Oversized Tire Dilemma

Hey guys! Just bought a 2017 Taco Off Road. I absolutely love it so far and plan on making plenty of changes, particularly build a platform and storage in back. Now the truck already has a two inch leveling kit but has oversized tires: Toyo Open Country 285/75/16. I bought this car out of state without seeing it aside from photos, and I realized how huge the tires were, once I got there. I am not currently planning on making my truck into a rock crawler or anything of that sort. I typically find myself on NFS roads, that having the added height is nice but not sure at this cost currently. For reference, I’ve been driving Subaru Outbacks for 13 years.

Here’s my dilemma: I don’t think I need such large tires when the standard for this truck is 265/70/16. It is killing gas mileage (16mpg highway), it is a wind sail on high wind days (I live in WY so that is frequent), my turning radius is extremely diminished without abrasion issues on the A arm. I am not interested in lifting the truck currently.

I just want some insight and opinions from others on oversized tires versus standard size A/Ts for this truck, as I do enjoy backroads but travel around the country frequently. I am trying to find the happy medium. I’ve traveled in this same exact Tacoma a few years back with no issues when it came to winds, turning radius, and great gas mileage at around 22mpg, all on stock tires from the dealership. Thanks in advance!!

 

Hello Cassie,

Welcome to Tacoma World. For a happy medium, u can down size to a 265/75/16 AT tire size. This will bring you back closer to stock performance and keep that slightly aggressive look.

 

Welcome to the most expensive free membership in the world.

Gas mileage shown on the truck will be a bit lower than reality since it doesn't know the tires have a larger circumference. But yes those tires are reducing the torque, adding mass to spin up and brake, and apparently rubbing.

I have the Falken Wildpeak 265/75R16 in SL load, and really like them. Speedometer is actually more accurate than stock size. From your description I would recommend something like that. Your current tires are E load so dropping to an SL load range will cut about 10+ lbs per tire and ride softer. The 265/75R16 is what should be standard size, little change to acceleration/braking/shift points, no rubbing (stock rims, no wheel spacers), +0.5" ground clearance from stock.

Looks like stock off-road rims and some lift. The tires shouldn't look ridiculous but around 2" lift they might look a bit small. Which if it happens to have a spacer lift .. for your situation it might be a nicer ride to remove that once the tires are switched.

 

I do quite well with the factory size 265/70r16's on my Offroad. I of course am using a better tire than the stock GY tires.. Nice truck btw.

 

No harm in going to a smaller tire unless you want that tiny addition of ground clearance. Either go stock or get 265/75R16s which will be smaller and lighter than 285s. Great access cab by the way, I'm trading in for my second TRD OR access cab some time in May!

 

I'm guessing you still have winter gas right now so even with stock tires, you most likely won't get close to 22 mpg (maybe 18-19). The cap adds weights as well as any other accessories and that will lower the mpg as well. I'd be really surprised if you could get 20 mpg in the summer with the stock size tires so you may want to wait and see how the truck does over the next 3 months before doing anything.

 

Drive them until they are worn out then decide.

 

265/75/16's are your answer. They will be about 1.2" shorter, and .8" narrower. They are about 1" taller than stock same width as stock. I think that is a good compromise. That means about .6" less ground clearance compared to what you have now, which is nothing. The narrower tire creates less rolling resistance and will get better fuel mileage. The narrower tire will also do better in Wyoming snow. 265/75/16's are also available in a lighter tire weighing closer to 40 lbs each vs the roughly 60 lbs each with what you have. They will cost a lot less too.

Tread pattern effects fuel mileage too. If everything is equal more aggressive tires have more rolling resistance and will hurt fuel mileage somewhat. Everything is a compromise, I'm willing to give up a little fuel mileage in order to have a somewhat aggressive tread.

Your truck will get a bit better fuel mileage, I get 18.5-20 mpg hwy depending on how/where I drive. The ride will improve and you'll feel noticeably more power. I doubt if 22 mpg with an AT tire is realistic. If you go to a street tire, or something like Michelins you might get there, but I can live with 18-20 mpg.

I think they would still look good with the small lift you have. Going back to stock height may, or may not make any difference in fuel mileage. It depends on exactly what you have and how hard/expensive it would be to go back to stock. My gut feeling is that you won't see enough improvement in fuel mileage to justify the expense of converting back to stock height.