2000 4X4 2.7L 5 SPD Manual Reg Cab - Came with 265/75R15s

I just bought this truck with just over 90,000 miles on it - it is my 4th Tacoma, but first 4X4... and I am not a car/truck guy. (I just need the clearance for some of the roads I drive because the USFS won't take care of the roads the way they used to... another story.)

I am used to driving my Tacoma trucks like they are sports cars... but this one came (from the factory) with oversized tires (the Owner's Manual lists 225s as the largest option).

I figured that going back to what would have been original size and opting for the best quality I could find would (1) improve my traction, (2) improve handling, (3) be a little easier on the truck, and (4) maybe even improve gas mileage. I mostly drive around the Puget Sound where wet is fairly common feature. The tires that are on there now are poor at best - they are also old: Goodyear Wrangler M+S P265/75 R15 112T. They have a treadwear rating of 520 (good), a traction rating of "A" (AA would be better I understand), and a temperature rating of "B" (on an ABC scale).

When I talked with the dealer parts guy today he pulled up the "build sheet" (I think what he meant was the INVOICE, which I have been told is the rig's "birth certificate" - I have a copy, so I know that it is the "Value Package" that resulted in the larger tires). He just kept saying that the truck was built for those tires. His comment about the Owner's Manual was that they are "blanket" manuals that cover many trucks, but didn't understand the tire size discrepancy. Anyway, his computer wouldn't give him any 225/75 sized options. In fact, the tire that it came with isn't available any longer, so they (the manufacturer, I guess) recommend one of two other tires, each a 265/75 tire.

(There was a distracting conversation about Odometers and Speedometers, in which he contradicted what others out in the Service Department had told me earlier... but I care much less about those issues than I do handling and wear and tear on the truck, and mileage.)

So here is my question: would going down to a 225/75 R15 give me any of those benefits I was hoping for, above - and are there any down sides to it that I should consider?

I appreciate your thoughts on the issue.

 

Lets see the label inside the door. This will tell us what gears you have. I suspect that if the label is calling for 225/75r15 tires then you may have 3.90 gears. The gear code will be like "B06A" or "B06B". 265/75r15 is a stock tire size for our trucks but typically only with lower gearing like 4.30.

 

You aren't doing any damage with your current tire size (as stated above, many 4x4 and prerunner tacomas came with this tire size or equivalent stock). I wouldnt' say that smaller tires will necessarily improve traction or handling, but they will be better on gas mileage, because they'll have less rolling resistance and be lighter weight. But with the FS roads you go on, I'd probably stick to a 31" tire like you have on there, unless you really are concerned about gas mileage. The 225's will be smaller overall diameter and will have more trouble on said roads.

 

I run 235/75 /15 on mine makes it easy to swap with my other Toyota`s

If these tires are worn out go with what size you want

 

Kelly Edge AT P225 -75R - 15.
55000 mile tire . For the price can't beat em...

 

My door sticker says 225/75 but I bought mine with 265/75/15 from a individual. I just swapped to a 31 10.5 15 and beside being a little heavier I prefer them. I have the B03A code. I think that's a 4.10 ratio. Course mines a auto.

 

Thanks guys. Here is the label. First, it looks like 225s would be a good choice. I didn't mention that the dealer parts guy gave me a paper on the two tires that they would recommend; I noticed this morning that it says 31X10.50R15 (it is a BFGoodrich ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRC RWL - none of which really means anything to me). This choice does seem to be one of the "Original Factory Tacoma Tire Sizes" (from an earlier search engine education on the subject...), and it seems to fall size-wise between the 225/75 and the 265s - though, again, this reference does not list 265 at all for the R15 wheels, they list 265/70 for a R16... confusing for me, but...

I do care about gas mileage. I know I give up a little bit in height. I want the performance, the gas mileage, and the traction. This tag says P225/75R15 and I wonder if that is the best choice. Incidentally, if that "15X6J" refers to the wheels, my current wheels are 7 inches wide: can I not worry about that?

Thank again for you input.

 

Oh, yeah, and that BO7A thing in the lower right, is that about the gear ratios? If so, what does it tell us? I would like to know that stuff and bone up on the implications and whether or not I care, but I am not likely to do anything about it, in the end.

 

I think that means you have a 4.30 ratio. I have 15x7 wheels and my tag says 15x6 also. Why I don't know.