Been wheeling the ko2 @34 hard. They are awesome
Recommended wheels, want to go with some skinny tires....
- Thread starter tlin
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This has been helpful guys. Eyeballing craigslist and elsewhere for some FJ wheels as I do like those better but low on my priority radar for now. Hoping I can hold out until Thanksgiving to see if there are any specials for tires coming up - those darn things are pricey.
If of interest, the larger diameter BFG's are 56#'s each (34") whereas the slightly smaller Cooper's are 58#'s each (32.8"). Lower rotational mass is lower rotational mass and with a slightly bigger diameter to boot, I think I'm sold on the KO2's.
Discount Tire Direct via eBay tends to run $100 off $400 deals twice a year. Their last one ended a few days ago, so I'd expect another one in about 6 months. If you buy in sets of two, you'll get $200 off (assuming your tires are $200+/ea, which is likely because their price includes shipping).
Sorry, I missed this. Yes, personal experience with an 07/KDSS with the towing package / large trailer hitch. I did not try to wiggle it in at an angle, though, so with further effort I may have succeeded.
My 285/75R17 tires are on. The 255/75R17 indeed fits just fine in the spare location on a 2005 GX470 with KDSS and hitch. They angled it up towards the front and then used a floor jack to press the tire up against the trailer hitch. No rubbing on the sway bar.
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IronMan 3" lift front and rear, airbag delete on stock rims and my 255/75/17's BFG MT's fit without any rubbing and the spare tire is inflated at normal ride pressure of 35psi. Fits like a dream and looks awesome.
I run the BFG KO2 34x10.50r17 on the factory wheels and have no issues. I haven't attempt cramming the spare in yet...
- Thread starter
- #27
255/80/17 BFG KM2's on order, coming in tomorrow at the local Discount Tire.
Yes, KM2's (not the KO2's). I run these on my 80 and have always really liked them - they're also 1/2" skinnier, 2 #'s per tire lighter and come in at ~$260 less for the total order (matching spare). So, the major work is nearly done on my ride - alignment hopefully tomorrow afternoon or early Wednesday and then it's time to hit a trail!
Yes, KM2's (not the KO2's). I run these on my 80 and have always really liked them - they're also 1/2" skinnier, 2 #'s per tire lighter and come in at ~$260 less for the total order (matching spare). So, the major work is nearly done on my ride - alignment hopefully tomorrow afternoon or early Wednesday and then it's time to hit a trail!
Matador98
SILVER Star
Anybody have any pictures of the 255/75/17 crammed up in the spare location? I'm having trouble getting mine up there without hitting the KDSS rear sway bar. Any suggestions or tricks? I haven't gone to significant leverage or using a floor jack to push it forward yet, but I am deflated down to 16 psi.
Tlin,
I have an 04 GX with a Sonoran Steel Suspension lift (Bilstein 5100 shocks, TRD coils up front, Radflo in the back) in addition to a 1.5" 4Crawler body lift. I had been running 255/75/R17 Cooper STT Pro Tires on stock wheels, for over a year, without any problems. In fact, they've been great, it's just time to replace them. I just purchased new 17" wheels with a -12 offset and new 255/80R17, Cooper ST Maxx tires. I'm a big fan of the "tall skinny" tires.
(FYI, below is a link to the best article I've ever read on "tall skinnies"
Expeditions West: Tire Selection for Expedition Travel
It presents a scientific examination of the facts.)
I'm more interested in performance than pretty, ALWAYS, and I use my GX off road as often as possible. I'm gearing up for Cruise Moab next week and much to my dismay, my new 255/80s are rubbing like crazy in the front. You are one of the only other GX owners I've found running this size tire. The tires look great and, so far, run beautifully. As I'll be running the 150 mile Kokopelli Trail next week, I'm happy to be running Load Range E tires (though I admit, it might be over kill as I never lost one of the previous set of Load Range C, STT Pro tires). However, I wasn't anticipating this amount of rubbing. I have no qualms about trimming to stop the rubbing. Eventually, (once I can save enough money on my paltry teacher's salary) I plan on replacing the front bumper which would eliminate most, if not all, of the aforementioned rubbing. Unfortunately, I've yet to have it out on a serious trail, and fear there may be more fun rubbing to come.
So, and I apologize for being long winded, my question is in regards to your 255/80/17 KM2's. How has this size worked for you? Are you happy with them? I realize some minor work may be required to eliminate rubbing, but I'm wondering if this effort is worth the slight increase in height and durability provided by the 255/80s. Or, does it make more sense to go back to the 255/75s which I know will fit on my current set up without any rubbing at all. Basically, it comes down to a 32.1", 6 Ply tire vs. 33.1" 10 Ply tire.
I’d appreciate any feedback you could provide.
Sincerely,
Matt
Mcfenton13
mfenton@wsd.net
See you at cm!
Dan,
I hope we have an opportunity to meet down at Cruise Moab. I've long appreciated your GX as I have come across it many times as I was researching aftermarket modifications. I've only had mine for a little less than two years and it's still a work in progress, with a long wish list I'm slowly working my way through. I had a 99 4Runner and, like many, was looking for a 100 Series when I discovered the GX. My 04 was at least 40% cheaper than any comparable 100 and I haven't for one second regretted my decision.
Do you have any thoughts on my aforementioned tire question? Do you think it makes sense to keep the 255/80R17s (and if so, do you have any thoughts on the best way to minimize rubbing?) Or, does it make more sense to go back to the 255/75R17s until I have aftermarket bumpers that will better accommodate the larger tire?
Again, I hope to see you down in Moab and I appreciate any thoughts you can offer.
Matt
P.S. If it's easier, please feel free to contact me at mfenton@wsd.net. I don't typically post on the forums so I'm not exactly sure of the proper etiquette.
NMBruce
SILVER Star
255/80R17, Cooper ST Maxx tires will be my next set of tires. I like tall and skinnies also
Find me at CM, we can talk. I can give you the info you need to fit whatever tire you like!
@mcfenton13 how are you liking the Sonoran suspension ? Is that a progressive coil up front ?
- Thread starter
- #35
Tlin,
I have an 04 GX with a Sonoran Steel Suspension lift (Bilstein 5100 shocks, TRD coils up front, Radflo in the back) in addition to a 1.5" 4Crawler body lift. I had been running 255/75/R17 Cooper STT Pro Tires on stock wheels, for over a year, without any problems. In fact, they've been great, it's just time to replace them. I just purchased new 17" wheels with a -12 offset and new 255/80R17, Cooper ST Maxx tires. I'm a big fan of the "tall skinny" tires.
(FYI, below is a link to the best article I've ever read on "tall skinnies"
Expeditions West: Tire Selection for Expedition Travel
It presents a scientific examination of the facts.)
I'm more interested in performance than pretty, ALWAYS, and I use my GX off road as often as possible. I'm gearing up for Cruise Moab next week and much to my dismay, my new 255/80s are rubbing like crazy in the front. You are one of the only other GX owners I've found running this size tire. The tires look great and, so far, run beautifully. As I'll be running the 150 mile Kokopelli Trail next week, I'm happy to be running Load Range E tires (though I admit, it might be over kill as I never lost one of the previous set of Load Range C, STT Pro tires). However, I wasn't anticipating this amount of rubbing. I have no qualms about trimming to stop the rubbing. Eventually, (once I can save enough money on my paltry teacher's salary) I plan on replacing the front bumper which would eliminate most, if not all, of the aforementioned rubbing. Unfortunately, I've yet to have it out on a serious trail, and fear there may be more fun rubbing to come.
So, and I apologize for being long winded, my question is in regards to your 255/80/17 KM2's. How has this size worked for you? Are you happy with them? I realize some minor work may be required to eliminate rubbing, but I'm wondering if this effort is worth the slight increase in height and durability provided by the 255/80s. Or, does it make more sense to go back to the 255/75s which I know will fit on my current set up without any rubbing at all. Basically, it comes down to a 32.1", 6 Ply tire vs. 33.1" 10 Ply tire.
I’d appreciate any feedback you could provide.
Sincerely,
Matt
Mcfenton13
mfenton@wsd.net
Great pic, love the dog shot.
The KM2's are great. A bit more "noisy" on freeways than KO2's (probably goes without saying) but I've had KM2's on my FJ80 since I bought it and never had any problems with them. The KM2's are a bit notorious for scalloping at the outer knobbies, FYI (known item) but it's one of those "it is what it is" scenarios. So.......I've had KM2's now on two rigs and nary a problem and it does get pretty darn muddy up north near our second place (hence my choice of these over KO2's or some of the other well-regarded tires currently available).
33's - minor rubbing, easily addressed without any negative cosmetic effects. I think @DanKunz recently moved up to 76" tires or something crazy
and he's still getting by just fine as I understand it (slightly more mods required there....).I'm very aware of that article on Expo concerning skinnies - it's actually what got me interested in going with skinnies probably three years back. Glad I went that route but I honestly can't say the slightly lower weight or rotational inertia have netted me more than maybe $10 saved in gas
- these things aren't fuel efficient - period.Take care!
I'm not sure on the "progressive coil" question but I like the setup overall. I know there are higher end options but for a little over $1200 I'm very happy with it and there's no way in hell I could afford the over $9,000 ICON wants for it's latest kits. I ran a similar setup on my third gen 4Runner and it was great too. I added SPC Light Racing upper control arms but everything else comes with the kit. It runs great, on road and off.
Email Steve at Sonoran Steel directly and he can answer any questions you have.
I'm making it work with minor adjustments, moving the plastic wheel well liner and trimming the front plastic bumper. I hope eventually to replace the bumper anyway. The big question I'm considering now is whether to chop the end of the body mount. Of course I would cover it with metal and that would hopefully support it in the absence of what I remove. I've read Several threads on the procedure and watched several videos. I guess the big question is if there are any negative long-term consequences.
I love the tires and the size, which makes me that much more motivated to make them work.
I hope not. Mine had been chopped and not capped for over 5 years
I'm new here and also looking to go Skinny with the 255/80 R17 and was looking for wheel specs -12 offset good with these tires?
4.5 backspacing?
thanks for the assistance
Frank
4.5 backspacing?
thanks for the assistance
Frank
Wheel width is a factor in fitment - what are you looking at? A 17x8 0mm offset wheel will fit differently than a 17x9 0mm.
