Tall & Narrow for the NW or...

[OlyWaFJ]

What are your thoughts on a 255/85R16 vs. a 305/70R16 tire?
Have you guys found that Scott's position below on a narrow tire is true for the terrain experienced here in the NW? Or would wider be better for the floatation aspect?

http://www.expeditionswest.com/research/white_papers/tire_selection_rev1.html

I plan on buying new 16" wheels too so I want to make sure I make the right selection on size... 16" is the smallest I can go due to the Tundra disc brakes they put on the FJ Cruiser.

 

[Tankota]

I've run alot of tires over the 15 years I've owned my fj40. I've also seen what tires made it up an obstacle and which didn't. After all that I prefer FAT tires. The thing that makes the most difference is LOTS of tread. I'd say go with the 305s IMO.

 

[hicruise55]

I go with Pressure-Per-Square-Inch. Unless you are in sand or bottomless mud, a wider tire with its "flotation" will actually DECREASE your traction- by reducing contact pressure. I run a R Swamper 36x12.50x15 on 15x7.

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

x2

I have the 255/85R16s on the 60 and love them (much more stable than the 33/9.50 I use to have).

 

[83bj60]

x2

I have the 255/85R16s on the 60 and love them (much more stable than the 33/9.50 I use to have).

What brand and how much? Using what wheels? On what kind of roads? Loud or quiet? Fuel consumption? Please elaborate!

 

[Brindleboxer]

Cheapest Prices on Tires

Here is a link that was poseted in the 80 section: Unsertire.com I called but they were temporarily out of stock on the size I wanted so I had 4 Wheel Parts (online) price match their price and it looks as though I am even going to be able to take advantage of the current buy 3 get one deal.

Even without the price matching Unser has by far the best pricing that I have seen and free shipping to boot. Around here it runs between $15 - $22 per tire for mount and balance so I am still ahead of the game.

Glen

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

I have the Cooper Discovery S/T. I will check on the price. It is kind of in between and A/T and M/T tire and is not as loud as the BFG MT (in my opinion). It has worn nicely so far and handles well on road as well as off (not as much mud here as sandy/silty loam). It is much more stable on high speed cornering than the 33/9.50 AT tires I had before, but I'm sure not as stable as a wider tire. I have them mounted on Aluminum Outlaw type wheels, 16x8".

I was thinking of getting some of these http://www.greendiamondtire.com/productsny2.html, but they don't have the size I was looking for. I'm sure the LT265/75R16 would be close enough.

 

[83bj60]

Thanks for the reply, OlympiaFJ60! I am having a real hard time finding a tire in that size around here (never mind skinnier!) that would be good for mostly highway use, as in deep thread with lots of sipes. Of course in 235/85 size they are many, not so with the 255s...

How has that tire affected your fuel economy?

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

I haven't noticed any change if fuel economy in town or on the highway.

 

[83bj60]

Thanks again! I'll keep looking for that tire...