Tire size recommendation?

[MrBusses]

Going to be in need of tires probably early next year and I am looking at my options now. I currently have the bronco black diamond general grabbers 265/70r17s on +12 wheels with a BDS 2in level. I am looking to go a little bit bigger in size to maybe 33in for more off road clearance. What would fit with my set up? I do have BDS crash bars installed as well.

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[DLinc184]

I have MT Baja Boss 3 ply 285-70R-17 on my 21 Tremor with no lift and BDS crash bars.
No rubbing issues at all. No poke.
The Mickey's are very quiet compared to the General Grabbers that came off. I love them.
However, these are on stock Tremor wheels. I don't know what the different offset will do for your setup.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Whether you stick with the same size (31.6”), go up to 275/70s (32.2”), or to 285/70s (32.7”), you will most likely be fine. If you go up further to a 297/70 (33.3”), that’s anybody’s guess. Your offset might give you some grief but the 2” lift and BDS crash bars might keep you out of trouble. Hard to say.

The tires will definitely look a LOT bigger but keep in mind, your off-road clearance gains are only half of the diameter increase. So, 285/70s are only providing slightly more than 1/2” additional ground clearance……fully inflated. Once you air down, you may be no better off than what you’re running now when it comes to the ”more off road clearance” you’d like to have.

Still, I say go with 285s because they will make your truck look awesome. Sometimes, size matters.

275/70s vs. 255/65s (OEM).

 

[fusseli]

Agreed, you have to do some serious true off-roading to get any benefit. My setup is insanely capable and I have done three-wheeling climbs that require lifting a tire, yet never had body contact on the same trail run. If I were you I wouldn’t go over a ~32. Anything bigger is for looks and requires more mods like crash bars and offsets, and worse mpg. A lose lose in my opinion. In contrast a 32 is a win win, better looks, capability, and minimal sacrifices

 

[yuck6]

Get some 285/70/17 KO3 because that’s what I’m getting and can see what they look like on the truck

 

[NOVA_Ranger]

I always buy MT take-offs from Jeep Rubicon owners who ‘need’ big tires for their new mall crawlers. About $400-500 for a set of 5.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Get some 285/70/17 KO3 because that’s what I’m getting and can see what they look like on the truck

They’ll look a lot like this….

 

[MrBusses]

So should I go 275 or 285?

 

[Maxacceleration]

Since you have clearanced crash bars 285/70-17 at 32.8” could be a safe bet.
275/70-17 is a safer bet.
Each size bigger tire you go the more your mileage will suffer if that matters.
Studying weight for tire size you can limit mpg loss. I got 3 mpg back by going to lighter tires (on another vehicle).
And of course everyone will say something different.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

So should I go 275 or 285?

275 - safest route
285 - likely fine

If they have both sizes in stock, ask them to test fit a 285, lower it and check clearance at full lock in each direction and also while backing up abruptly.

However, there’s more to consider than just size. Tire weight can be a big deal and it goes up as the tire load rating increases. The C-rated 285/70R17 BFG KO3 weighs 57 lbs, E-rated is about 5 lbs more.

Bigger, heavy, off-road tires are more challenging to balance, even for shops with a road force balancer (you definitely want/need that) and an experienced tire tech.

Then again, the decision on tire size and rating might be made for you.

You could be ready to pull the trigger on C-rated 275s and find out there’s a 4-6 week wait until they will be in stock but your shop can have E-rated 285s at their shop by lunchtime and mounted that afternoon. You’ll be so stoked at finally getting those tires, you’ll choose those bigger, heavy tires……”screw the gas mileage and balancing - it’s gonna look awesome!”

 

[MrBusses]

I'm a Ford tech so not concerned with what is required to order or install the tires and I have access to about 5 different tire warehouses. Just trying to get an idea on what will fit the best without losing capability or rubbing excessively. I know some MPG loss is to be expected

I work in a world of factory settings 99% of the time or putting on what the customer wants, I don't deal with customizations enough to know what is going to fit and we get very few rangers in the shop to begin with.

With all of that, I think going with the 275s would be my best bet, and probably in a C rating. Currently looking at some yokohama geolandar x at at $260ea but I have plenty of time to do research on which exact tire to get.

Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I have that same tire in a Grabber, 2” Fox Shocks, ReadyLift Anti-Intrusion, and +15mm offset - a very similar setup. They’ll be fine for your use case and when you see them mounted, you’ll remark to yourself how HUGE they look - not just on first sight but every single time you see your truck.

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