I have the opportunity to pick up a set of Cooper Discoverer STT 255/85/16s fairly cheap. These will be a bit taller than the 285/75/16 Revos I have now, but they will be narrower and they will be more appropriate for for the OEM rim. The Coopers will be primarily a summer/off-road tire since I won't be driving the 4Runner to work as much anymore.

My question is:
They are only ~.5" taller than the Revos and I've already trimmed the inner fenders for them. Because the Coopers are narrower, will I rub less or is my reasoning specious and flawed?

 

My tires are 33x12.50 and I rub a fair ammount. If i had an inch or even the .5" like your saying I think it would help me a lot. So, yeah i think it would help though I dont know how much .5" would help for you. Also, it depends on where you rub, mine rub on the edges when im turning. It wouldnt rub at all if I wasn't turning.

 

You will probably rub less. Most of the time rubbing issues are due to width not height.

 

255/85's are a narrow tire... Where were you rubbing before?

My $0.02, but isn't it going to make it look like a 3/4 ton truck with pizza cutter tires on it??

 

I was rubbing on the driver-side inner fender. I cut away the plastic and hammered back the pinch weld. No more rubbing

They'll look like pizza cutters from the front, but they'll look taller than the 285/75s I have on there now.

 

You will rub less. The truck will not handle as well on pavement due to the narrower tire. Depending upon what type of off-road terrain you use them on, they may work well off road.

Scott Brady has a very good article on his site regarding tire width. Enjoy the read.

http://www.expeditionswest.com/resea...selection.html