Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hey all,

Just a quick one. Could prolly be in general but it relates to me GU so I posted it here.

Just wanted peoples oppinions on wether or not it is worth going 305/70/16's over just 285/70/16's

I know they are wider but I am not convinced this is a good thing in my case.
They are the same height aren't they???

They would just be on the factory Nissan alloys for now. Oh and am pretty well sold on either ATZ's or FC-2's

Bring on ya oppinions and justifications

you could check the measured size I think the 285 should be 32.8" n 305 should be bout 33.4" not sure tho, I'd go for 305 as the width is better for grip in the wet, Doesnt rain here often I know, I struggle to keep the ute straight n hill starts are usually a 3rd gear thing with the locker in

the 305x70s should be wider and higher than 285x70 as the first number refers to the width and the second number refers to a percentage of the width as a hight. if that makes sense

id go 305's

[I'd go for 305 as the width is better for grip in the wet,]

i would think the wider the tyre the more chance you have of aquaplaning as there is less weight on the surface of the tyre tread[/quote]

more stability with the 305

BIG MACK wrote:the 305x70s should be wider and higher than 285x70 as the first number refers to the width and the second number refers to a percentage of the width as a hight. if that makes sense

Pretty sure the 285 is supposed to read 285/75R16. BFG used to have them listed as 33" exact.

As for wider tyres for more grip in the wet etc. Some times ground pressure is better than flotation. I used to find with my old swb it wouldn't put enough ground pressure down cos of the wide tyre.

No real difference in performance that I noticed. I ran 285s on standard rims for about 4 years on mine (with OME 2" lift) without any problems (except light rubbing at full flex).

Kaymar make a bracket (available from ARB) that spaces the wheel carrier out and lifts it up. Suitable for tyres up to 315/75/16.
For 285s just put a 10mm metal packer between the carrier and the spare wheel.
For 305s I made a 30mm square tube frame to go between the door and the spare carrier. You will need to buy longer bolts too.


Rubbing


Flexing 285s


I have had 305/70/16s on zero offset ROH alloys for about 2 years now, also with only light rubbing.

305s




Flexing 305s



I tried 315/75/16s but it messed the gearing too much and I didnt really need tyres that tall (but they did look cool).

35s

also much less selection of tires in 305's... specially if you travel

only time tyres will aquaplane is if the water is trapped between the tread face n road, F1 cars still run big rear tyres in the wet n they weigh stuff all

bogged wrote:also much less selection of tires in 305's... specially if you travel

Carry 2 spares like I do. If you still need to buy an extra a second hand 285/75 will get you home.
Still a valid point worth considering Brucie

sorry for hijacking thread but it is a topic that will be affecting me in a month or so. i currently have 285 cooper st's on my GU (i think thay are factory rims). i was thinking of putting 305's on.

the guy from tyre shop said he wouldn't go bigger that the 285's. Not sure why. Will the 305's fit on standard rims?

any opinions?

you can easily run 305 on gu 16x8 rims, some tyre shops dont know enough about 4x4 tyres they relate all tyre to rim info off passenger cars. you can run up to a 325 or 13.5" on an 8" rim, had my 37" x 12.5 mtr's on 10" rims n they didnt work at all, felt good on road though but off road were to stiff in side walls, put them on 8"rims n they worked a whole lot better off road n still good on road

Thanks for the replies people.

Well this arvo I went and got me a set of 305/70/16 Dick Cepek FC-2's

I measured em on the car and they measure only 32" but ya get that. They look heaps better than the duellers but!!!

They seem like a good tyre on the road. It feels like the car actually turns into corners better than with the factory duellers. Prolly the extra width. Certanly not loud at this stage. Heaps of tread. Will get pics soon enough but they look almost identical to AJ's but I seem to have a bit more lift and I got em on the factory alloys.

I am yet to check the speedo but it doesn't seem to have really affected it too much. Slightly more loud pedal needed off the mark but fuck all. I think I would have loved the look of 35's but the draw backs would have sucked on road.
JMO

BTW I am just another member of Ryano's from Fourbies fan club. Top bloke and best prices. Ring him for ya Tyres.

fatassgq wrote:BTW I am just another member of Ryano's from Fourbies fan club. Top bloke and best prices. Ring him for ya Tyres.

Or if you're in SA see Darren at Total Traction Tyres at Lonsdale. He's my bro-in-law.

Hey there AJ how do you find the FC-2's???

fatassgq wrote:Hey there AJ how do you find the FC-2's???

Good onroad and touring offroad. Not great in mud but better than ATs. Wear seems OK so far but with lots of chipping and tearing of the side lugs.

Sounds ok.
Mine wont be getting abused too much really. Mainly road and beach and some park work etc I presume.

If I ever pay off some of the bills I have at the moment I reckon I would get a set of offroad only tyres aswell as these as road tyres.

are these 305s legal in sa.

numbnuts wrote:are these 305s legal in sa.

Yes, with the right rims (zero offset)
Any contact between tyres and body is a no-no. Lower the rear bumpstops if you dont want to change rims. SA rules allow a max increase of 50mm in tyre diameter.