouts) motor. Unless you decrease weight or increase power - that equation is going to work against you for winning any hill climb speed contests.

I increased my HP with the supercharger, fixed my gear ratio to my tires (315/75R16 and 4.88) - but I'm carrying a lot more weight with armor, dual tanks, tools, camping gear, I'm fat, etc... I don't see any shame in being in the slow lane though.

 

[Yossarian]

Thanks for the replies, I'm almost embarrassed for starting another "what tire should I buy" thread. But with 5 tires (my spare came with the truck) it'll be in the $1k range and it's worth thinking about and getting opinions.

The reason for sticking close to stock is because it's geared for that size tire, and we all know the 80 isn't a powerhouse. For the bulk of the vehicle I think it's an adequate performer. I've read that with 285's it puts the rpm's in a sweet spot on the highway. Though one poster says 285's will make the tranny hunt, and another suggests re-gearing. Re-gearing is really the correct way to do it, but not justified for such a small change in tire size in my opinion. For a more dedicated off road vehicle then by all means.

I looked at the GY Duratracs, in a 285 it is about 54 lbs and a tire retailers website lists it at 33.1" Thats a big difference over stock size.

A bud came over yesterday with his 100, Slee just did a 2.5" lift and he put Hankook Dynapro ATM's in a 285 on it, looks really good, perfect actually. In my mind I "want" 285's, but the reasonable side says stick close to stock for obvious reasons. The GY Duratracs are calling also, but are they to much for daily urban life?

I think I need help, it's the "sickness".

 

[2 E L O]

The DuraTracs are definitely not too much for daily urban life, especially since you live somewhere like Denver that gets a decent amount of snow. My LX is my daily driver and I absolutely love the 285 Duratracs. For how aggressive the tread is, the road manners are fantastic and they wear very evenly and slowly as long as you run the appropriate air pressure.

If you want to stay stock or nearly stock, just go with the 265/75-16s like Grench said. I've seen WifeofGrench's stock height LC with the 265/75-16 Duratracs and it looked great.

 

[Yossarian]

The DuraTracs are definitely not too much for daily urban life, especially since you live somewhere like Denver that gets a decent amount of snow. My LX is my daily driver and I absolutely love the 285 Duratracs. For how aggressive the tread is, the road manners are fantastic and they wear very evenly and slowly as long as you run the appropriate air pressure.

If you want to stay stock or nearly stock, just go with the 265/75-16s like Grench said. I've seen WifeofGrench's stock height LC with the 265/75-16 Duratracs and it looked great.

We (I) could use them now, cold, snow, and slick. The OEM tires are not cutting it anymore.

Road noise with the GY's?

Pics of WifeofGrench's LC?

 

[e9999]

havent' read all of the above so it may be a repetition, but I would not go bigger than 33" for dual purposes, and I would also go narrower than 285.

 

[boodah24]

tires ?

285's

my 0.02 on it

good luck