What tire size for a stock BJ60?

[nickw]

Greetings all.

I am looking for new tires for my stock 85 BJ60. I have a strong running 3B with a 5 speed. Right now I am running the stock 235/75/15's. I already know I want BFG AT's, I am just not sure what size.

Down the road, I would like 33's with a lift (BDS or Belton, or OME - not sure yet) and a AXT turbo. But right now I need something for my stock cruiser.

I am wondering what would be a good tire size for me now. I was thinking 31's or maybe 32's. I use my cruiser as my daily driver and highway and wheeling machine.

I live in Cranbrook BC, so I'm in the mountains with lots of passes around me. I don't always want to be gearing down. But I don't mind doing so for the big hills. I just don't want to be hopping from 5th to 4th every few minutes on the highway. I still want to be able to cruise without always powering out. Once I add the turbo I know this will not be a problem, but thats a year away.

I also don't want to rub under flex either. The leafs in my truck are about 3 years old, so I don't have any sag really.

So what do you think is a good size? I was thinking 31's, but I thought that 32's might be nice too. Also seeing as I am in Canada you can also give me sizes in 2xx/xx/15 as well. I am just not sure what would be best.

Sorry to ramble.
Thanks,
Nick

 

[Tapage]

I thought if your target is good overall on road performance, go with 31" ( stock from factory tires ) 32" as max, but it depends so much if you have 3.70 or 4.11 gears ..

If you have 4.11 I maybe think in 32" but if you have 3.70 31" as max tire size.

 

[Doc]

With a diesel ( and as much torque as they have ) I'd go straight to 33's. (285/75 is the same thing basically). I'm running a gasser with 3.7 gearing on 33's with really no trouble, but here in Iowa we don't have much for elevation.

33's for sure.

 

[stinkyfj60]

I had 33s and 3.70s forever. Not bad on road performance but not enough grunt for my liking offroad. Hence the change to 4.56s But a diesel should be happy with either 3.70s or 4.11s and 33s.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Nick, stick with 31's until you get turbo'd. You can talk to M and she'll tell you how our '84 was. It was non-turbo with 31's. She had some mountain driving experiences with it as well when she towed her FJ55 home.
btw. Some shops like Kal Tire are reluctant to put 31x10.5 on the stock rims because the rim is too narrow for a 10.5" tire. You may want to try and find some 31x9.5's.

 

[nickw]

Thanks all.

Seeing as I have the stock 15" rim it does not leave me many options in the BFG AT.

I don't want the 30x9.5 so it leaves choosing between the
31x10.5 and the 33x9.5?

The don't have a 31x9.5

Question:. I know that all things being equal smaller is easier to drive. But since the 33 is 1 inch narrower than the 31" tire would it have about the same rolling resistance?

If so I would prefer to have the 33" for the extra ground clearance. Plus since it is narrower it would do better in the snow for me. My vehicle would have an extra inch of clearance for less drag, plus it would cut the snow better. Seeing as I do lots of snow driving this is important to me. Also the larger tire would also help keep my rpm's down, which is nice.

Would the 33x9.5 rub for me?

I would like the 33x9.5, I just don't want to rub, nor power out all the time. As I said a turbo is coming as well. It would be nice not to have to buy more tire in another 2 years.

I just don't want to kill my truck by using 33's on it.

Thanks,
Nick

Since I have a diesel, would my MPG go up or down? I know with gassers larger tires always mean lower MPG's because the engine has to work harder (even if the RPM's are lower). But with a diesel, since it has lots of torque would it do up (due to less RPM's) or down (due to working harder), or stay the same?

 

[Tapage]

In fact 2H with 3.70 and 33" X 12.5

in 7.5 wheels .. long OME anti-inversion shackles good shape stock spings pack .. no rub at anytime.

Runs great good milleage on highway, but slow .. when I go with 4.11

much better overall performance .. on road and off road. With 33" you don't gona kill your engine .. but goes slow .. in snow you will take advantaje from 1" more clearance.