Tyre swap.... (255/85r16)

[SJC]

Two of my tyres was quite badly worn, so needed to replace them. (stuffed them up when towing the patrol bakkie on a-frame to pretoria...long story )

Due to avaibillity issues with 255/85r16, especially on the second hand/used tyre market, decided to try 285/75r16.
Found a set of KM2's for R5k
They have worked, got some chips, minor cuts, two plugs between the four tyres. But If I can get 20k km out of them I am happy...

Fitted these on the 6.5j patrol bakkie rims,. Due to the offset, used 30mm spacers to keep them from rubbing when at flex.
(Not the greatest quality photos, have not had time to wash the car yet...)

[SJC]

Observation so far wrt to going from 255/85r16 to 285/75r16:
1. vehicle feels slighltly more sluggish
2. have not measured fuel consumption yet, hope there will not be too much of a big difference.
3. I still believe a thinner tyre is a better option for an all round 4x4 tyre. ( i see the nissan red lined rally team use 235/85r16's on their Navaras (even for dune driving)... )
4. 285's definitely looks the part, especially on a lifted GU. On a patrol without wheel flares, patrol pickup or even a gq I don think it will make much difference in the looks department...

[Kiri]

Few years back I went from 305/70R16 to 255/85R16 on a 105 Cruiser, different brand tyres but both 33" MT's.
For me the 255's were better in all driving