Taller 17" All-Terrain Tires for OEM Wheels

[The Dude]

Will a 30.9 fit without rubbing the inner fenders? Anybody know if the plain steels will come in 17's?

 

[AZFox]

Will a 30.9 fit without rubbing the inner fenders?

For the 235/75R17 size it might, because of narrow width. Generally speaking, narrowness permits more height without rubbing.

The Toyo AT3 in the photo is an example.
It fits, but couldn't be wider. If I wanted wider I'd need either a lift or a smaller diameter tire, if that makes sense.

There could be some wishful thinking kicking in.

A specific tire's tread width (as opposed to its sidewall "section width") makes a significant difference. For this reason two tires labeled as the same size, but having different shapes / tread widths, could fit and not fit.

 

[PACMAN]

Excellent choice.

I've decided the 235/75R17 (30.9" x 9.3") seems to be the "Goldilocks" All-Terrain tire size

There's a very good chance that size wouldn't require the Lift Kit.

Appearance-wise it'll fill the fenderwell more than the stock size, which already fills the fenderwell better than most stock pickup tires do.

245/70 is indeed another Goldilocks size, just trading some height (-0.4") for width (+0.3").

I prefer narrow AT tires (pizza cutters!) because they perform better and that's the Absolute Truth. (JK )

FWIW, I have a set of 33"x10" Toyo AT3 tires and they're fantastic.
They're made in one of United States (Georgia). 🇺🇲👍

You make a lot of good points! That 235/75R17 really is a great size, especially if you’re really looking for traction. I’ve had pizza cutters on 4x4s in the past, and I’m a believer 🙂.
Also, I bet you’re right about not needing a lift in that size. The slimmer width will gain you some clearance.
I’m kinda surprised that Slate is using 245/65R17 as the stock size—that’s not a small tire. My Maverick comes with 225/65R17s.
It’s cool that the Toyo’s are made in the US; I didn’t realize that.

 

[PACMAN]

Anybody know if the plain steels will come in 17's?

I’m pretty sure that they will- the ones on the beta models are 17s.

 

[Letas]

Let’s keep this tire thread going. Right now, my number one contender is this Toyota Open Country AT3 in 245/70R17, because it’s quite light, and I think it’ll look plenty big on the tiny little truck. Pic & specs below. I’d probably look for some 8” wide alloy wheels for them. Has anyone else been picking out tires?

I'm a tire noob, so excuse my ignorance. The Slate is a light-duty truck not intended for heavy off-road usage, by nature. Why put a AT3, a pretty hefty off-road tire on it, as opposed to something more highway oriented?

Obviously some people will push it to the limit, but I would think most people are going to be putting nearly all their miles on-road with this, why not tailor tires to that? Just appearnce?

 

[PACMAN]

I'm a tire noob, so excuse my ignorance. The Slate is a light-duty truck not intended for heavy off-road usage, by nature. Why put a AT3, a pretty hefty off-road tire on it, as opposed to something more highway oriented?

Obviously some people will push it to the limit, but I would think most people are going to be putting nearly all their miles on-road with this, why not tailor tires to that? Just appearnce?

For me, it’s mostly appearance. I also like the added traction for rain, snow, wet grass, and forest service roads. One way to help maintain range is to get modest-size, lighter all terrains.

 

[AZFox]

One way to help maintain range is to get modest-size, lighter all terrains.

Without a doubt. This is more of a factor than I would have expected before looking into it.

Having a tire that's close to the weight of the OEM tire also presumably helps the suspension work better because, for example, that's the weight the spring was designed to push back down when a bump pushes the tire up, if that makes sense.

 

[Letas]

For me, it’s mostly appearance. I also like the added traction for rain, snow, wet grass, and forest service roads. One way to help maintain range is to get modest-size, lighter all terrains.

Makes sense. I love me some white lettering KO2s.

I've had my family sedan on 2 tires, bottomed out enough times that I probably don't think enough about tires.

 

[AZFox]

I learned about the virtues of "Pizza Cutter" tires a long time ago, before they were known by that name, from a hunting guide who had a lot of off-road experience. Since then the topic has been discussed ad nauseam online.

My conclusion: Wide tire look better but narrow tire work better, with exceptions that don't apply to a Slate Truck (very deep mud and very soft sand).

Now when I see a truck sporting pizza cutters I get that "if you know you know" feeling.

To accelerate your understanding of the arguments (on both sides) go to YouTube and search for [pizza cutter tires] and read comments below the videos.

Here's a good pseudo-scientific explanation that, just by coincidence, affirms my existing beliefs :

 

[PACMAN]

Hey AZ Fox, it sounds like we’ve had some similar experiences. Most of my offroad “knowledge” comes from elk hunting back when I lived in CO and MT. I also did aome offroading when I lived in Flagstaff for a couple of years. Now, I have a little Kawasaki KLX300SM with knobby tires that’s my go-to offroad machine. I see in your profile you have a Honda NC700X. Do you get that thing off the pavement much? (Off topic, I know.)

 

[PACMAN]

I've had my family sedan on 2 tires, bottomed out enough times that I probably don't think enough about tires.

Experiences like that make for good stories!🙂