Any Cruiser guys here with 255/85's?

[ashooter]

I know the "approved" tire size around here seems to be 255/85 R16. Anybody running this size on a low-lifted or no-lifted 80?

Pics?

I've about 99% decided to move to this size after trying both 285's and 265's, but there are not a lot of choices in that size for an "all-terrain" type tire. The Cooper S/T has a nice looking tread, but they're almost a 235 width which is too skinny for me. I worry about greasewood or rock punctures with some of the higher void ratios like Trxus and Maxxis Bighorns. BFG KM's in that size seems to have a lot of happy customers, but (on paper) the Toyo M-55 looks like EXACTLY what I want. -- Yes, I have read Redline's opinion on that tire, which is why I still have 265's on the truck. Though I wonder if an 80 would act/feel different than a Tacoma, Tundra, or 4-Runner on this size, since an 80 is a 6000 lb truck.

Any suggestions to kick my decision over to one tire or another? Seems like every time I make up my mind to buy one or the other, I read something that makes me rethink my decision.

FWIW - there is NO mud around here in the SW Texas Trans-Pecos. LOTS of limestone/gypsum rocks, greasewood, and mesquite. My driving is about 50% 70mph highway, 45% 5-30 mph dirt/gravel, and 5% crawling out through the brush and boulders.

 

[hks3sgte]

That tire size is my favorite. I have been running the Cooper S/Ts for almost a year now, mostly gravel roads (and highway, of course), and I absolutely love them. They are on the narrow side, but for my use, it has never bothered me.
This is a picture of them on a stock 100.

 

[Pokey]

Here ya go. Unfortunately the sun was right in the lens for the front 3/4 views --so i didnt include them.

I kept the flares and used 1.25" Marlin Crawler spacers to keep the wheels up to the edge of the flares. These are the BFG 255/85 MT's. Not too noisey-but sounds like you might prefer AT for your driving habits.

the nice thing about 255's for me......light compared to 35s. 33.3" tall. Dont feel sluggish driving around town. 14mpg in town with Sliders/Shortbus bumper/triple batts/low lift.

Best thing is you can use OME low lift---and use stock Toyota (tokiko made) shocks which are a nice combo with the OME lows. I got 1.5"+ all around over the saggy old springs.

70mph is about 2400rpms in overdrive with these.

 

[ashooter]

Your truck looks GREAT, Pokey!

Your spring/shock combo is exactly what I have on my truck, too. Nice to see how they look without the "standard" saggy OEM setup or 2.5" lift.

From what I've seen, the Toyo M-55 is going to run at least $250/ea (not including mount & balance), so more than likely I'll end up flipping a coin between the BFG KM and the Cooper S/T. I really like the tread design of the S/T, but the Cooper looks like almost a 235 width, while the BFG is closer to a 265 width (which I like a lot better).

decisions decisions.....

Maybe I should just do like Redline and buy one set of each!

 

[ashooter]

hks3sgte,

How do your Coopers seem to be holding up? If you do much gravel driving, your 100 might be a pretty good comparison to me in regards to both vehicle weight and terrain covered.

 

[hks3sgte]

hks3sgte,

How do your Coopers seem to be holding up? If you do much gravel driving, your 100 might be a pretty good comparison to me in regards to both vehicle weight and terrain covered.

I would say most of my off road driving is gravel roads. Always full of gear for at least the weekend. So far, I have been lucky enough not to get a flat. The Coopers are narrow, but with my fully loaded down wagon, it has never been an issue. In fact, I like them better on and off road than the wider stock tires. You won't regret your choice if you go for either the BFGs or Coopers.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I have the Maxxis as you know...Check for threads on here from Redline. He's the local tire expert. I'd say right now he probably has three or four different sets of tires mounted, ready to go for his vehicle. He has written about the coopers, maxxis toyos and a few others.

Good luck.

 

[OneTime]

HKS, Nice Vasquez Rocks shot!

 

[ashooter]

I have the Maxxis as you know...Check for threads on here from Redline. He's the local tire expert. I'd say right now he probably has three or four different sets of tires mounted, ready to go for his vehicle. He has written about the coopers, maxxis toyos and a few others.

Good luck.

Right "24",

Thanks for pointing me here from mud in the first place. Still mulling it all over. I really think the Bighorns or the BFG KM's would be overkill for me. I like the idea of the Toyo M-55, but Redline's review is what has me shying away from that tire. Sounds like it's plenty tough, but not great in all other categories. FWIW, I have a rancher friend who has 265/75-R16 M-55's on 3 of his trucks - a couple of 3/4 tons and a one-ton - all diesels. He LOVES them, but all he cares about is longevity and whether or not he's having to deal with flat tires from mesquite thorn and deadwood punctures. No mud/snow/rain/rocks to speak of in his part of the world - just dirt, gravel, and mesquite.

Other than the M-55, the S/T seems to be the only tire/tread design (in a 255/85) that seems "practical" for the kind of driving I do.... and the Cooper is about $100 per tire cheaper than the Toyo.

I just measured the actual width of the tread on my 265 Revos, and it comes out to about 8.2", so I'd be losing an inch of tread width by going with the Cooper S/T 255. I can probably live with that. I KNOW I don't want to go up in width to a 285 - been there and wasn't really happy with how the truck handled. The only thing that still has me a little hesitant is that loss of a full inch of tread width... But I keep reminding myself that the Coopers are load range D... and there are a lot of heavier trucks on the road using 235's... and I'll save a full $500 by going with Coopers rather than Toyos!

 

[Redline]

Based on your driving conditions: Gravel/rock, concerns about greasewood punctures, I agree that the Toyo M55 is possibly the perfect tire for you (in 255/85)

The Cooper ST is/looks narrower than every other 255/85 I have run or seen. I like the ST for soft ride, but it is light weight for the size. Partially because it is narrow (less rubber) but also because I believe the construction has less steel, polyester, etc. This makes it flex nicely and ride great even at street pressures, but I would bet the Toyo M55 is a much tougher tire, and it also has a chip resistant compound.

You might love the M55!

SNIP.....

FWIW - there is NO mud around here in the SW Texas Trans-Pecos. LOTS of limestone/gypsum rocks, greasewood, and mesquite. My driving is about 50% 70mph highway, 45% 5-30 mph dirt/gravel, and 5% crawling out through the brush and boulders.

 

[hks3sgte]

The M-55's would be the perfect gravel tire. They're just a bit too expensive!

HKS, Nice Vasquez Rocks shot!

Thanks!

 

[xcmountain80]

Here ya go. Unfortunately the sun was right in the lens for the front 3/4 views --so i didnt include them.

I kept the flares and used 1.25" Marlin Crawler spacers to keep the wheels up to the edge of the flares. These are the BFG 255/85 MT's. Not too noisey-but sounds like you might prefer AT for your driving habits.

the nice thing about 255's for me......light compared to 35s. 33.3" tall. Dont feel sluggish driving around town. 14mpg in town with Sliders/Shortbus bumper/triple batts/low lift.

Best thing is you can use OME low lift---and use stock Toyota (tokiko made) shocks which are a nice combo with the OME lows. I got 1.5"+ all around over the saggy old springs.

70mph is about 2400rpms in overdrive with these.

Looks allot better than I expected, I'd drive it
Aaron

 

[Pokey]

i really wish i could find a skinny true 35" tire like the BFG. The interco skinnies are too bulky for expedition needs.

 

[LC/LR4Life]

I wish tire companies would either go all metric, or get back on track with standard sizing. I never got the metric sizes figured out. Tell me a tire is 33" and I know what the heck you're talking about.

 

[LC/LR4Life]

i really wish i could find a skinny true 35" tire like the BFG. The interco skinnies are too bulky for expedition needs.

35x10.5x18 would suit me fine in a BFG if I could find em :yikes: