Winter Tires

I have a 98 Tacoma 2WD 2.4L Reg Cab and currently i've got a 3" spindle kit lift on the front with the rear still stock. During the spring/summer/fall i've been running 235/75/15 michelin tires with aftermarket MB wheels and am looking to switch to a smaller tire/wheel now that the winter is upon us and i'm slipping on the snow/ice. I want to go back to my four OEM 14" wheels I still have with the tires dismounted. I pulled my spare tire from under the truck and it is a 215/70/14. My question is for you guys: Should I purchase 195/75/14 winter tires or 215/70/14 since thats what came with my truck? I'm assuming the 195's because they will cut better through the snow. Any help would be appreciated.

Current rig:




Aaron

 

BUMP

 

Your call. I don't think it'll make much of a difference. Personally I'd go with the 215's. They're your stock size and a little taller. There's less than 1" difference in the width of the 2 sizes and .33" difference in height. I think the tread pattern you choose will have more affect than the sizes you're considering. Look around, you might be able to find a better deal in one size over the other.

 

^^^^ I agree. Get the stock size and run 'em unless you can find a deal that is too good to pass up on the smaller tire.

PS- 195/75/14 was also a stock sixe on the Taco that year.

 

If you want to know the stock size, check your door jamb. The stock tire size for your truck should be listed.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone. I just looked at my door jam and the stock tire is a 195/75/14 so i'm most likely going to go with them. My 3" spindle kit lift on the front has a 2" offset which throws mud/rain/snow/slush up onto my mirror and sides because my mudflaps dont cover the offset so i'm most likely gonna go with the 195s due to the narrowness. I'll try looking around for some cheap fender flares if I can find any just to jazz up my truck and help prevent the mud spewage.