Tire expert opinion

[Carl]

My son has a 2002 Tacoma Dbl cab with 2.5-3" lift (coils/deaver springs). Pinch weld mod done.

Currently running MT's in 255/85/16 on stock steel wheels. Minor rub at full lock but no other issue.
Tires are very loud and he wants to ideally go with an AT in either same size or just slightly smaller to retain the current look/feel of truck with lift.
He is considering a 265/75/16 but has concern with it being slightly smaller than ideal and if going to a 285/75/16, not sure on the stock wheel if ok.

We need some input please.

thanks

carl

 

[DblD]

Far from tire expert here. I might suggest that you look at the Cooper Discover S/T - 255/85R16. I’m running them on a ’09 Gen II with 2.5in lift. Fairly quite at highway speeds. Only thing I don’t like about the tire is it only comes in a Load Range D - 8 ply rated. I much prefer the 10 ply rated Load Range E even for this light duty vehicle.

dd

 

[Carl]

tire opinion

I am curious if anyone is running a different size on a stock steel wheel?
Or any other input?

thanks

carl

 

[surlydiesel]

I've seen plenty of 285's on stock wheels and almost ran that size on my Tundra, there is a good chance for rub though with full stuff and turning. I would stick with the same size you currently have, not too tall and since it's narrow, it won't kill him on gas. You could also go with a 235/85R16. That is basically a 32 inch tire, also skinny but might be just in between the 255 and the 265 to be right. Also tons of tread patterns in that size.

-jorge

 

[Carl]

any feedback on the Cooper ST's?

Compared to the older BFG MT's?

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Cooper is coming out with the ST Maxx in 255/85. Same size, much quieter, still aggressive, looks great, performs really well.

 

[beavis0076]

im running 285/75/16 goodyear duratrac's on a stock 16in tacoma wheel.. no issues other than rubbing the uca at full lock. I added spidertrax wheelspacers to correct the issues. Im very happy with my setup.

 

[Jkfisher84]

I run Hankook dynapro Mts but in a 34" size. When I convert over to toyota I might stick with them since they haven't failed me yet. Oh and they're 10 ply

 

[Hootowl]

Greetings Carl...

I'm an AT class driver all the way. My tire usage is several 10's of thousands of highway and several hundreds of offroad miles per year. Also I people haul in the Xterra Offroad, haul heavy stuff and trailer tow occationally (did a 1000 mile tow recently). With the heavy highway usage, a MT class just doesn't match up to me.

IMHO there are two top AT class tires that fit squarely in the middle of all-purpose, all-terrain and all-climate. These are the BFG AT/KO and the Goodyear Wrangler Adventurer (basicly a rebranding of the Silent Armor). I prefer the Goodyear since it is far better on road, has been more cut and chip resistant for me and it clears mud out of the tread better. Going outside the middle, there are often compromises or biases in design that may or may not fit the usage well. Examples are desert vs mountains, light load vs heavy, snow, rain, show, expedition or commercial duty, etc. In addition, there are pretend AT class tires out there that are really just overweight street tires.

Regarding your OEM wheels and tire size, all manufacturers have rim width specifications on their website and www.tirerack.com is a great information source for most major brands. For your rubbing problem, you may need wheel spacers but Taco drivers will know better than I.