I'm Running 215/85r16 PIZZA CUTTERS

I searched forever and could not find a single post on 215/85r16 tires for reference on tacoma world let alone around the web. I figured I'd write this for anyone who ever considers or is curious about this tire size. I decided to pull the trigger on these for a few reasons.

1) I wanted to keep the tires as close to stock diameter as possible. Original tires were 265/70r16. Cooper listed the AT3 in 265/70r16 at 30.39 diameter, while putting the 215/85r16 at 30.31 so not much difference. However they are about 2 inches skinnier! A taller tire to me mean less mpg, less power, more stress on suspension, and a speedometer thats off. 2) Skinny tires perform better when needing traction - snow, rock, dirt roads, gravel, anything thats not DEEP mud or snow or sand. (living in utah, this was a great option for me. I Don't plan on taking this to the dunes or deep mountain snow, and deep mud is almost non-existent.) 3) better gas mileage. Less drag and these are 4 lbs less per tire than the 265/70r16 tires in at3, thats 16 pounds in saved weight. 4) I love the look of pizza cutters!

I could tell right away a difference in ride quality due to the E rating and heavy ply, but not bothersome. I recently took these down to Moab to try them out. On the way down, I averaged 22 MPG with my 3.4 6 cyl engine averaging 70-75 mph with 35 psi. On the trail I aired down to 18 psi, and it was a decently smooth ride. These GRIP HARD! I was in 2 wheel drive most the time. I rode in mostly deep sand that followed a wash, and even in the deep sand these performed well. A little squirly in deep sand, but they are pizza cutters trying to dig for traction. We went over a couple ledges, and there was no problem getting grip. Overall, these tires performed great! Didn't notice anything funny on the highway (sometimes reached speeds of 85+ to pass semi's). Yes these fit 7 inch rims, and yes these are mounted on stock wheels. Cooper AT3 has my favorite A/T tire so far, and made in 'merica. If you have questions I'd be happy to answer.

 

looked like Utah in the pics..........

 

Lavender Canyon in Moab, UT!

 

Interesting. I thought about this size for winter tires. How’s it look from the side? Doesn’t look quite as stretched as I thought it would, but if it were me I’d be looking for some 16x6 steelies. Those rims look kinda exposed...

 

I thought about 16x6 steelies, I may end up buying some in the future since they are quite exposed. 7 inch wheels are the max for this tire size. Here is a pic from the side:

 

I have searched the web for weeks and could not find a single post on 215/85/16's. I posted a question on Friday about them and you are the ONLY person I have found.. THANK YOU FOR POSTING! I have a 2015 Tacoma 4 door long bed with high rise camper, nerf bars and winch and grill so I have always ran 235/85/16's but I am interested in the 215's. Do you think they will work for me?

Thanks
Scott

 

Hey Scott. I'm sure they would work fine, but I'm not a tire pro . Like danno mentioned, you might want to make sure you get a wheel with a width of 6" since yours is probably 7". I priced some steelies out on summit racing for $150/set free shipping, but they change the backspacing from 4.5" to 3.5" (from what I understand this just pushes the wheel out a little bit.) I'm not sure if the 2015 has the same backspacing and lug pattern as the "04 tacomas, but these are the wheels I am considering https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vsw-70sm-6683. I keep my 215/85r16 tires aired at about 35 psi.

You might get crap from the tire installers (discount tire people were giving me all sorts of weird looks when ordering/installing ) Hope this helps

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-skinny-on-skinny-tires.529656/page-27#post-17355993

 

https://shop.cruiserparts.net/index...=33491&zenid=94d85781fd12ab70c1d8c197a136caa0

These would look sweet, but damn are they pricey for steelies.

 

I talked with a good tire shop today and he said they will work fine on stock 7" rims. He did say that 7" was as wide as you can go.. going to talk to another one and a friend who works for toyota who also runs 235/85/16's... i think i will be fine...it will be a month or so before i get the tires but i will keep you posted and would appreciate it if you would do the same.

Thanks
Scott

 

Yeah I'm currently running them on the stock wheels as well that are 7". Only suggested a smaller wheel width so they if you don't want them as exposed to getting hit by curbs, rocks, etc. I'll keep this thread posted once I reach the 10,000 mile mark on these tires. Thanks

 

Can you post some close up pics?

Thanks
Scott

 

Perfect! I really appreciate you taking the time to do that.. they look good!

 

No problem. If you end up going with 215/85r16 post the pictures here!

 

I for one dig it! Stay skinny my friend

 

I'm rocking 235/80R17 on my Tundra. Stock is 265/65R17. My setup is narrower, but a little taller than stock. The only downside to narrow tires like these is they require narrower wheels, and nobody sells narrow wheels in aggressive offsets like 3.50" backspacing.

 

Nice! When I had an '02 Tundra I rocked 235/85r16's

Would these work? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vsw-70sm-6683

Thats what I am looking to possibly get. 6 inch wheel with 3.5 backspacing.

 

The only issue with the Vision wheels is you're stuck with 16x6" wide wheels. They are super cheap though, so for winter tires or something they'd be perfect.


There is another option for those of us wanting 17" wheels - US Wheel 046 Stealth Crawler - 17x8 and 3.5" backspacing. Which is narrower than the SCS F5 in similar offset. Downside? Heavy and expensive for a steel wheel at $190. These would look like FN Wheel 5-Star 16x8 3.52" Backspace.


Jegs has their Baja 8 series 17x8 wheel for like $70/ea that offers 4" backspacking, but that's still not at all that aggressive. This is however, a better price than the FJ #42601-AD030/17x7.5 FJ Steelies 42611-35330 Backspacing is 4.5


I wonder about using Diamond Racing Wheels, as they offer lots of 15" and 16" options in narrow wheels with huge offsets. You could get a 16x7 wheels with nearly 3" of backspacing. Another option there might be Stockton Wheel Offroad Explorer series.

 

Thanks for this info!
I had been thinking to put some 215s on my truck for a while, you may have just convinced me.

Been a 235 fan for a long time, but moved to hill country recently and I can noticed her fighting the higher drive ratio of the 235. Was thinking to regear (running stock 4.10 still), but this might do the job, as is darn close to factory spec'd 245s.

Also, as far as the Vision 70 wheels:

Do you know if these with fit on a 2nd Gen?
I was just just told that they won't fit due to Taco brake component size. Was recommended a 6mm spacer, but wanted to ask before going that route...