80 series- tire size question

[voodoojk]

This sounds like a newb question but here me out...

This rig purchase has left me perplexed. I won't be doing major rock crawling like I did in my JK w/ 37's. But I won't be taking a nearly 20 year old rig across the country to " overland" I will be sticking to Colorado and Utah for 98% of my wheeling. Exploratory off roading lol. But I also don't want a tire that makes me not want to drive it like my 37's on my 2 door jk. So...

New owner of a 97 80 series in need of tires. Currently running stock suspension but will be lifted in the near future as budget allows. I was pretty set on running 285/75/16 just because of the gearing and overall drive ability of the size as I do not want to re-gear at this time. ....but I keep drifting towards the 315's. Thinking of going with the BFG K/O2 this time around so here was my thinking:

BFG is notoriously a smaller running tire ( 37's are 35's , 35's are 33's etc etc. ) with this in mind, should I just go ahead and fit the 315 as they are a 34.5" spec'ed tire thinking they will be more like a " true" 33" tire and not have to worry about all the additional concerns that running a 35" tire on an 80 series? I'm thinking a 285/75/16 will end up like 31.5" tire. I know.. Every says you will want next size tire. Been there done that on the JK. HAD 35's. Jumped to 37's. My Tacoma I put on 32's and was such a relief with " normal" size tire

Either that or I'll ditch the flares and run 255/85/16 st/maxx!



Ps.. Running stock wheels.

 

[nuclearlemon]

i had a 2.5" ome with 255s and rubbed hard even when just flying out of a parking lot. went 4" slees and was happy. now run 315 duratracs on the 4" and have some rubbing against the frame, and i flex it pretty good. i don't know if the omes were just that worn that they allowed a smaller tire to flex in so hard or what, but considering that, i wouldn't think of a 315 on stock springs in colorado.

don't know why you won't overland a 20 year old rig...i love mine for that reason.

btw, i love my duratracs on the road, but they do have weak sidewalls

 

[Box Rocket]

I would definitely go with the 315s. They're a great size on the 80 series and you'll be fine with the stock gears. The truck will slow down on some of the mountain passes in CO/UT but you can always change gears later if you think you need it. I've had 80s for the past 15 years and they've all had stock gears and 315s and done lots of wheeling. If you think you want to look at something bigger, see if you can find a set of 345s. BFG has that size in the KM2 and if I can find a set I'll be switching out from my 315 MTRs. They'll be just shy of a 37 and won't require the extra trimming etc that is commonly needed with other 37's on the 80.

 

[voodoojk]

No way I would want to go bigger then 315 ever. I honestly don't even want that big but on these rigs they look proportional to the body.

Interesting to see the 255's rubbed with a 2.5" lift. Don't guys run this size stock? It's only a .25" difference then the 285 I was considering. (Even less with real world numbersim guessing) isn't there a thread with a guy running 315's stock somewhere? More research needed.

As for overlanding a 20 year old rig, with 196k miles, I don't have as warm fuzzy feeling as my 2012 Tacoma gave me. Maybe after I sort out the problems i inherited ( CEL light, oil leaks, front axel rebuild ) I will be more at peace with the idea. But I'm not jumping in this and doing baja anytime soon. Crazy.. Catch 22. While hanging off a ledge in Moab beating my taco up all I could think about was ****.. I have to drive this to work on Monday. I should really get an 80 series and not worry about beating up a new ( ish) truck Loleepwall:

 

[redthies]

No way I would want to go bigger then 315 ever. I honestly don't even want that big but on these rigs they look proportional to the body.

Interesting to see the 255's rubbed with a 2.5" lift. Don't guys run this size stock? It's only a .25" difference then the 285 I was considering. (Even less with real world numbersim guessing) isn't there a thread with a guy running 315's stock somewhere? More research needed.

As for overlanding a 20 year old rig, with 196k miles, I don't have as warm fuzzy feeling as my 2012 Tacoma gave me. Maybe after I sort out the problems i inherited ( CEL light, oil leaks, front axel rebuild ) I will be more at peace with the idea. But I'm not jumping in this and doing baja anytime soon. Crazy.. Catch 22. While hanging off a ledge in Moab beating my taco up all I could think about was ****.. I have to drive this to work on Monday. I should really get an 80 series and not worry about beating up a new ( ish) truck Loleepwall:

I ran 315s on a 2.5" OME lift. No rubbing on or offroad. I also ran 305s and 285s. Not sure what would have to be done in order to make 255s rub in a parking lot???

 

[Mountainhound]

I would and did go 255/85/16 (toyo mt) the other day I was out and stuffed rear tire as deep and far as it would go and can honestly say real glad I went skinny there was no room and I mean no room if wider there is no way that tire would have fit width wise. Oh 2.5 lift. No flares they didn't survive new England woods and person behind the wheel. Oh and I did re gear but not right away only when I was putting in a arb locker in rear figured I may as well gear at same time and am much happier.