Tire size question 255/85/16

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Chris Sandstorm FJ

Chris Sandstorm FJ

Joined
Jul 23, 2008
Threads
25
Messages
400
Location
Denver, CO
Hey All,

I am tossing the idea around of going with 255/85/16s..

I have one new one from my spare that was on my 4runner and since the wheels I am looking at are 16s.. Kind of seems like a no brainer to just buy 4 new 255/85s vs. 5 of 285/75s.

Looks like the 100 series wheel is an 8 vs. the 4runner 7.5, so the 255/85 is going to have a slightly wider stance to what it looks like on the 7.5s.

Anyone tried these? Have pics?
 
There's a few on here running them, someone in San Diego and one up in WA. I had them on my 80 for several years. Frankly, I'm not planning on running them on the hundred. They look goofy (how's that for a good reason?). I'm sure they work fine, and they did on my 80, they just seem to tuck in too far in the fenders, and the 100 is a little more ponderous than the 80. Anyway, I'd like to get on for a spare for my 295/75/16, as the 295 "can" fit in the spare location, but not very practical (hard to remove after mod's). So my recommendation to you is keep your 255 as a "thin" spare that tucks up nicely, and go to 285's or 295's for the other 4. They are very close in overall diameter, with the 255/85 right in the middle of the 285 and 295. Given the frequency with which I use my spare, I have no issues running a "slightly" different size for a very short period. I don't do 5-tire rotations.
 
I'd go with 255s. I don't mind looking goofy to somebody else. Better mileage, cheaper, lighter, still capable, it's all good IMO. But yes, it might be better to run a 7" rim.
 
Last edited:
Scott Brady at Expedition Portal likes his 255's on his Tacoma.

I think I've heard one or two people in Washington or Oregon snow country that run 255's on their 100. Can't beat them skinnies in the snow.

Many people do put a skinny spare to improve rear departure angles. So you could buy any size you want as a set of 4 and just keep that skinny as a spare.
 
My FJC was wide also, it looked goofy with narrow tires. The 4runner looked perfect with them on it, I suspect the Tacoma is the same.

The 285 Maxxis BigHorns are rated for an 8 inch rim, where as the 255s are rated for 7 inch rims, that might be enough to influence me to the 285s right there. I also have noticed that a wider rim will present the tire with a slightly wider profile then a narrow rim. So 255s might not work very well.

I was hoping for a few pics to eval the goofiness aspect.., sometimes you can't tell until you are done and then you are stuck with what you have for a while.

I also don't rotate my spare. I will kick it around for a bit before I pull the trigger on tires. I like the price 187.00 for Maxxis BigHorns in a 255..But the 285s are only 200.00 so not that much more.
 
Last edited:
Been running them for a few years.... They don't look goofy at all, and they work great.

2335547411_27b92fd371_b.jpg
 
I think the 255 would be great if we had 7" wide wheels available to us. I probably would have went with 255s myself. The stock 8" wheels just seem too wide for these tires; not enough wheel protection and probably higher chance of popping the tire off the rim when running really low pressures.
 
Chris Sandstorm FJ said:
I was hoping for a few pics to eval the goofiness aspect
Click to expand...

I'm running Toyo MTs in 255-85-16, and I'm very happy with them. They handle great on road and off. No squishiness around corners more than expected for a 100series.

Picture quality from my phone sucks, and the weather doesn't help, but here are a few pics:
IMAG0115.jpg
IMAG0116.jpg
IMAG0117.jpg
 
no-pistons said:
I think the 255 would be great if we had 7" wide wheels available to us. I probably would have went with 255s myself. The stock 8" wheels just seem too wide for these tires; not enough wheel protection and probably higher chance of popping the tire off the rim when running really low pressures.
Click to expand...
This is true, as it seems the spokes of the alloy wheel protrude out beyond the sidewall giving it a weird (IMHO) look.

If you're serious about it, these wheel's on Yooper's 70-series truck are 16", 7" width (I'm pretty darn sure), 5x150 steelies that Proffit's got for him. That's all the details I know, they would have more on price availability. I got the width number by browsing that Russian parts site that was floating around for various non-USA trucks to see what 5x150 16" rims were out there. The tires are 255/85/16's as well.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/70-series-tech/413393-custom-hzj79-parts-built-us-4.html#post6796345
 
Last edited:
I also don't rotate my spare. I will kick it around for a bit before I pull the trigger on tires. I like the price 187.00 for Maxxis BigHorns in a 255..But the 285s are only 200.00 so not that much more.[/QUOTE]

Where have you found them for 187.00?
 
mister bean said:
How is on-road handling, particularly cornering?
Click to expand...

On-road they're not much different than the stock tires. Just a bit stiffer. Which actually ended up being a plus on the corners. Not like I corner hard or anything, but it it very stable.

And the issue about the 8" wheel width is not a big deal in actual use. For the most part, people running 255s are not rock crawlers and don't really need all of the sidewall bulge.
 
 
I think 255/85R16's are the best overall size tire for pretty much everything EXCLUDING rock crawling and hardcore mud. Lighter tire, great contact patch when aired down, much more economical for the truck, great in snow and sand. I plan on getting Toyo M-55's when the Michelin's finally wear out next year.
 
Well I chipped a nice chunk from my wheel running the Mojave road and I was running 285s. I wouldn't consider that rock crawling...

I guess if you stick to forest service roads or fire roads, you should be plenty fine with 255s on 8" wheels.

Don't get me wrong, I'm one of the biggest fans of skinny tires, I have dreams of buying a Disco I just to run 215/85-16s haha. However, I just feel that the 8" wheels are a bit too wide for 255s if you run rough trails. Just not enough protection in my opinion. But it all depends on how you use your rig.

VidereStudios, post up pics when you get those M-55s. I REALLY wanted those tires, but went with the new Cooper ST-Maxx due to the M-55s being so much more expensive. However, the ST-Maxx tires have been great in all conditions.
 
Last edited:
I don't know, man but saying that your wheel width was the cause of your flat is a bit outlandish.

Like I said, Ive had my D rated 255s for years and not one flat. And I've been through all kind of terrain. But to each his own
 
Sorry, too much bourbon.

You didn't say you had a flat with 255s but I believe you implied that if you had a flat with 285s you'd be worse off with 255s


Either way, my statement stands
 
haha don't worry, I'm enjoying my Maker's Mark over here also. But no, I didn't get a flat. A rock contacted my wheel and took a nice chunk of aluminum with it. I know something like that can be pretty rare, but having less rubber or "buldge" can in theory cause that to happen more likey.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ranchero7
Tire question for you 80s lookers
Replies
13
Views
1K
ranchero7
ranchero7
KWLC250
Noob tire question- If MFG recommendation is 7"-9" wide wheel, is 9" wide pushing it?
Replies
4
Views
998
KWLC250
KWLC250
D
Question about tire used in beadlock wheel
Replies
1
Views
1K
Hulsty
Hulsty
E
New Toyo tire - RT Pro
Replies
18
Views
4K
xcmountain
xcmountain

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom