Snow tires

Awesome! Thank you very much!

 

For what it's worth the speedo reads high with the factory size tires and going to a slightly larger diameter tire will actually improve its accuracy. My SR5 had 245/75R16's from the factory and the speedo was off 2 or 3 mph at 75 mph. Threw a set of 265/75R16's on when I got them on a set of factory steel wheels and my speedo was spot on then. When I put my 265/70R17's on the speedo reads a little low but more accurate than stock. I'm running studded 265/70R16 Toyo G3's on stock steelies but we've literally gotten no snow here yet.

 

No problem having a bit more clearance around the brakes. As noted by others, there are 18" rims on the LTD; you just need to ensure the OD of the wheel still fits, so any of the stock sizes will fit for certain. Someone has already listed them above. Worth verifying the offset on the wheels to ensure they aren't too far off stock. "Normal" is +30 mm, while the Off-Road trim is 25 mm.
No compelling reason to go BIG on winter tires, and some arguments favour going a bit narrower.
I'm running new-ish 235/85R16E year round right now (equivalent would be 235/80R17) and they are OK, but I am considering going to dedicated winter tires next year in either that size, 245/75R16 or even 215/85R16. Narrow tires seem to work well here in the snowy mountains, and I don't off-road in the winter, so I could go with a lighter (C or even P rated) and save bit of fuel during the coldest months.

 

And Pro is +4mm

 

Drove up to Nelson from the coast via Kelowna just before Christmas and got to try out my 215/85/R16E's (Firestone Destination X/T's) in pretty crappy conditions. I was really impressed with the tires. I have run 245's in the past, but I really like how the 215's handle conditions here. The X/T's are not dedicated snow tires, but Snowflake rated. 215/85/R16 actual snowtires would be even better. My speedo is off by about -3%.

 

I'm running studded Cooper discover snow claws in 265/70r17. They're a 7/10 to me.
Pros: near silent with studs in and seem to wear like cast iron over a cotton field. After 45'000 kms of highway driving with about 12'000 of those kms including towing and/or hauling at capacity i'm at 9/32 tread. Highway speed handling is very good and because they are non directional they can be fully rotates to keep wear in check

Cons: deep snow traction sucks, slow speed traction say moving off from a stop light sucks.

it's possible that for the width of tread and that cooper specifically advertises this as a truck tire that a tacoma is just too light for this tire but for highway driving they are astonishing. They don't hydroplane or pull the truck at speeds and with studs atleast they are very planted driving on the highway with near silent operation. They are only marginally louder than firestone destination le2's. i primarily drive highway so for this purpose they're been quite good but they aren't flawless and have let me down many times when i've left the road for an adventure. I'm interested in running another snow tire when these wear out but if nothing else piques my interest I would run these again in a narrower size like a 245 or 235 even. Overall i'd rate these a 7/10

 

Interesting, I have been considering 235s but wasn't sure what fits for the 3rd generation

 

I see alot of posts for max stock size, but what about min or smaller sizes is for winter like 235s? Yea I heard too, narrower is better I get alot of snow, ice and -30-45c weather

 

Or less I was just thinking 235s as it's less than 245 looking for a good winter tire size

 

Or maybe best to stick with 245/75/16 s stock lol for winter

 

15" Wheels won't clear the brakes on a 3rd Gen and I'd guess a 2nd Gen as well.

 

Thanks! Scratching off list

 

215/85 R16's were/are available from Hankook and other manufacturers in dedicated snow tires and are acceptable on the 16x7.0 rims on the 2nd gens (not sure about 3rd gens stock rim size). I've used the iPike from Hankook (not on this truck, however), and they are an excellent dedicated snow tire. Hills I could not make up with All seasons were not even worth mentioning with the iPikes. I'm a fan of skinnies, as there is not a lot of sand here.

 

Yeah, that was pretty wild weather in the BC Interior just around Xmas this year for certain.

We went to Spokane today in my wife's DCSB and were talking about getting her some dedicated winter tires for next year...ironically there was zero snow on the sides of the road anywhere except in Rossland...not our normal mid-February. The bare roads led us to think that maybe we'll skip studs but still go for the full-on snow tires. Blizzaks seem like our best option if Nokian can't get product out of Russia. I don't see that they (Bridgestone) have a 215/85R16 available , but there is a 235/85R16, which might be just the ticket.

BTW: a 215/85R16 should be only 0.3% smaller in diameter/speedo from the (I think) stock 245/75R16 your truck came with. 0.7% compared to a 265/70R16.

 

235/85R16 fit (with stock wheels) no problem on a third gen. I ran Toyo M-55, which are full 32" OD, (versus 31.5" for most tires that size) on a TRDOR for 4 years, no issues at all. That's why we are thinking that will be the size we get for my wife for next winter's dedicated snows.

 

235/85/16 siped Duatracs for working year round in the BC interior

 

I agree with all of your sentiments on these. Very quiet and smooth on pavement. I ran 285/75r16 for about a winter and a half. I did end up getting rid of them and changing to a set of studded General A/TX tires since the Snow Claws were basically useless in deep snow when we head out ice fishing or sledding. There's no comparison off pavement or in deeper snow. I find them fairly even on road other than the Generals are definitely louder, but the Coopers were ridiculously quiet.