Looking for New tires

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Lomoski

Lomoski

Joined
Nov 24, 2017
Threads
38
Messages
280
Location
Canada
Hey gang,
I have a 95 kzj78 prado with a 2.5" Dobinson lift. Currently running studded Wrangler Duratrac 31's for the winter. I am looking for new tires for the summer and was thinking about going to 32 or 33. Any suggestions for rubber? I'm thinking duratrac again but am open to options. Something lighter is better for my little 1kz-te motor, don't want to lose too much power or efficiency.

Thanks Guys.

Lomo
 
image.webp

Toyo's
 
While you may have better results, I didn't like my KO2's.
 
What are your reasons for suggesting certain tires? Pros vs cons please.

Thanks guys!
 
If you want a 32, you could look at the 235/85R16 size. If you want a 33 you can look at 255/85R16. Both are 'skinny', which means less rolling resistance. It's amazing where you can go on even the 32" tire in these trucks!

I'm running Duratracs also right now. Mainly because they are half decent, but also very affordable. If I were going to run a more expensive tire, I'd look at the Cooper ST Maxx I think. Friend of mine has them on his HDJ81, and they are one long lasting very tough and very high quality tire. I'm really impressed by them.
 
235/85r/16 (32x9 pizza cutters) are a super common size. Available in just about every tire.
255/85/16 are 33.5x10 pizza cutters. I think they suit the 70 series well but are a tricky tire to find as its an oddball size.

I've had good luck with Toyos, I plan on buying them again when I do get another set for my current truck.
 
I like the 235/85/16. Best all rounder IMO. Going bigger drains the acceleration and braking power. Choose the tyre according to the soil you are driving on.
 
whats the difference between say a 235/85/15 and a 32x9x15? Is it just a different way of measuring and they are the same tire or is something otherwise different? I have 31x10.5x15 right now on my truck so I will need to stay with a 15 to fit my rims, not buying new rims! Would a 32x11 fit without rubbing? Would like to try going up an inch in diameter but it seems they only make 32x11 not 32x10.

I live in the mountains. Most wheeling will be done around the ghost region here which is varied, loose sharp rock, bedrock and the occasional creek crossing. Not a ton of mud here.

Thanks for all the input guys.

Lomo
 
Lomoski said:
whats the difference between say a 235/85/15 and a 32x9x15? Is it just a different way of measuring and they are the same tire or is something otherwise different? I have 31x10.5x15 right now on my truck so I will need to stay with a 15 to fit my rims, not buying new rims! Would a 32x11 fit without rubbing? Would like to try going up an inch in diameter but it seems they only make 32x11 not 32x10.

I live in the mountains. Most wheeling will be done around the ghost region here which is varied, loose sharp rock, bedrock and the occasional creek crossing. Not a ton of mud here.

Thanks for all the input guys.

Lomo
Click to expand...

We were talking about 16", not 15" rims ( in the 235/85 and 255/85 tires anyhow). A 32x9x15 will have taller sidewalls than a 235/85R16, because the outer diameter is the same, but the 15" rim is smaller. Probably a much harder tire size to find too.

I really like my 235/85R16 on roads with sharp rock and the other circumstances you described. These tires often end up on dually one ton pick-ups, and thus are made with very tough side walls for heavy loads etc. As they are really square, and not balloon-ish like a wider tire, the side walls seem to be less prone to slashing. Not all e-rated tires are equal in my opinion.

The wider tires look cooler, and are good where you need flotation, like sand, deep mud or deep snow. Otherwise, I think the skinny tires win. For normal snow that you'd see with every day driving, a skinnier tire is better. It cuts through snow and slush easier.

Are you running stock kzjz8 rims? 15x7"? Going with an 11" wide tire, you might need to buy a new set of rims too. Just go with more negative offset if you're concerned about clearance. This will prevent rubbing problems if you get it all right.

I've run 35x12.5 R15 on my LJ78. The rims had zero offset, and did rub a bit, but not too bad really. With a little more lift and negative offset, they would not have rubbed at all.
 
The 32X9.5X15 will only come in a C range. So a softer sidewall with less plies. This will create a bit more walk on the road. Not terrible, but it's there. The 235 will be available in a D or E range. Slightly more stable on the highway and usually one more layer to the sidewall. Both are good choices.
I am running the 33X10.50X15 BFG KO2 on my Cruiser currently. I really like the KO2s as an all around tire. I have had several sets in various sizes and load ranges on different vehicles. I have ran a load of BFG KM and KM2s. Great tire, but, if you mostly drive on road, they are a bit heavier. And, despite what people will tell you, they aren't very good in snow. I have had plenty of them and I promise you, they will cake up and make for some very interesting times in deeper snow. Especially on a nice side slope with a 500' drop next to you.

You are going to be in a similar situation as me on my LJ78. I have 15" wheels, so your choices are much more limited.

And, yes, the 32X11 will fit under your truck with out rubbing.
 
Keep your eye out for a set of LJ78 rims they look identical to the 4runner wheels except they are 16" diameter.
If I were you for simplicity sake just stick with 235/85/16 if you go the 16" route. Super common and skinny tires rock.
It was my go to tire size for winters.
 
I guess I have to be careful what I say about how I feel about tires in terms of quality....but I feel BFG are the absolute garbage of high priced tires and I will leave it at that.

My brother is a loyal BFG fan though and runs them on all of his vehicles except his mustang.

I am Toyo all the way...
 
Last edited:
GTSSportCoupe said:
We were talking about 16", not 15" rims ( in the 235/85 and 255/85 tires anyhow). A 32x9x15 will have taller sidewalls than a 235/85R16, because the outer diameter is the same, but the 15" rim is smaller. Probably a much harder tire size to find too.

I really like my 235/85R16 on roads with sharp rock and the other circumstances you described. These tires often end up on dually one ton pick-ups, and thus are made with very tough side walls for heavy loads etc. As they are really square, and not balloon-ish like a wider tire, the side walls seem to be less prone to slashing. Not all e-rated tires are equal in my opinion.

The wider tires look cooler, and are good where you need flotation, like sand, deep mud or deep snow. Otherwise, I think the skinny tires win. For normal snow that you'd see with every day driving, a skinnier tire is better. It cuts through snow and slush easier.

Are you running stock kzjz8 rims? 15x7"? Going with an 11" wide tire, you might need to buy a new set of rims too. Just go with more negative offset if you're concerned about clearance. This will prevent rubbing problems if you get it all right.

I've run 35x12.5 R15 on my LJ78. The rims had zero offset, and did rub a bit, but not too bad really. With a little more lift and negative offset, they would not have rubbed at all.
Click to expand...


From what I can tell they are not stock rims. I have no idea if they are offset or not, or what size they are other than 15". I'll take a photo when I get home. Is there any way to tell?

I live in the mountains and have a set of studded duratrac 31x10.5x15 that I will use in the winter. So snow performance is not a top priority, they might see a few weeks of snow during the shoulder season but it's only 4 months a year the summer tires will be on my truck so I really don't want to buy new rims. I'll keep these rims and just swap tires as needed.
 
Lomoski said:
From what I can tell they are not stock rims. I have no idea if they are offset or not, or what size they are other than 15". I'll take a photo when I get home. Is there any way to tell?
Click to expand...

The rim dimensions are usually written on the rim somewhere. Might be on the front, but more likely on the back side. Might have to take a wheel off to see. Should be something like 15x7 ET0 (the ET is offset). Or it might just say 0mm for the offset (or 5mm, etc.)
 
I also will mostly be driving on road, with a few trips of wheeling.
GTSSportCoupe said:
The rim dimensions are usually
IMG_20180326_171735.webp
written on the rim somewhere. Might be on the front, but more likely on the back side. Might have to take a wheel off to see. Should be something like 15x7 ET0 (the ET is offset). Or it might just say 0mm for the offset (or 5mm, etc.)
Click to expand...
 
Toyo M55s wear like iron. There is a reason light trucks run them for forestry service roads up where I live.
Cons: they are heavy, hum on the highway. I can live with those two.

MTs i really liked other than they were soft but what do you expect out of a mud tire in terms of longevity.

I almost bought a set of Open Country CTs for winters this year. It will probably be this fall.
I'm open to trying out those Open Country RT that is a slightly more aggressive AT tire.

My next cruiser will have M55s on it.
 
So I can get a pretty good deal on BF Goodrich all terrain ko2 32x11.5x15 with the 19mm offset rims I should be able to get away with little or no frame rub? What is the equivalent in metric though? The sizing confuses me slightly. Want a 32 metric equivalent in a 15 inch rim. Cheers!
 
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