Time for new tires

[jim65wagon]

'Doc has ICON (I think) UCA's. Does this change the fitment of the stock wheel/285 tire?
Is the aftermarket control arm different enough in shape that it won't rub?
.
If the ICON uca let's a 285 tire fit with a stock wheel then it opens up a whole bunch of different tire options over the 255's

 

[keezer37]

'Doc has ICON (I think) UCA's. Does this change the fitment of the stock wheel/285 tire?
Is the aftermarket control arm different enough in shape that it won't rub?
.
If the ICON uca let's a 285 tire fit with a stock wheel them it opens up a whole bunch of different tire options over the 255's

The extended post of aftermarket UCAs moves the arm higher, possibly into the meatier part of the sidewall. One way to know for sure is with the all telling eye.

 

[STREGA]

I replaced my 265/75-16 BFG KO's which were OEM tire on the FJ Cruiser with 255/85 KM2's and I'am happy with them. Offroad performance is better in all situations and on road is almost as good except in snow/ice conditions where the KM2's are scary at best, I now have a 2nd set of Big O AT's for on road/winter/light offroad use.

With my FJ pushing the GVWR, the KM2's handle the weight better than the KO's or Big O AT's. I also have no rubbing issues (running OME lift) and no need to replace wheels. Lost about 1 mpg with KM2's, gained a little ground clearance and some weight. I have about 10k on them so far and think they should go at least 40k.

 

[phsycle]

I wish BFG KO's came in 255/85's.

 

[Vegakat]

Doc, I have had the BFG ATs on my F150 in 285 and now I have the Goodyear DuraTracs in 285 and I love them. They are pretty quiet for an aggressive tire. I have about 20k on them and they are wearing great. I think I will have no problems getting another 30k on them. Being a load range E tire they handle the extra weight well, I pull my travel trailer with them with no problems.

The BFGs I had were great as well, and wore well but I have had problems with dry rot. I have seen this problem with several of my friends BFGs as well. Not sure if anyone else has had this problem with BFGs.

For my .02 I would give the Goodyear Duratracs a close look.

Great looking truck by the way!

 

[upcountry]

I have an afternarket UCA....Light Racing made by SPC. Rubbing on the UCA is still an issue even with the aftermarket setup. Not sure about the ICONS but their geometry is similar to the Light Racing setup. In my opinion due to the cam setup on the Ljght Racing UCA as opposed to the uniball on the ICON setup I feel the Lkght racing setjp offers more space from the tire profile.

Would be interested to see how this pans out!

 

[OldSven]

I went from MT's to my Hankook Dynapro ATm's and they are awsome tires. Very quiet on the road, deep AT lugs so far have been great in the snow, and E rated so they are pretty strong too. MT's still look cooler but I think I'm finally an AT guy for all of the overall benefits and the road manners of them.

 

[Andy@AAV]

I'm biased since I just put a set of 255 85R16 KM2's on last weekend. So far I really like this tire. It handles fine on the 5 on the way to work in the morning and looks really scary

I thought about the AT but issues with fitting the 285 scared me off. And I am cheap so I didn't want to buy new wheels.

I got mine at America's Tire in Mission Viejo for $202 each with a $50 gift card from BFG and a $50 dollar instant discount for a sale they were doing. So $182 per after the take offs...

 

[ETAV8R]

Other: General Grabber AT/2s. Love mine so far and have done quite a bit off road with them. I've only heard good things about them.

 

[Applejack]

If you must have one of the 3 I would have voted for the KM2's. I don't know what it is but the usable life of a MT seems to be longer than an AT when used a lot off road. Maybe the siping leads to an early breakdown. I've been a BFG guy for many years but have never been afraid to try something new. My new love are the Goodyear Duratracs E range tires. BRILLIANT!!! but no word of a lie here I wish that BFG was stamped on their carcass and not GY, but it is what it is, as they say.
You probably carry more weight than I do in my 3rd gen 4RNR, but for what it's worth I've now got 13k on my tires and have very little wear on them.
As long as they keep going like they are now, I am sad to say that my allegiance to BFG has diminished. Or is it that their allegiance to me has diminished? Hmmmm..........

 

[DblD]

Another vote for the Cooper Discoverer S/T. I’ve had a set of 265/75’s on for about 42,000 miles and I’d say they are good for another 35 to 40,000. That is if I don’t get the 255 itch and upgrade before then. If/when I do step up to a 255, it will be another set of Discoverer S/T’s
dd

 

[1911]

I have set of KM2's on one of my Toyota 4WD trucks and like them quite well so far, but for high mileage and toughness nothing has ever beat the Toyo Open Country MT's on my FJC. The downside is, they are very heavy and killed my gas mileage by several mpg. And the sidewall is very stiff (E-rated tire) when you air down.

 

[Redline]

So many tires, so little money or time to wear them out...

Lots of options, as usual the answer depends.


1) IF you are going to stay with a 255/85 I would vote KM2. Easy.

Though I've had KM2s and didn't keep them, and I like the Cooper S/T, I think the KM2 is generally a more rugged tire with much better sidewall protection/lugs. Also more available.

I understand your 255/85 decision may be forced by clearance concerns and wheels. Surely you can run a 285 on a 7in wheel, but it's not ideal, and maybe control arm clearance is a problem? 255/85 on a 7-inch wheel 'IS' ideal.

255/85 will cost less, and MPG will be better. Depending on where you buy, 255/85 KM2 will cost much less than Toyo MT, and the Toyos are SO stiff you'll have to let more air out to get the same ride & traction.

2) If you open Pandora's Box going with a 285/75, you'll have too many choices...

My favorite remains the F-C II, though I'm always flirting with new girls.

Cooper S/T Maxx was suggested and is also a good option. The Maxx is a bit quieter than the FCII, also firmer, a stout LR E tire with tough sidewalls if that's what you want.

My Tundra drifts right with the S/T Maxx, but that seems to be a problem for me with my lifted Toyotas, can't blame all the tires, just haven't been able to figure it out.

 

[Dave Bennett]

My Tundra drifts right with the S/T Maxx, but that seems to be a problem for me with my lifted Toyotas, can't blame all the tires, just haven't been able to figure it out.

Thanks for the sage advice James. When you say "drifts right" do you mean pulls right? I just had an alignment and now the truck will change lanes to the right on the freeway if I let it... not bad but just enough drift to annoy me. I wonder if new, balanced tires will correct this or does it need to go back to the alignment shop?

 

[Petrolburner]

Other.

https://www.treadwright.com/p-55-285-75r16-guard-dog-m-t-d.aspx

$124 per tire plus shipping. $134 with Kedge grip which is what I have and what I would recommend if you drive in snow or ice. Or you could get them sipped for the snow and ice.





Ask for Goodyear MTR cases and not many will know the difference, if it matters to you. I've put about 15k miles on mine and I love them on all surfaces, from Florida sand and mud, to Arizona desert to Central Oregon's snow gravel and cinder.