255/80/17 Nitto Recon Grapplers on a lifted TRD Sport w/ Stock Wheels

[ct__tacoma]

Title says it all.

Just had the tires mounted today, and I am SO stoked to finally be on some pizza cutters. Thought I would use this thread as a photo dump of the setup for anyone doing visual research, and also to document my experience with these tires and the 255/80 size in general (compared with my previous stock setup 265/65/17).

A few notes:

To ensure ease of fitment (as recommended by fellow forum members), I removed my wheel spacers, so these tires are at a +30mm offset.

My lift is about 2.25” front and 3” rear.

Today, the truck felt planted yet agile on winding/rolling roads. Highway it tracked straight. Speedo 3-4 mph slower than GPS. Takeoff from 1st gear (MT) felt no different than my last tires, but I found that starting in second (especially up an incline) is not as strong. Otherwise, I didn’t notice much of a change power and shifting.

No rubbing as of yet, even on plastic.

Photo dump (for reasearch…) and because I think they look rad on this truck .

 

[ct__tacoma]

Update. Couple weeks and a thousand miles in, loving the tires and ride.

A couple expectations and realities:

E1-Ride would be much harsher on E rated tires.
R1-No noticeable difference, but my underloaded leaf packs ride a bit harsh at baseline so I’m used to that.

E2-I would need to do minor plastic trimming.
R2-Zero rubbing on wheelwell, body mount, or suspension components. I did catch the little vertical lip of the stock skid plate while at full lock making a K turn, but after bending it back in place and curling the top edge in ever so slightly, haven’t hit it again.

E3-MPG would suffer.
R3-I have notes about 2-3 mpg loss, but that is based on the on board computations. I haven’t done my own yet. Seems more of a mal effect with city driving if I run the eco app.

E4-power loss would occur.
R4-I find that I am staying in each gear slightly longer, and am using 6th less on the highway. I can do 70 in 5th at 2300 RPM, and my MPG seems to do best there. Takeoff in first feels the same, but I feel the truck lag if I shift to second too soon. I think it’s just a learning curve at this point.

In sum, there haven’t been any bad surprises, and if anything I’m quite pleased with the overall results so far. I can see how a tune or regear might be more worthwhile on an AT, for the reasons mentioned above, but even then, I suppose it depends on your driving style and use.

Will keep the post updated as more insights come along.

Happy driving!

Joel

 

[dsrtrcr]

Truck looks great. I'm planning on going to that size next. Except on a 16 inch wheel.

 

[ct__tacoma]

Truck looks great. I'm planning on going to that size next. Except on a 16 inch wheel.

Thanks! Cool—I like the look of the 255/85, the smaller wheel on the OR makes it look even beefier.

 

[StormRnr]

Nice. They just started offering that size in the Recons. I have som on order.

Regarding the mileage: Get the speedometer calibrator. It's the only way to get accuracy. I felt like the truck made better shifting decisions when I did this as well.

-M

 

[ct__tacoma]

Nice. They just started offering that size in the Recons. I have som on order.

Regarding the mileage: Get the speedometer calibrator. It's the only way to get accuracy. I felt like the truck made better shifting decisions when I did this as well.

-M

Good to know, thanks Mike. Do you recommend buying/borrowing the harness to recalibrate, or just having the dealership do it?

(Un)Fortunately, my truck has no say when it comes to shift decisions—it’s all up to this granny shifter

 

[StormRnr]

I bought the calibrator. Probably cheaper. Fairly easy as well.

-M

 

[itsthex]

Title says it all.

Just had the tires mounted today, and I am SO stoked to finally be on some pizza cutters. Thought I would use this thread as a photo dump of the setup for anyone doing visual research, and also to document my experience with these tires and the 255/80 size in general (compared with my previous stock setup 265/65/17).

A few notes:

To ensure ease of fitment (as recommended by fellow forum members), I removed my wheel spacers, so these tires are at a +30mm offset.

My lift is about 2.25” front and 3” rear.

Today, the truck felt planted yet agile on winding/rolling roads. Highway it tracked straight. Speedo 3-4 mph slower than GPS. Takeoff from 1st gear (MT) felt no different than my last tires, but I found that starting in second (especially up an incline) is not as strong. Otherwise, I didn’t notice much of a change power and shifting.

No rubbing as of yet, even on plastic.

Photo dump (for reasearch…) and because I think they look rad on this truck .


View attachment 55973View attachment 55974View attachment 55975View attachment 55976View attachment 55977View attachment 55978View attachment 55979View attachment 55981View attachment 55980

Looks amazing! Pizza cutters are the way to go for sure. Currently running 255/85r16.

From my experience (and expiriments) - It's safe to say you can go up to 0mm offset on a 7 inch wide wheel with this tire size with minimal issue. My only problem was slight rubbing on the innermost edge of the rear overfender plastic inside the wheel well and *barely noticeable* cab mount contact on one side on the rare occasion, flexed or not. You can push the caster forward a slight bit and fix this issue no problem, but might have to do a tiny tiny amount of front fender liner heat molding. This is only if you're running one of the "Taller" variants which depends on whatever tire brand you buy. I believe the Yokohama G003 that I have is the tallest, but i've heard mixed results.

With that said, the 255/80r17 is technically a shorter tire than the 255/85r16 just going on base calculations of wheel and tire height measurements as stated. A 255/80r17 measures up to 33.06" and the 255/85r16 measures up to 33.06" also, so your results would be the same.


The reason I'm writing this is because you could also have great results and a little wider stance if you threw those spacers back on so long as they are 30mm or less!

 

[ct__tacoma]

Looks amazing! Pizza cutters are the way to go for sure. Currently running 255/85r16.

From my experience (and expiriments) - It's safe to say you can go up to 0mm offset on a 7 inch wide wheel with this tire size with minimal issue. My only problem was slight rubbing on the innermost edge of the rear overfender plastic inside the wheel well and *barely noticeable* cab mount contact on one side on the rare occasion, flexed or not. You can push the caster forward a slight bit and fix this issue no problem, but might have to do a tiny tiny amount of front fender liner heat molding. This is only if you're running one of the "Taller" variants which depends on whatever tire brand you buy. I believe the Yokohama G003 that I have is the tallest, but i've heard mixed results.

With that said, the 255/80r17 is technically a shorter tire than the 255/85r16 just going on base calculations of wheel and tire height measurements as stated. A 255/80r17 measures up to 33.06" and the 255/85r16 measures up to 33.06" also, so your results would be the same.


The reason I'm writing this is because you could also have great results and a little wider stance if you threw those spacers back on so long as they are 30mm or less!

Sweet, thanks for the info and recommendations! I still have my spacers, and may give them another go when I have time to mount them, test drive, and deal with any trimming.

For now, I’m enjoying the look and ride with the tall boys.

Btw I’ve def seen photos of your truck before, your wheel and tire combo is rad!

 

[itsthex]

Sweet, thanks for the info and recommendations! I still have my spacers, and may give them another go when I have time to mount them, test drive, and deal with any trimming.

For now, I’m enjoying the look and ride with the tall boys.

Btw I’ve def seen photos of your truck before, your wheel and tire combo is rad!

Thanks man! Much appreciated.

 

[ggglove1357]

This is exactly what I am looking to do with my 2018 TRD Sport! What lift are you running? Looks fantastic and super functional.

 

[ct__tacoma]

This is exactly what I am looking to do with my 2018 TRD Sport! What lift are you running? Looks fantastic and super functional.

Thanks! I installed elka IFS 2.0 coilovers/rear struts, and dobinsons mid range pack (L59-111-R) in the back. Initially it was about 2.5” in front and 3” unloaded in rear (these leaf packs are rated for 2.25” when loaded).

Now after everything has settled, it’s closer to 2 in front and 2.5 in rear.