32's vs Skinny 33's

[B-Dog15]

As the title implies I am wanting to eventually upgrade to some bigger tires on my '25 Base. Originally, I wanted to go 33's (285/75r16) but learned that the base rims are a little too narrow to hold the 285's. Although I have seen folks run that and haven't seen any reported issues... After doing some digging I saw skinny 33's (255/85r16) and since they are the same width should fit the base rims. Right now I'm leaning towards the 32's since this is my daily and I only do minor off-roading trails however the skinny 33's look really cool and fill the wheel well up nicely.

For those that have run skinny 33's, how do you like them as far as daily driving? Also what is your personal favorite skinny 33? I see Wildpeak A/T4 have great reviews but they are pretty heavy. What is the hit to gas mileage like? Pictures would be nice as well if you have them!

P.S I tied to find other threads on skinny 33's but couldn't find answers to my questions...

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[Techun]

I vote skinny 33s

 

[Straightbase]

As the title implies I am wanting to eventually upgrade to some bigger tires on my '25 Base. Originally, I wanted to go 33's (285/75r16) but learned that the base rims are a little too narrow to hold the 285's. Although I have seen folks run that and haven't seen any reported issues... After doing some digging I saw skinny 33's (255/85r16) and since they are the same width should fit the base rims. Right now I'm leaning towards the 32's since this is my daily and I only do minor off-roading trails however the skinny 33's look really cool and fill the wheel well up nicely.

For those that have run skinny 33's, how do you like them as far as daily driving? Also what is your personal favorite skinny 33? I see Wildpeak A/T4 have great reviews but they are pretty heavy. What is the hit to gas mileage like? Pictures would be nice as well if you have them!

P.S I tied to find other threads on skinny 33's but couldn't find answers to my questions...

I made the switch to 33,s on my 22 base with no other mods. I think they look great and drive just as well.

 

[GPPBronco]

I installed a set of Falken Wildpeak MT’s (255/85r16) on my 2 door base when it was delivered.

Those tires were relatively quiet for a MT tread, and reviews on various forums suggested that they were more well-mannered and better in snow/ice than other MT tires. An ill-advised (but fun!) trip from Detroit to Marquette, MI during a winter storm gave me a lot of confidence in the Falken MTs.

In the time they were on my Bronco, I drove through all sorts of off road terrain and also took multiple road trips, as far as Detroit to Seattle and back. I’m not a stickler for MPG, but I think I hovered just over 20 MPG for most of the time I was on that set of tires.

After rotating the tires at ~35,000 miles, they got a little noisy. I had been regimented about rotating with every oil change up until that point. At the same time, my steel wheels were beginning to show signs of rust in the seams (road salt is crazy up here) and so it felt like the time to make a change.

I bought a set of Black Diamond takeoff alloy wheels with the stock 265/70r17 General Grabbers. These were nice tires but I will definitely say there is a noticeable aesthetic difference between a 32” and 33” tire.

I decided to switch the 32” Generals to my wife’s 4Runner and installed a set of BFG KO3 (285/70r17). These aren’t my first KOs, as I had a set of KO2 on a TJ Wrangler a few years back. They’re great tires. Quieter than the Falken MT, but they still have performed well (sand dunes, mud, winter) off road. On road, the wind noise is louder than the tires (currently at ~10,000 miles and two rotations).

I’m happy with my current setup. But when I need new tires again, I’ll take a close look at going back to a set of base steelies with some of the Falken AT4W (255/85r16). You really can’t beat the look of the silver steelies with an aggressive AT tread.

If you’re considering a set of 285/75r16 on your steelies, many here have had good luck. Even though that tire size is technically a little too narrow for those wheels. I wouldn’t sweat that.

 

[B-Dog15]

Thank you guys for the info/ feedback! Very helpful and love seeing pics of your guys rigs.

 

[dgorsett]

I installed a set of Falken Wildpeak MT’s (255/85r16) on my 2 door base when it was delivered.

Those tires were relatively quiet for a MT tread, and reviews on various forums suggested that they were more well-mannered and better in snow/ice than other MT tires. An ill-advised (but fun!) trip from Detroit to Marquette, MI during a winter storm gave me a lot of confidence in the Falken MTs.

In the time they were on my Bronco, I drove through all sorts of off road terrain and also took multiple road trips, as far as Detroit to Seattle and back. I’m not a stickler for MPG, but I think I hovered just over 20 MPG for most of the time I was on that set of tires.

After rotating the tires at ~35,000 miles, they got a little noisy. I had been regimented about rotating with every oil change up until that point. At the same time, my steel wheels were beginning to show signs of rust in the seams (road salt is crazy up here) and so it felt like the time to make a change.

I bought a set of Black Diamond takeoff alloy wheels with the stock 265/70r17 General Grabbers. These were nice tires but I will definitely say there is a noticeable aesthetic difference between a 32” and 33” tire. I decided to switch the 32” Generals to my wife’s 4Runner and installed a set of BFG KO3 (285/70r17). These aren’t my fist KOs, as I had some KO2 on a TJ Wrangler a few years back. They’re

I decided to switch the 32” Generals to my wife’s 4Runner and installed a set of BFG KO3 (285/70r17). These aren’t my fist KOs, as I had a set of KO2 on a TJ Wrangler a few years back. They’re great tires. Quieter than the Falken MT, but they still have performed well (sand dunes, mud, winter) off road. On road, the wind noise is louder than the tires (currently at ~10,000 miles and two rotations).

I’m happy with my current setup. But when I need new tires again, I’ll take a close look at going back to a set of base steelies with some of the Falken AT4W (255/75r16). You really can’t beat the look of the silver steelies with an aggressive AT tread.

If you’re considering a set of 285/75r16 on your steelies, many here have had good luck. Even though the wheels are technically a little too narrow for those wheels. I wouldn’t sweat that.

This all sounds like good advice, @GPPBronco has 'been there, done that'. Just a note to GPP: I like the non Sas BD alum wheels best of all Bronco wheels, the 285s look great but so would 255/80s.

I have 265/70x17 Falken Rubritek on my BB and like them, but they are under 32", so next time it will be 255/80 x17 Falken AT4s, unless Falken comes out with a 265/75 or 80 x17.

To the OP, 265/75x16 is a great size if you want upgraded appearance and performance without overdoing things. It's a very available size from every manufacturer, in any style

 

[B-Dog15]

Well crazy turn of events I won the SimpleTire giveaway on here! I played it safe and went with 265/75r16 Firestone Destination X/T. They look aggressive, have good reviews, and are relatively light. Super excited and will post pics as soon as I get them installed.

 

[Snacktime]

I run 285/70 R17 off brand Fortune R/T tires($850 for 5) on the commuter jeep. Common size, aggressive tread and quiet which is odd for a cheap tire. I just couldn't justify the extra money for the 255 tire, I had to put the money towards new wheels!

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