2003 Tacoma Tire Size

[mountainpete]

Hi all,

Which would you choose?

255/85 R16 (the ExPo size!)
265/75 R16 (32")

Tires will be BFG Mud Terrains. Truck is an 03 Tacoma Doublecab.

Considerations:


Can't afford to regear anytime soon.
No room in the bed or on the roof so the spare tire has to be in the stock location.
Don't mind doing some minor trimming and removing front mud flaps.
The truck has Donahoe coilovers set to 2.5 and Demello 9 pack in the back.
Wife halted the custom spare tire holder/bumper dream. :(
Truck is not a daily driver, but it sees a good amount of city and highway driving.
ARB bumper and winch in the front.
Using the stock TRD wheels.


Let me know your thoughts - and why you voted the way you did!

Pete

[Jonathan Hanson]

Can't afford to regear anytime soon.

That was as far as I needed to read. With an automatic (standard on double cabs, correct?) and stock diffs I think you'd feel a significant loss in acceleration and low-range performance with the 255s.

[BajaTaco]

That was as far as I needed to read. With an automatic (standard on double cabs, correct?) and stock diffs I think you'd feel a significant loss in acceleration and low-range performance with the 255s.

Ditto. You can always get the 255's on the next go-around, which will give you a chance to save the funds for it. Another thing you might consider is checking to see what the actual diameters are of various tires you are considering. You might be able to get a little bit taller tire depending on brand, tread type, and even swapping your 16" wheels for 15".

[Scott Brady]

Me too... If you install 255/85's, regearing will be next. Trust me.

The 265/75 is a great size for a Tacoma used for exploration.

[datrupr]

I voted for the 265's also, because I remember that Scott is running the 255's, and he regeared because of it. Go with the 265's, I think you will be happy enough with them.

[Willman]

I voted for the 255....The regearing issue is not that bad....But it is something to save for!!! Regearing is next up on the mod list....i'm thinking 4.88 will do the thick....All in all.....i would not let gears drive you away from the 255....

:sombrero:

[mountainpete]

William,

Where do you keep you spare? And is it size matched?



---



All - thanks! Please keep it coming!! :wings:

Pete

[erin]

The 255 spare will fit in the stock location, but the rearward tabs on the bracket must be shortened to allow the larger tire to move to the rear. it is tight, but mine clears everything just, I'm up against the back of my receiver hitch and about a 1/2" from exhaust pipe, but no heat issues yet.
I think you will notice the lack of gearing right away, I did, and mine's a manual. I don't think I used 5th gear for about six months after the new tires.
But now after the regear, the combination is outstanding!

[Dave]

I can't speak for the 255's, but I recently moved up to the 265's when I did a modest lift. There was a small bit of power loss, most noticeable loaded down along with a canoe on the roof at highway speeds in the hills. The gas mileage hit has been minimal, I'm still pushing upper 18's fully loaded with the canoe on the roof, that's a combination of highway driving and twisty two lane (lots of braking and then accelerating). Equally important, 4low still feels good.

Anything taller and I'd be getting quotes for a deeper gears.

[Bergger]

I also cast my vote for the 265's. I have them now with SAWs and an OME set up. Like the previous post, power lose is very very minimal and I did not notice a drop in mileage. I am completely happy. You may also want to look at the Firestone Destination M/T. I think it is a great mud tire. It also has the UNI-T for better wet handling on the pavement. They wear nice and look good too. I have been completely satisfied with them.

[p1michaud]

Hi all,

Which would you choose?

255/85 R16 (the ExPo size!)
265/75 R16 (32")

Pete,
I've been contemplating tire sizes for a long long time now and feel that the 265/75 R16 is one of the best choices especially if you won't be re-gearing. The others have already said it.

Currently, I purchased a spare front diff from a fellow TTORA member witht he hoppes of installing an ARB in the future. This diff has 4.30 gears in it compared to my stock 4.10 gears. I also have access to a set of 4.30 for the rear e-locker when the time comes. I've made up my mind that it will be either the 32 x 11.5 R15 or the 265/75 R16. I'd prefer the 265/75 R16 because it's narrower, but that means that I'd have to buy new wheels. The 32" x 11.5 R15 may pose some rubbing issues with OEM wheels and that's whay I prefer the 265/75 R16 option. For my application, I feel that the 4.30 gears with 32" tire is the best combo.

I don't think that you will be dissapointed with the 265/75 R16 tires.
Cheers :beer:,
P

[beerhiker]

265s because thats what Im going to be going with as soon as I get my DR and Deaver setup (04 D-Cab). Seems to be the most economical way to do it and still have a great daily driver and good trail explorer.

[oly884]

I find it funny that so many have said that regearing is a big one for the 255's.

Sure, with them on my truck it IS slower, but it doesn't bother me at all. I've never felt the need to regear my truck.

[flyingwil]

I find it funny that so many have said that regearing is a big one for the 255's.

Sure, with them on my truck it IS slower, but it doesn't bother me at all. I've never felt the need to regear my truck.
:iagree:

I have the 255's without regearing. The only issues I have with it is on the freeway at about 75+ MPH. At slower speeds I do not notice the difference.

You'll see the difference in the speedometer, though, and gas mileage will decrease some (~2MPG).

[BajaTaco]

You can't miss that which you haven't had :D Put those gears in for a while, and then go back to stock, and you'd be crying like a tot who's cookie was taken away...

:p

[BajaXplorer]

...especially when using low range (or should I say medium range):D

[mountainpete]

Thanks for all the input guys. :sunflower

Since it's confirmed that it is possible to fit a 255 in the spare location, it all comes down to this for me:

Is the loss in power of the 255's out-weighed by the benefits that I will recieve off-road? Does an extra inch of ground clearance (I believe it comes out to less than an inch in reality) out-weigh the extra challenges assosiated with the larger tire?

Based on everyones feedback and all the information that I have collected I feel the answer for my application is no.

While I really want the larger tire, I think that for how I use my truck I will be better with 32's for my next set. A lot of my time is spent on highways getting to my destination and now with a canoe being on the roof most of the time it's going to slow me down even more through the mountain passes.

So if you disagree - please try to change my mind!!!

Pete

[Scott Brady]

I recommended a properly balanced solution. A 255/85 with stock gearing is not a balanced and effective solution IMHO. Even with the 5-speed, OD will not be very usefull. Low range suffers and the transmission (automatic) will hunt really bad between 3rd and 4th.

The 265 is actually a great tire for moderate trails and long distance travel. A good compromise and greatly reduced investment overall.

[Seeker]

I have a set of 255/85's on my 5-speed Taco Xtra cab and, while there is a noticeable difference in acceleration, I find it tolerable. Of course, I'm not (yet) loaded to the hilt like these guys are b/c my truck is still a daily driver, but once it is, you can bet I'm regearing. My biggest issue with the 255's is that I still haven't gotten the front to stop rubbing. Guess I haven't been aggressive enough with the hammer!

[Willman]

William,

Where do you keep you spare? And is it size matched?

Pete

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/nicwillman/Rear%20Bumper%20Buildup/DSC01463.jpg

Its a full-size spare!

[Willman]

My biggest issue with the 255's is that I still haven't gotten the front to stop rubbing. Guess I haven't been aggressive enough with the hammer!


What type of rims are you running..back spacing? And have you done the pinch weld mod yet???

[Seeker]

What type of rims are you running..back spacing? And have you done the pinch weld mod yet???
They're the typical black steel, Rock Crawlers, 16x8 w/ 3.75" back spacing. Easy to get, cheap and non-bling.

I took out the pinch weld and that helped, until dropped the front down a bit. Then I took a hammer to the inside of the wheel well and that helped, until I dropped the front down again. It only rubs at or near the steering lock. I think, at this point, I need to eliminate the bottom-most, rear portion of the front fender flares, do a little more hammering on that "step" that protrudes in the bottom, rear of the well and I'll probably be good.

P1, like the bumper! I have a full-size spare and will be doing something similar soon.

[oly884]

Living in Montana, highway speeds are 75 mph, I have no issues going that fast every day with stock gears.

Maybe some day when I have a third arm and a third leg, er fourth leg, I can regear along with an ARB.

[BajaTaco]

Living in Montana, highway speeds are 75 mph, I have no issues going that fast every day with stock gears.

Maybe some day when I have a third arm and a third leg, er fourth leg, I can regear along with an ARB.

You're going to use stock gears with the FWC after you get it mounted?

[Ursidae69]

You'll see the difference in the speedometer, though, and gas mileage will decrease some (~2MPG).

Can someone explain the loss on MPG? Intuitively, this doesn't make sense. :confused: With the 255s, in 5th gear, on the freeway, I will be turning less RPMs than if I have regeared to 4.88s or 5.29s. Shouldn't the mileage be better?

[oly884]

You're going to use stock gears with the FWC after you get it mounted?

Yup, that is until I graduate and get on salary at my job right now, then gears will be in order with an ARB in the rear, not sure about the front though. Gearing is prefrence, I do plan on getting better gears, but I'm not going to just sit around waiting for the cash to get gears and get another set of crappy tires. I also prefer to have some taller gears due to the fact that the speed limits that I see around here are 70-75 mph.

The FWC weighs just a bit more than what my previous set up was, and I got around JUST FINE. I might be reading what you typed wrong, but I detect a condescending tone in your question.

[Dave]

Can someone explain the loss on MPG? Intuitively, this doesn't make sense. :confused: With the 255s, in 5th gear, on the freeway, I will be turning less RPMs than if I have regeared to 4.88s or 5.29s. Shouldn't the mileage be better?

It's been my understanding that lower RPM's don't necessarily mean better MPG. I don't remember the details but at one time it was explained me and it made perfect sense.

One thing I've always been curious about is the difference in MPG due to speedo inaccuracy when changing tire sizes. With stock tires, my speedometer was off around 3-4 MPH. Does this mean my odometer was slightly off as well or does the odometer use something besides the speedo gear? If the odometer was off, then my MPG calcuations would have been off as well. Now with 265's, my speedo is dead on according to my GPS,. So while I'm seeing slight differences in my MPG with the larger tires, I'm curious if the difference is larger or smaller then what I think it is...but I'm not curious enough to run the numbers. ;)

[bigreen505]

Can someone explain the loss on MPG? Intuitively, this doesn't make sense. :confused: With the 255s, in 5th gear, on the freeway, I will be turning less RPMs than if I have regeared to 4.88s or 5.29s. Shouldn't the mileage be better?

Think about riding a bike. You are cruising along, say 25 mph at 100 rpm on flat ground. In a taller gear you might be running 85 rpm at that same 25 mph. Up one more and you are at 60 rpm. One more up and now you are at 30 rpm. Your legs are spinning slower, but you are probably doing ten or more times the amount of work as when you were on flat ground, and hence burning more fuel.

The same holds true for the engine. Because it is running at a lower RPM it is working harder to maintain the same speed. Vehicles are designed to operate at a given speed/RPM combination for a balance of power and efficiency and gear and axle ratios are selected to accomplish that goal. Going to larger tires without compensating with bigger gears forces the engine to operate outside of its design range and requires more power for the same task, therefore more fuel is burned.

For example, a stock Trooper gets EPA 17 mpg city. Upping the tires to 285/75 is an 11.3% increase from stock. Gas mileage is now showing (odometer/gallons in) 14ish. Add back the 11% to account for speedo error and you have 15.4, still a 1.5 mpg drop because the engine is working harder to maintain speed.

[Scott Brady]

The Toyota V6 makes peak torque at 3,600 RPM It makes 80% of that torque at 2,800 RPM.

The engine is designed to cruise most efficiently around that RPM. Changing to a larger tire drops the RPM's at the same speed, so the engine is developing less torque and will be forced to downshift or kick out of converter lock up, all of which reduce economy.

My truck gained nearly 2mpg on the highway by changing from 4.10 to 5.29 with the 255/85's. The downside is a loss of high speed freeway travel. I cruise at 65-70.