Unless something new hits the market, my plan is to go with 37x12.5r17 Kanati Trail Hogs. Between AT and MT and 3 peak mountain snowflake like Duratracs, but unlike Duratracs the Trail Hog has 3 ply sidewall, available in 37” and cheap.
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I had Super Swamper Tricia MT 255/85r16s on my 78 full size Cherokee Chief. They handled TERRIBLE on highway, narrow tread and mushy sidewalls were loose handling and didn’t track straight.
Wow, thanks for posting. I'm going to have to read up on those. I LOVE my duratracs. The sidewall stories have always been in the back of my mind though. I've been wanting to go 37s, but duratracs don't go that big. These, although off brand, sound like the ticket.
I had 35” Duratracs on my 3/4 ton diesel. Amazing traction in mud AND snow.
I am nervous about “off brand” but have a coworker that put them on his Tundra and been very happy with them.
Try it, hell 235 are pretty cheap these days,
There is a benefit to tall and skinny, in the form of gas mileage and power.
Eldorado Mud Claw Extreme M/T Mud-Terrain LT235/85R16 Light Truck Tire - Walmart.com
Buy Eldorado Mud Claw Extreme M/T Mud-Terrain LT235/85R16 Light Truck Tire at Walmart.com
www.walmart.com
There is a benefit to tall and skinny, in the form of gas mileage and power.
- Thread starter
- #26
So I checked out the Cucumber build thread... I dunno what to say. It’s all kinds of awesome mixed with insanity.
- Thread starter
- #27
Thanks, lots of good info there!Below is a link to the thread on when I had just installed 255 85 16 Cooper ST's. I am running OME heavies and I prefer the tall skinnies. I am a fan of Cooper tires. These did real well all around. They did get pretty noisy on the road towards the end of their life. I did get a lot of miles out of them though. Seems like it was around 40,000 miles.
I deal popped up locally I could not pass up for some Nitto Terra Grapplers in 285 75 16 so I am currently running those. They were almost new, maybe 3,000 miles on them at a local tire shop. Got them for $400 mounted and balanced. Like them a lot.
2.5 OME heavies and 255's on and cruising.
I have the 2.5 OME heavies on with the wonderful help of forum member lukefj. Thanks, you were great to work with and I appreciate all you hard work. I then went with 255/85 16 Cooper Discoverer ST's, made in the USA. The spring and shock combo with the Doetsch shocks ride very nice, not...forum.ih8mud.com
- Thread starter
- #28
Right, so apparently skinnies AT at low pressure do really well in sand, but the more aggressive the thread, the more you dig. Mind you, I’ve not tried it myself, which is why the experiment for me.
we do try to spend as much time as possible in the Smokies, TN to NC, which is only a few hours away. We will tow a pop up sometimes, under 3,000lbs. Load E is overkill for us I feel, and one of the only complaints I find about the Cooper ST Maxx. I plan on running an ARB front at some point because our trips have had too many close calls with deer, cows and ATVs... No other additional weight save for storage, etc....
These tires are listed at 102.00ea . For that price could afford two sets and the spares.Try it, hell 235 are pretty cheap these days,
Eldorado Mud Claw Extreme M/T Mud-Terrain LT235/85R16 Light Truck Tire - Walmart.com
Buy Eldorado Mud Claw Extreme M/T Mud-Terrain LT235/85R16 Light Truck Tire at Walmart.comwww.walmart.com
There is a benefit to tall and skinny, in the form of gas mileage and power.
- Thread starter
- #30
Follow up: I found a set of Tundra steelies in 17x7, wish it were a 16, but at $125 for the set, can’t be too picky. This opens up the 235/80/17 size or still the 255/80/17 Cooper ST.Hmmm, in 255/80/17, opens up to the Flaken AT3W, Toyo AT 2, Nitto Ridge Grappler. The Cooper is $25 cheaper in 17 As compared to 16. I’m just gonna have the kids pick, i can’t do it.
Cool tip. 37s ain’t my thing, but they make it in 235/80/17 and I have a line on 17 inch Tundra steelies. Out of stock most places, but looks like the price was around $120. really cool tip, thx
Realize you will need spacers with the Tundra Wheels. Just another maintenance / failure point.
- Thread starter
- #32
Would I need spacers with a 255/80? Should fit right? I had in mind spacers would be fo a larger size, 285 and above for clearance away from the shock tower. If that’s the case, I’ll forego the 17s, stick with my OEM 16 inch aluminum wheel and get either the Cooper Maxx in 255/85/16 as Dennis suggested, or the KM3 in the same size to try my first M/T. The price tag for either of these for a set of 5 calls for a little more commitment than I wanted.
My brother has maxxis bighorns on his in a 255/85r16 on the stock wheels.
For 255's without flares a 6.5" wide wheel with +27 offset is ideal. That's what my Bradley V's are, which are engineered specifically for 255's on an 80. You will definitely want to run spacers to stay in that sweet spot.
Edit: changed offset from -27 to +27
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #35
Alright. I’ll look around but not sure if getting a hold of new new wheels is in the budget. I was happy to find a set of Tundra wheels in 17, but seems less than ideal now.
Also, Camptech on yours? i made contact with Eric for my previous 80 but had to let it go. I think this one will be worthy.
I have been ever so slowly putting a set of 16x7 steelies together to run on my 80. The tall skinnies with those old steelies look great to me. Utilitarian and retro.
The source i have found for the 16x7's with the needed offset are the spares from older toyotas. I have found all mine in local salvage yards from 4runners.
There are some slight differences in some of these spares depending on years. I have not looked lately as I had other things to work on and dont remember the years things changed.
A thread where I was inquiring at the time.
forum.ih8mud.com
Good luck on your search. I need to complete my set...
The source i have found for the 16x7's with the needed offset are the spares from older toyotas. I have found all mine in local salvage yards from 4runners.
There are some slight differences in some of these spares depending on years. I have not looked lately as I had other things to work on and dont remember the years things changed.
A thread where I was inquiring at the time.
Steel 16X7 spare, 16 hole 18 hole difference?
I have read through postings and threads, can't find a definitive answer. Some I read have run these both on the 80 series. Some said that one didn't work over the other on a Tacoma. I am putting together a set of 16" steel wheels from Toyota spares to run as a set on my 80 series. I have 2...
forum.ih8mud.com
Good luck on your search. I need to complete my set...
If mud is the priority and road manners not so much, look at Q78-16 tires. 36x9.5. Super Swampers still sell that size. There used to be “Grip Spurs” (sold at co-ops) and Buckshot Mudders in that size.
www.summitracing.com
www.yournexttire.com
Tires - Q78-16LT Tire Size - 35.50 in. Tire Diameter - In Stock Filter Options - Free Shipping on Orders Over $109 at Summit Racing
Find Tires Q78-16LT Tire Size, 35.50 in. Tire Diameter, In Stock Filter Options and get Free Shipping on Orders Over $109 at Summit Racing!
New Tire Grip Spur Buckshot Wide Mudder P78 33 9.50 10.50 16 Mud Stud
The Buckshot Mudder Tire is back in stock. If you are looking for a true mud tire, look no further! These have the deepest tread of any mud tire you can find, 30/32 tread depth. NEW 1st line Buckshot Mudder P78-16 Tire in size 33x10.50-16 which replaces
The best tire for mud and rocks given the weight of the vehicle is a 33” skinny. The BFG’s are amazing. given the pounds per square inch skinnies are hard to beat! With that said...
1. the road noise of the BFG’s on the road is loud! Really loud.
2. they are hard to balance
3. You may consider spacers to widen the stance and prevent roll.
I 1.25” Spacers all around for aesthetics and it did help prevent roll incidentally.
I run 35” Cooper STT Pros today and really like them but I must say the 255/85r16 is a beast of a tire!!
Zona
1. the road noise of the BFG’s on the road is loud! Really loud.
2. they are hard to balance
3. You may consider spacers to widen the stance and prevent roll.
I 1.25” Spacers all around for aesthetics and it did help prevent roll incidentally.
I run 35” Cooper STT Pros today and really like them but I must say the 255/85r16 is a beast of a tire!!
Zona
I like the skinny tire look, but 235 is going to look like spare tire donuts on a flared 80. Also, they are just under 32”. I think the 255 85 16 is the right tire, almost bought them my last go around.
I have been ever so slowly putting a set of 16x7 steelies together to run on my 80. The tall skinnies with those old steelies look great to me. Utilitarian and retro.
The source i have found for the 16x7's with the needed offset are the spares from older toyotas. I have found all mine in local salvage yards from 4runners.
There are some slight differences in some of these spares depending on years. I have not looked lately as I had other things to work on and dont remember the years things changed.
A thread where I was inquiring at the time.
Steel 16X7 spare, 16 hole 18 hole difference?
I have read through postings and threads, can't find a definitive answer. Some I read have run these both on the 80 series. Some said that one didn't work over the other on a Tacoma. I am putting together a set of 16" steel wheels from Toyota spares to run as a set on my 80 series. I have 2...
Good luck on your search. I need to complete my set...