Pizza cutter tires on the fjc? 255/85/16 vs 285/75/16

[LCCRUISER]

I'm going to put BFG KM2's on my FJC. I can buy 5 of each in the following sizes for the prices shown including shipping. 285/75/16 for $1060. 255/85/16 for $950. The price is from DiscountTireDirect on eBay minus my $100 (non-transferable) eBay promo coupon.

Please don't bother to offer other brand options, I am set on the KM2's based on size availability and reputation. There are several great tires and retreads in these sizes for less, I want KM2's. The Maxxis was one and someone has a retread for even less.

I've always like tall narrow tires. Here in the Northeast we don't need flotation over sand, just something that will cut down through the mud to the firmer bottom. I have snow tires for the winter, so don't care about the winter performance.

The narrow tires are roughly 10X33 while the 285s are 11.5 X 33. My only concern is that the 255's are 3/4 of an inch narrower treadwise than my stock 265/70/15's. They might be a bit more squirrelly on the road, but they are 10 ply at high pressure there, so maybe not. Plus there shouldn't be any UCA clearance issues.

Thoughts?

 

[wasnt me]

255's drive great on the fjc but look a tad skinny for the bulbous body.

 

[Mtbcoach]

I drove 255/86/16 from NC to CA (Rubithon), to Az, to Moab to Ouray and back to NC. Best for the FJC IMHO. A 255 is 10 mm less than a 265 = less than 1/2" = non-issue other than less weight on the tire, a good thing.

I drove my set through virtually every type of terrain without any issues...

 

[LCCRUISER]

I drove 255/86/16 from NC to CA (Rubithon), to Az, to Moab to Ouray and back to NC. Best for the FJC IMHO. A 255 is 10 mm less than a 265 = less than 1/2" = non-issue other than less weight on the tire, a good thing.

I drove my set through virtually every type of terrain without any issues...

Thanks for the input!

Specs on the 255/85/16 vs 285/75/16 are as follows (the first spec will be the 255):

55 vs 59 lbs, 10" vs 11.3" section width, 6.8" vs 8.7" tread width, 33.3" vs 33.1" diameter. The other specs are similar enough not bother comparing. Both tires recommend

I loved the skinnies I had on my FJ40, 33X9.5X15 Muds. Unfortunately, they no longer make that size.

My wheels are 16X7 and both sizes accommodate that wheel width. One advantage I see for the 285 is that the wider section width and, to a lesser extent, the wider footprint provide extra protection between any obstacles and the wheel.

The 285 will provide more flotation and should give longer tread life. I'm not sure if there are more clearance issues with this size, but it is only 7/10" wider in section width than the stock 26/70/16.

 

[LCCRUISER]

This thread is now dead on my end as a discussion. I pulled the trigger on the BFG KM2 in size 255/85/16. Anyone wanting to continue to chip in is welcome. I will post up some pix when I have them mounted.

Incredible deal! - I had an eBay discount coupon plus a pay today with PayPal eBay triple bucks back deal worth another $50. By the time I was done with the eBay perks it was like getting 5 tires with shipping to my door in NH from Ohio for hardly more than it was going to cost me for the best price for 4 anywhere else. That includes the 2 tire/parts stores my B-I-L manages.

I lucked out with all the extra eBay perks I had that end in the next day or two, they were worth substantial. I wasn't going to pop for tires until returning from Moab in May, but the eBay combo was too hard to overlook. I'll eat cereal for the next month now that I blew my wad.

Discount Tire Direct has an ongoing FJCruiser forum discount that gives you $50 off if you buy 5 tires instead of 4. Discount Tire Direct also has an optional road hazard guarantee that replaces any tire for free (including shipping) as long as the damaged tire has remaining treadlife. That includes off road damage and no prorating. Tear a tire on a rock or stump and they send you a new one! If you are a member of the Blue Room, they discount the package. They will cover 5 tires for the cost of your paying for 4.

I do want to say that Sam at Discount Tire Direct (extension 51814) couldn't have been more helpful assisting me. DTD will definitely be the first place I look to buy tires from now on. Call them and punch in his extension, he's user friendly toward the FJC owners! I'll be looking to him when I pull the trigger on some KM's for my Tan FJ40.

My many thanks to Sam. Discount Tire Direct, eBay and the Blue Room!



LC

 

[Mtbcoach]

Good deal! I bought mine from Discount, damaged one on my trip during Rubithon, they ordered it, had it delivered to the closest Discount along my trip, replaced it free and on I went.

Can't wait to see the pics...