Hi all. I know I have pmed several members here in regards to tires and I've made a few threads about it as well. Well I'm finally getting tires tomorrow. I've chosen the BFG goodrich all terrain TK/O's. The 275/65/18 is a 32.1 inch tire and the 285/65/18 is a 32.8 inch tire(some sources say 32.6).

The truck(2003 D2) has a 2 inch medium duty terrafirma kit btw



Here are some specs

275
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO

285
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO

Basically I want my truck to be used for on road and light-medium off roading, trails, camping, maybe light crawling here and there(nothing too ridiculou). I want it to be offroad capable.

My concern is that the 285's will rub and effect articulation. I've also read here that the 285 can wear out the spider gears. Is that true? Also i heard that once you get into 33's you should consider making modifications. (32.6-8) seems close. I'm also concerned about further dropping my gas mileage(even being a LR it's already crap).

Though, looking at the specs there doesn't seem to be a huge difference in the sizes. I also used this tire size calculator to compare sizes. It basically shows a .3 difference in side wall and .5 difference in diameter. But this is a mazda site.

Tire size calculator

Which would you choose in your opinion? Which would provide better ride quality and which would likely perform better offroad? Will the 285's provide a bigger look with roughly the same performance, and do both roughly carry the same amount of risk when it comes to rubbing and all that good stuff?

Also consider that the truck is lifted 2"

Please answer all questions if you can and be specific. I'm having real trouble deciding between the two. And yes I'll be sticking 18's much to the disapproval of some.

All advice is appreciated and sorry for making all the tire threads.

 

so which tire did you go with? do you pictures/

 

he's probably on a new set by now....

 

I have a 2 inch lift with 265/65/R18 and I think they are perfect. Only when I'm backing up and turning the wheel full lock do they rub the front mud flaps. Personally, I wouldn't go bigger than this for 90% street, 10% trail. Here's a before (top) and after (bottom) lift plus tires. The front looks a little high because its parked facing up a hill. Otherwise it would sit level.