Thoughts on tire size for a Gen 3.5 32's vs. 33's

Offroadmuch

Explorer
So as I get ready to lift my truck I am getting greedy for big tires. Choices are 235/85/R16 (32") or 255/85R16 (33"), both to avoid rubbing.

This my daily driver. 90% on road, 10% or less off road. My concerns are the stock gears. Both for power and speed and also transmission temp when going up hills on and off road. Anything else I should consider? And finally, recommendations regarding my choices above?
Thanks
 

KyleT

Explorer
I run 235's but if I bought I would do 265/75/16

285 and 255's are a lot bigger


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plh

Explorer
I had 235/85R16 on my '05 for a couple years. They are way too narrow for this truck - especially for a 90% on road daily driver. They make a very stable truck drive squirmy. And I agree that without a lift, the biggest tires you would want are 265/75R16 or 265/75R17.

I recently put on 285/75R16 (slightly shorter height as a 255/85R, 0.3" difference) and without a slight lift or at least new OEM springs (unconfirmed), there will be an occasional rub on road. I have OME medium springs in mine and the 285s are great. Big tire.

I've had the following tires on my truck over the more than 5 years that I have owned it:

265/65R17 - stock size when I bought it Bridgestone HT - removed shortly after I bought the truck
265/75R17 - Falkin Wild Peak - good size and stable - pretty loud - drove them for about 40K, these are now mounted on 17" Toyota steelies and in my storage garage.
265/75R17 - Bridgestone HT - came with a used set of Toyota 17" steelies, mounted on the '05 stock wheels - road tripped over one summer for about 5K miles - tires were done after that - not idea how many miles were on the tires, they are still mounted on my stock 17" wheels in my storage garage.
235/85R16 - BFG AT T/A KO - mounted these on '02 wheels - didn't like them from day 1 due to terrible road handling - ran them about 29K miles. I should sell these - still mounted up and also in my storage garage.
285/75R16 - BFG AT T/A KO2 - mounted on 20th Anniversary wheels - excellent, great road handling, excellent in snow, quiet. They have been on the truck for about 2k miles - so still very new. I installed the OME lift a week after the tires.

I'm impressed with the KO2s.
 
Last edited:

Offroadmuch

Explorer
I had 235/85R16 on my '05 for a couple years. They are way too narrow for this truck - especially for a 90% on road daily driver. They make a very stable truck drive squirmy. And I agree that without a lift, the biggest tires you would want are 265/75R16 or 265/75R17.

I recently put on 285/75R16 (slightly shorter height as a 255/85R, 0.3" difference) and without a slight lift or at least new OEM springs (unconfirmed), there will be an occasional rub on road. I have OME medium springs in mine and the 285s are great. Big tire.

I've had the following tires on my truck over the more than 5 years that I have owned it:

265/65R17 - stock size when I bought it Bridgestone HT - removed shortly after I bought the truck
265/75R17 - Falkin Wild Peak - good size and stable - pretty loud - drove them for about 40K, these are now mounted on 17" Toyota steelies and in my storage garage.
265/75R17 - Bridgestone HT - came with a used set of Toyota 17" steelies, mounted on the '05 stock wheels - road tripped over one summer for about 5K miles - tires were done after that - not idea how many miles were on the tires, they are still mounted on my stock 17" wheels in my storage garage.
235/85R16 - BFG AT T/A KO - mounted these on '02 wheels - didn't like them from day 1 due to terrible road handling - ran them about 29K miles. I should sell these - still mounted up and also in my storage garage.
285/75R16 - BFG AT T/A KO2 - mounted on 20th Anniversary wheels - excellent, great road handling, excellent in snow, quiet. They have been on the truck for about 2k miles - so still very new. I installed the OME lift a week after the tires.

I'm impressed with the KO2s.

Outstanding info. Thanks for the details.
 

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