Need input on tire size...

[ArkansasMystic]

Wow, I'm beginning to wonder if I just need my own section, not many other people posting here. Oh well, here we go. I'm gonna get new tires before the end of the month, and I'm torn between two sizes. I know what I want, but I kinda feel they look "too" big. I'm debating 255/75/17 and 265/70/17's, same tire. The 255/75 will fit, but snugly. These will not impact my gas mileage, where the 265/70 will probably drop me .5-1 mpg. That combined with increased clearance has me leaning towards the 255/75. Do you guys think the 255/75's look too big? The 4runner with 255/75's is lifted 1.5" in the front (same as mine will be), where the one with 265/70's is at stock height (just something to consider). I know this isn't quite the area targeted on this board, but maybe you guys can tell me what looks good and what doesn't. Thanks for any input.
255/75/17's:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/beatty_preston/4runner/Tire%20Sizes/GYSAs1-1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/beatty_preston/4runner/Tire%20Sizes/GYSAs3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/beatty_preston/4runner/Tire%20Sizes/GYSAs2.jpg

And 265/70/17's:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/beatty_preston/4runner/Tire%20Sizes/IMG_0728.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/beatty_preston/4runner/Tire%20Sizes/IMG_0720.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/beatty_preston/4runner/Tire%20Sizes/IMG_0719.jpg

[08MustangGT/CS]

Well sir, I like a big foot print no matter my vehicle. I think the bigger the better, be it a truck/suv/or car. I say go big!

[Str33tr]

can't say that I really have an opinion on the tires, but I'd vote for us renaming the "other" section "Preston's Toyota".

[Str33tr]

p.s. what's up w/ the road cones?

[ArkansasMystic]

I may be overthinking the tire setup, but if I'm gonna be riding on them for 4 years I want the right ones. As for the road cones, not real sure. The guy has several more before/after pics, and I guess they are just used to compare height between the stock 265/65 tires and the 265/70's. Also, the 265/70 is wider, but the 255/75 is taller. Not sure which I'd rather have. Here are the actual measurements, cause the metric sizes don't mean anything to me (height x width):
265/65/17 = 30.56 x 10.43 (stock)
265/70/17 = 31.60 x 10.43
255/75/17 = 32.05 x 10.03
Thanks guys!

[08MustangGT/CS]

Go wider! I love a big footprint. Taller tires are cool on trucks and suv's. So, either way it will look good.

[ArkansasMystic]

Looking at the very first pic, it just seems the tire is WAY to close to the body. My current tires aren't "wide", so I don't want to go narrower, but .4" really isn't gonna be too noticeable. Biggest factor at play right now is the 255/75/17 is $100 more for the set, but I *could* gain that back because I won't be taking a hit on gas mileage.

[bigsweezey]

I like the second picture better. And if you choose a better looking tire it'll look good.
The 75's just look like your riding around on black balloons. Maybe it's just the tire type that's throwing me off tho.
Also, I dunno how much it'll affect things, but a bigger tire can throw your speedo off. There are calc on the net that will compare and tell you exactly tho. So even if you go with the bigger tires you can guess about how much you'll be off.

[ArkansasMystic]

Yea, I'm aware on the speedometer difference. At most it'll be 4%, which won't be bad. The tires I'm getting are Hankook DynaPro ATM's, pics don't quite do them justice.
http://www.discounttire.com/infohankookdynaproatm/hankookdynaproatm.html
They'll look a little better. I see you're point on the first pics, and almost have to agree. Just looks like too much sidewall. The 265/70's are actually $100 less for the set, which is also appealing. While I'm not gonna base a decision on that $100, it doesn't hurt anything.

[bigsweezey]

If you go with the white lettering they probably will look a bit better(can't believe I'm saying that cause I can't stand white lettering. lol). With the lettering it's gonna break up the side wall some. And that's a good looking tire too.
If you think the bigger tires would be more functional, and worth the extra $$$ I'd probably say go with them.
On a side note, and I'm going of the cuff with the stats here. 1mpgx15 gallon tank= 15 miles. If you get 18mpg then that would be an extra gallon and some everytime you fill up.
So say you fill up 2 times a week. That'd be atleast 5.00 bucks. That's 260 bucks a year. So in 2 years the extra cost would have paid for itself plus some. I do that right?

[08MustangGT/CS]

Looking at the very first pic, it just seems the tire is WAY to close to the body. My current tires aren't "wide", so I don't want to go narrower, but .4" really isn't gonna be too noticeable. Biggest factor at play right now is the 255/75/17 is $100 more for the set, but I *could* gain that back because I won't be taking a hit on gas mileage.

Yeah, you don't want them to rub when you turn. So, I understand that one.

[ArkansasMystic]

Yep, you did the math right, it'd take a while, but the extra cost of the 255/75 would be made up in gas savings. The 265/70 had white lettering, whereas the 255/75 has black lettering (both sides of the tire). I wanted white lettering out, but that's not an option with the 255/75. I've spoken more with the guy who owns the red 4runner (over the web, I've not seen it in person). He promises there is clearance and absolutely loves the size.

[ArkansasMystic]

I've placed an order for the tires, will have them installed next Monday. I ended up deciding on the 255/75's. I like the fact they won't hurt gas mileage. They ended up being $125 more, but should be worth it after about a year of driving. I also decided to get five, and I'm gonna rotate the spare with the other tires (all 5 rims are identical). IF something happens and I'm not happy, I can exchange them. They will clear, and I don't do much off road driving, so clearance should be fine. Thanks guys!

PS: I'll post a pic or two in this thread once done, don't wanna clutter this section more than I already have.

[ArkansasMystic]

As promised, here we go. I installed a 1.5 lift for the front (new springs combined with a spacer on top of the strut assembly) and the 255/75/17 Hankooks. I love it, rides better than stock (new springs helped a lot), and it's nice and level. The front is raised 3" higher than stock after the tires, huge difference.
Before:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/beatty_preston/4runner/Lift/Before%20Pics/BeforePics4.jpg

After:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/beatty_preston/4runner/Lift/After%20Lift%20And%20Tires/AfterLiftTires9.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/beatty_preston/4runner/Lift/After%20Lift%20And%20Tires/AfterLiftTires8.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/beatty_preston/4runner/Lift/After%20Lift%20And%20Tires/AfterLiftTires1.jpg