Quick tire question: 285/75R16 vs. 305/70R16

[Tarheel]

I've searched all the posts on tires and can't seem to find a discussion/opinion on this. I've settled that I'm going to get some Toyo Open Country M/T tires for my 1997 FJ80. No lift kit, and mostly DD but some off road on a farm. But no rock crawling or super hard core off road.

Want a cool beefy look, but also good safe drivability on road for me and my teenage son. I don't want to go more than 33" based on all the posts I've read.

Can I go with the 305/70's or should I stick with 285/75's? I'm using the stock 16 inch rims.

Thanks.

 

[Tmax]

the 305's would give you the beefy look and will fit with no issues if you are using factory backspacing or factory wheels.

i just picked up 6 toyo mt's in 305/70/16 and seem to be nice tire so far.

 

[bajaphile]

Yes the 305's will fit, and they are a little bit wider. I think for an 80, they look more proportional than a 285, but that is a personal preference. If you have flares, which most likely you do, it will fill them out better with a wider tire.

 

[dannyp]

I'd get the 305s also. they're just a bit wider. they'll look good

 

[gaijin]

I've searched all the posts on tires and can't seem to find a discussion/opinion on this. I've settled that I'm going to get some Toyo Open Country M/T tires for my 1997 FJ80. No lift kit, and mostly DD but some off road on a farm. But no rock crawling or super hard core off road.

Want a cool beefy look, but also good safe drivability on road for me and my teenage son. I don't want to go more than 33" based on all the posts I've read.

Can I go with the 305/70's or should I stick with 285/75's? I'm using the stock 16 inch rims.

Thanks.

I'd go with the 285/75-16's on a DD stock rig with no lift.

Here are a couple of pics of my buddy's 80 with 285/75-16 Goodyear Duratracs on stock wheels with no lift:

Anything wider and you'd be slinging dirt onto the body even with the fender flares.

 

[Tarheel]

I'd go with the 285/75-16's on a DD stock rig with no lift.

Here are a couple of pics of my buddy's 80 with 285/75-16 Goodyear Duratracs on stock wheels with no lift:

Anything wider and you'd be slinging dirt onto the body even with the fender flares.

Thanks. The pic of the stock suspension with the 285/75-16 is real helpful.

Anyone have a pic of a stock suspension with the 305/70-16s?

 

[Tarheel]

Also, any idea whether there would be a significant driveability difference on highway or around town between the two sizes? Thx.

 

[DSRTRDR]

I'd go with the 285/75-16's on a DD stock rig with no lift.

Here are a couple of pics of my buddy's 80 with 285/75-16 Goodyear Duratracs on stock wheels with no lift:

sorry to see your head got blowed off

 

[greentruck]

Also, any idea whether there would be a significant driveability difference on highway or around town between the two sizes? Thx.

Depends on how you view significant. Not speaking specifically about these tires, as I'm a KM2 skinnies fan, a wider tire is more likely to hydroplane or pick at expansion joints or other road imperfections. With more frontal bulk, a wider tire will have more wind resistance and higher steering effort.

In the big scheme of things, the difference between those two sizes will be minimal. If the comparison was between tires that are more dissimilar, the effects of these would be more noticeable and represent more of a distinct choice between the two.

 

[John E Davies]

I have 305s (with 3 inches of lift) and plan to go back to 285s. The bigger tires definitely look more macho, but they are significantly heavier, more expensive and definitely affect the acceleration and handling. The ONLY reason I would stick with the wider size is if I lived where I had to drive on loose sand frequently.

Check out the Cooper ST Maxx tires in 285 if you want great looks and performance. They get stellar reviews.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/59755-Cooper-Discoverer-S-T-Maxx

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[jfz80]

As well may want to consider that the 285 is a more common size nationwide as well if you were to be in a situations of stranded during travels and needing a tire outside your home/comfort environment. Double flats can happen Either one will fit in the stock spare location though, and with the spare tire hoist mod could tuck relatively well out of harms way.

Chime in here as well to say hello to the local cruiser nuts but ill warn you, while we are quite nice most of us bleed red and white
^^^ thats actually a friendly gesture around these parts......... Welcome

 

[Rybones]

You're looking at a difference of less than 0.8"; to put another way the 305's are 7% wider. I would bet this difference is not noticeable unless side by side.

My suggestion is look at cost and availability. How much more and how much longer does it take to get the 305's? You may have a non-repairable flat at some point, how long will it take to get a replacement for either size?

 

[2KCruiser]

i got 325/70/17. Flush with the fender flares

 

[Schwein]

305 70 r16 hankook dynapro atmrf10