I have posted my 2000 build and now I'm looking for a set of offroad tires. I have a set of 265 75 R16 BFG AT;'s as my DD tires. I have been struggling with this decision for months and the more I read on this site the more my head spins.

I think I have decided on 255/85/R16 on a stock 16x7 3rd gen. 4runner rims. I called BFG and they are going to release this size for the KM2 in September. I want to try the new KM2's. I have the 32 11:50 KM's on my 95 4runner adn I have liked them all though they are a bit heavy and float on snow. From what I have read there are some guys running 255/85/R16 size and love them and have had very few issues with rubbing. There are some that had to make some modifications to the pinch welds and rear mud flap. Mine is flapless. I have the SS 1.2 suspension system on my 2000 4runner LTD. I got about 2-2.5 inches of lift in front and about 3-3.5 inches in the rear. From the ground to the fender flare is 38 inches (at the highest point) in front and 39 inches in back. The 265's do not rub at all. I like the fact it appears I can run stock rims with them, they will be lighter than the 285's I was thinking about running, presumably decent for the gas mileage, cheaper per tire, better in deep mud. Interested to hear if anyone has first hand knowledge and photos and/or reasons why I should not run this size tire?

 

I run the Maxxis Bighorn on my 4runner in the 255/85-16 size and it works really well, i really like it and have no rubbing issues. I was getting 20mpg before i lifted it on average now i am getting 15-17mpg. I tryed to run 285's but they rubbed badly cuz i dont have the backspacing on my rims to accomidate them. I think u will not have any kind of issue running them. and i would like to hear ur review on the km2 after u run it for a while. I am going to run the bighorn again if there isnt a new tire coming out that i think will do better.

 

I am currently running Cooper Discoverer ST's in 255/85-16 on stock 16 x 7 wheels and I love the setup! For my needs this size beats the 285/75-16's that I ran previously. I also have a SS lift (1.1 I think), so your results should be similar. -Clark

 

thanks for the posts- any photos??

 

Are there any 3rd gen LTD owners w/ 255 85 R16. Just curious how these are going to look with the LTD flares like I have on my runner? I am not all that concerned with looks since these will only be on about 3 months of the year. Spring fishing/huntng.

 

If I remember right soaztim is running those sizes on his 4runner and I haven't heard about him having any problems with them (don't quote me on this, i don't quite remember).

 

there are a few 3rd gen Runners over on t4r.org running them. I never get the names right....

It's a strong candidate for my next set size.

 

camp I am re-reading the Sonoran Steel website and I it is my belief they are not recommending a tall tire without additional wheel width. Just wanted to make you aware of it...

96-02 Runner lift section down below the FAQs

I am hesitant to quote from a commercial web site without permission-and this is my take on their comments regarding backspacing and so on.

Steve has a heck of a lot of good info regarding lifts and the repercussions on his website.

 

I agree that Steve is the man to call on this matter as well, since he knows the capabilities of his product better than anyone. I cannot/will not speak for him, but I will say that I called him when I was contemplating this tire size and I now run this tire size. Every tire size has pros and cons, but I am happy I picked this size, as the compromises work well for my needs. -Clark

 

I must have missed that on his website. I will read it and give him a call. thanks for the heads up.

 

I think that size will look and work great. Seems like its an east coast thing to run narrower tires. I've been searching forever to find this size or 33x10.50x15 (used) for my FJ40, and can't find any here. They are all over there!

 

It may be because most of the areas we can offroad is more mud then rocks. We don't have many areas where there are just piles of big rocks. I have been told tall skinny tire works better in the mud than big fat tire. We will see.

 

You should be fine running 255's. Maybe a couple of bend jobs here and there, but nothing major. A guy fit 255's on a stock Tacoma (of course, with some major action with a BFH, but still made them fit ).

 

http://i322.photobucket.com/albums/n...9-18-08014.jpg

http://i322.photobucket.com/albums/n...9-18-08004.jpg

http://i322.photobucket.com/albums/n...9-18-08015.jpg

The 255 85 R16 BFG KM2's are on. I love them. They don't affect my mileage that much. no more noisy than my KM's. NO rubbing.

 

I am sold on this as my next tire size. However, I remember reading on Expedition portal that most have regeared to 4.88's? Is that not the case?
BTW, your 4runner looks great.

 

I am running them with 4.56's with them and its good. If you are gonna regear from anything else than 4.56's i would go 4.88's, that is if you have the 3rz, 22re or 3vz, 5vz would also be good with 4.56's.

 

I don't see any difference when driving my 4runner with the 255's on. I have a set of 265 75 R16 on factory rims and the 285's don't feel any heavier. I have the 5vz 3.4 engine with auto tranny and haven't quite figured out the gearing yet. I have looked at a bunch of websites and I come up with different info.

 

FYI http://www.expeditionswest.com/equip...bfg_mt_km.html
Bill