The SKINNY on skinny tires

@finslayer83 - beautiful rig and tires! How do they drive? Any problematic steering wheel vibration?

 

Exactly what I’m looking at but on a steelie with a little more offset. Hoping they’ll tuck slightly. Was looking at the Kenda 33/950-15 but the price point has me looking at 16” wheels and some 235/85-16.

What’s the suspension setup?

 

I'll answer that in two parts to frame my position.

1.) As a M/T: I've owned over the years the BFG family of M/T, Maxxis, Cooper, and Firestone M/T's. These live up to their hype of having better road manners than most other M/T's. Based on a whopping 40 miles or so I've put on them. Very curious to see wet weather performance.

Ride, noise, and handling is great so far, running them at 38psi until I have time to chalk test them.

2.) Literally just wrapped up the suspension, new CV's, and control arms in the past 60 miles, so every thing is nice and tight. A few months ago we did the bushes on the steering, new tie rods (inner / outer) - all that to say its riding nice but firm as a truck like this is expected to.

No issues on the steering. I had a set of FJ Steelies and 285/70/17 firestones for my 4runner that were a bear to keep in balance and you could feel each and every knob at slow speed, so compared to that steering feels stock.

 

Dobinsons IMS with their C59-134 coils / Icon UCA's in the front. Rear is a General Spring HD pack and Dobinsons IMS shocks.

I've gone big on every other build and wanted a nimble, light, woods truck. The suspension on it was clapped out and I didn't bother to get any before measurements. Going to be adding winch, hidden mount for it, skids, sliders, etc.. so once done I am supposed to be right at 2" in the front based on spring rate / specs (2.5" stock and 2" with up to 180lbs). This was my target height from the begining.

 

Going to play with pressures today.

for those with the 235’s what pressure are you running?

 

42 psi for my 235/85/16 winters.

 

why are 18” wheels (limited trim) always excluded from these conversations? We have feelings too… even though we’re better than everyone.

 

I found it interesting that there are now several 35x11.5x18 models out there.

 

Sidewalls are important.

 

I agree. I think if I had 18” wheels, they would be pretty destroyed by the trails I ride. Even with my current set up I’ve had some dings and scratches along the way and I have quite a large amount of sidewall compared to wheel…

 

Sidebar, but how are you liking the Generals? Are those the E Load version?

 

They indeed are the E rated ones. I have a love/hate relationship with them. This set has about 42K miles on them and they’re only about half worn…So that’s incredible.

Unfortunately they have some cupping and they’re loud AF at certain speeds. As a frame of reference, I used to have g003’s and a new set of g003’s is slightly less noisy than these Grabbers are now (at some speeds). For whatever reason, between like 30-40mph it sounds like I’m driving a truck with clapped out 40” mud tires. I rotate them with every oil change at an off road shop that uses the X pattern so they shouldn’t be wearing unevenly. In terms of grip, they’re incredible on every surface.

I wrote a full review here (post #104):

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/general-grabber-atx-long-term-review-and-bs.614284/page-6

Its a bit old now so I should update the review at some point but I doubt anyone reads it lol

 

35psi on my Yoko G015's. Verified with chalk test.

 

Yeah I definitely get that. Ultimate goal is to eventually buy 16's, but hey, I've gotta buy an engagement ring... priorities.

 

I’m in the same boat here, I’m going to move up a tire size but currently doing some house renovations so the tires will have to wait.

I’ve done 265/75/16 and 285/75/16 so I think I might dabble in the skinnies next and go 255/85/16.

 

I just read through it and that whole thread.

Appreciate hearing the opinions. Seems like your experience isn't really all that unique.

 

Yeah I would say they’re an extremely good tire, performance wise. It just boils down to the uneven wear and noise issues and how sensitive you are to loud tires. Those issues could also be specific to my set of tires and someone else could have a much better experience.

 

Not sure if yall consider this a skinny tire but I just mounted 34x10.5 /17 Toyos. It looks more narrow in the pictures but I really like the stance now. I've only got about 10 miles on them so far but I didn't notice any problems at highway speeds. -10 offset on 8" wheels (I think) EDIT: IT'S 8.5". 2.5" lift. Lots of cutting done previously to fit 285/70/17 before the lift.

 

I would consider them a skinny tire due to their narrower width. They look good! I was considering them as a replacement for my 255/80r17 Falken Wildpeak because they’re only 2.5 lbs more per tire but the tread depth seems pretty low at only 15.6/32nd. If I go 34 I mind as well go 35