Tires on HJ60 for Central / South America

[DillonOnTheCoast]

I've got 33x10.5x15 BFG All-Terrains on the truck. The tires are worn and cracked and really need to be replaced before I set off for Illinois from California.

At the same time, I'm doing some trip planning for a Mexico/Central America/South America drive that I'll do on the next set of tires I buy. I've read that my current tire size is very uncommon in Latin America.

The truck has the stock gear set (4.10) and a 5-speed manual transmission. I have an OME lift and it is SUA. I'm not sure what the stock size was but my speedo must have been recalibrated as it is still accurate.

Should I ...

1. Get AT or MT tires? Honestly could get by on AT and with the majority of driving being on some kind of dirt or paved road it may be more appropriate. Still, I have a high tolerance for noise and I don't mind having the MTs just for the 1 drive in 20 when it made a positive difference.
2. Get 16" steelies for 255/85/R16 or 285/75/R16 tires and maybe higher load rating?
3. Drop down to 31x10.5x15 on my stock rims?
4. Stick with what I got, 33x10.5x15 with two spares and not worry about it.

What would be the ideal tire/wheel combo?

 

[DillonOnTheCoast]

Here's a few pics of the vehicle with current rims/tires.

 

[DillonOnTheCoast]

I should also mention I've got an LSD in the rear. I'm not sure about the front - I think that's open in a stock Honduran cruiser.

 

[DillonOnTheCoast]

This post and this post have me really questioning the 33x10.5x15s.

Would 255/85/R16 or 285/75/R16 be worth the cost of new rims? That would keep my overall tire diameter the same. I don't want to get any smaller. These are load rating E.

 

[DillonOnTheCoast]

Just ordered 6 BFG MT KM2s in 255/85/R16. That's a bit shorter/narrower than the all terrains I have now but I get to stick with tall skinnies and I have a much tougher sidewall and higher load rating in a size that I think (from forum research) is available in Latin America.

I just hope they aren't bone-jarringly stiff.

 

[Tapage]

285/75 R16 would be easy to find .. much more compared to those you select ..

33X12.5 R15 will be the most common tire ..

I would stick with BFG AT on 285/75 R16

 

[tag3]

Find something available everywhere.

 

[DillonOnTheCoast]

285/75 R16 would be easy to find .. much more compared to those you select ..

33X12.5 R15 will be the most common tire ..

I considered that but discounted it as I didn't want to go wider and if I was going to buy new rims I wanted something to facilitate a higher load rating (ie 16"). Looking for overkill when it comes to the sidewalls.

I would stick with BFG AT on 285/75 R16

This was tough but in the end I decided on the 255s. Carrying two spares I don't expect to have to buy a tire but if it comes down to it I may find a 255/85/R16 even if it is a bit less common than the 285/75/16.

As for ATs vs MTs ... I'm just a glutton for punishment. I soundproofed the interior so I hope the noise isn't too bad. Given that I'll be doing most of the driving at slow speeds on rough roads I'm not too worried about the loss of traction on smooth wet roads.

Thanks for the input folks.

 

[DillonOnTheCoast]

So the 255/85/R16 tires can't get here until the middle of next week so I may be taking Tapage's advice after all

I'm worried about putting 285/75/R16 on a 16x7 rim though. Won't they be too wide?

 

[Cee Fish]

285's on a 7" rim will be fine.

Had that exact setup on my last rig, with zero issues.
Ran them at 15 off highway...

 

[DillonOnTheCoast]

Thanks - got them all installed. You can see pics in my rims thread.

The 6 stock rims/tires are up for sale in the classifieds.