Tire size dilemma...

so 285s are taller but not wider and the 255s are taller and wider?

 

Close, just backwards.

285/75R16

285 is the tread with in millimiters.

75 is an aspect ratio of sidewall height from the tread width.

R = Radial

16 is the rim size.

285s are wider than 255s. 255s have more sidewall compared to tread width than 285s. Both are basically 33s.

285s are basically 33-11.50s
255s are basically 33-9.50s

make sense?

 

is yours the manual? can you attest to the first gear issue? any pictures?

 

so you got better mileage with the 255s?

 

Better than the 285s yes but I was running BFG KM1s in 255s and maxxis bighorns in 285s so the 285s are definitely more aggressive. 265s and 285s were pretty similar in mileage IIRC. I just like the wider tire in the loose stuff.

Like I said, with my bumpers/armor & 285s I can get 17-19 mpg if I keep it under 70. I'm pretty light on the gas though to get that. 265s/255s were a more consistent 18-19 IIRC. Really wasn't that much difference once you learn to keep your foot out of it. I can get 20-21 out of my wife's non lifted 4wd 4 runner where she gets 17-19 though so I'm pretty good about controlling the skinny pedal.

 

if you were me and you drove highway for the most part you would do the 285s?

 

i just read a bunch about the 255s and they sound like my best bet

 

Yea, don't ask me that. I'd regear and run 35s if I could afford the swap. I think mileage would be ok. But more to the point, I wheel every 2-3 months and could push my rig harder. I just like the wider tires. I can tell they're under there compared to the old 255s/265s.

What type of wheeling do you do? Maybe others will chime in. I traded my stock wheels with a guy that won't run anything besides 255s. Heck I searched for probably 6 months about 285s before getting them. I knew exactly what I needed, what had to be cut/trimmed, and what I might end up trimming.

What are you thinking in terms of MT or AT? My bighorns are fairly noisy. I'm hoping to get 40k out of them but 30k might be realistic. You seem like the type that might want an AT, maybe duratracks at the most aggressive? 255s also has lest options available. Search on that also and it might help you make up your mind.

 

ive got hankook dynapros ats and I love them. I sont mud or anything, usually just overland type off roading to campsites and mtn bike trails. there isn't a lot of off roading still available in western nc where im at so no rock crawling or anything.

 

I think you'll be happy with 255s if you can find them in something mild enough for you. Cooper had a nice AT in that size but I'm not sure if they still make em. Search "bakery's no name truck" in the second gen build for that cooper tire. He's running them. Nothing wrong with 265s either but you saw what they look like on my truck.

 

Alright sounds like a plan, thank you so much man. I owe us one!