The SKINNY on skinny tires

Here are the Ridge Grapplers in 255/80r17 on 17x8.5 -10 offset. After getting the alignment done, it only rubs in the front some. I haven't had it flexed a lot yet, as I've been doing a lot of work and haven't gotten to go out. It looks like the frame won't rub even at lock unless it were a pretty big flex. I had to trim the tab that connects the bumper to the wheel liner and zip tied it back a bit further as well as the trimming the black tab of the fender on the rear, as it rubbed with any flex.

I do plan on lifting soon, so I'm pretty happy with how it fits now.

 

Installed a few weeks back 245/70/17 K02. Is a nice change up from the last set, thanks for so many post as it helped with gathering data.

 

Awesome, what size are those? I'd like to know what kind of gas mileage hit you took on those if you have that info.

 

these are 255/85R16s. gas mileage hit so far is minimal. That being said I did drive it 80 miles at 80MPH right after the install. First half I drove in drive. stupid tranny hunted from 4-5-6 til it drove me insane. mileage 14-16 But it did that with stock tires. Second half I locked it in 5th. 2100ish RPM, tranny downshifted 3 times on the same road. Mileage 15-17. I now have a set of 4:88s on order. I know everyone claims 5:29s are the magic gear but our freeways out here are 80mph and I wasn't comfortable with the 24-2500 constant RPM.

 

I've had the Cooper STs (older version) before on a different truck and really liked them. I'll likely be moving to a 235/85r16, but it looks like the 255/85r16 is a really good fit. I've got the manual transmission, which I really like (good job on that one Toyota), so I won't have the gear searching issue you mention... that sounds like hell. I'm trying to keep it as stock as possible to keep gas mileage in check and costs down, but it's hard to keep on that on course seeing these pics and getting stuck pretty often without having to go out looking for it. Thanks for the information.

 

Im about to buy tires, and the skinnies are looking better and better.
All the skinnies seem to have a higher load rating though. I gather that the higher rating tires "D" "E" are for obviously a higher load. I'll never need such a high rating so am I loosing anything by getting a higher rated tire? are these heavier, louder or have a lousier ride quality?

 

Usually the higher the load, the heavier the tire. I like this site for comparisons and manufacture specs. The same size tire from 2 different manufactures can vary 10lbs each or more.

 

Curious, why’s that, too low?

 

Too high for constant mile after mile freeway speeds. I talked with Nitro and they agreed with me 33’s and 4:88s just made more sense

 

I think it depends entirely in the tire.
My E rated KO2s seem to ride a lot heavier and stiffer than my E rated Cooper st maxx.
The coopers in 255 85 16 are my favorite tire.
They are great on and off road, not too loud, and look really aggressive. The ride quality is good- I commute 130 miles a day on highway and like them a lot.
Nothing wrong with a durable E rated tire if you can live with the other pros and cons. A beefy sidewall is a plus I think.
Going skinny is well worth the other concerns you might have, in my opinion.
I went skinny and not going back...

 

Good to hear. My ST MAxx in 255/80/17 were delivered last week, and they're getting installed this afternoon

 

Put my coopers on two weeks ago. Love the look, the ride and the new capabilities

 

If you haven’t yet... plan on an alignment right away
Mine was way off going to skinny

 

Any input on how the 255/85/16 st/Maxx are in sand I do a decent amount of beach driving I don’t mind airing down was just curious how they are in softish sand?

 

Ok I was gonna say, I didn’t think that was low at all haha

 

I agree. I think 2200-2700 is about right for freeway speed.

I drive around in 4th on the highway unless speeds are 70+ .... just bogs down in 5th with the 33's.

 

I bought OVTune, and installed it about a week after my skinnies. Put probably 300 miles on before the tune, and have about 700 on with it. The truck does worth with the larger tires, but the tune 100% made the truck a better ride. It sits in gear without freaking out so much better, and I don't have to force it. It also has a lot more power, but I want to change away from performance to get less throttle tip-in. The actual power shouldn't really change.

In 2.0 they are supposed to be gutting the stock shift programming all together and going full custom and I can't wait for that. It certainly isn't perfect right now, but definitely a step up in terms of driveability.

 

I’ve driven a lot of sandy trails and they are solid- I really can’t tell much of a difference from my old 265 75 16 KO2s- but I’d say the coopers are the better tire skinny
They have also performed well in mud and snow (have not been in any really deep stuff though)
Hope this helps- sorry, no beach action yet

 

I'm pretty excited about that I'm on 1.05 93 performance with a 265/70/17 K02 and moving to a 255/80/17 SST. I'm planning for gears but still wondering how bad it will be without them.

 

Is anyone is running Nokian Hakkapeliitta's on their 3rd Gen? It looks like the LT2 and (coming soon) LT3 come in 235/85R16 and I was thinking about possibly mounting the non-studded version of them on the stock OR wheels as a dedicated winter set. At first I was a little disappointed to see that they don't make a 255/85R16, but the more that I think about it, it seems like it might be good to have a little extra space in the wheel wells to accommodate packed snow anyway. Any input would be greatly appreciated.