What size tyres should I fit?

[Dawid]

I currently have 245/70/15 tyres fitted to the 3.0D Hilux ('96 model) and my front tyres are close to becoming illegal. The rear are still at 90%. I bought the vehicle with the front tyres a bit tired. With the tyres being Conticracks, I was thinking of upgrading to a better brand and maybe even go M/T. My problem is, should I stay with 30" and buy 4 (using the 2 good tyres as spares) or go one size up and having to buy 5 tyres.

With the Hilux being a donkey already, I'm sceptical to go a size up. I think it might affect the performance on the highway but with a bit more offroad abillity. Alternatively I can stay with the 30", save some money, don't sacrifice performance and consumption and stay with similar offroad capabillities. (it should improve a bit with decent tyres like BFG M/T). Maybe I should stick with A/T tyres?

[Harold]

I'd sat stay with what you got.

[Family_Dog]

I agree with Harold. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.


-F_D

[Cookie Monster]

I would also stick with the 30's

[Niel]

I agree with Harold and FD :D

[iHilux]

This is an easy one.

The Hilux can quite easiy handle the 31"!
The 30" would bet better suited though!

Only one question to ask.

Do you want it to be more offraod biased, or onroad biased?

Offroad - 31"
Onroad - 30", or even 235x75x15"

[DOELLOOS]

Hi Dawid,

I would suggest BF Goodrich 33" All Terrains. The grip is phenomenal, and makes the Hilux look like a hero. There are however a couple of things to consider when doing this.

Firstly you will have to get the body lifted. I suggest a 50mm lift. OME suspension would also make a big difference with clearances.

After doing this the loss in power is quite noticable, and you will have to think of an engine conversion. Most people will go for something like a Lexus V8, or a Toyota 7M 3.0i 24 valve twincam engine. Personally I suggest the 7M engine.

Or, stick with 30" tyres....

hehehe

[Harold]

If you are going to opt for bigger tyres, upgraded suspension, engine modification - it would probably be cheaper to sell your Hilux and buy a Unimog.

[windy67]

If you are going to opt for bigger tyres, upgraded suspension, engine modification - it would probably be cheaper to sell your Hilux and buy a Unimog.

Well said Harold. You forgot to mention that you've been there, done that and got the T-shirt but the Unimog is gone and the Hilux is still there.

[Dawid]

Thanks for the convincing replies. I suppose I need the vehicle more road biased than off road. I'll stick to the 245/30" then. Would still prefer to go the MT route though and keep it capable when getting dirty.

[Niel]

Would still prefer to go the MT route though and keep it capable when getting dirty

Dawid, I am no expert but one thing that I would like to mention is that going from 30# dulers 694 AT to the 31# Cooper ST's there was a significant increase in road noise from the Coopers with the bigger block pattern and they are not even close to the MT pattern. I am not sure if this is an issue for you. (Steve Fourie suggested that I should rather go for a second set of tyres if I did a lot of road driving - he was kind enough to put his Coopers on my van and do the test myself, fortunately we have the same van and tyres). For what it is worth.

[Dawid]

Got a mail from Maxxis. They are running a special on the Big Horn tyres. Unfortunately it does not include the 30" since they are out of stock. If I sign the purchase order now for delivery in January, the 30" will cost R984 VAT incl with R68/tyre delivery additional.
That totals R4208 excl fitment for 4.

The special does include 31" tyres @ R928 each vat incl +delivery=
R4980 for 5 excl fitment.

BFG MT or AT goes for R1240 each all inclusive =
R4960 for 4

Now the five 31" Maxxis works out close to the same as four 30" BFG's. :roll:
What would you do?

Edit: I can also get four Cooper ST tyres for R1092-00 all incl = R4368-00
The Coopers seems to make the most sense at the moment. The STS tyres are too expensive

[Niel]

ST are good in my opinion and financially it makes a hell of a lot more sence. Is the price for the ST's for 30" or 31" If it for the 31" it is a great price

[Dawid]

The price on the ST is for the 30". I'm not too concerned about the noise factor. I read some good reviews on the ST tyres. The STT seems much better, but at a price. BFG's were my first choice and I might still consider them. Not sure I want to commit myself to the Maxxis 30" which I might only get in January. Then they are more expensive than the 31" as well.

[Niel]

Make sence and the ST are not bad in the wet either, was the determioning factor as I stay in CT

[ToyX4]

Dawid, I have no experience on the other tyres, but I have the Coopers ST's fitted to my van.
I have no complaints on them. Noise is not really that bad. And not too shabby in the wet either.
Buy them, you won't be disappointed

[Niel]

Hay you drive a diesel so nothing is noisy heheheh

[Family_Dog]

Yes, and it never rains here either!


-F_D

[ToyX4]

Niel, my diesel D4D is less noisy than my previous 2.7vvti at high speeds(above 80km/h), believe it or not!

The last few weeks we've actually had rain, including today, F_D

[Niel]

heheh ek wou nou bietjie stir, Fransdw2002 also has a 2.5 and I must say it is not that noisy at all.

[Dawid]

Nadat ek die 5L motor ingesit het, kan ek actually na die radio luister! Maar ja, dit bly 'n diesel! Ek't voorheen 'n Lada gehad met die Russiese knobblies op. Dit was so raserig dat ek dog my diff pak op na 1km. Het dit later gewoond geraak.

[pietpetoors]

Dawid, the 2.7 Hilux is also not extremely powerful. I did not notice a big difference when going from the normal 245/15 to 31" Cooper ST.
The tyres are a little bit noise when driving slow with the window open.
From 100km/h upwards it becomes quieter (or other noises becomes louder) when driving at 120-130km/h with window closed I do not hear the tyres at all. Larger tyres gives a better ride and the off-road ability is better. I have nether felt so save on a gravel road as with the ST Coopers. They stick like grazy on the gravel road.

[Dawid]

I noticed in the brochure for Cooper tyres they recommend 7.5J rims for the 30" tyres and 8.5J for the 31" tyres. I discovered last night that I only have 7J tyres. This might limit me to the 30" tyres anyway. Can one fit 31" on the 7J rims?

[Niel]

Can one fit 31" on the 7J rims?

Yes, fitted and no problems, I think Pieter Pretorius also fitted to a 7j rim.

See here viewtopic.php?f=3&t=460
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=425

[pietpetoors]

Ja, I fitted it to my stock standard Hilux rims