How are 35" on a 80 for a expo rig?

[Mlachica]

I recommend going with the smallest tires that still allow you to safely navigate your intended terrain. Lower weight, lower center of gravity, better mpg, better on-road handling, less vehicle stress, and better braking are your friend. At 20,000 miles per year of mostly highway, pick a tire that suits you 90% of the time. It sounds like you can keep up with the Joneses with your driving skills, you don't need bigger tires.

This is the most logical answer by far, especially as an 'expo rig' but if you're not going to be happy with it that way then put some 35's on it and don't look back.

I've ran nothing but 35's. I almost went for 295's but I opted for the supercharger instead and stuck with the 35's

 

[OGBeno]

If I were to do it all over again, nothing over a 33" tire would be on any of my Land Cruisers for "expo'ing" (aka: car camping)

@TrickyT His 80 series is the one all the way to the right. It is on 33" tires. I have done numerous trips with his truck and he has **never** gotten stuck (he is a hell of a driver too). Every other truck in this picture is on 35's.

Extra points if anyone who was not on that trip knows where this was taken. (@alia176 @Cruiserdrew @beno @locrwln1 @spressomon and @TrickyT can't play)

Man, this was a long time ago now. Wow. Time flies.

 

[LFD2037]

If I were to do it all over again, nothing over a 33" tire would be on any of my Land Cruisers for "expo'ing" (aka: car camping)

Having many 4wd's (over 20 but only 1 80 mind you) I whole heartedly agree w/this. I've had from 29" to 37". Once you get so big, it becomes a PITA for every-day, all-day activities. Maybe I'm just getting old or maybe I'm just getting wise. YMMV.

 

[Qball]

Ok it's all about want vs need, do we need 35s? No! It hell yeah we want them.

This is the thing I love about the 80s, only 700 dollars worth of 2 inch lift and BAM! Run 35s to your hearts content! Mine doesn't need regearing, SC or go fast. I'm happy with the way she is now. She handles fine and extra ground clearance is really nice.

No, I don't really do anything hardcore, yes, I mostly just car camp with it but I love it!

 

[greentruck]

Ok it's all about want vs need, do we need 35s? No! It hell yeah we want them.

SNIP

Well, some folks want them. I've spent enough time above 10,000 feet in Colorado to know two things.

I don't need them (98% of the time).

I don't want them when both me and the truck are wheezing from the thin air.

There's only one trail I've been on where I think something bigger than a 33 would be useful, Holy Cross City. The main reason that is is because lots of folks with bigger tires have spent several decades beating that trail up. I made it all the way to the creek crossing on 28s in my stock FJ55 back in 77. Been up it in my Rodeo on 31s and didn't get half as far. Haven't been there in the 80 yet, but may not even bother. It's not like there's not plenty of other place to cover. I don't feel too bad about the 2% of places I might not be able to go (yes, have heard of a few other places similar and the only one that gets me interested is Blanca.)

And I now have a trailer, yet more incentive to stay with 33s.

If I do decide to push the envelope some, I'm also that much less likely to break something on 33s. However, for those loving the bigger tires, CDan and beno are standing by to take your calls...

 

[rc51kid]

Thanks for all the input. Time will tell but i am leaning toward my original idea of sticking with a more aggressive 285/5/16 like the Toyo MT. I have been surprised where 33s have taken me and i think as my driving skill improves they should do well for my needs.

 

[rc51kid]

If I were to do it all over again, nothing over a 33" tire would be on any of my Land Cruisers for "expo'ing" (aka: car camping)

@TrickyT His 80 series is the one all the way to the right. It is on 33" tires. I have done numerous trips with his truck and he has **never** gotten stuck (he is a hell of a driver too). Every other truck in this picture is on 35's.

Extra points if anyone who was not on that trip knows where this was taken. (@alia176 @Cruiserdrew @beno @locrwln1 @spressomon and @TrickyT can't play)

Man, this was a long time ago now. Wow. Time flies.

View attachment 1157716

Wow..."car camping " just makes it sound so lame. To me car camping is what you do when you are 8 years old with your parents in the station wagon at the KOA. But I guess you are right. "Car camping" is really all that i am doing, just in a much more remote location than the KOA.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Thanks for all the input. Time will tell but i am leaning toward my original idea of sticking with a more aggressive 285/5/16 like the Toyo MT. I have been surprised where 33s have taken me and i think as my driving skill improves they should do well for my needs.

It takes some longer to fully understand this than other, smart choice.

BTDT

 

[scottryana]

I don't know 35's and 37's look boss at the Starbucks. You don't have anyone at the gas station tell you, "Man I really like what you have done with that Lexus" when you are on 33's.

I say let the crowd decide what is best for you!

Oh and that picture has to be in Utah. How specific do I need to be to get my extra point??

If I were to do it all over again, nothing over a 33" tire would be on any of my Land Cruisers for "expo'ing" (aka: car camping)

@TrickyT His 80 series is the one all the way to the right. It is on 33" tires. I have done numerous trips with his truck and he has **never** gotten stuck (he is a hell of a driver too). Every other truck in this picture is on 35's.

Extra points if anyone who was not on that trip knows where this was taken. (@alia176 @Cruiserdrew @beno @locrwln1 @spressomon and @TrickyT can't play)

Man, this was a long time ago now. Wow. Time flies.

View attachment 1157716

 

[OGBeno]

I don't know 35's and 37's look boss at the Starbucks. You don't have anyone at the gas station tell you, "Man I really like what you have done with that Lexus" when you are on 33's.

I say let the crowd decide what is best for you!

Oh and that picture has to be in Utah. How specific do I need to be to get my extra point??

Very specific.

But yes. It is Utah.

 

[1973Guppie]

This is the most logical answer by far, especially as an 'expo rig' but if you're not going to be happy with it that way then put some 35's on it and don't look back.

I've ran nothing but 35's. I almost went for 295's but I opted for the supercharger instead and stuck with the 35's

have you regeared? how is the feel with the sc and the 35's? just curious as that will end up being my setup.....

 

[Qball]

35 with stock gear and SC is very drivable and got plenty of top end grunt. For normal driving I don't think I've used more than half throttle.

I was at 10,000 feet with 35s, stock gear and I didn't really desperately want SC. I was perfectly fine with my rig in 4low, hell I really didn't want to go faster than 30mph on twisty dirt roads anyways.

Disclaimer: I've advanced hell out of timing and using 91 gas.

 

[LFD2037]

Does "car camping" become "over-landing" when you no longer have cell reception?

I've been "car camping" w/no cell reception, the closest paved road over an hour away & the closest 'town'(food/fuel/homes) over 2 hours away. I consider that over-landing. I did it on 33's & never needed 35's, though the rock crawling was minimal. Only time I've thought I needed 35's is pure rock crawling (my rig does plenty well enough on 33's) & when I love the look of 35's. The looks, now that I'm approaching 40 & am much wiser, have taken a backseat to effective simplicity. No need for gears, bigger bumpstops, different wheels, cutting/trimming, rubbing, etc.

 

[warezdog]

@beno, I'm guessing it's a few miles from the mixing bowl.

Wait I'm retracting and going with Elephant hill canyon lands

 

[Mlachica]

have you regeared? how is the feel with the sc and the 35's? just curious as that will end up being my setup.....

I'm running 4.88's and ARB's. Combined with the 35's and supercharger it's a great combo. Pre supercharger I would really struggle on steep grades when loaded for a 5 day camping trip for a family of 5 (towing an AT Chaser). Which was the reason I wanted smaller tires, especially since the trails I'd hit didn't NEED them. Now that I've put the supercharger on, I struggle less LOL.

I love the setup but I don't need 35's. I could live with 33's but I've already dialed it in. But my long term plan is prob to sell the 80 in a few years and replace it with a 200 when they're more affordable

 

[LINUS]

I'll toss this out as I've had a 80 on 37's & sold it.

Kept my longtimer that's just on 315's.

Those 37's will make you the fricking guenea pig for all who want to try something, then watch as you either make it, fail, or worse - break isht.

I learned alot, I wrenched alot. I sold that one & regained a hobby with all the time I don't spend on cardboard under it.

Now I smile, let other guys do crap & have yet to not leave a trail under my own power on 315's. Less balls, sure - no prob saying it. And that night I just go home & entertain myself however I choose, not have time dictated to me by what is wearing/worn/flat busted.

Find your balance of "I want big" & "balance in life" - if you have no other hobbies, no wife/kids, & enjoy turning ratchets then I bet the tire shop's got a set of 37's waiting for you. I've no real clue why, but it's "something" the jump to 37's is - you just need to decide if it's a crown on your head or cuffs on your wrists. My .02 on it all.

 

[VuickB6]

Not sure why you had so many problems with your rig on 37s but the only time I'm on cardboard underneath mine is when I'm changing the oil or adding another modification. I have been using 37s for two years and almost 55,000 miles now and I have always gotten me and my family home under its own power. But I take time to consider if I'm about to take the best line and if I can't walk it up then I back up and try a different line.

It has been a typical Toyota as far as reliability goes. Definitely a crown on my head.

 

[scottryana]

Biggest reason is you are in Texas and he is in the PNW. Wheeling in Texas is 9 times out of 10 in dry conditions, lots of traction and grip. Wheeling in the PNW is 9 times out of 10 in wet conditions where wheel speed, momentum and bouncing all play a lot bigger part.

 

[OGBeno]

@beno, I'm guessing it's a few miles from the mixing bowl.

Wait I'm retracting and going with Elephant hill canyon lands

Far away from that.

 

[VuickB6]

Biggest reason is you are in Texas and he is in the PNW. Wheeling in Texas is 9 times out of 10 in dry conditions, lots of traction and grip. Wheeling in the PNW is 9 times out of 10 in wet conditions where wheel speed, momentum and bouncing all play a lot bigger part.

I'm in SETX and the only thing around here within 5 hours drive time is muddy stuff like you're talking about. We get over 2 feet of rain every year in this area.

Plus, I dont stick to Texas much. We do Moab and Ouray every year, Arkansas several times per year, and we also did the Rubicon this year which has no traction at all.

Mine does it all and doesn't break.