255/85 R16 Owners Experience

Good discourse guys.

 

Making a lot of good points jandrews. I don't know enough about it, and it may be that at a given diameter, your idea could definitely have merit.

There are just 2 main points I'd like to leave.

1. Increased diameter. I don't think you can leave this out. The argument is more for tall n skinny, not just skinny. You can almost always fit a taller tire in your wheel wells if you go for a skinny type. I still argue that since this is generally true, you would be better served going for a taller tire and sacrificing width. With my Icon 2.5" setup all the way around, the truck rides very nice, but I would have to start putting crappy spacers in etc if I wanted to clear a wider tire. I believe you should chose for height, and THEN try to clear the widest tire. The thing is the widest tire you can clear is probably going to be a tall and skinny tire, unless you want to start some major surgery.


2. The military/overlanding. It may be true they are not the most demanding, they CAN put any tires they want on. Especially the military. They have unlimited money for research and tires. They chose a tire with an almost identical aspect to the 255/85R16 (82 aspect I believe). While you keep mentioning very highly specialized sports, like rock buggies etc, the military more than anyone needs to have a very wide range of abilities for their tires, and they invariably chose tall and skinny.

They wont chose the hardest path, but they may have to go 50 miles over dirt road, then across a sand desert, then over a boulder field to get where they are going. If a wider tire would serve them better in a general way I'm sure they'd chose it, but they never do afaik.

Also small side note about the reliability, many people have 6 inch lifts and all kinds of stuff, but there is more leverage on almost every component. CV's and U joints etc are put more and more out of alignment. Short term reliability probably wont have changed, but I think it is fairly common knowledge that you will wear these parts out faster the higher you go, especially on IFS.

 

We try.

Agree with all of this.

I think the armed services has a LOT of considerations not relevant to every day wheelers. I'd agree they need a tire versatile for all kinds of terrain. I think they also need to consider fuel consumption, availability of spare parts, ability to field repair, and other items. While these are sort of applicable to the weekend warrior wheeler, I think they're less of a concern for obvious reasons.

I would also point out the military often creates or uses existing roads.

That aside, their application isn't really mine. It *is* more akin to yours (overlanding). I can understand why your equipment choices dovetail more closely to what they use.

Again, no argument. Increased maintenance is the cost of harsh use, for sure. I will freely admit I have to maintain the shit out of my truck. But I am willing to make that tradeoff.

If others are less willing, that's certainly a valid consideration as they weigh their choices.

 

Man, have not been in this thread in a while, looks like its been going strong! Ultimately I chose to go with 285/75/16. I have always had a similar size on my jeeps and had no issues with it. I felt like I was taking a gamble on the 255's since I had no first hand experience and chose to go with what I know.

I do like the look of the 255's still and I think there are valid points both pro and con for each size. Its going to come down to what you want, I doubt there will ever be a clear winner until such a time as we get two identical trucks with each size to test out in different terrains and even then the debate would likely continue.

One thing is clear, no matter what size people went with, they are happy with them and at the end of the day that's all that matters.

 

This thread is so much more civilized than the hockey thread , lol

 

What is hockey? I know I have heard that word before just can't remember where!

 

This is with a lift correct?

I think I'm out of luck to run these tires right now. A recent sidewall tear in my Grabber A/T2's left me wanting to go with the 255s but with stock suspension it aint happening. No way to afford both a lift and new shoes at the same time. Ugh!

 

Ordered my 255 KM2's today. They'll be going on silver TRD FJ wheels.

 

I would like to see pics when you get these. Thinking that may be the combo I go with next.

 

Ya with stock suspension they are just too tall. Maybe with some fairly major truck surgery.

 

Just had the 255 KM2's w/ silver TRD wheels put on this morning by America's Tire, and here's my 20 mile review (due to finding my sway bar was disconnected... grrr).

FYI, these were put on a truck already having Kings set at minimum and Dakars. SO... There IS a noticeable height difference which I only felt getting in and out, but not behind the wheel - weird. There is a slight hum while rolling, but nothing remotely close to bothersome. Aesthetically, they look phenomenal from the side, and still kickass from the front, imho. I haven't noticed any decrease in acceleration, but my ATO skids aren't on yet.

When I initially backed it up to take photos, the tires rubbed on the stock mud flaps, which I quickly took off. There is no more rubbing, but by mere millimeters.

I chose white out, because I dig the look, btw, but it DID take ten minutes of spinning a new tire and a delayed removal of the stock tire to the chagrin of the mechanic.

Without further ado, but see my build for a few more photos:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Tire difference (265/70 vs 255/85):

Initial rub on mud flap while turning:

After mud flap removal it barely squeaks by:

 

^try flexing it out, you'll find a lot more trimming is in order.

 

Noooooo!! Don't say that! A huge reason I got these is so I WOULDN'T have to trim.

 

I trimmed nothing on a 2.5" lift. No spacers needed either, stock wheels.

 

well my first gen required a bit of trimming, I guess second gens have bigger wheel arches.

 

Damn, looking good.
Green with envy.

 

thats nothing..

you should trim it so you don't have any issues in reverse....otherwise youll be fine locked and stuffed from the looks of it.

also check them aired down before making your final cuts. I found mine would rub more aired down.

whats your caster at? I'm guessing low 2's. around 3*+ I doubt you would need to cut anything

doubtful, I'm running the same size and have flexed it out plenty including some high speed runs. if he just cuts off 2" of that lower nub about 1/2" high he should be fine.

 

Must be nice

 

With 700lb coils you shouldn't have any problem running without a sway bar. You should try it without it. You'll love it off road & after a little while you will hardly notice it on road. You can always put it back on if you don't like it. Truck looks good now take it out this weekend & get it dirty.

 

What did I see you air down to? 15? May cut that off....

What's to expect without it? There's an offroad trip tomorrow that I may be missing due to one bolt on my swaybar being too hard to find/purchase in 24hrs. Am I gonna roll over and die in a fiery ball of flames if it's not on?