285/70/17 vs. 265/75/16

Hey Folks,
I've got a decision to make. Any opinions with photos would be much appreciated.
'21 Cement TRD OR 4x4 - Getting the Bilstein 5100's next week.
Option 1 - 1.55" in the front / nothing in the rear - level it out and stick with 265/75/16 KO2's
Option 2 - 2.75" in the front / 1.5" block in the rear - run the 265's until they wear out and then go 285/70/17's. Just didn't want to change wheels and tires right away bc the 265 KO2's are new and I really like them. Will 2.75" with 265's look stupid? Thanks.

 

The biggest problem with your truck is that you logged into tacoma world and more than likely been looking on Instagram as well. This mistake will cost you anywhere from $3000-15k.

If you go for option 1 you must never park your truck next to another tacoma that lifted because you will compare yours to theirs.

option 2 you will notice “to much room between your tires and fenders”

option 3 new wheel and tires will require new UCA and cab mount chop in addition to wheel alignment.

I did the 5100’s at the 4th setting and a 1 inch rear block. Had the truck about 1/2” slope with front lower. Truck looked good. Then 90,000 km passed until tires wore out. That was a very long few years.

Truck is now on 35’s and all the associated “crap” that comes with it. 2nd pic.

 

I dont have bilstiens but i did add about 2" of lift in the rear and about 1 in the front. It was supposed to be 1.5" in both the front and rear to keep the same rake but i had to add a shim in the back and the front springs (fox2.0) settled way too much. You can adjust em but the ride is nice as is. Either way i have 265/75/16s and i love the way the truck sits. At some point ill fix the front and add an inch but other than that i never think the tires are too small. And if u take it off roading the more tire the better. I feel like 17" is a bit much too wheel but thats all preference. None of it makes any real difference.

 

I started with a similar lift to option 1, then wanted larger wheels and tires, I wanted 17" wheels with 285/70R17's. Started with 2" spacers in the front, and a 1.5" Add a Leaf in the back. I would not recommend the blocks, max 1" if you need the lift. It looks funny with stock wheels and 265 tires. The biggest benefit to 265's is the 30 MPG you can get cruising the highway. Once you lift it and go to 285's, that drops to 15-17 max MPG on the highway. Every once in a while I get 18 if I'm staying at about 50-55 MPH. I don't drive a lot, so it's not a big deal but it's the one big downfall to lifting and going with larger tires.

Here's mine on stock wheels and 265 tires with a 2" spacer lift and 1.5" Add a Leaf, and then 285's and Bilstein 6112/5160's at the highest lift.

 

Awesome picture! That’s crazy, I get better mpg than you on the hwy with my 285s, pretty consistent at 20 mpg here in BC with 60mph on long road trips.

 

Yes, I can get higher if I stay on flat ground at 50-60 MPH, but we have speeds from 70-80 MPH where the MPG drops and then add in the mountain passes. It just never really gets more than 17 unless I'm really trying.

 

I went with the option 1 plus 1.
Did the Bilstein 5100 at 1.5 up front but did a 1 inch block in the rear to have a little rake when I load up. I went 285/70/17 and it’s the perfect setup for me. It’s setup for daily but I don’t drive it daily. I have a commuter for work. It’s comfortable, practical and it didn’t break the bank. It obviously doesn’t look stock and also doesn’t look obnoxious. The fun part about it is it’s all on how you want to set it up and this page is a wealth of information. Best of luck!

 

Thanks guys for the response!
Offroadguy651 - with only 1.5" in the front, how much trimming was required to get 285's in there? Looks good!

 

No trimming, no CMC, small rub on mud flaps at full lock but after I took them off them I had nothing touching anywhere. Contrary to what others had stated on here and YouTube, you do not need at least a 2.5 lift and CMC to fit 285s. 0 offsets wheels were key.

 

Currently have the same dilemma as OP.... Thinking all the expense and potential trouble is not worth an extra 1 inch of clearance for what I actually do, but then I see a pictures like those! Dammit...

@2Shoes how does it drive up the passes with 285's? I know the truck is not a race car, but I don't want to be stuck at 55mph with the pedal to the floor going up i90. My main fear is power loss and increased braking distance with bigger tires. Have you found it to be super noticeable with 285's vs 265's?

 

Stuck at 55 MPH? Oh no, not at all, I cruise over I-90 at 80+ like everyone else. It's probably the reason I get 15-17 MPG. I tow a snowmobile and motorcycle trailer at 75+ all the time. In fact just a month ago we drove over the pass with two snowmobiles on the trailer from Bellingham to Ellensburg and I got 14 MPG doing 70-80 MPH the entire way.

 

That's good to hear, especially that you can tow something as well.

 

2” lift all around and 265/70/17. I really think it looks fine, I’ve only upgraded to 33x10 for that extra clearance off-road.

Hope these help:

 

Same here. I’m on skinny 33s and carry constant weight, 20 MPGs is easy it going 60 or so.

Btw loving Prince George so far!

 

Truck looks great man. Subtle looking but very capable rig.

So many tacos I see with ditch lights and a bunch of other useless stuff bolted on without a single spec of dirt.

 

2" Bilstein 5100s up front (top notch #5 setting), 1" block in the rear.

265/75/16 look better now, than before the lift, when they looked stuffed in there.

How you getting 2.75" up front?

 

A few things mentioned above but to summarize.
-285's do not require a chop if you keep your offset in check no further out than 0.
-Alignment is key to scooch that caster forward just a touch to help with clearence.
-lift doesn't equal a bigger tire it can actually reduce your clearence if you don't compensate with a proper alignment after. Stick to no more than 2" to save yourself the potential for alot of other issues.
-wheel and tire weight as well as tire design will have the same if not a larger factor in what mpg you get compared to just the size.
-mud flaps will have to go I swapped to rock blokz and never looked back.
-Don't fear the cmc if you want to keep the lowest lift and gaurentee the best clearence just chop it I avoided it for way to long.
-keep rake to your truck leveling is awful. It should be level when loaded not empty.

I think that's all I have to note

 

2Shoes - amazing pics and sweet truck(s). I really like both but the 285's look amazing.
No regrets?

 

I see your Maxxis Razrs. Will be my next set of tires.

 

TRD 2” & 1” 265-75-16 winter & summer set’s.