255s on a daily driver?

[jeffryscott]

Know this has been discussed, but just want current info in trying to figure out how 255/85/16s would affect my vehicle:

gas mileage?
highway cruising?
gearing offroad?


The 4Runner is my daily driver, with occasional weekend wheeling for now. It has factory 4.10s and currently sits on 265/70/16s.

I could buy a basically new set of 265/75/16 Dunlop MTs for about $300 from a friend, but don't want to jump on them unless the 255's don't make much sense for a daily driver.

I know I want 255s for offroad/aesthetic reasons, but don't want to kill my mileage (currently get about 18 in town).

Thanks,

Jeff

[erin]

I didn't so much lose mileage as I did available power, w/ a 5 sp. regearing was needed to get it back. You're also not going to get the tread life like you would with an AT, but I'm sure you realize this. Although, my MT's have worn pretty good so far, about 22k and alittle over 1/2 tread left. Ride quailty was definitely better than I expected also, little more noise, but pretty smooth overall.

[jeffryscott]

Thanks Erin, still want to try one of your tires on for size, which I know will be a mistake ...

[flyingwil]

I didn't so much lose mileage as I did available power, w/ a 5 sp. regearing was needed to get it back. You're also not going to get the tread life like you would with an AT, but I'm sure you realize this. Although, my MT's have worn pretty good so far, about 22k and alittle over 1/2 tread left. Ride quailty was definitely better than I expected also, little more noise, but pretty smooth overall.
:iagree: I lost about 1-3mpg, and with the automatic, my cruising speed is decreased as well as I try and keep it out of third gear. (~73 MPH)

Ride quality is decreased at very slow speeds, you can feel each lug on the MT's as you come to a stop or inch forward at a walking speed or below at 35 PSI.

Do I regret it? HELL NO! I love how they handle, and act in all conditions except snow.

[erin]

Yeah, they suck in snow, unless you can get the contact patch really spread out, low psi. And don't even mention ice..............:yikes:

[pskhaat]

But................his question is on the size right, not the tire type?

Theoretically, the 255s (http://tinyurl.com/yqfegx) are ~33" vs. the 265s (http://tinyurl.com/99q9z) which are ~31.5". Looking at a ~4.5% difference in roll, I don't think that's enough to affect too much gearing and power issues?

[erin]

I would have agreed with you also, but mine was affected pretty significantly, couldn't really use 5th gear until around 70 mph+. Now, 5th @ 45-50mph, no problem. I think with more motor, it wouldn't be nearly as noticable, being as it really isn't a large increase in size, but with under 190 HP, it was.

[Super Doody]

I dont have any experience those size tires but here are my experiences with tires:

Some other factors to consider esp. for a DD. The bigger/heavier the more strain on your components such as your steer rack, bushings and drive train. I had a set of 265/75/16 MTR Load range D on my truck. They were heavy as hell at around 85lbs per tire/(steel)wheel combo.

I was looking to smooth out my ride and get some MPG back so I recently switched to alloy wheels and same size revo duelers (load C) . The ride is diff. smoother but only 1 to 1.5 mpg gain. I thought it would be a lot more.

I just felt like I wasted a set of good offroad tires by driving on them on the road. Its all good now since I have two set of wheels one for the street and one for the dirt.


Good Luck

[Scott Brady]

It has factory 4.10s and currently sits on 265/70/16s.


You must regear with the automatic. Your mileage will go to the 13-14 range without regearing and OD will be all but useless. :sombrero:

But they would look cool...

[asteffes]

I dont have any experience those size tires but here are my experiences with tires:

Some other factors to consider esp. for a DD. The bigger/heavier the more strain on your components such as your steer rack, bushings and drive train. I had a set of 265/75/16 MTR Load range D on my truck. They were heavy as hell at around 85lbs per tire/(steel)wheel combo.


I agree that the weight and heft of the tire makes a difference. I recently went from the factory P265-70-16 BFG Rugged Trail tires to LT265-75-16 BFG All Terrain TA-KOs (load range D) on factory wheels and I can feel a difference in the pep of the truck. It will still accelerate plenty fast, but it is working slightly harder all the time to make those larger, heavier tires move. I can see 255s on the borderline of requiring new gearing to remain practical for everyday driving.

Not to mention, I didn't have to lift my truck to fit 265-75s while 255-85s will require some work to fit. I really like the fact that I didn't have to make my truck less stable for my daily commute. Then again, I don't do nearly as much off-roading as most people here, so take my thoughts for what they are worth.

[tacollie]

I just got the 255/85 BFG mud terrains on my 02 TRD and absolutly love them. 5-speed maunal. It is a little slower off the line, but besides that the truck does fine. My gase millage at 75 is actually better due to lower rpms. Around town it is about the same. Mine are siped on the center lugs. They are amazing in the snow and are actually quieter than my 265/75 Big o Big Foot at's on the interstate. They are louder in town however(35 mph to 55mph). The ride is much smoother at anything above a crawl. My girlfriend hated riding in my truch before. She loves it now. I do live at 7500ft and have never gotten more than 16-18mpg around town and 19mpg on the highway. I personnally recommend these tires on a DD.

[offroad_nomad]

This is a size I've been thinking about as well since my tires will need replacing. Could someone please post the tire dimensions (height and width) in inches for these various sizes for comparison? It would help to compare to my 285 MT/Rs. Thanks.


255/85/16
265/75/16
285/75/16

[njtaco]

This is a size I've been thinking about as well since my tires will need replacing. Could someone please post the tire dimensions (height and width) in inches for these various sizes for comparison? It would help to compare to my 285 MT/Rs. Thanks.


255/85/16
265/75/16
285/75/16


From the BFG site...http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/specs/mud-terrain-t-a-km/1152.html

[erin]

Offroad Nomad, the BFG MT 255's are a true 33" tire. When mine were new, they measured right at 33 3/16". This is why they tend to rub the inside corners more than others..........but nothing the judicious use of a large hammer can't fix.:sombrero:

[oly884]

I've been running the Cooper Discoverer ST's for about 2 years now (255/85/R16's) and I love 'em. They are needing replacement this summer (already have 38k on them) so I'll end up getting some BFG MT's.

Yes they make your truck slower, but, it's a truck. I go 65-70 instead of 75-80 on the interstate now and it really doesn't bother me. Due to this, I can't really justify regearing at this moment, but I'll eventually go down that path, probably with ARB's front and rear too :D

As to my suggestion; I highly suggest these for a DD and a weekend warrior.

[shawkins]

With my 5-speed in my '98, I think my mileage went up due to the lower RPM's while cruising the highway, which is pretty much where it spent most of its time.

[xcmountain80]

You have a similar setup to me. I have a 02 4Runner with TJM-17 winch bla. bla. bla. and 285/75/16 with a consistent 17mpg. I run 2 sets of tires BFG AT's and cooper STT's I am getting rid of the AT's for a set of Nitto Terra's. I went from 19-21 mpg with 265/75/16 to the current 17mpg. Re-gearing doesn't seem to be a viable option given the cost. So I'm just fine with the 17mpg I imagine my air flow has changed considerably since lifting the vehicle but seem to think you should still have good numbers with the 255's.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/FL4WDA/Image050.jpg

Aaron

[xcmountain80]

You must regear with the automatic. Your mileage will go to the 13-14 range without regearing and OD will be all but useless. :sombrero:

But they would look cool...


Scott are you referring to the 265's on a 4Runner? Because thats what mine came stock with and was pushing 19-20mpg. with the 285's it went to 17 and OD and speedo are off 6%. I'm running the 4:10 gears as well....

Aaron

[Scott Brady]

With a 3.4L V6, 4 speed auto (.705 OD) and 4.10 gearing, 255's will require regearing to make OD usable again.

Of course, I drove around for nearly a year with those tires on and 4.10 gearing but drove around with OD off and suffered at the pump.

[jeffryscott]

The fortunate thing for me, with my recent acquisition of 255s, is they are already mounted - I won't need them as my daily driver wheels. Although, I'll probably be too lazy to take them off once I put them on.:jump:

[jeffryscott]

You have a similar setup to me. I have a 02 4Runner with TJM-17 winch bla. bla. bla. and 285/75/16 with a consistent 17mpg. I run 2 sets of tires BFG AT's and cooper STT's I am getting rid of the AT's for a set of Nitto Terra's. I went from 19-21 mpg with 265/75/16 to the current 17mpg. Re-gearing doesn't seem to be a viable option given the cost. So I'm just fine with the 17mpg I imagine my air flow has changed considerably since lifting the vehicle but seem to think you should still have good numbers with the 255's.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/FL4WDA/Image050.jpg

Aaron

Aaron, SWEET looking rig. can't wait to finish getting mine setup.

[xcmountain80]

Thank you jeffryscott , I know one is never finished, but I am very close to the ideal setup. The rig itself is nearly done there are a few odds and ends "locker+ 430 gears or whatever I May be able to find to fit the ARB Locker" and a few other things. I would like to make a roof rack but just a flat one so I can put the tent on it and maybe a light or two. Super flex joints from Sonoran Steel are again desired but not currently needed. I have no desire for it to be any bigger, because at this point its a perfect blend for travel, offroad, comfort. The only reason gearing has not taken place is because of the associated cost of locker and f+r gears ends up being about $2k So not to further hijack the thread good luck and if you have any questions I've probably scratched my head over a thing or two.

Scott! what type of mileage do you get now? and with what gear ratio? Wow I just looked at your site and your running 5:29's. How much better is your mileage?

Aaron