The SKINNY on skinny tires

@Travlr I actually saved all the tires but they are 265/70R16 Pathfinder A/Ts. Four of them are at 7/32 and the 5th was a spare so its new but probably not worth it considering they aren't BFGs.

 

Yup, but I had to try. Seems most BFGs are 265/75s and mine is hard to match. Is it karma? Probably...

 

So far (10 miles) I notice no difference in ride between the new 255/85/16 S/T Maxx compared to my older Toyo A/T IIs. Contact width is the same, and they are about a half inch diameter (1/4 inch in radius) taller. Do Toyos run big and the Coopers run small?! I compared the unweighted spare Cooper to my unweighted spare Toyo.

Not sure how anyone is measuring 33...

 

This is how I'm carrying my OEM spare -- flat, in the bed. This is working out well, on a temporary basis. (I don't want to carry it underneath the truck for a variety of reasons, based on experience.)



However, I would eventually want to build a sleeping platform in the back. This would use the existing ledge / notches for support. The issue spare tire sits too high, and would interfere with the platform. I need to find a tire with about 25% less sectional width, that is, less than 8" wide, while having the same diameter. This would be a hypothetical 195/95R16 tire, but such a size is not available. But the old 7.00-16 (used in 1950's trucks) is almost the same size. It's being made today, as a radial that outwardly resembles the old bias-ply. These are pricey (~$300 each) but I only need one. I would also need a narrower wheel.

Is this a workable plan?

 

Why don't you just build the bed platform a couple of inches higher?

 

I would build the platform to clear the tire. Why not?
There's not that much difference.

 

The hardest part of that would be finding a wheel that is a.) skinny enough, b.) has the right backspacing so if you do need to use your spare it’s not tucked in a half a foot, and c.) is the right bolt pattern.

The other downside would be sleeping with the off gassing smell of the tire.

You could stand it up against the back wall and make a cut out in your platform there. Taller person can sleep on the side without the tire, shorter on the side with it. If you sleep with your foot toward the cab perhaps there’d be enough fresh air on the other side to offset the tire smell.

EDIT: looks like a short bed. You’ll have to sleep diagonally anyway. I’d put it upright in the front corner.

 

No, it's the long bed access cab. BTW, I like the tire smell.

 

Correction. I was wrong. I took the sway bar off and I can now reliably make my 255/85R16’s rub on the fender liner over bigger bumps.

 

They absolutely eat snow. Not many miles so far, road noise is minimal, kind of sound like a snow tire. Ride great, balanced great

Suspension is lifted around 1", i have some crazy ass caster set up front and some plastics trimmed, heat mended. I can't comment on stock suspension.

 

I've been reading a lot of this thread here but am still undecided on what size to run. I have already ordered my wheels they are 16x8.5 with 0 offset and will be installing a 3" lift. I was in between running 285/75/16 or 255/85/16 and I'm really not sure which would be better for my situation. I was leaning towards the 255's so I won't have rubbing on suspension or worry about cmc but I'm still undecided. I won't be doing a ton hard off-roading, but I will be going into the mountains on dirt roads few times a month up to the family cabin. Truck will mostly be a DD in town and some free way miles here and there and then of course need decent snow performance for the 3-5 times a year it snows in town, and going to the family cabin. Suggestions?

Thanks

 

Got my Kenda’s mounted. No rub lock-to-lock at stock ride height. I’m very happy. Took an aggressive CMC, pinch weld, some hammering and a little cutting on the lower fender, flares and bumper. Installed SPC UCAs and played with the alignment.

 

Damn, that looks fantastic

 

What size are these tires?

 

35x10.5x17

 

What’s your plan regarding gears?

 

5.29’s and front E-Locker from ECGS in the next few months.

 

• sweet
  

 

Looking for suggestions on a wheel tire combo for my 06 TRD OR. I have a 3" rough country spacer lift (yet to be installed). I'd also be open to suggestions for using my stock 16" stock TRD OR wheels or the set of 17" TRD Sport wheels I'm currently using. I really like the look of the Maxxis MT but would like to keep the cost low.

 

Awesome. All it needs is 1 - 2" lift