Halp! Trying to thread a needle...

Background: we have a nearly stock '23 OR DCLB in the mountains of Lake Tahoe on the NV side. Only modification worth mentioning (i.e. not lighting), is that it is on Blizzak DM tires at 265/70R-16 (stock OR wheels) for the winter. This truck gets VERY little mileage as a function of the fact that it is a second vehicle and our use for it is getting access to hiking that is further afield via fire roads, off-roading, etc - basically trails/areas not easily accessible from most roadside trailheads in Tahoe. Basically zero highway miles. We also use it for hauling toys (skis, SUPs, kayaks, etc) and occasionally construction materials for projects around the house. Because we are in the mountains and most of our driving involves a minimum of 1k ft of elevation gain, I'm seeing an average of 11-13 mpg, so feeling good about low mileage we put on the truck - sitting at 2k on the odometer right now.

Question: I have 17x7 OEM 4Runner TRD wheels and want to run some tall pizza cutters/skinny rubber (to avoid further tanking our MPG) for summer through fall. What tires should I be looking at? Also, should I be considering a small (2") lift to open up the range of tires I can consider and roads/terrain that we can tackle around Tahoe?

 

So I've been looking at similar tires and having a 17" wheel is where I'm at. I'm looking at a 255/75/17 Firestone Destination XT . No lift needed for the size. It measures in at 32.1" and is light for the size and C load rating at only 40lbs. You have winters, so its not as important, but they're 3 peak rated so in shoulder seasons they'll get you home

$295+ Firestone Destination X/T Tires

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Firestone&tireModel=Destination+X/T&partnum=575TR7DXT&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

 

Thanks for the reply, I hadn't looked at that tire yet. Mostly looking at the Toyo Open Country A/T III in 255/75/17 (load range C) since I like that they only weigh 40lbs/tire vs 50-60ish for some of the more aggressive looking tires in the 255/75 or 255/80 category. Based on my reading of a bunch of relevant threads on TW, it seems like there is a decent chance that Toyos will fit without rubbing, but not guaranteed at full flex

 

I would stick with 265/65-17
Look for a standard load range, avoid E if mileage is a great concern

Personally, BFG all terrain is my go to tire. Been running them on a truck or jeep for almost thirty years. I have them on my Tacoma, love them.