Comparison: 305/70-16 vs. 285/75-16 Tires on 16x8" OEM Toyota Wheels

[bamachem]

305's... ahhhh, my 305's... :D be still my beating heart... :great: :rockon:


where do you want me to start?

1. they're huge. HUGE. noticably larger than the 285's - height and width. they look like they're b/w the 285's and 315's in diameter - i haven't measured, but i would estimate between 33.5" and 34" diameter unloaded. the GY website lists both the 305's and the 285's as 33" diameter, but the 305's are visably bigger - no doubt. HUGE.

2. killer traction. much better than the 285's on the stuff i ran last weekend. call me crazy, but that extra inch in width makes a BIG difference in gripshun.

3. rubbing. before, w/ the 285's, i hadn't done anything to the pinch weld and i rubbed going in and out of my driveway. i put these on and of course, it got worse. at crawfords, i broke out the dremel and cut out the lower plastic and the innermost bottom part of the flare, pounded the pinch weld flat, then covered everything in rubberized undercoating. they still rubbed just a little on the trail (on a 1/4 turn and stuff), but not bad at all. the rear actually rubbed worse on the hex-head bolts holding the rear flares on. to fix that, i'm going to get some flat-head sheet-metal screws to attach the flares and then ditch the hex-heads. on the front, i'll pull the front wheels when i get time and work on the firewall w/ the 5# sledge and then they won't rub at all except on a stuffed full turn on the frame rail. i can live w/ that.

in all- i HIGHLY recommend them over a set of 285's. since i picked these up for $600 and then sold my 285's for $200, i only have $400 in the set - LESS than half price. would i be willing to pay the extra $100 for the 305's over the price of the 285's next time - HELL YEA!

BTW- 305/70-16's are fairly common on Ford Superdutys, so keep your eye out for some used ones if you want to give them a try without sinking $1000 in tires on the first set.

Click the pics for the larger versions...

http://4rnr.net/rides/tellico-05-14-05/images/se4rjii010t.jpg (http://4rnr.net/rides/tellico-05-14-05/images/se4rjii010.jpg) http://4rnr.net/rides/tellico-05-14-05/images/se4rjii006t.jpg (http://4rnr.net/rides/tellico-05-14-05/images/se4rjii006.jpg) http://4rnr.net/rides/tellico-05-14-05/images/se4rjii0021t.jpg (http://4rnr.net/rides/tellico-05-14-05/images/se4rjii0021.jpg)
http://4rnr.net/rides/tellico-05-14-05/images/se4rjii024t.jpg (http://4rnr.net/rides/tellico-05-14-05/images/se4rjii024.jpg) http://4rnr.net/rides/tellico-05-14-05/images/se4rjii027t.jpg (http://4rnr.net/rides/tellico-05-14-05/images/se4rjii027.jpg)

[ADH8796]

Good info I'm looking at going to 305's or 315's and I can't decide.

[bamachem]

Well, I now have 315's, so now you can compare all 3 sizes on the same truck (285's vs 305's vs 315's. :D

LINKY to the 315 MTZ thread (http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=56.0)

[ADH8796]

I have the Tundra/OME lift you created (good job by the way I love it) and I'm thinking of a 1" RB Body lift would this clear 315's with a little trimming? I can clear my 285 with only the Tundra/OME lift with no rubbing at full flex.

[waskillywabbit]

Andy has a 1" body lift IIRC...we have 1" 3rd gen body lifts in stock. :)

Just had to start a "poser" thread didn't you? :flipoff:

:guitar:

[bamachem]

yeah, i have a 1" body lift.

to clear 315's on 16x8's with a 4.5" backspacing, you will need to either trim the upper arms, get some trimmed OEM arms from sonoran steel, or some bling aftermarket arms. then you will need to do some firewall work at the pinch weld. you will still rub on the frame at full steering lock unless you get wheels w/ less baskspacing. however, the less backspacing would cause you to have to do some fairly major surgery to the firewall and fender to keep from rubbing them on a turn.

[ADH8796]

Alright thanks Andy. I'll be thinking about what I want to do.

[neliconcept]

Its odd that some people say 305s are smaller i diameter. As soon as I go see Rob again at Virginia Tech I'll measure his 305s to my 285s. Im sure it depends on the tire.

[emptypockets]

You guys make me jealous! You're talking about 305's and 315's and I'm still stuck with 265's until they're shot! I probably won't go any bigger than 285's anyway though! Your rig looks sick with 305's Andy!

[xcmountain80]

Its odd that some people say 305s are smaller i diameter. As soon as I go see Rob again at Virginia Tech I'll measure his 305s to my 285s. Im sure it depends on the tire.


Yeah you figure my 295 Nitto terra's are almost the same size as my 285 coopers


Aaron

[JWBehm]

And my 285 Mastercrafts are smaller in diameter than my freinds worn 32x11.5r15 BFG Mud Terrains.

Dont buy Mastercraft Courser MT's unless you want a 31.5" tall tire.

[ADH8796]

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q294/aharder_album/MTZ/IM000415.jpg
305 vs 285

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q294/aharder_album/MTZ/IM000421.jpg
And another

[4x4Fink]

Damn you Anthony, damn you...I wish I could have gone with 305's...

Fink

[20005spd]

i was thinking about 305/70's lately. my friend has 3 brand new x terrains in that size he popped one and wants $350 for the 3. first time he took them out he slid going over a log and a branch punctured the tire. is a 16x8 good or what rim size/backspacing do you guys recommend with that tire size? does the upper a arm havta be trimmed?

[ADH8796]

I'm running 16x8 LC wheels and that's probably the most recomend backspacing with that tire. But yeah you will need to trim your upper a arms a little as to not rub at full flex.

[20005spd]

lc wheels have been growing on me lately. im going to havta check how much the toyota/lexus salvage place near me wants for a set.

[ADH8796]

Yeah they are real nice I love mine the LX450 wheels are real nice also. Good luck finding some for a good deal.