235/85r16

OEM on the 16 inch rims for 2001+ xcab/dc are 265/70-16 (~31 inch tire)

 

I've had Cooper ST Maxx 235/85r16's on my 1st gen for almost a year and I'm very happy with them. I haven't seen any MPG penalty and they just roll like buttah over bumpy unpaved roads compared to the P265/70r16's I had before. The snow and rain traction is superb. I bought them already mounted on 2nd gen Tacoma steel wheels which looked great but rubbed the frame a bit at full lock due to the 5.25" backspacing:

Then I found out through interweb research that 1st gen Tacoma, 3rd gen 4Runner and 1st gen Tundra wheels all have 4.6" backspacing. The 3rd gen 4Runner 5-spoke wheels are cheap and plentiful. I love how they look and no more frame rub:

The Cooper ST Maxx, STT Pro and Kenda Klevers in a 235 barely even look like pizza cutters:

 

ya I've always liked the 5-star 4Runner rims better than the twisted 5-star of the Taco/Tundra

the 17 "10-spoke" are my ultimate favorite and I have them now

 

@frizzman The wheels I have, how can I tell what width they are?

Since they have 225 on them, how can I be sure 265 width will fit on them?

 

Hello @lotuscupcar, your wheels are 16x7 with 4.6" back spacing, a very common size for Toyota trucks. 265/70r16's will fit your wheels and fender wells no problem, that's an OEM recommended size for 1st gen Tacomas. You could even go up to a 265/75 or 235/85.

 

Thank you kindly. I would prefer to stay on the narrower end. Since I have 225/70 now. I think the 235 is a good fit. I don't want huge contact patch on this thing.

 

Thoughts on 245/75/16, to keep with the OEM diameter? The 235/85 is a bit too tall.

$287 Bridgestone Dueler H/T D840 Tires

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...SR6HT840&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

 

245/75r16's are inexpensive even for a quality brand and they look about the same as a 265/70r16. I'm sure you'll be perfectly happy with that size.

 

Thank you @DJB1

I would like to stay lightweight on the tires if possible.

 

ya 245/75-16 are standard on 2nd Gen base and SR5 models with steel wheels so those are pretty much the same as 265/70 but with smaller contact patch.

make sure to get an all-season or street tire to save weight just don't get stock Dunlops, they're crap mostly. go for a high rating/mileage tire if street is your main travel

 

Appreciate it. What tires would you recommend. Our 01 sees 99% street/highway use only, due to it being a 2wd.

 

What paint did you use for the wheels to do white?

 

I used Rustoleum semi-gloss white for the first few coats and Duplicolor 040 Super White for the final coat

 

do some research and look for treadwear and mileage ratings. being a decently popular size there should be a few good choices. Michelin is always a good choice but a little more expensive. Firestone gets good reviews in my book and Cooper/Mastercraft are decent

 

Good read here. I've been contemplating making the switch from my P265/70/16 tires (want more HD sidewall). I am wanting a C rated 265/75/16 tire, but the only offering is a Goodyear Duratrac which I had before and was not to stoked on. 235/85/16 E rated may be the ticket in the BFG T/A KO2 flavor!

 

There are a few 265/75-16 load range C tire choices out there. A list compiled by a TW member: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...road-tire-options.411370/page-8#post-12032158

 

Thanks for the link!

 

if you get the BFGs let us know how they ride. interested in those as my next tire in 235/85

 

Mounted!

 

my next set for sure