FJ OEM steel wheels + Rubicon BFG MTs on a second gen Tacoma?

[yonah]

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I've noticed that there are a lot of Rubicon BFG MT take-off tires for sale in my area. Most sets are practically brand new and guys are selling them dirt cheap. I've been knocking around the idea of purchasing some Rubicon MTs and wrapping them on a set of 17" FJ Cruiser factory steel wheels. It seems like a win/win in terms of price and performance offroad. The only issue I can foresee would be with the load rating of the tires. I think the load rating for the Rubicon MT is C rating from my last search on the BFG website.

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Are any of you running this set up on your second gen Tacoma? If so, do you have any photos you could link or post up? I would also welcome any feedback from the FJ crowd. Thanks,

 

[p nut]

Why would the load rating be an issue? LR C is just fine for the payload and GVWR of the Tacoma.

 

[soonenough]

I could be wrong but I don't see any way you could exceed the weight capacity of a set of load range C tires with a Tacoma. Looking on the BFG website, the older Mud Terrain T/A KM only has 1 size listed (255/75/17, load range C), and it has a 2,400-lb per tire load capacity. I don't know how much difference there is in load capacity between the standard tire and the "DT" version that's on the Rubicons, but it can't be much, so they should be capable of about supporting upwards of 10,000 lbs. Even adding in a significant safety factor, and calling it 8,000 lbs....if you have a Tacoma that weighs anywhere near that, you're gonna have a lot more problems than just tires.

 

[jds0912]

I've been running them since march of 2012. Good tire in the mud/snow/rocks, but honestly kinda suck on the street. I got mine really cheap and I barely drive so I've kept them on for almost 3 years now, but they have worn uneavenly, suck in the rain and are pretty damn loud. I've got my eyes on a set of cooper st/maxx for my next shoes. As far as load rating, I have had no problems at all; they are stiff as hell.

 

[vicali]

I run FJ steelies in the winter with Blizzaks, love them.

 

[2025 deleted member]

I have factory steelies on my FJC. Just don't expect the clearcoat finish to last a long time. My FJC is garage kept and has only seen rain twice, and they are already dulling a little bit.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Mine is not a 2nd gen Taco, but it's a 4th gen 4runner (so still a T120 platform.) I ran the FJC steelies + BFG MT's for a couple of years. Seemed to work fine and surprisingly not as loud as I expected them to be, even on the highway. Here I am on Mojave Road last April:
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Although I ran that setup for a couple of years, I wanted to go to something that I could run year 'round (BFG MT's don't have a great reputation for being a good snow/ice tire) so late last year I switched to BFG AT KO's. Before I did that I painted the FJC black steelies gray because I thought the black was a little boring.
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The MTs are great tires and if you can get them cheap, even better. But for those of us that live in the snow belt, they're less than optimal.​

 

[TwoTrack]

I don't have a Tacoma, but a 1st Gen Tundra. I came from BFG A/T's and I honestly can't tell a noise difference. They aren't the best wet pavement tire but for everything else they've been great. I picked up 5 brand new take offs for $700. I've been rotating in the 5th spare and if I only get 25-30k out of them I feel like it was still a good deal, however I think 40-50k is definitely possible. I have about 10k on them now and they still look brand new.

 

[yonah]

My Taco has load range E BFG ATs on it now that we're installed by the PO. I just assumed this was done to compensate (although a bit excessive) for the added weight of all the modifications done to the vehicle (Bullbar, steel rear bumper, winch, sliders, shell, racks, etc...).

Thanks for the photos and insight. I'm thinking about running them as trail shoes and keeping my BFG ATs for DD duties. Keep the photos coming; it's cool to see them set up on different rigs.

 

[Martinjmpr]

My Taco has load range E BFG ATs on it now that we're installed by the PO. I just assumed this was done to compensate (although a bit excessive) for the added weight of all the modifications done to the vehicle (Bullbar, steel rear bumper, winch, sliders, shell, racks, etc...).

Thanks for the photos and insight. I'm thinking about running them as trail shoes and keeping my BFG ATs for DD duties. Keep the photos coming; it's cool to see them set up on different rigs.

Just curious, but have you done that before, i.e. run two sets of tires and wheels? Because I did it for two years and hated it. That's why I'm back to a single set of tires. Yes, it's a compromise but I don't have to worry about storing the non-used tires and I don't have to worry about the hassle of switching them (I got to where I could make the switch of all 5 in about 40 minutes using just the factory bottle jack, but it was still a LOT of work.)

As soon as I get a 17" spare tire I'll change out my spare and then my factory 16" alloys will be for sale.

 

[yonah]

Yes I have. I did it with my first Jeep. I think the fuel savings and drive comfort are worth it. I agree it can be a bit of a hassle, but storage and swapping them out isn't much of an issue.

 

[p nut]

Airgun and a good jack, the change over shouldn't be a big deal.