Is a 285 sized tire for offroading worth the exta trouble??

Hey fella's its time for the Tacoma to get some new shoes. The truck is a '08 TRD DCLB with full 886 OME/Dakar suspension and ARB front bumper. I use this truck to it's fullest off road capability. I currently run 265/70R17 BFG AT KO but from reading all of the posts regarding fitting a 285 tire is it really worth it? I have no rubbing issues at all with current set up. From what I have read through the posts if you want to run a 285 tire Offroad (not mall crawl) you need a 4.5" BS rim or spacers, aftermarket UCA's, inner fender trimming, cab mount chops, and a bit worse fuel economy(not a big deal for me). Am I close on the observations I have made?? So is there any real benefit to running a 285 tire vs 265 tire at all?? I have considered the 255's, but tire selection is limited. Any input to my decision of tire size would be appreciated.

Digger...........

 

255/80/17

 

You will need to trim, my fuel economy only went down .5 mpg, wheel spacers will make you rub more, cab mount chop may or may not be needed depending on what wheels you're running and how hard you push it off road, upgraded uca's aren't needed but if you're running that hard off road you should have them anyways, gonna feel down on power due to the extra weight/ size unless you re-gear (still need to do this to mine).....can't think of anything else. Love my 285/75/16 duratracs. Fills in the wheel wells real nice and perform great

 

re-gear?
What lift do you have that is currently accomadating your wheels?

 

Re-gearing is when you change the final drive ratio in your diff for either more low end torque or more top speed but slower acceleration. Like changing gears on a bicycle.

As far as my lift, I was running bilstien 5100s all around with the coils maxed out in the front and allpro standard leaf pack in the rear. I ran that setup for a few years, but recently went to a proper mid travel setup and have kings all around.

 

Typically, 265's will be right around 32". 285's will be around but usually just shy of 33". You gain about 1/2" of actual ground clearance. The bigger difference is with the tire width. Considering all that goes with the 285's and just how little you actually gain, it's just not worth all the trouble IMHO. For off roading, you're better off with the extra fender well clearance that the small gain in ground clearance. I'd put more thought into picking a good tire than with picking a bigger tire.

There was a time in my life that I thought I needed the biggest tires I could stuff under a truck. I've found that not to be true in all cases. It's better to have a tire that clears the frame, the fenders, and one that the truck has the brakes and the suspension to handle, PLUS a tire that the gearing matches up with. Taller tires will rob gas mileage AND performance to a greater or lesser degree.

 

I mall crawl pretty hard with 285's and when I had stock UCA's I rubbed pretty good on the cab mount at full lock in reverse. After I got the Light Racing UCA's, ICON coilovers and an alignment I'm not even close to it. Trimmed the fender liner as well and my 285's don't touch a thing in the fenderwell anymore.