Tire nightmare!

[J Lee]

Guys I'm in the market for a 33" mud tire that will fit the 16x6.5 wheels on a '77 K20. everything I have looked at is either on national backorder or unavailable. I have looked at all the various swampers, BFG KM2, and all other mud tire carried by the local tire shops and 4wheel parts. the only thing I have been able to find is the Maxxis Bighorn ,which I dont care for, in 255/85/16. Does anyone know of any other tires available? or am I just stuck waiting till one of the companies decides to get around to making the size I need.


Jeff Lee

[First c10]

I currently have 285/75-16 on my 08 D-Max its 32.8" tall by 11.2 wide on a 8" wheel. See below(Compares your size to my size tire and wheel)
Hope this helps....let us know what you do
Scott


Wheels:-----------Wheel 1------------------Wheel 2
Wheel size--------16x8 ---------------------16x6.5
Tires:--------------Tire 1--------------------Tire 2
Tire size-----------285/75-16---------------255/85-16
Section width-----(11.2'')------------------- (10'')
Sidewall-----------(8.4")---------------------(8.5'')
Tire diameter-----(32.8'')--------------------(33.1'')
6 mm (0.7%) taller.
Rim sizes----------16x8 to 16x10.5----------16x6.5 to 16x9.5
Circumference-----(103.1'')------------------(103.9'')
Revs per mile-------614.5---------------------610.2

[snj8198]

Toyo MT's in 255/85R16

https://www.toyotires.com/tire/patte...traction-tires

This is what I run on a 16x8. I would prefer a 16x7.

[J Lee]

Steve, how do those Toyos work off road in mud and in the snow?

[snj8198]

Excellent! The cleats clean out reasonably well with a spin of the tire and they handle snow well thanks to the narrow size which allows it to dig down to terra firma. But the 33" height provides enough side wall for the tire to be equally effective aired down if you want to widen your track for a little more flotation on snow or mud. The side wall biters work great when I air down.

My truck weighs 6,000lbs so I found this width tire to provide a good lb per square inch factor. They wear very well and are quite durable. Most trucks around here run them for their durability, good road manners (especially the narrower ones like the 235/85 and 255/85) and mileage they get out of them. I run a lot of skid trails, logging roads, and OHV trails so I need something that can handle Jill-pokes and snags, rock and shale, as well as have mud and snow performance. They are NOT CHEAP!! IIRC, I paid close to $300/tire. But they last.

Do you have a Toyo supplier out there? I get mine locally from Les Schwab but that is a west cost company.

[andrewmp6]

The toyo mt a lot of people run them now and love them.Goodyear wrangler duratrac is a cross between a mt and at tire and are snow rated.If you haven't see the cooper stt pro give them a look.

[farmallboy15]

I'm running Kenda Klever M/T's in 285/75r16. They are load range E, nice tread and run nice on and off road. Only about $600-650 a set.

[J Lee]

I can get the toyo out here through 4wheel parts but you're right they aren't cheap! I wish Kenda and Cooper made their tires in my size, I have a local tire distributor that carries both of those lines and sells at wholesale prices to the public! and I love the looks of the Cooper stt pro.

[andrewmp6]

Have you thought about running a wider rim ?Cragar makes steel rims d window or soft 8 in just about any size you can think of.

[J Lee]

No, the truck has those beyond ugly "wagon wheels" in 16.5x10 on it now with 33x12.50 BFGs. It also has only 23.000 miles on it and the PO had the original wheels to go with it so I had them powder coated and planned to put them back on it. I just never dreamed a good MT tire would be this hard to find available in this size anymore.

[Cali72K20]

Those are almost impossible to find anymore in that size.
This is all that I could find in that size that is available:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....40-126134008-2

Not really a mud tire unless you want to go the military tire route:

http://www.militaryoffroadtires.net/category-s/43.htm

casey

[Cali72K20]

Or some of these:

http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...ameter/16-5-in

These are not cheap either!

[J Lee]

So I finally found a set of tires for the K20. I wound up settling for a set of Cooper STT Pros in 235/85/16. Here is a pic of the truck with the new wheels and tires.

[andrewmp6]

I'm glad you found a tire in your size,How do you like them so far?

[J Lee]

What little I've driven it I like them. I've owned the truck since August and have only put about 100 miles on it.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by J Lee

So I finally found a set of tires for the K20. I wound up settling for a set of Cooper STT Pros in 235/85/16. Here is a pic of the truck with the new wheels and tires.

Good choice. Looks just right

[snj8198]

That is a good tire size. Good looking square body.

[J Lee]

Thanks all for the help with tire choices.

Originally Posted by special-K

Good choice. Looks just right

Thanks Special-K

Originally Posted by snj8198

That is a good tire size. Good looking square body.

Thanks snj8198 I'm in the process of rounding up parts and hopefully will repaint it in the spring.


Jeff Lee