Who is running 255/80/17 on stock suspension?

Sorry to post this, I feel like this info is probably on the site somewhere. I searched a few times, and just found mentions of this size here and there, but didn't find a complete thread that wasn't about ST Maxx.

Anyway, I want to run a taller, but not wider, tire on my stock 13 Trail. Eventually I want to do a 2" front, 1" rear lift, but not at this time. However, I really need new tires before the snow flies (and I'm tired of using "I need tires" as an excuse to not go offroad, haha).

I'm looking hard at the new Toyo AT3, I love the new tread design and that it's 3Peak rated. I also like at per Toyo's website, the 255/80/17 is only 50lbs. 10 lbs more than stock, but only 3 or 4lbs heavier than than a P rated Falken or C rated K02 in the stock size.

I'm looking at weight because I don't want to go with a heavy tire that will add a bunch of rotational mass to to kill performance and mpg. I'm not worried about the number itself, but I like being able to get 400 miles to a tank, it's great for long trips. I once made it to 440 and filled up before the gas light came on.

I live in New England, so I have a lot of snow and wet weather to deal with. I don't offroad a ton, but am looking forward to getting out with the area groups to do some moderate trails. I work 30 miles from where I live, so 60 miles of mostly highway driving per day.

I'd love to hear from those running this size, and post up pics if you got 'em!!

These are my questions:

What tire did you go with?

What, if any, mods were required?

What are your driving/handling impressions of them? (does the narrow profile make them feel squirelly?)

How did the larger, heavier tire effect performance? (braking, acceleration, hills, etc)

How was fuel economy impacted?

(I realize this is not a Prius, but like I said, lots of highway driving and range is a concern. Losing 1 or 2 mpg isn't a deal breaker; losing 5 is)

And once again, let see them pics!!!

Thanks for any info, and for reading all this!

 

I may just stick with stock size for simplicity's sake. Will also be cheaper, as I only have to buy 4 and not 5.

Starting to look into lifts now too, I might take advantage of some of the black friday deals going on.

 

I put on the Falken AT3W 255/80/17 about 2,000 miles ago. I can’t speak about stock suspension because I put on a Toytec Boss system at the same time. It is a 3 inch lift and with the tires I got about 4 inches. Wider tires would have also required new wheels with different offset. I like the stock wheels and not dropping another $800 to $1,000. This setup did not require any other mods (trimming etc.). I have not had any issues with rubbing.

As far as the height vs width they do not feel squirrelly even with the lift. I have taken curves at some pretty good speeds without any issue.

Mileage seems to be about 1.5 mpg less. I really don’t care so I have not done any measured routes to calculate mileage. I am strictly referencing the onboard computer. I bought the 4r new and put BFG ATs on at 48 miles. The first 800 miles the computer showed average mileage as 17.3. Then I put on TRD intake and Borla cat back. From 800 to 6400 miles the computer indicated 17.1 mpg. At 6400 miles I put on the lift and 255 Falkens. From 6400 to 8400 miles (current) it is showing 15.5 average.

Performance; I like to go and do not drive easy. You may have guessed that by the mileage figures. The lift and tires may have slowed it slightly but it is barely noticeable if at all. Maybe a second slower 0-60 but that is only a guess. Performance is still good enough that I would do the lift and tires again.

The Falken AT3W seems to be a very good tire. They also have the 3 peak rating you mentioned above. The tread on the Falken and Toyo both looked good to me but it looked like the Falken had better sidewall lugs. Choices are very limited for this size. The Falkens are very quite on the road. They also do well in heavy rains. I can’t speak to mud or snow yet. I’m not sure what you found about the p rated Falken but mine are E load rated. The stiffer sidewall may also be why they are not squirrelly. If you check the Falken website they had a 30 day return policy. I’m not sure if they are still doing that and you would want to verify your dealer participates.



I hope this was helpful.

 

@2Trex , thanks so much for taking the time to write that and answer my questions!

I'm with you. I like my stock wheels and do not want the (unnecessary) expense of new wheels. I looked into the different tires in this size, and they're all 10 ply, load E. I think this size is meant for dually pickups, haha.

That mileage drop isn't bad, maybe 1.5 doesn't seem that bad at all. I can deal with that, I drive with a light foot, I filled up this morning and calculated my mileage at 21.07. That's fairly typical, so 19 - 19.5ish is completeloy acceptable.

I really like your setup, it looks fantastic! I'd consider the Falken, I just hadn't looked up the weight on them. Right now the Toyos are the same price and I kind of wanted to give them a try. You're right though, the sidewall isn't very aggressive. I really wish Toyo had made it look more similar to the KO2 in the sidewall dept.

Oh, the other tire I would consider is the 33x10.50 Kenda Klever RT. Those are really tough looking, and are supposed to be good on the road and in the snow. They're E rated as well.

Thanks again for the info!

 

I did!

I did end up buying wider wheels (mine are 8.5" vs the stock 7") so that made a difference too and I ended up having to trim some of the fender lining and fender. Next time I get an alignment I'll also have them push the caster forward all they way.

I got the Cooper STMAXX and love them so far. Comfortable enough ride and i havn't noticed any differences in acceleration, handling, or braking.

My MPG is usually around 15-16mpg depending on how nice I drive but im usually driving down Rt 2, 95 or 93 so typically drive on the faster side.

Overall I definitely recommend the Cooper ST MAXX tires. I had the Cooper Discoverer AT3's on my '15 Tacoma before it got totaled and loved those as well.

and of course... pics:

 

With a 3" lift but these should fit stock ride height no issues. 5th gens hate wide tires, not tall tires.

 

Is that the ironman 4x4 lift?

 

It is. 3" front, 2" rear Nitro gas stage 2 (front coilovers performance load, rear 2" spring and shock rear, ironman UCAs) I decided on nitro gas as I doubt I'd exceed its limits. Its still an upgrade from stock ride Quality. In hindsight I wish I had gone with foam cell for adjustability, not so much the performance. Reason being im measuring 3.5 driver and 4 inch lift passenger, which is a bit much on stock LCAs.

 

Is that plastidip, paint or bedliner on the lower valence? Did you wet sand first?

 

It is just plasti-dip. I just cleaned it really well before applying the dip. Ran in a couple spots but cant notice unless you know it's there. Temporary until i have the funds to get a C4 lo-pro bumper.

I did it to my '15 tacoma to the wheels and all emblems and never had an issue or the need to re-apply.

 

in fact I actually had to touch up a spot about a week or two after applying it because someone left their cart out in the parking lot at wegmans and the wind pushed it into the bumper and scraped off some of the plast-dip. Just sliced the part that scraped off and took the can and just touched it up with 4-5 layers and looks like new

 

Not bad. I may try wet sanding and spray on bedliner. But will also be a temp solution.

 

What pressures are you running? Do you have any rubbing issues? Are these the only pics you have? I’m looking at these tires and will be running a 2”/1.5” on my 2020 SR5.

 

You should have no issues. I run 38psi on road. I would run low 20s off but haven't needed to yet.

 

@Schijff749 is this with stock suspension? I'm looking at swapping the rubbers on my TRD Pro wheels for the 255/80/17 Cooper STMAXX's and have read a lot of conflicting stories about this set up rubbing and not rubbing. I've got 5100's all around and the front set to .85" so hoping they'll work

 

@cory15000 It is on stock suspension yes. Like I said though I had to trim the front fender a bit. I can try to find the thread that guided me through it with another guy that is running the same wheel/tire set-up that I have. It rubs sometimes in reverse especially if wheels are turned to the left and occasionally while like pulling into a parking lot but it really doesn't bother me.... I am planning lifting the front 3" and back 2" this summer so that will take care of that entirely.

 

scroll down to comment #24

https://trail4runner.com/2018/01/03/largest-tire-size-4runner/

 

@Schijff749 trimming and pulling out the heat gun don’t concern me too much. Neither does a little rubbing. I’m just trying to avoid the need for a bigger lift and/or upgrading the UCA’s.

Not sure how I missed that first link in all my searching but it’s been the most promising so far.

I have a lead on a cheap set of 255/80 ST Maxx’s otherwise I’d likely go 255/75’s to be on the safe side.

I guess the only way to really find out is to do it and then make the necessary modifications!

 

How have to been liking the new toyo ATiii's? I'm looking at this exact tire, very interested. Have you had them in the dirt/snow yet?

 

Have I had it in dirt and snow yet he says . JK of course and they're great.

 

That's awesome, looks like they're even handling themselves just fine is the real muddy stuff. Truck looks awesome by the way, great to see it being put to good use

 

Ironman lift?