Tire size question 255/85/16

[Layonnn]

I'd double measure. .

I think you measured incorrectly Chris. I see that you have already went with the 255s though.

For a tire to give you an increase in clearance of 1" the tire needs to be 2" larger in diameter. so you would have to be installing a 35 on there when you had 33s.

My guess is that you lowered the truck and then remeasured without moving the truck around to allow the suspension to settle. With the geometry of an IFS if you just lower the truck down, it will sit a lot higher than its normal ride height. This is mainly due to the wheel traveling in an arc and not straight up and down.

 

[Chris Sandstorm FJ]

I think you measured incorrectly Chris. I see that you have already went with the 255s though.

For a tire to give you an increase in clearance of 1" the tire needs to be 2" larger in diameter. so you would have to be installing a 35 on there when you had 33s.

My guess is that you lowered the truck and then remeasured without moving the truck around to allow the suspension to settle. With the geometry of an IFS if you just lower the truck down, it will sit a lot higher than its normal ride height. This is mainly due to the wheel traveling in an arc and not straight up and down.

Yep, side by side, off the vehicle it measured almost an inch difference. remember the 285s are generally 32.7 and the 255s are generally 33.5
But weighted probably only got about .5 or a bit more but... However, the thing I noticed most was that the 285s really bulge out at the side wall, then you deflate losing even more when off road.

The 255s have a stiffer side wall and with deflating still hold better shape.

I wheeled 285s with 8 inch rims on the exact same trails in the FJC vs. 285s and 7 inch rims. With the 8 inch rims it just seemed like my clearance had gone to heck.. I think you lose a lot of tire lift with wider rims.

I was also worried about deflating the 255s and keeping them on the rims but that was a non issue!

Also wheeled the Kokopelli last year with the 4runner and 255s, the last thing I wanted was a lower 100 series. Maybe it is only a half inch or so but it seemed to be a very good combo and I only touched down on the Rose Garden decent which was super rutted out this year.

Hope this helps.

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

CS FJ,

How do the 255 Maxxis wear, handle and how is the road noise? Im contemplating replacing my MTRs with either the Bighorns or the Cooper Discoverer S/Ts in 255/85. I like the Coopers on my troopie, but I can get the Bighorns a wee bit cheaper and it looks like a great tire.

Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[Chris Sandstorm FJ]

They seem to wear about average and the noise also seems typical for a MT.

I don't think the rubber is as hard as a Toyo or BFG but I really don't have any validation to make that claim.

I have been running these on 3 different rigs now and I am happy with performance, mileage, price...

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

Yeah, I'd love to get another set of Toyo MTs but god damn they ain't cheap!

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[snapaxle]

I like the skinnier tires, but my rig is basically used to fight snow and haul dogs. I went with a 265 but I have an 18" wheel, didn't even think to look if there was a decent 255 for them.

 

[SHREDwagon]

Toyota 70 series rim are 6.5" with +25mm offset. 7" with +38mm works as well. I'm hopefully making the switch soon, but will have to ditch the flares for 255's to work with the correct wheels.

Which brings up a question: if your track width becomes less with properly offset wheels, but the tire becomes narrower - do you really loose that much track width (i.e. lateral stability)? For example, my 80 on 255's with 6.5" wheels would have about the same width as the 91 80 with 235's and 15" wheels (why the fenders are smaller on earlier years).

Strictly talking center of tire measurements. Anyone catch my drift?

 

[Bomar]

The Maxxis doesn't seem to chunk in the rocks like the Coopers do. Also Maxxis has an AT tire in the 255.85.16 they are tough to find but out there.

 

[Fly Rod]

I have now run my 255-85-16 Cooper ST's in rain, snow, slick mud and dry conditions. The seat of my pants meter says traction is as good or better than my previous 285-75-16 BFG AT's. In some cases, heavy rain and clay mud, they provide far more traction. Add to that the lighter steering input and definitely lower hydro planing and I am sold on them. Now if they only last as long as my last set of BFG's I will be thrilled!