1st Off Roading w/265’s

Today I finally had the opportunity to get some moon dust on my 4R since I had the lift and 285’s removed.

I am happy to report that the truck did great on my favorite trails with no lift and the new 265’s. It’s been a very hot dry summer and the dust was really really bad. The wind was blowing 25-30 so I got to do some glider flying.

Truck did great and I was thrilled to be able to drive over rocks without the rear shocks banging from topping out.

Removing the spacer lift did the trick.

 

I just got done cleaning my 4R. Holy crap, it’s had trail dust before but this was the worst it’s ever been. I’ll still take dust over mud though.

 

I did some of that last weekend at the beginning of the heat wave. I got tired of being in the toaster oven pretty quickly. So hot this past week that the truck didn't get washed until today.

 

Looks great. I have been on stock tire size and suspension since new, 1000s of miles off road and never an issue.

 

Great pictures. P51-based glider? I haven't flown gliders since I was a kid, and those had massively long wings.

 

Yep, P-51D, 72” wingspan, weighs about 10lbs. I’ve been building and flying radio control aircraft for 45 years now. My favorite is slope soaring which is why I need a off road vehicle.

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3784139-Leg-P-51D-72”

 

Great pics! Thanks!

 

Great shots man! You honestly don’t need much to go off road.

 

Thats true^,

The most important thing is good tires and a decent ground clearance. I did run through some pockets of deep moon dust on the trail that made me glad I was in 4wd.

 

My runner been on 265s with a 2.75 inch lift in the front and has done very well off road. Never gotten stuck or had any issues

 

Took my 1.3m CarbonCub out to fly the other day and on a full throttle hand launch it became a glider! (Prop blew up) so I had to emergency land with only 6' of height.... Saved it but got my heart rate up! Haha

 

Nice. Since 285/70s are only about an inch taller than 265s, I doubt there are very many situations where that extra .5" of sidewall height and ground clearance will be the make or break point on an obstacle.

 

90% of the people don't need 285s.

I'll admit I was one of them just got them since it looked better.

 

285’s do look good on a 5th gen.

 

I am wanting a 285/75/17 yes for the height but also for width for snow. I have had great luck with my 275/70/17's but I would like that little extra. I agree... the .5" or less probably wont make enough difference to matter but in my head it does for some dumb childish reason (Especially when airing down). I a perfect world, I would want a 275 width in a 34"ish tall. I am sure there are options out there, I just haven't messed with researching yet.

 

I follow 4xoverland on YouTube and he’s had some pretty extensive discussions on thinner tires vs wide. There are pro/cons for both types. As I remember, wider tires are mainly more advantageous in sand.

https://m.youtube.com/user/4xforum/videos

 

Exactly, I like the 275 width, I think it is a good balance of width (Not to skinny, not to wide). I think that going up to the 285 is not worth the extra weight (for me) just for the width. I would LOVE a 275/80/17. Taller side wall so airing down doesnt kill your height but also doesnt have that extra .4" of "fat" (width). Obviously, splitting hairs at this point but the 275 width would not require the modification of the 285 width.
The 265/70/17 would be 31.6" tall, 10.4" Wide; center line of axle to bottom of tire roughly 15.8"
The 265/75/16 would be 31.6" tall, 10.4" Wide; center line of axle to bottom of tire roughly 15.8"
The 275/70/17 would be 32.2" tall, 10.8" Wide; center line of axle to bottom of tire roughly 16.1"
The 285/75/17 would be 33.8" tall, 11.2" Wide; center line of axle to bottom of tire roughly 16.9"
A 265 to 275 is somewhat negligible (.15") so those I would consider the 265 in the interest of regular driving vs off road. The 265 would save you efficiency, weight, etc. only giving up .15" height and .4" tread.
Stepping up to the 285 is where things jump. .8" height and .4" width. Like I said, personally, I wouldnt want the .4" width but that .8" height I like for what I do. I do a good amount of Sand and Snow and the 265 guys I go with seem to struggle a little more in some cases. (not solely on the tire, I am sure driving style has something to do with it as well.) I just like the 275 width but want that magic 34" number as a good balance for the places (and weight) we go.

Essentially, my thought, an aired down 285 would be about the same height as an inflated 275. Slippery slope... haha

(The thoughts and opinions in this post are mine and what make sense/works for me. Not trying to ruffle feathers!) I have gone PLEANTY of places with my '53 willys CJ3 on a 6.0-16 tire that my 4Runner would not make it... it is all in set up/needs/style and finding the balance haha

 

I just wanted my speedometer to be accurate.

But, I agree, most of us really don't need them. I went bigger for flotation and traction moreso than clearance.

 

Your right, my speedometer was spot on with the 285’s. My 265’s register 1 mph higher than actual speed going through a speed trap.

Not a big deal I guess, but I don’t like the idea that the odometer is racking up more miles than actual and it also gives a false (inflated) mpg.