totallyunimodular

Hey All,

I have another tire size question, but its a bit different than the ones I have seen on the forums...

I have a 96 T100 (3.4, ext cab 4x4) that I want to put 33s on. I have already decided to go the pizza cutter route and run 9.5 or 10.5 width. Does anyone have any opinion on the 33x9.5 vs 33x10.5, clearance issues aside? I am mainly looking for feedback on highway handling. This truck is my daily driver that I also use for road trips carrying a slide in, pop up camper around the mountains in Colorado (so I do a lot of snow driving too). With the camper fully loaded and my family in tow, the truck is near its GVWR. Would the 10.5 as opposed to the 9.5 width make a noticeable difference for highway driving (I believe they have the same weight rating)? I would like to go with the 9.5 because I think it would keep my lift requirements pretty minimal, and maybe that is true with the 10.5 width too, but I suspect that rubbing might be more of a concern. So, yeah, I guess I am a little concerned about running the pizza cutters with the camper on and off road. Any opinions are appreciated!

mt_goat

All I know is there isn't much selection in the 33 X 9.50 size. Good luck finding some you like.

Yoda

I run the 9.5 on my cruiser.

I think it will depend on your wheels. 9.5 will fit stock wheels OK. Mine are at max rim width at 8" aftermarket wheels. I will go with 10.5 when I replace tires.

I don't know how they would handle with load. They have a lot of sidewall.

tc

Tire rack says the load capacity on the 9.5" is 2535 lbs at 50psi and the 10.5" is 2600 lbs at 50 psi, so you're probably OK with either from a load carrying standpoint.

The clearance issues with either tire are about the same.

x2 for rim width - I wouldn't put the 9.5's on an 8" rim ... been there, done that, never again. There isn't enough bulge for the tire to protect the rim, and I suffered A LOT of flats due to rim damage offroad.

From a subjective standpoint, the 9.5's look A LOT narrower than the 10.5's. AxleIke and I both have the stock dual four spoke rims. We both have little, if any, lift. His is a first gen runner, and mine a second gen, and his tires look A LOT narrower than mine. Unfortunately, I can't find any pix with our trucks side by side ... I imagine they would look REALLY skinny on a bigger truck like a T100.

totallyunimodular

Thanks to all for the quick feedback. Given TC's comments, it looks like I should go with the 10.5 width. I have 15x8 aftermarket rims and I considered 255/85s for a bit, but I would need 16" rims and I really don't have the money for that. I'll try to post some before/after pics soon...

tc

Welllll, now, aftermarket rims bring a whole set of potential problems! Namely, the backspacing. For the 33x10.50 at stock height thing to work, you need stock (or very close) backspacing.

totallyunimodular

Hmmm... I don't know what the back spacing is currently, nor do I know what the stock amount is (3"?). I guess I'll need to do some research....

On a side note TC, given that you are driving the same paved roads I am (I live in Boulder) and that you pretty much have the same engine, I am curious what differences you notice with the taller tires when driving up I70 and such. No supercharger is in the future for me, but I do have a Downey air intake and a Magnaflo hi flow cat and exhaust.

totallyunimodular

Oops, I reread you signature tc, looks like you have the 4 cylinder engine. Still curious what differences you noticed on the highway. I want to put in an LSD in the rear, but if I realistically will need to regear then I want to know that before buying the LSD. Seems like I could get some axles from one of the auto T100s that came with the 4.30 gearing (mine is a manual with 4.10).

Thanks again for the advice!

Matt16

The 3vz is a V6 engine. You are probably going to want to regear. 33x10.5 vs 33x9.5 really opens up tire options. BFG All Terrain (T/A KO) and mud terrain are, I believe, the only tires available in the latter size. Many popular A/T and M/T tires are available in the 33x10.5 size.

If you are planning on changing rims anyways, why not switch to a 16" rim, than allows more narrow tire options.

mt_goat

The BFG Mud-T is no longer available in the 9.5, only the All Terrain.

hodgepodge79

If you ever get a blowout, you're probably more likely to get your hands on a 33x10.50 replacement vs. a 33x9.50.

Belize Off Road Team

Just go with the 10.50 width. If your a bad driver in mud/snow then you should get 9.5 but i'd stick with 10.5

Matt16

Good point, that is why I haven't pursued 9.5 tires- its hard to find used spares on craigslist and I doubt a service station in the middle of nowhere would have a replacement in the same size should I damage two tires.

Fizboy

I have been running BFG 33X10.50 for about 2 years now on my 92 4-runner. I have to say that I really like them on road and off. At first it takes a little getting use to if you are coming from a 31X10.5 (or equivalent), because there is so much side wall it makes it feel rollie in the turns. Once you get a feel for them they are great. I have approximately 3" of lift and the only thing they rub on is the sway bar, and not that much. I agree with everyone else that the 10.50 are better for rim protection and they are easier to find if you get a flat. Not as easy as a 12.50, but easier than 9.50. My friend runs 9.50 and I don't know how many times he has side walled his tire and had to get it replaced. At least 3 times I can think of. It usually takes the tire company a few days to get them in each time. I also think that the 9.50s look very odd, but so do the 10.50's, just not as much. Go with the 10.50's or go with 16" rims. That will open up so many more possibilities.

jt100

im looking into doing the same thing. but i want to know if i can put 33x10.50 on my 93 T100 with out lifting it. i think i have enough room, but i might have to get rims with a different off set to keep the tires off the frame

peapicker

the difference in the two tires is about the width of your thumb. Not much.

jt100

im still at stock size of 31. were you talking about the difference between 33x9.5 and 33x10.5?

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Not a lot of difference on the road, I like the 10.50s off-road, they air down better and have a bit more sidewall stability:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/BFG_AT_KO.shtml

peapicker

Yes, but im with everyone else, the 33x10.50 will be much easier to find.

TheDeanofMean85

I have a 84 Toyota Pick-up 4x4. I am running 33x10.50x15 Super Swamper TSL'S I enjoy them very much. I can pretty much do anything on them.