Stock FJ80 - 33x10.5 vs. 32x11.5 - PICS

[broper10]

Hi all. Just purchased a 92 FJ80 and love it so far. I am looking at new tires and have searched and read a lot on Mud already. If there is a thread like this already, please let me know. If not, my understanding is that 33x10.5 and 32x11.5 tires will work on my stock 80 with the stock 15" wheels. I would like to see some pictures of stock 80s with both sizes to help me make my decision. So, please post a pic of your cruiser!

Thanks!

 

[busmup808]

Bfg 32x11.5R15

Stock lift with same tires

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[86tuning]

Go 35s and don't look back.

 

[arndog123]

Go 35s and don't look back.

x2. You'll eventually want to go bigger.

 

[gtfour43]

Go 35s and don't look back.

<--This. I ran 33s for 8 mos then went to 35" km2s. Looks perfect with 35s....shoulda came this way from toyota.

 

[broper10]

35s huh? That seems big for stock suspension. No plans on a lift (read: no money)

I just want a bigger tire on the stock 15" wheels that maintain as close to stock driveability as possible. I am accepting donations to my cruiser fund if anyone is interested!

 

[93yotasr5]

315s. do it. I bought my 80 with 315s and it was fine.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

A couple years ago, a new neighbor complained to me one day about the dog like performance of his FJ80. I noticed he had 33" tires, and mentioned that the over sized tires were partially responsible. Definitely not a Land Cruiser guy, he had bought the rig in Washington State with these tires already mounted and had no idea what the stock size tire was. He mentioned using the truck as a DD, including family trips and winter weekend ski excursions. Haven't seen him for awhile, but his truck has recently been treated to new tires-30". Stock size is 235/75r/15-about 29".
IMO, anything over 31" on a standard suspension fj80 look too big and will adversely affect your acceleration, braking distance, transmission life, etc. 33's for an off road rig-OK. For a DD- bad idea.
But yeah, they will fit.

 

[masterfab23]

I've ran my 33" toyo open country mt's for over a year now, stock suspension, gears, and no engine mods. I drive her daily to work and take her out as often as I can, and she absolutly loves it motor and tranny dont mind at all. You can run 35's or 315's with stock suspension but you will rub like a mofo when you go off road.

 

[broper10]

what do you think about 32s? They are not as tall but they are a little wider. do you think they affect drivability as much as 33s?

 

[busmup808]

With my 32s i still could climb hills with ease. Now that I have 35s I have to down shift going uphills. Regearing sometime soon

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[mr jits]

A couple years ago, a new neighbor complained to me one day about the dog like performance of his FJ80. I noticed he had 33" tires, and mentioned that the over sized tires were partially responsible. Definitely not a Land Cruiser guy, he had bought the rig in Washington State with these tires already mounted and had no idea what the stock size tire was. He mentioned using the truck as a DD, including family trips and winter weekend ski excursions. Haven't seen him for awhile, but his truck has recently been treated to new tires-30". Stock size is 235/75r/15-about 29".
IMO, anything over 31" on a standard suspension fj80 look too big and will adversely affect your acceleration, braking distance, transmission life, etc. 33's for an off road rig-OK. For a DD- bad idea.
But yeah, they will fit.

35's are fine. They fit and don't affect performance too much. If you go offroad at all you'll wish you started with 35's.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

35's are fine. They fit and don't affect performance too much. If you go offroad at all you'll wish you started with 35's.

Did you read anything the OP wrote? His sig says the truck is a DD, and he hasn't mentioned any plans to go off road. He does mention not having much money, and wanting to keep his truck close to stock in driving manners.
broper, you might want to familiarize yourself with the search function. Check out the threads "Biggest tire size" and wheel/tire combo on stock ride height". They both discuss the 80 series, and the consensus is that 35's might barely fit, but will rub if you go over anything larger than a pebble. They also don't fit in the spare tire location. But hey, who needs a spare on a DD? Regarding performance, this is straight from the 80 series FAQ:

Disadvantages of taller tires

A loss of performance.
With every inch over stock diameter you'll lose 3.5% of torque. ( 14% loss for 33's, 21% for 35's)
Larger tires have a negative influence on stopping power.
Draw back of heavier tires is a possible decrease of comfort on pavement.
More unsprung weight means a rougher ride on pavement.
Draw back of wider tires is a loss of steering accuracy.
Wider tires have a higher rolling resistance resulting in higher gas consumption.

 

[broper10]

Thank you for the reply 89GASHOG. I searched and read a bunch of other posts, but definitely need to hone my Mud searching skills. You are correct that my 80 is my DD and I believe a more detailed description of my planned use of the rig would be helpful to others.

I drive to work and back 90% of the time and plan on using the 80 to go skiing (45 minute winding mountain road) and camping/exploring/overlanding (2-4 hours each way in the mountains). I do not intend to do any rock crawling - just backcountry exploring that involves washed out roads, stream crossings, etc.

Again, I really appreciate all of the feedback and I welcome more!

 

[busmup808]

I know you were looking for 32&33s, but 31s are not bad if do what you said above. An a/t or m/t tire will be great for your applications. Here's mines the day I brought it home. The gentleman I bought it from managed a Goodyear and had 31 radial tires. I told him I'll buy it, if he slap 31 m/t tires. So he slapped on some 31x10.5R15 Cooper SST.

I went wheeling a little more than mentioned above, and it did great. Just something to think about. Good luck

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[broper10]

Thanks busmup808. It looks like you made the change from 31x10.5 to 32x11.5 based on the first pictures you posted. What made you change? Are you glad you did?

 

[82much]

Thanks busmup808. It looks like you made the change from 31x10.5 to 32x11.5 based on the first pictures you posted. What made you change? Are you glad you did?

Broper10 , I am having the same debate of my own. Put 33,s on my stock 1991 15inch wheels or buy 16inch wheels and get a little bigger tire. Decisions, decisions!!

 

[busmup808]

I took the jump because of clearance issues. It was getting snagged on things at stock height. I drive my LC maybe 6000 miles a year, so that's why i didn't regear yet.

I'm very happy that I did, but hate down shifting on hills. I really don't like stressing the truck. It also didn't help putting all the armor on.

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[maybe_a_80...]

what do you think about 32s? They are not as tall but they are a little wider. do you think they affect drivability as much as 33s?

There is a big debate about whether taller/skinnier or wider tires are more effective. Given the choice between the 2 sizes you propose, I'd go with the 33x 10.5 every day.

The wheel wells on a 80 can swallow tires, so 33s are no problem. 80s and their cavernous wheel wells do look better with larger tires. A narrower tire will not pull the truck around as much (we're talking an inch here, so really?). There is an argument that larger diameter is more efficient, and this is certainly playing out with 26 vs 29 with mountain bikes and the larger wheel wins this debate there.

The contact patch on a taller/skinnier tire that is lost in terms of width is made up in terms of length. You'll get more ground clearance with a taller tire, always a nice benefit.

If money is an issue, get the size that will allow to continue to use the existing spare (unless it's dry-rotted and needs to be replaced). This could make your size decision really easy.

I can't wait to retire my 80 from daily driving and get some big tires like everyone else is talking about. 35s or some pizza cutter (255/85/16) mud tires is a look to which I am looking forward to enjoying!

 

[broper10]

Great insights Maybe_a_80. I have been leaning toward the 33x10.5s. Do you, or anyone else, know if a 33x10.5 will fit in the spare tire slot under the cruiser?