Cooper ST's - 255/85/16

[Redline]

Thread Edited

Over the past week I went back and edited many of my posts, deleting some of my unnecessary quotes and adding a few words to make it easier to read.

If you are interested in the Cooper S/T tread, particularly in the LT255/85R16 size, go back and read the whole thread. I did. :smiley_drive:

 

[Redline]

I started playing with tires again.

 

[bigandtall]

Redline,

I read all of your blog and paid particular attention to the comments about the Cooper S/T 255/85R16s you have. I had also considered the FCIIs that you have as well, but only want one set of tires.

For everything that you used the FCIIs for, would the Cooper S/T 255/85R16s be sufficient? I want to go off road exploring, like you have done. I have a modest 2.5" lift on my FJ Cruiser and can fit either tire. I have a rear locker and A-TRAC (simulated front and rear locker through use of computer controlled individual wheel braking). Will these Coopers handle severe off road duty and not leave me stuck or stranded? I have read this entire thread twice, but find myself wanting even more real world experience information.

Thanks.

 

[bigandtall]

I guess I should add that I am not into rock climbing. But doing things safely like Big Bear Pass in Colorado, or other very rough forrest service access trails to could exceed 100 miles in trail length, is a goal of mine.

 

[Redline]

=bigandtall;839435]Redline,

I read all of your blog and paid particular attention to the comments about the Cooper S/T 255/85R16s you have. I had also considered the FCIIs that you have as well, but only want one set of tires.

The blog is a fledgling so there is relatively little tire information thus far.

For everything that you used the FCIIs for, would the Cooper S/T 255/85R16s be sufficient? I want to go off road exploring, like you have done. I have a modest 2.5" lift on my FJ Cruiser and can fit either tire. I have a rear locker and A-TRAC (simulated front and rear locker through use of computer controlled individual wheel braking). Will these Coopers handle severe off road duty and not leave me stuck or stranded? I have read this entire thread twice, but find myself wanting even more real world experience information.

Thanks.

The Cooper S/T treads have been my extra set of tires for the past few years. They have seen some trailer use, a trip to Death Valley which was all easy roads (I would have taken any tire on that trip), and the low PSI poser shots you see in this post http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=205881&postcount=22. Obviously too low for this tire as you can see the sidewall folded over to the outside of the rim. There is no reason this has to occur, just let out less PSI. This extreme example aside, for regular trail use I have no concerns about the S/T. About 10,000 miles on them total.

The light, narrow 255/85 S/T will certainly offer you better MPG compared to a 285.

I would rather discuss details about the ******** Cepek FCII tires in that thread. I will say that aside from the two possible negatives of less fuel economy and clearance, I prefer the FCII 285/75 to my Cooper 255/85 S/T.

 

[jim65wagon]

I can't comment on the FCIIs with first hand knowledge (and shouldn't in this thread); but I can comment with first hand knowledge on the S/Ts.

I'm no rock crawler. never been to Moab, or even any of these off road parks in the East. I have been through 90,000 miles of S/T tread (two sets) and if my current set were not so worn down I would drive them anywhere I had the desire. The tires have gone through every condition I can think of East of the Mississippi.

Gravel roads, forest roads, muddy two-tracks, water crossings, sandy beaches, highways, by-ways, etc. I don't know Big Bear Pass, but there are some very rough forest roads out here that required some careful driving and 4lo.

I'm pretty confident they have the capabilities most people would need to get anywhere they might want to explore.....with that, I don't think they would be as popular as they are in Australia if they couldn't pass muster...:sombrero:

 

[Redline]

I'm very glad you again added your thoughts to this thread Jim. Surely you are the The Portal member with the most experience with these tires.

 

[bigandtall]

Thanks Redline for the link to your "aired down" Coopers and to jim65wagon for your insight. Much of my use will be just as you described and will be east of the Mississippi. However, I do like to travel to Colorado and take established, but not well traveled mountain trails. Many have cross slopes of 20% or more while also making steep climbs with substantial dropoffs. So, for terrain consisting of loose rocks and shale I want to still be sure footed because slipping off the trail at near 12,000 feet would be very bad. But, this is only once per year in these conditions.

 

[Redline]

One thing is for sure, the Cooper S/T in 255/85 will fit your FJC very well and you will have the least clearance problems of any 33" tire I can think of. Probably followed closely by the 255/85 KM2, they are both narrow.

 

[bigandtall]

Below is a link to a thread on an fj cruiser forum that I have been reading. There are pictures of the Cooper S/T 255/85R16 installed on an FJ Cruiser that with exception to color (mine is brick red), is exactly like mine. I have the same Daystar 2.5/1.5 lift kit and the same wheels:

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/wheels-tires/114434-255-85-16-cooper-discoverer-s-ts.html

I think they look very good. I am really leaning toward trying this as my new tread. I have 265/75R16 OEM tires on now, but these Coopers in this size really look good on the OEM 16x7 rims that I have, and leave plenty of room for flexing the suspension. I think I'm finally starting to get excited about new tread after searching for months. :coffeedrink:

 

[tacollie]

My coopers on my 4runner measure 32.5 inches tall at 32 psi. My runner is fairly stock for the most part with 16x7 rims.

 

[Redline]

I read that thread. Based on the moderate spacer lift of your FJC I think you will be much better off with a thin 255/85 like the S/T than a 285. And as I have said and is noted in the FJC thread, the potential for excellent fuel economy will be greater with the 255/85 S/T.

Below is a link to a thread on an fj cruiser forum that I have been reading. There are pictures of the Cooper S/T 255/85R16 installed on an FJ Cruiser that with exception to color (mine is brick red), is exactly like mine. I have the same Daystar 2.5/1.5 lift kit and the same wheels:

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/wheels-tires/114434-255-85-16-cooper-discoverer-s-ts.html

Snip......

 

[locrwln]

Ok, so has anyone tried or seen the new version of the Cooper ST Maxx? Like most everyone, I am looking at the 255's and checking to see what everyone thought of the new tread design.

Redline??

I'll give you a call tomorrow about them.

Jack

 

[Redline]

S/T Maxx sizes & tire prices going UP

I called my local Cooper Tire dealer to check on the new Cooper S/T Maxx. He thinks, as do I, the S/T Maxx is unlikely to be made "in that dying" size. Though much wider, the closest size to a 255/85 will be a 285 for most applications.

http://www.coopertire.com/html/products/tires_lighttruck.aspx?page=discoverer_st_maxx

As noted on Cooper's site, the current light-truck offerings in this tire are:

Discoverer S/T Maxx LT235/85R16 120 Q 0 E
Discoverer S/T Maxx LT225/75R16 115 Q 0 E
Discoverer S/T Maxx LT245/75R16 120 Q 0 E
Discoverer S/T Maxx LT265/75R16 123 Q 0 E
Discoverer S/T Maxx LT285/75R16 126 Q 0 E
Discoverer S/T Maxx LT265/70R17 121 Q 0 E
Discoverer S/T Maxx LT285/70R17 121 Q 0 E
Discoverer S/T Maxx LT275/70R18 125 Q 0 E

Though I personally prefer a load-range-D unless I need a LR E tire, LR E tires are much more popular and I'm not surprised that all of these tires are 10-ply-rated.

In the past this tire, like many 285/75R16, was 32.8" tall. The new S/T Maxx in 285/75 is 33.1" tall per Cooper's specs. It's also not a very wide 285, with a section width of 11.15" when many are 11.3" or wider. The tread width is 9.3", which is slightly wide for a 285/75R16 size. This tells me that the sidewall should be less exposed than some designs, like the Cooper S/T in 255/85R16D, which has a VERY narrow tread face with a closer to normal section width for the 255/85 size.

Discoverer S/T Maxx LT285/75R16 126 Q 0 E OWL 11.15 33.1 9.3

I asked for a quote on the S/T Maxx in 285/75R16E, he will get back to me after he does some checking.

Like everything, tires prices have been going up. Cooper Tire recently had a 14% increase and Goodyear had a 15% increase.

 

[jim65wagon]

Tell me about it! Shopping locally has the ST unavailable according to most shops. The 3 quotes I did get for the 255/85 ST were 240-265 per tire, which seemed a little insane to me. There were only 4 or 5 available for delivery to any of the shops. One shop was sure I meant 235/85 and I had to reassure him several times I was looking for a 255. I also priced the 285/75 ST Maxx and it was within 5 dollars a tire of the ST, it was also readily available although one shop told me the 16" sizes won't come out till May.

My gut instinct tells me the 255 isn't long for this world and secondarily neither is the original ST......my thoughts though so it's not like a true rumour. I think as the ST Maxx becomes more available in more sizes they'll continue a phase out of the ST.

That being said (and I'll start a new tire thread) after internet searches and talking it over with my wife, I decided to try out that ST Maxx in a 285/75. Four are on their way from Tread Depot. The online price (185) plus shipping and mount and balance locally still saves me about 300 dollars. I'll post up with the details when they get to my garage.....I hope I'm not disappointed......