255/80/17 vs 285/70/17

Hello everyone,

Long time lurker and first time poster. The forum has been instrumental in helping me build my knowledge base on tundras. I have briefly owned a 06 double cab and a 2021 crew max over the last couple of years...before now finally getting my 05 tundra dbl cab 4x4 which I plan on keeping long term. Use will be predominately weekend warrior, long road trips on pavement with intermittent use on forest roads etc. Of course I have the mod itch that I need to scratch. I have decided on Bilstein 6112s in the front, 5100s in the back...maybe add a leaf to keep some rake. So far I have been under the impression I can keep my OEM UCAs. Only looking for about 1.5-2 inch lift. I have extensively read through the forum on tire setups. I believe I have narrowed it down to either 255/80/17 or 285/70/17 size tires...probably toyo open country AT3. Figure I could go E rating in 255s or C rating (lots more options) in 285s. Trying to keep tire weight down. As per everyone else, trying to maintain on-street performance, not kill the MPG, and not feel the need to regear. I liked the idea of pizza cutters, but not sure how the will look with the fender flares...and how stability might be affected on the highway?? Putting this out to the forum to get your feedback on running 255/80/17s versus the 285/70/17?? Appreciate the time everyone!

 

Welcome!

No idea on the tires question, but I always like to use this tool or something similar to help me mentally visualize tire and wheel sizes:

 

I have the same truck in 2WD and always felt like the 275/70/17 was a great tire to use without a lot of cutting and stuff. I don't know about the 285/70/17, but the 285/75/17 is what I have on there now and I had to space 3/4" for 285 width. And I cut stuff. And extended my bumps. And it would be a real dog without gears.

I should add - I ran both tires on 17X8.5 0mm offset

 

I have 06 DC with Toyo R/T Trail 255/80r17 (same size as AT3) on stock wheels, stock UCA/LCA, no spacers, front lift of 1.60" with Bilstein 6112 (7/5 clip) and 5100 rear, no trimming, and even left all mud flaps. Don't have frame of reference but been pretty happy with the results. Only rubbing I have seen is at the front driver side of frame and was only observed after off-roading. When stopped and fully turning steering wheel, it doesn't touch. Check out this thread (referred to it when finalizing my decision):

https://www.tundras.com/threads/pic-request-255-80r17-on-stock-wheels.44592/

 

I take it you read the suspension section here: https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

If you're getting up near 2" you should probably move to extended links and UCA. Not only that but the 255/80r17 is a 33.1" tire, whereas 285/70r17 is almost half an inch smaller, which ... if you have a double cab is probably gonna rub like a mf unless you're ready to hammer and cut shit.

But really, you left out a pretty important detail. What's the width of the wheel at play? Because IIRC 255/80r17 only supports up to 8.5" width, and stretch can sometimes impact ride negatively. I'm actually in a similar dilemma right now. If you've got 17x9 like me, the 285 is the more natural fit and likely better ride.

 

Thank you everyone for the feedback.

Thank you Jason! I think I had been on that site before, but didn't realize how much information I could get off of it. Spent some time on there today.

Yes, I did read through the suspension section...it continues to be a great reference tool. At this point, I just was hoping to get some feedback from those who faced a similar decision or ran a similar set-up.

Wheels are 17x8.5, 4.3" backspacing with a -10mm offset.

 

I took a closer look at that thread. Thanks! I definitely like your set-up and the way the tires look. How do you like the R/Ts?

 

06 2wd. Same lift 6112 up front with 5100 in the rear with add a leafy and camburg upper arms + 285/17 ko2 tires. You will need to do some cutting and hammering before doing any driving. You will also rub on the frame at full lock on one side. You will also have to remove the mud flaps. I think my next tires will be a pizza cutter 255. U-turns are so difficult to do

 

If you go with pizza cutters, you'll probably wanna do spacers to push the wheels out to meet the flares. This is 255x85xr16 on mine with 1.25" spacers, stock wheels: