BFG AT 33x 9.50 or 10.50 or 12.50?

[3jvj]

I run 33 x 9.5 on my rigs to aid with snow traction, but I vote for the 10.5.

12.5 is nice, and I have them on my burban. They look great, but 10.5 is a great all around footprint.

 

[INHALER]

I've run 33"x 12.50"s for almost 20 years on my 40, but in the last year I've really been liking the look of the 33"x 10.50" on cruisers I've seen pics of. I'm probably going to outfit my 40 & 60 with the skinny tire this year. I wonder how the skinnier tires are in deep snow. The 12.50" Width is nice in the really deep snow we get up here in the British Columbia interior.

 

[bikersmurf]

I've run 33"x 12.50"s for almost 20 years on my 40, but in the last year I've really been liking the look of the 33"x 10.50" on cruisers I've seen pics of. I'm probably going to outfit my 40 & 60 with the skinny tire this year. I wonder how the skinnier tires are in deep snow. The 12.50" Width is nice in the really deep snow we get up here in the British Columbia interior.

I was running 31x10.50s back in the "Blizzard of 96" here in Victoria. Especially once aired down they did awesome in he deep snow on the roads. (for those who don't know what I'm talking about... Close to three feet of snow overnight + almost no plows = most businesses in the city shut down for a week)

 

[INHALER]

Hmmm...I remember that year. I was stranded in Vancouver during the blizzar. When I returned to the interior 4 days later, my 40 was almost buried in snow. I cleaned it off, drove over & through a five foot high snow bank & on to the road. I had a ton of fun playing with my fj40 in the snow that winter, with a fresh chey v8 under the hood. Guys told me I was crazy for running 33"x 12.50" tires in the snow, but aired down to 25 psi, I could go anywhere, even snow that was half as deep as the truck was high, they're like pontoons.

 

[bikersmurf]

Hmmm...I remember that year. I was stranded in Vancouver during the blizzar. When I returned to the interior 4 days later, my 40 was almost buried in snow. I cleaned it off, drove over & through a five foot high snow bank & on to the road. I had a ton of fun playing with my fj40 in the snow that winter, with a fresh chey v8 under the hood. Guys told me I was crazy for running 33"x 12.50" tires in the snow, but aired down to 25 psi, I could go anywhere, even snow that was half as deep as the truck was high, they're like pontoons.

I'd just put my 350 in and got it on the road the week before. The snow was usually level with the top of the hood when I got stuck. I was aired down to 10 psi by the end of the day.

 

[bikersmurf]

Got a set of 33x10.50 ATs... Very happy with them once tire pressure adjusted to 25 psi. Contact patch is good, ride/handling good, and steering is much easier than with 12.50s.

 

[Splangy]

12.5's are for Jeeps!

 

[Brian in Oregon]

there are plenty of 9.5's out there on websites etc. imo

manual steering - i love my 9.5's i couldn't imagine 12.5

I'm having no issues turning my 12.50's except on pavement at very slow speed, like when spotting a trailer. It's hard to get the steering to react fast enough. My gut feeling is a narrower tire would not make a huge difference in this. For driving on the road, no problems. The real problem is off road, and it ain't with the tire. It's bump steer and that's an issue of manual vs power steering.

 

[pavieSD]

I'm having no issues turning my 12.50's except on pavement at very slow speed, like when spotting a trailer. It's hard to get the steering to react fast enough. My gut feeling is a narrower tire would not make a huge difference in this. For driving on the road, no problems. The real problem is off road, and it ain't with the tire. It's bump steer and that's an issue of manual vs power steering.

On my stock steering FJ40, the passenger side tie rod end, engages with the right tire on full lock left turns when using 12.5 wide tires. This was enough of an issue that the previous owner bent the tie rod, and also wore a groove into the inner side wall of the tire. I went back to stock rims and a 10.5 inch tire, and now have no more issues with rubbing.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

These pics were from the ad the previous owner ran. Note how the 12.50s stick out, especially in the rear wheel well. There is little clearance here, and that's with 2.5" lift springs. The tires rubbed on the wheel wells on driveways and speed bumps. I installed 3" shackles, which gave me another 1.5" of lift at the axle, totaling 4" of life at the rear axle. This is the minimum lift that should be considered with 1250-33-15 tires and uncut wheel wells. Better would be 4" lift springs plus extended shackles, and I may wind up going that route.

You can see the extra clearance in this pic from the shackles (and a wee bit more because the roof and doors are off).

Another issue is that the width of the tire needs to be carefully checked against all possible rub points. At full right turn, the left tire sidewall was being scored by a zerk fitting on the steering. This was a 90 degree zerk. I replaced it with a short straight zerk and had no further problems.

And yes, the wide footprint does float well, especially on sand. My tires lacked grip though on marginal surfaces, so I had them siped. Chain clearance is very close, and a deep rut will cause link strikes on the wheel well. Another reason to install 4" lift springs.

Overall, I like everything about the 12.50 width EXCEPT the issues with the rear wheel well openings. I'm not going to cut them, and these tires barely have any wear, and at the rate I'm driving the FJ40 the tread will last at least 20 years or more. The economy is so bad that I'm not going to get a lot out of them if I sold them, so pretty much I'm stuck with them. Id much rather have 10.50s, and that's my suggestion, which is why I posted all the above, so you can see the issues. If you have cut wheel wells, get 12.50s and don't look back.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

On my stock steering FJ40, the passenger side tie rod end, engages with the right tire on full lock left turns when using 12.5 wide tires. This was enough of an issue that the previous owner bent the tie rod, and also wore a groove into the inner side wall of the tire. I went back to stock rims and a 10.5 inch tire, and now have no more issues with rubbing.

As I pointed out in my lengthy post above, yes, that was an issue with mine, but only with the zerk fitting. But yeah, it's close, and the choice of rim and its offset is critical with 12.50 tires. Anyone contemplating them needs to patronize a tire shop that will install different rims with the chosen tire to check clearance. The left front tire is critical.

Tire chains are critical too. I have heavy truck chains. Fortunately they clear the steering components on the front. But if the tires were smaller in diameter than 33", that could really be an issue.

Oh, and another thing... The stock tire carrier had to be spaced out to clear the large tire. Plus with all that weight I constantly check the hinges where they bolt to the body. Tires this large and heavy are a good candidate for a custom tire carrier.

 

[77mustard40]

Rolling on 10.50 X 31 AT's with stock steelies. No issues at all, in fact the switch to narrower steelies noticeably stood the tire stance taller and skinnier. Would like to have the 33's but have been pouring $ into other things.

 

[skidplate]

9.50's look funny on 8" wheels, but I don't think you have to worry about that, 'cause I don't think you'll find them. 33/10.50 will look good. Post pics with the new shoes.

 

[bikersmurf]

9.50's look funny on 8" wheels, but I don't think you have to worry about that, 'cause I don't think you'll find them. 33/10.50 will look good. Post pics with the new shoes.

33x10.50s on 8" wide with 3.5" bs w/ .25" spacer if I remember correctly.

Sorry about the angle...

You can see how wide the 12.50 spare looks in comparison. I'll have to find a narrower one for a spare someday.