255/75/17 vs 285/70/17 KO2s on 5th Gen 4R w/ 2" OME

[grizzlyblake]

I have on order from Slee their OME "low lift" (2883, 2895e, Nitros, SPC UCAS).

This is for my 2014 Trail 4Runner w/100k miles. It's my daily driver, mountain trail explorer, and family trip hauler. Me, my wife, and two young boys.

I needed to refresh the suspension so that's how I landed on the OME kit, and I'm going to do tires at the same time.

Per BFG specs:

255/75/17 C
32.1" tall
45.48lbs
2405lb max load at 50psi


285/70/17 C
32.8" tall
51.37lbs
2755lb max load at 50psi


I do not want any load range E tires and the 255s are slightly taller and skinnier than stock, which I like. I just don't want them to look too anemic or lose out on some "better" performance with the 285s.

Thoughts?

 

[tacollie]

I ran 255/75 on my second gen Tacoma and really liked them. They really maintain good mags. Make sure to check the tread depth ofthe BFG. A lot of them have less tread depth than other sizes. I didn’t run a second set because of tread depth and I wanted an E rated tire. I personally don’t like 285s on a mid size. I’m more of a pizza cutter guy.

 

[jadmt]

might also look at some 255/80-17's and while they are e they ride better than the c rated tires I have ran. I ran that size on my jeep for a while and a buddy put a set on his 4runner and liked them.

 

[Tex68w]

I've run both. I like the idea of the 255's (pizza cutters) but I think they are too narrow at 10" wide. It's probably the better choice for stock width wheels but 285/70's are the most popular size on 5th Gens and GX's especially with aftermarket wheels. I don't find the Load Range E thing to be this big deal that most make it out to be but YMMV.

 

[Kmrtnsn]

I've run both. I like the idea of the 255's (pizza cutters) but I think they are too narrow at 10" wide. It's probably the better choice for stock width wheels but 285/70's are the most popular size on 5th Gens and GX's especially with aftermarket wheels. I don't find the Load Range E thing to be this big deal that most make it out to be but YMMV.

I’d hardly call the 255/75R17 a “pizza cutter”, it’s the been the standard size Jeep JK tire for eleven years and it’s barely taller than the popular for Yodas, 265/70R17. As for Es, I’m with you. having had them on my Jeep for what seems like forever they don’t negatively affect the ride quality nearly as much as the suspension mods have.

As for the OP, I’d hit craigslist, theyre awash in these sizes as Jeep take-offs for cheap.

 

[Tex68w]

Im sorry but by todays standard a 10" wide tire is most definitely a pizza cutter tire. Most people move to a larger tire on Jeep's almost immediately as do those with 4Runner's so factory/oem size is pointless to draw from as a comparison especially when the thread is about moving to a larger size.

 

[Watt maker]

I’m a fan of “pizza cutters“ and run 255/80/17’s (Cooper ST Maxx) on my 4th gen 4runner and 285/70/17’s (Nitto Ridge Grappler) on my 5th gen 4runner. Both 4runners are lifted about 2.5”. The 255’s mounted on stock 5th gen wheels are almost perfect for the 4th gen but look a little small on the 5th gen. 255/75’s will be even smaller. 285’s look better on the 5th gen and there’s a much better selection of tires in that size. Both sizes will fit in the factory spare tire location. There doesn’t seem to be a huge difference in on or off-road performance between the two sizes. I will probably go with 285/75/17 (34”) on both 4runners next time around. FWIW, BFG makes a 34/10.50/17 that’s really only 33” tall that would look good on a lifted 5th gen.

 

[Tex68w]

I was going to mention those 34's, someone makes a narrow 35 as well. I will be moving to 285/75's on the GX once the current set wears out.

 

[bkg]

Im sorry but by todays standard a 10" wide tire is most definitely a pizza cutter tire. Most people move to a larger tire on Jeep's almost immediately as do those with 4Runner's so factory/oem size is pointless to draw from as a comparison especially when the thread is about moving to a larger size.

Agreed.

285's on my wife's 5th gen. Been happy.

 

[jadmt]

I’m a fan of “pizza cutters“ and run 255/80/17’s (Cooper ST Maxx) on my 4th gen 4runner and 285/70/17’s (Nitto Ridge Grappler) on my 5th gen 4runner. Both 4runners are lifted about 2.5”. The 255’s mounted on stock 5th gen wheels are almost perfect for the 4th gen but look a little small on the 5th gen. 255/75’s will be even smaller. 285’s look better on the 5th gen and there’s a much better selection of tires in that size. Both sizes will fit in the factory spare tire location. There doesn’t seem to be a huge difference in on or off-road performance between the two sizes. I will probably go with 285/75/17 (34”) on both 4runners next time around. FWIW, BFG makes a 34/10.50/17 that’s really only 33” tall that would look good on a lifted 5th gen.

I have run KO2 in 34x10.5-17 and they are the same size as 255/80-17 height wise and a rch wider but not enough to notice visually. They would have been an awesome size if they were not so undersized. this is next to a 285/75-17 which is also technically a 34" tire. and the second a 255/80-17 next to a 315/70-17

 

[pittsburgh]

Love skinnies. They work great in most any terrain.

These are 235/85/16's on my truck, essentially a 32/9.5/16 I really liked the size.
I would love to run 255/85/16's but it seems like there are limited options for tires in that size.

On my Jeep's I ran 33/10.5/15's and never missed the 12.5 width

 

[direwolf82]

It also depends on where you go wheeling. Skinny tires will do better in some conditions and wider tires will do better in others. Soft sand? Bigger wider tire. Bottomless mud pit? Bigger wider tires. Mud pit with hard base? Skinnier will do better. Trail riding? Doubt you'd be able to tell the difference but I prefer a skinny. Rock crawling? Probably want the biggest tires that work with your suspension.
You need to take a step back and see what you'll use the tires for before deciding on them. Looks aren't everything, they are not unimportant but for me it's usually a secondary consideration to function.

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