Hilux tyre size choices

User00003

Well-Known Member
Gents,

having recently changed from pajero to hilux (2013), which came with the classic marie biscuit 205/80r16 steel rims and tyres (Falken Wildpeak),,the tyres are brand new so I'm going to wear them out...in fact, the car drives really well on these dinky little wheels handles well offroad...However!...it travels around 10% below the speedo, so isn't actually geared for them I reckon. Therefore, and also in order to give it a bit more footprint, once worn out, I look to replace with slightly bigger tyres.

I actually am a believer in skinny tyres, I think they handle better in 9/10 circumstances, so I plan to use the existing 6" rims with skinny tyres..

Which have you used and recommend and why?

225/75R16's - will match existing gearing
235/70R16's - adds around 3% to the gearing
235/85R16's - adds 9% to the gearing and will match up with the speedo

Tyres will be either BFG or GT X3's.
 
I changed to Cooper ST MAXX in 225/75/16. No complaints.
I did try some 17" wheels, with I think 265/60/17 (?) but they felt sluggish to me so I changed back to the Coopers.
 
thanks,

deffo sticking with 16" and the factory rims as they're just fine for the tyre widths I'm after.

keep 'em coming..
 
OEM on my 2013 Invincible were 265/65 R17 and I've just replaced ATs with AT3s after 30k miles.

Stonking tyre, so no reason why they won't be as good in 235/85 R16
 
Gents,

having recently changed from pajero to hilux (2013), which came with the classic marie biscuit 205/80r16 steel rims and tyres (Falken Wildpeak),,the tyres are brand new so I'm going to wear them out...in fact, the car drives really well on these dinky little wheels handles well offroad...However!...it travels around 10% below the speedo, so isn't actually geared for them I reckon. Therefore, and also in order to give it a bit more footprint, once worn out, I look to replace with slightly bigger tyres.

I actually am a believer in skinny tyres, I think they handle better in 9/10 circumstances, so I plan to use the existing 6" rims with skinny tyres..

Which have you used and recommend and why?

225/75R16's - will match existing gearing
235/70R16's - adds around 3% to the gearing
235/85R16's - adds 9% to the gearing and will match up with the speedo

Tyres will be either BFG or GT X3's.

I’m always happy that my truck “drives 10% ish”below the speedo.

1. I drive to the speedo and don’t speed.

2. When I find myself following the herd I back off “eventually” because my speedo looks too high

3. I’m to fat to wear budgie smugglers so the importance of being “in” with the Speedo is long gone.

Stan
 
225/75/16 are a good tyre and there is loads of choice knocking about and tend to be reasonable prices because they are common
 
I'm with you on thinner tyres, used to run 750's on landrovers narrow profile so cut in but a bit more height to get the diff up. I'm sure someone can correct me but the nearest to a 750R16 is a 235/85R16 in new money...

At present I've a hilux on 17inch wheels and run BF Goodrich AT2's and they have worn very very well with excellent road manners (for a proper AT) I've run Cooper Discoverer STT's and General Grabbers on previous vehicles along with BF Goodrich in AT's & MT's and my go to tyre for all round wear, MPG, traction is a BF Goodrich AT...

So to answer your question id go BF Goodrich AT2's in 235/85R16...
 
I have the opposite problem my older hilux has 255/70/r15 and I carnt find a decent set of mud terrain tyres anywhere
 
I swapped the wheels and tyres on my 62 plate to 31.5x10.5x15 on alloys with BFG mud.
They were at the limit as to what will fit under the arches without catching. They gave an inch under the axel and they brought the speedo dead on. Fuel consumption fell by 2 mpg's they were noisy but pretty much unstoppable on mud. They were like banby on ice on compacted snow and ice.
 
Depends what your doing i suppose, if your in very hilly country or do a lot of towing i would question the wisdom of going up tyre sizes that would raise your gearing too much ,having worn that t shirt many times i can tell you an overgeared machine is a pita ,as you just end up stuck in 4th or 5th never really getting the full use of your gearbox with the resultant fuel use
 
FYI using tyres that are not within the manufacturers recommended tolerance can affect your insurance cover in the event of an incident whether they were a cause or nothing to do with it.
Anything that is non standard can cause you issues ..... i even told them I had fitted parking sensors on one car. Change the wheels.... tyres... sizes... ratings etc gives them a get out opportunity if you are involved in a situation.
CYA is a good principle to adopt with insurance companies nowadays.
 
FYI using tyres that are not within the manufacturers recommended tolerance can affect your insurance cover in the event of an incident whether they were a cause or nothing to do with it.
Anything that is non standard can cause you issues ..... i even told them I had fitted parking sensors on one car. Change the wheels.... tyres... sizes... ratings etc gives them a get out opportunity if you are involved in a situation.
CYA is a good principle to adopt with insurance companies nowadays.
Good point but to be honest, I’m too old to give a f*ck these days ;-) and you’d probably find 90% of 4x4’s wouldn’t have valid insurance!! Lol :-)
 
I have the opposite problem my older hilux has 255/70/r15 and I carnt find a decent set of mud terrain tyres anywhere
What oowee says below.
I have the same hilux wheels as you it had 255/70/r15 on originally when I got it.
I too swapped to BFG mud terrain in the American size 31x10.5 R15. Readily available in the UK. Perfect fit no catching
 
What oowee says below.
I have the same hilux wheels as you it had 255/70/r15 on originally when I got it.
I too swapped to BFG mud terrain in the American size 31x10.5 R15. Readily available in the UK. Perfect fit no catching


Ran the 31x10.5r15 on the old pajero and it became a slug.

I reckon they’d strip 20% off the power of a hilux unless it was a 3L

My 2.5L won’t like anything much bigger than 235’s and I reckon even that will be felt
 
Yep. If i did it again I would try to retain the original gearing as far as poss. On my Navara np 300 (carp by the way) I have put cooper a/t's on it. They are pretty good all round but I miss the ground clearance of the lux. Looking to swap to a Ranger. I would like another Lux but they are expensive compared to the Ranger when looking at the Eco 6. I defo need reversing sensors and decent reversing lighting lol.
 
Ran the 31x10.5r15 on the old pajero and it became a slug.

I reckon they’d strip 20% off the power of a hilux unless it was a 3L

My 2.5L won’t like anything much bigger than 235’s and I reckon even that will be felt
Aye mines a 2.5 and a real slug. In fact on a serious note slug is actually my pet name for it.

It's only used for shooting though. And it gets me that little bit nearer to a red on the ground, and that's what's important!

Interesting what you say though about power. I never new that. I just put it down to being an old motor (55 plate)
 
Aye mines a 2.5 and a real slug. In fact on a serious note slug is actually my pet name for it.

It's only used for shooting though. And it gets me that little bit nearer to a red on the ground, and that's what's important!

Interesting what you say though about power. I never new that. I just put it down to being an old motor (55 plate)
If you stripped any bull bars, side rails, tie brackets and heavy metal stuff and fitted 225 or 235’s, I bet you’d be surprised by the new life it gets!
 
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