On the Bubble over 255/85/16s vs 285/75/16s

Hey Guys,

I have searched around but can't find what I am looking for.

I am on the bubble about which tire to get for my '16 TRD OR, 255s or 285s.



They are pretty close in sizing, except in width. 255s in this brand/style are 33.3' diam and 10.3" wide, 285s are 33" diam but 11.7' wide.

I have run the 255s before on my 4th gen 4runner and my 100s Land Cruiser. They were a little narrow for the 100 series but seemed ok for the 4Runner.

I am doing a moderate off road build on the Taco. OME BP51s res's in the front and Dakar leafs w/OME Sport shocks in the back. So figure 2-3" lift. Have not bought yet but plan on doing so in the next 30 days.

I also bought my SPC UCAs already off the Zon. Great price!

I had a new/unused 255/85/16 Maxxis Big Horn and a 16" TRD mounted today for testing with the stock suspension. Thought I would just swap it for the stock rim/tire and see where the rubbing might be. See if I liked the narrow look of the 255s.

For the right rig the 255s work great and even aired down hold their shape well.

Stock tire is 10.7 wide so not worried about OEM UCA/tire rubbing with 255s.

I am wondering though if there will be rubbing front to back... Has anyone mounted this size up and what were the issues, if any?

I am guessing I will not have front to back rubbing issues with the 285s as they spec out at 33"but they are 11.7 wide. So might have rubbing on the stock UCAs but assuming not on the SPC UCAs.

Who has done 285s and what should I look out for there?

I should mention, I am gonna run 2 sets. One for bro trips to the desert and one set for daily driving.

Thanks for any thoughts and apologies upfront if this is a total redundant thread.

 

FWIW I run 315/75/16s on stock UCAs with an OME lift and I dont rub any suspension components. Youll probably have to do the CMC, definitely with the 285s, maybe with the 255s. After a TON of research I decided I would go with 255s but then that plan went to shit when I decided to go w/ 35s. My vote is for 255s.

Youll prob have to cut a little from mudflaps and such, not much though. Yes, redundant thread but who cares

 

What are you looking to get out of your tires? Do you off road a lot? Do you do primarily highway/city driving? Or do you just like them for the looks?

I'm a fan of the pizza cutters. However, I'm sure my next tire will be 35s because if I'm going to cut and hammer, I might as well do it once.

 

Thanks for the thoughts! I went 315s with my FJC. They are so nice off road. One of my buddies says "dude it is like driving on pillows."

There is a photo of a jeep Rubicon 2 door with a 4 wheel camper on it, that I always stare at and it looks like the guy has super tall and skinny tires, I like that stance.

 

I do off road frequently, probably 3-4 times a year. And they are usually multi-day trips.

I don't think I will go 35s on the Taco, because I am not doing as much rock crawling as I am doing overlanding these days. However, I did do Hole in the Rock trail this past Spring and that was epic..

I am trying to go with the tallest tire, with the least amount of cutting/rubbing and want the stance to not look dorky... So that is the conundrum..

Today I am gonna mount that 255 front and back and take a look at the stance.. I will post some pics.

 

Everything i have read says the 255 on the stock rim will require no trimming and no CMC. So thats what i am going with. the 285 requires at least teh CMC and some ping weld pounding. BUT i have only read these facts. and the info on line is to numerous and contradicting to be sure.

 

Hmm that helps. I would prefer the 255s... I will test in a few.Guess I am prolly gonna have to call 4 wheel parts back and change my order back to 255s.. They are gonna love me for that.. the 33.3 vs 33 diam, does not sound like much but when you add in that the 255s hold their shape better when aired down, it really helps with just a bit more clearance, which does matter in tight spots..

 

Ok so mounted up the 255s and took some pics.

No rubbing at sitting stance when turning wheel at all. But really looks skinny.. I think i am gonna gamble on the 285s.. Gun Metal rims don't look too bad, but I am still preferring black..

 

Wow I wouldn't have put 3 to 4 times per year in the "frequently" category. I'm off road on average probably two to three times a month at 100 to 200 miles per trip.

 

Hopefully, when I finish my build I will have time to get back into more of an off road rhythm, I miss it.

 

• Wider the tire is better for sand.
• Skinny tire will arguably do better for rock.
• Skinny vs wider for mud will depend on the mud.
• Both will easily traverse dirt/grass.

As for looks it depends on the person.

Based on your off-roading frequency I'd go with whatever is cheaper.

 

Oldschool gold nugget and still applicable:

http://www.expeditionswest.com/research/white_papers/tire_selection_rev1.html

 

Great information!

 

255s are in my mind a better tire. You will get better MPGs with them and have fewer rubbing problems. That being said I am on 285s now because at times the 255s are hard to find. The last time I needed tires I couldn't find them anywhere locally and even online most places were out. There are only a few companies that make the size and even fewer that aren't a full on MT tire. 285s have better availability and better selection.

 

Here are some shots of past trips....

Rubicon a few years back.....




Hells back when my FJC was stock..



Maze Canyonlands


Hole int the rock trail this past spring

 

Yep. I read that a while back. great info. Not really unsure about the virtues of 285 vs 255.. My original reason for posting was more about issues with rubbing or not, body mount chop concerns, etc with 285s vs 255s..

 

Gotcha. Didn't mean to dislodge the thread. At least it's good info for readers.

 

No worries at all, on the contrary, I think it is really helpful even for me, I was just reviewing that article again.

I do like the 255s and no rubbing at stock. One issue I have is availability. Can't get the 255s for about 30 days, was planing a trip back to the desert in October. so might work out. 285s were going to be available this week. but I am not going to mount for a while, gotta get the new rims and then really no rush to mount, other than to test.

I have done the 255s a few times, so might at least test the 285s and compare with 255s.

Edit: I decided to go ahead an stick with the 255s. Thanks you guys for the feedback and article reminder from Scott!

Reasons:
-Scott's article
-I already have a new 255, for a spare
-taller at 33.3
-no rubbing even with stock suspension
-will run a slightly wider AT for daily driving on city and highway

 

If you get 255, don't get those pos maxxis one. That's what my spare is, but I wouldn't want to use them on any sort if highway

 

I have been running them for a few years in 255 and 315s, have not had any issues but I also hate them on the highway. Probably would feel tht way for all MTs on the highway..

They are not for daily drive just off-road trips. Thanks