265/70r17 or 285/70r17?

[Zeke]

Did you buy passenger (P) rated 33s? Do you recall their weight? Not that you had to choose, but I'd prefer a C load 31" rather than a P load 33" tire if use will include rocky and branch laden areas, e.g. the West. 33" tire will give you 1.25" of add'l clearance from stock (30.5" tire).

It'll be interesting to see what you think about the performance hit, acceleration from a stop, braking distance and MPGs. Since you have the lift and tires pretty much done at the same time, it'll be tricky to know what variable is more responsible for differences.

I await my truck and have pretty much decided to swap to 32" C load AT tires right of the bat and do no more, no level or lift. Probably Firestone Destination XT, C load 255/75/17 since they're only 4 pounds heavier than stock Hankook ATMs on FX4 trucks (and something like 6 pounds lighter than Toyo, Falkens, etc in C load). I'll live with that awhile and see what limitations reveal themselves to warrant a lift. I'll be camping/exploring/road tripping off grid (ugh, I hate the term 'overlanding' as its so Gucci and poseury these days). So, not rock crawling. We'll see if near stock approach and departure angles are adequate or not.

c load rating. weighs 8 lbs less than the e rating.

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[Wytchdctr]

265/70 seems to be made for it.

That is what I'm gonna slap on as soon as the stock rubber is toast.

 

[lazynorse]

c load rating. weighs 8 lbs less than the e rating.

Yeah, E rated anything is crazy heavy, over 50 pounds, sometimes well over 50 pounds in the tire sizes folks consider for Rangers. From everything i've read (note, not experienced first hand) something like 15 pounds additional weight per corner will severely affect performance.

I'm hoping C rated is the happy medium. I thought I'd landed on Toyo AT3 255/75/17 in a C load, those were 48 pounds, 10 pounds more than stock size Hankooks. Then I find Firestone Destination XT, same size, C load were 42 pounds, so only 4 pounds over Hankooks. I hope that doesn't just mean 'weaker tire, more prone to puncture.' Good reviews on those.

Need good wet traction on pavement, decent in snow. Seems most all AT tires have decent to good ratings on dry and dirt. Its that wet and snow that separates the brands. I live in Washington State, wet pavement performance is critical.

 

[Alpinist]

Yeah, E rated anything is crazy heavy, over 50 pounds, sometimes well over 50 pounds in the tire sizes folks consider for Rangers. From everything i've read (note, not experienced first hand) something like 15 pounds additional weight per corner will severely affect performance.

I'm hoping C rated is the happy medium. I thought I'd landed on Toyo AT3 255/75/17 in a C load, those were 48 pounds, 10 pounds more than stock size Hankooks. Then I find Firestone Destination XT, same size, C load were 42 pounds, so only 4 pounds over Hankooks. I hope that doesn't just mean 'weaker tire, more prone to puncture.' Good reviews on those.

Need good wet traction on pavement, decent in snow. Seems most all AT tires have decent to good ratings on dry and dirt. Its that wet and snow that separates the brands. I live in Washington State, wet pavement performance is critical.

I've got C rated 265/70/17 BFG AT's on my rig here in WA, and they've been excellent. I read some negative comments about wet stopping distance with this tire- I haven't noticed any difference vs the stock tires. They work like a champ in the snow, haven't had to use chains since I got them. Got up in some deep stuff this winter, and they hooked up quite well.

I think the 265/70/17 (or similar) is the sweet spot for these trucks. Little bit more ground clearance, no noticeable loss in performance and less strain on the driveline & suspension vs. a 33.

 

[OFC Ranger]

255/85/17!

 

[Frenchy]

I cant speak for the trails out in those parts but I can say with my own experience with the Old Man EMU lift with both 32 and 33 inch tires I felt both looked good and the 33's seemed to do betrer OffRoad. The 32's were a bit more street friendly for MPG(of course the tire you select in each size will still effect your MPG).

Here are some pictures of that truck with the Factory sport wheels. The 33's are the black wall Firestone Destination XT's and the 32's are white letter Bridgestone Dueler Revo 3's

 

[Bravohook]

I ordered a set of 265/70r17’s from tire rack that haven’t been installed yet. While waiting for the tires/wheels, I pulled the trigger on the fabtech 3.5” lift with offset intrusion beams. I can swap the tires for free to 285/70r17’s. Should I? Would 265/70r17’s (31.6”)be smallish with a lift that can easily accommodate 33’s?

285’s… I was on the fence too but glad i went 285’s. Looks like a little tonka truck. Handles great on and off road, didnt really notice the larger size engine wise minus the speedo being off.

 

[Todd Chapin]

I am running 265/70/17 xl 31.8" Cooper Wild Treks, perfect size for this truck with a 2.5" lift and still get good milage. Not to mention still a Ford warrantee recognized size.

 

[Jsattlec]

285’s… I was on the fence too but glad i went 285’s. Looks like a little tonka truck. Handles great on and off road, disnt really notice the larger size engine wise minus the speedo being iff

That looks really good!

 

[9zero1790]

i have 265 70 17 and they have been fine off road but i wish i would have waited and got 33s.

 

[burchs]

With that lift definetly 34s or 35s ?

 

[Blurpleranger]

Ok just ordered the 285’s

I think you made the right choice. Exactly what I did. Fatter tire makes a huge difference!

 

[Brett Fields]

I ordered a set of 265/70r17’s from tire rack that haven’t been installed yet. While waiting for the tires/wheels, I pulled the trigger on the fabtech 3.5” lift with offset intrusion beams. I can swap the tires for free to 285/70r17’s. Should I? Would 265/70r17’s (31.6”)be smallish with a lift that can easily accommodate 33’s?

Yes sir!

 

[Zeke]

post pics when they're on

After/Before

 

[Hickesy]

Wow, what a difference. Looks so nice, congrats my friend you've taken it up a notch. You must be stoked.

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