Decision time: Probably going to test out the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail on the GX. But what size to go with? I'm driving myself mad (pun unintended) with the options.
Current tire that will be replaced:
| BFG KO2 | Load rtg. | Dim. | Wt. |
| 34x10.5R17 (D) | 3085 | 33.5x10.5 (32.5 mounted on the GX | 54 |
On the GX with the AR172 wheels, each corner is 79.31 lb/ea.
Here's the crux of my dilemma: I'm trying to figure out what the best combination of road manners off-road ground clearance, minimal MPG hit, and least likelihood of rubbing issues would be. Size options are:
| Open Country R/T Trail | Load rtg. | Dim. | Wt. |
| 285/75/17 (E) | 3970 | 33.9x11.3 | 63 |
| 255/80/17 (E) | 3415 | 33.1x10.0 | 52 |
The 285/75 is appealing in the added ground clearance that comes with it being a true 34" tire, but it comes with the territory of a) possible rubbing on the frame and/or fender liners and/or pinch weld, and b) it adds 9# per corner. I have been desperately trying to stay away adding unsprung mass as we all know it stresses everything attached to it, which can be an easy point of failure when rock crawling like we do here in the Northeast. Unsprung mass can also severely hamper on-road drivability. Everywhere I go off-roading requires not insignificant highway time to get there-- usually in the 3-5 hour range. Maintaining road manners is a big priority. My concern in adding even more weight at each corner is worse acceleration and coasting, even further decreased MPG, and more strain on the rear door-mounted spare tire carrier, plus a higher likelihood of blowing an axle or tie rod in the woods.
That brings me to the 255/80/17, which is by the book a little smaller even than the KO2 that's on the GX now. However, this combo would weigh even less while adding the traction that the R/T Trail adds off-road over the A/T III (one of the other options at hand). I'm a big fan of the pizza cutter style (having run 255/85/16 on my first 4Runner and now the 34x10.5s now), just not sure the (slight) decrease in height will be noticeable or of concern. Regardless, right now this size is the front-runner; it seems like a happy middleground of aggressive tread but minimal impact on the truck's on-road performance.
Other options (as I posted about prior) are as follows:
| Open Country A/T III | Load rtg. | Dim. | Wt. |
| | | |
| 285/75/17 (C) | 2835 | 33.9x11.3 | 59 |
| 35x11.5R17 (C) | 2910 | 34.5x11.4 | 63 |
| 255/80/17 (E) | 3195 | 33.1x10.0 | 51 |
| Open Country R/T Pro | Load rtg. | Dim. | Wt. |
| | | |
| 285/70/17 (E) | 3750 | 32.8x11.4 | 60 |
Analysis paralysis is taking over.
Thoughts?
