Still in the process of building up my D2. I've crawled the forums for hours comparing photos and reports from people with 2 inches of lift and 265/75 tires and with stock gearing, can't decide if that or 245/75 would be a better choice. I don't want a noticeable sacrifice in low range performance. I also don't want to put unnecessary strain on the drivetrain. The truck will be used on various semi long range trips - the first being from San Diego down to the tip of Baja for a couple weeks. I expect to encounter relatively rough terrain in areas. While I do go out on an occasional "fun" trail on a day off - most of my off roading is destination oriented.

So I guess my question is - with stock gearing - is there any reason to do a 265/75 vs a 245/75? Do the benefits outweigh the costs? It's a 4% difference - 1/2 an inch more under the diffs. The 245 would be also much lighter, and theoretically perform better in most conditions being a narrower tire? I have a set of 16" stock alloys (8" wide).

Also - if anyone is running 245/75 on a 2" lift I'd love to see photos - I've only come across a couple.

 

super skinny always

 

03-04 Headlight Conversion | Rovers North's Photog's DII

Is that with the 245/75 on yours ZG?

 

In that photo it's 265/75, now I run 255/85. Little skinnier and taller

 

But if you were sticking with that lift size you would have preferred 245/75? Or were you happy with the 265/75?

 

235-85-16's is the size going under mine this summer.

 

Yokahoma AT/S 245/75/16 with 2 inch lift



Pepboys Dakota M/T 265/75/16 with 2 inch lift

 

Thanks for the images - what are your impressions of each size?

 

I have and am running the 265/75/16 series. after almost 3 years I wish I had gone the 245/75 route.

 

I picked up the M/Ts used just to have some aggressive and larger tires for off-road. I tow a 23' travel trailer when I go to some events and the 245 ATs tow much better. Regular driving the M/Ts were a little loud, but not bad, but I prefer the 245/75/16 overall. I am not a rock crawler obviously, so for moderate off-roading I like the 245s.

When I first went from stock to the 245/75/16s the center of gravity was really high, and made it a bit more challenging to do normal driving, especially highway. I know other guys that run them and have never complained, but my wife could not keep it in the road the first time she drove it with the 245/75/16s. I then put the M/Ts on with a second set of wheels and ran them a while. Used tires with some chunks missing here and there, but not bad. When I went back to the 245/75s I added wheel spaceres to give me a little wider stance to help in handling. I like it much better with the spacers from Wheel Adapters, Wheel Spacers, Hub Centric Rings | Motorsport Tech. I think mine were 30mm (1 1/4") thick. Honestly I believe I would like the 265 as it fills the wheel well, the size does give me a stable ride without wheel spacers that the 245/75 did not do, but I think I would prefer the A/T tire over the M/T for my use in the 265. I wanted to be an off-road guy, so I had to try the bigger M/Ts LOL! Gas mileage took a hit with the larger tire, but some of that may be the more aggressive tread of the M/T as well. At least now I do not envy all those guys with larger tires, I am good with the 245/75/16s. Not quite as much clearance, but almost. If you do not have the CDL, after the front drive shaft and diff guards, that would be the next upgrade in my opinion for any one wanting to get their D2 ready to start some moderate off-roading.