Getting KO2s: 285/70/17 or 34/10.5/17?

My truck is a 2009 sport on extended travel Icons. I have them set fairly high in front and I have the Icon UCAs. In the rear, I have the Dakar leaf pack. Currently I'm running a set of 265/70/17 Nitto Terra G2s on the stock 17" sport wheels.

I'm wanting to go a little bigger for more REAL clearance (wanting to get that diff up a bit higher). The tread pattern on the Nittos is somewhat tame but I've been impressed at what they can do on dry rocks (never had them in the mud). After doing multiple trails in the Rockies, I'm realizing that stronger sidewall armor is a REALLY good idea. I have a good gash in my sidewall to prove it (still holds pressure surprisingly). This is why I've landed on the KO2s. Better performance all around and better sidewall protection. I love trail driving but I'll admit, I live in Dallas so most of my driving is on the highway. But I promise I get to Colorado as much as I possibly can!

I'm unwilling to chop the frame or regear. So I'm at a crossroads; do I get the 285/70/17 and call it good enough? Or do I go for the larger 34/10.5/17? The 34s are taller but are about the same width as my current tires. Better clearance but I don't know if they will fit. The the 285s I'm certain will fit but are about 0.8" wider so I might need spacers for tight turns.

So that's the question...will 34s even fit? Should I just stick with the 285s and call it good?

 

Thanks for the feedback. I think I need to do some measuring today and see if the 34 will even fit. I looked up exact specs on both of them (posted below).

285/70/17

• 11.5Wx32.7H
• 635 revolutions per mile
• 58.1lbs
• E load rating

34/10.5/17

• 10.6Wx33.5H
• 621 revolutions per mile
• 54.9lbs
• D load rating

At this point, since the 34 is really more like a 33.5" tire, and it's somehow lighter (D load vs E), I'm thinking I may go with the 34. I'm just hoping I won't miss the extra contact patch of the fatter tire. I try not to encounter mud very often. But when I do, I prefer not to get stuck!

 

Probably going to need a cab mount chop, even with the lift, if you 4 wheel at all. Looking at the 34x10.50's also, BFG is notoriously smaller than sidewall size they indicate.

 

Yep. That's why I posted the exact size vs the sidewall indicated size. Found this link with all the exact specs very helpful.
http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tire...f-road-tires/all-terrain-t-a-ko2/tire-details

 

I vote the 34s, tall skinny all the way!

But please please remember!

 

Here's the measurement from where the tire would impact the cab mount. My current tires 31.5 (= or - 0.5" for wear) and show about 1.5" of clearance between the mudflap that sits just in front of the frame. A 33.5" tire SHOULD be an extra 1-1.5" closer to that same spot correct? It looks like I should be able to clear it but I'm not 100% sure.

Anyone running the 34 KO2 and did you have to chop?



Here's how we sit today. Currently running Nitto Terra G2 265/70/17.

 

I really hope the 34s work for you.

I know having stock rim width helps too.

 

One point to consider is adjusting up your castor- moving the wheel forward.

Judging from your pic, you appear to have room in front of the tire. I have my castor at 3.7- because I wanted to run mud flaps and wheel spacers on oem wheels. All is good.

 

Absolutely. And I'd LOVE to keep the mudflaps if possible. I thought I was the only one on here that actually liked them but I guess not. Rock on!

 

I love my mud flaps, as large as they are, they look well as I have a base model truck so the flaps match the fenders and bumpers.

Lol...

Great idea to adjust Castor, I wouldn't have thought of that.

 

Are there any down sides to adjusting castor?

 

Some people say it will steer "longer" or feel less nimble. I have not noticed any difference.

It will be tougher to get toe/camber close to zero, given a castor closer to 4.

Also, I switched my OEM flaps to RokBlokz. If you remove your OEM flaps- will most likely have a line cut into the paint on your wheel well/fender from flap rubbing.

Here is what I bought (a little more clearance as well.):

http://rokblokz.com/toyota-tacoma-regular-05-14.html

I bought the regular size. They have room for adjustment in/out of fender. I did not put on the sticker. They are barely noticeable on the truck! Feel free to click on my build thread below-- first few pics will show them well.

Edit** I bought regular/short I believe.

 

Hey OP what decision did you make? And what modifications did you have to make to get it to fit?

 

Haven't done anything yet. The RX7 waterpump shit the bed and it needed a new radiator fan so I ended up not getting tires for the truck yet. Soon...

 

I just got my 285/70/17s mounted today, I have 885s with Bilstein 5100s at .75 and Dakars in the rear. Love the look of it, but I did the CMC last week before I got the tires put on and I trimmed some plastic. There is no rubbing driving on the streets. I went on a dirt path to take pictures of the new set up of course and as I turned onto the pavement I heard something rub but couldn't identify what it was rubbing on. Mostly Likely plastic liner.

 

Ummmm....sooooo....PICTURES?!?!

 

I also forgot to mention I have LR UCAs

 

Yesssssss! And I figured you had UCAs as there's no way the OEM ones would fit that tire. How much room do you have between the tire and the UCA now?

 

I have about an 1-2" I'll take a measurement when I get home from work tonight.

 

It's about an inch and a half of clearance.