The SKINNY on skinny tires

No.

I know a thing a two about snow because lived in Vermont 25 years.

I hunt out of state on public land. And most recently I used chains was in Colorado.

Yes, quite capable size. I often see 235/85/16 oversees on Toyota land cruisers, hilux, and prado.

Yeah full v bar is the way to go, and they got a little more steel to wear off over time.

 

Hey y’all, just got an 04 double cab TRD Tacoma.

bilstein 5125 and add a leaf, 2in lift all around.

rolling on 17” steelies and 255/80/17 cooper discover load E rating.

I’m getting steering wheel wobble at speeds 55-65 mph, the PO said that it’s the tires because they are more narrow and taller with a high load rating it’s part of the drawbacks.

How is everyone’s truck driving with these tires? Also I am getting 14-15 mpg…would a lower load rating and shorter tire help? The taco is my daily and about once a month I got into trails and camp etc.

 

I had the same tire years ago in. 255/85R16 and had the same issues. No amount of balancing fixed it. Switched to Toyo MT in the same size and issue went away.

 

Interesting and you had a taller 85 tire. Did you switch to 255/80 or 255/85 on the Toyo

 

If you are referring to the ST Maxx, albeit a great tire, they have some known shortcomings; pulling to one side or the other and balancing issues are examples of some.

Any E rated tire is going to be heavier than a lower rated compound tire. So yes, going to a lower rated and/or smaller tire will improve your fuel economy.

255/80/17 and 255/85/16 are almost identical sizes, just for different wheel sizes.

 

what do you recommend for a daily driver with the monthly weekend adventure? I’m looking for a smooth ride but capability to go through some moderate trails

 

For the uses you’ve described, an all terrain tire with SL or C load 265/70/17 would be my recommendation. That size will work fine with your current 17” wheels, provide improved MPG from current state, a smoother ride, and still look proportional with your lift.

 

255/80/17 Toyo Open Country AT3, great reviews so far.

 

thanks John. That is stock sizing for the TRD first gen right?

 

It’s a size up from stock tires on the 2nd/3rd gens, not sure about 1st.

 

What fender modification were needed to mount these. Cab mount chop? Pinch Weld?

 

255/85R16, I've run Toyo MT's since but recently switched to 35x10.5R17 Kenda RT's which have an even taller sidewall. Smooth as glass. Its a Cooper thing unfortunately.

 

I've wanted to get skinny tires for a while, but am pretty particular. Most of the time I roll on P rated 245/75 R16 General Grabber HTS 60's on alloy rims, as I want good wet weather traction, acceleration, and the best fuel economy I can get in a quiet tire. If I'm heading off the beaten path, I have a set BFG KO's in the same size on steel wheels. They are bullet proof, get at least 10% worse fuel economy, are not great in the snow, and loud. Truck feels like it is going up a constant incline as well. I'm not doing any massive offroading, so was looking for a happy medium. Something with a good tread and puncture resistance, as well as a good load rating, as I am constantly hauling gravel and stuff with this truck. I also wanted something that would work well in the snow, and not be as heavy as the BFG's.
I also wanted something skinny (did I mention that yet
I researched the crap outta tires and picked up a set of beater alloy rims that are starting to flake paint, but will be used in the winter anyway, so i don't really care about the aesthetics.

Decided to go with some Firestone Destination XT's in an LT215/85 R16, as they weigh about a pound heavier per wheel than the P rated tires and are pretty much exactly the same circumference. That and these are absolutely the skinniest 16" tires you can buy (did I mention I like skinny tires?), and even if they did make a skinnier tire, I'd have to get narrower rims, as the stock wheels are 7" and that is as wide as you can go with a 215.
I'd considered 235/85's but didn't want to make 1st gear any taller; it's already pretty tall with the older 5spd manual.
I have the 4 leaf TSB spring pack and airbag suspension, so I have lifted the front with Bilstein 5100's set to the .85"+ ride height.
I just had my alignment done today and mounted the new tires and wheels. Pretty happy with the short drive I took them on. Apparently they work very well in the wet snow we get here on the coast. I have chains for all 4 tires, so I'm not too worried, and that was another reason for not going to a larger tire size; I wanted to leave clearance for chains. I'll update after I have a few more km's on them

 

I’m running 235 85 cooper discoverer at3 LT and they weigh at 43 pounds, yes there heavier than stock but I did some engine mods to get the mpg’s back. And I must say I’m getting better mpg even if I had stock tires.

regular cab 5 speed 4x4with 2.25 front lift on air bags in back and bils all around rolling on 3rd gen trd off road rims since there 7 pounds lighter than my stock steelies. I also have a pedal commander and a eco meter

 

You all got me thinking about going skinny tires. No plans for a lift or a level yet, so stock suspension. But skinny tires that are a bit bigger looking than the stock 245/75r16 sound awesome.

 

Anybody else running those new Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT's now?
@Sixthelement How are you liking that 255/85/17 size? Can you provide the Mounted diameter of the tire vs the unmounted 34.5? Any more pics?

Thinking about making the move to these from 285/75/17 ridge grapplers and worried it might look too thin..

 

Unless they are a 235 or a 215, they won't be skinnier than a 245.

 

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/1602-coker-skinny-jeep-tires/

 

true. looking at 235/85/16 right now but have to see.

 

255/75/17 FTW!