Tire Questions

[tomster10]

I have a 88" series 3 and am looking at new tires. I'm thinking something in the 30-32" in range and am wondering if there will be any issues with tires that size such as excessive rubbing or turning problems. Also, are 255s feasible or does the width hinder movement? I have a smaller set of Maxxis Trepadors on now and have been pleased so will probably just get bigger ones. Are there any other tire recommendations for the proposed size in an AT or MT? Thanks

[SafeAirOne]

You don't say which rims you have.

I changed from stock 16" Rover wheels and 750x16 tires to LT235/85R16's on NATO steel (wolf) wheels and had no issues with interference on my 109--it retained its 3/4 mile turning circle.

[Contractor]

I have three sets of different tires on three different trucks and don't experience anything that would make me do something different.

255/85/16 with Parabolic springs.........no rubbing during normal conditions, occasional with major articulation. This could be a problem without the parabolic springs.

7.5/16 - Nothing......not at full lock or off road.....nice set up, just hard to find tires.

31 x 10.5/15 - Minor rubbing at full lock, but otherwise nothing.

[yorker]

Just adjust the stops to prevent rubbing if it is a problem. Larger tires will increase your turning radius and decrease acceleration, put more strain on axles etc. Most people use 235-85-16s nowadays though.

[rwollschlager]

you will probably have a hard time finding a tire in the 255/85 size besides the BFG KM2 (if you do find another, please let me know!) I am running 255/85's on my 109 with parabolics and there is no rubbing at wheel lock or articulation. I am running 33x10.5's on my 88 and there is some slight rubbing on the inside of my rear fender wells (unnoticeable while its happening, I only know because the paint is missing now). You should try searching the forum for previous tire threads, there are seemingly hundreds. The majority consensus for the 16" rim is the 235/85/16 (comparable to 7.50x16). Anything 34" or less tall X 12" or less wide will work well enough.



EDIT: a quick google search revealed that some manufactures do make a 255/85/16, but only in certain styles. For example Cooper makes the St in a 255/85 and Maxxis makes the bighorn among a few other smaller manufacturers.

[tomster10]

Well it seems like 235/85/16s are the way to go. I'm running 16x6.5 wolf wheels and there are plenty of tires to choose from, I think I'm going to go with Maxxis Bighorn Radials unless any new info finds me. Thanks for the advice.

[REDrum]

I had great luck with FS MT in 235/85/16s on stock springs on my SIII. You may be able to get 255/85s in there with the 1" lift from parabolics but I think performance will start to suffer. That said I've gone backwards to 30x9.5x15 on my S!!A and find it much more nimble and quicker with slightly smaller tires.