Not exclusively for mud, Mud Terrain tyres are known for their worst-case scenario performance. Stiffer, reinforced sidewalls for weight carrying and deflated use. And that aggressive tread for the variable terrain that Australia offers.
Trawl the internet, Forums or Facebook and find equal parts hearsay and happy tyre customers. After our own research on size and manufacturer, Cecil has been sitting up tall. Svelte even, on a set of 255/85r16 Open Country Mud Terrains from Toyo Australia.
My first impressions were logged here. Now, bedded in on some of the tracks and trails of Australia’s south east. This is how they’ve performed for us so far.
On Road
Running low-mid 40s (PSI) on road. Eerily quiet comparatively to my aggressive all terrains. Granted, they were half worn. The noise did increase after about 5000km but to a hum, rather than a roar.
Combined with the rear track correction by Jmacx, the 76 LandCruiser now drives true on the bitumen. No longer floating about, requiring ever so subtle, but constant correction. Carparks and U-turns are consistently easier, the steering lighter without fighting the width of conventionally wider tyres. I am now using the highway’s speed limit, and feeling less fatigued after hours of highway patrol.
They appear to be well siped for wet traction, I’ve not felt at all threatened during a rainy drive. Their narrower profile may also be helping. I am hitting the puddles sharper, and not aquaplaning.
Wear
At around 15,000km I have had an average wear of just under 2mm. Starting with about 14mm. Time, distance and terrain, will tell how long these last. So far, no chips, punctures, bulges, splits.
Offroad
Lowered to around 15psi. Mud, river sand, clay, corrugations, rock – both underwater and out, fire trails, rutted tracks and steep climbs have been tested by these tyres, their skinny profile and nervous pilot.
The grip is unquestionable and the sidewalls are stubbornly supportive. Lowering pressures for rocks, does not upset them on the Toyota GXL rims. At 7″ wide, this profile tyre is a legal and recommended combination with the alloys.
Scaling steep inclines on talcum powdered trails, littered with loose scree, just encourages them. The wide open treadpattern digs in, and grips like four claws.
Mud shouldn’t phase these tyres, and in my experience – they don’t, in fact – I am yet to feel a difference in traction on any surface. Clay was effectively self cleaned from the tread during a few sticky and slippery trails.
Profile
The tall and skinny 33” is actually a little larger than the conventional 285/75/16.
Taller, but skinnier. Only 255 wide. This is what gives the ease of turning and wheel placement on and off the trail. That 85 tall profile actually gives more length of adhesive surface, a longer hand grabbing and pulling the 3tonne (ish) LandCruiser up the hills, or over rocks.
This has been the biggest feature to note, on and off road. The 76 Series feels nimble. At first, at speed – a little too nimble, exacerbated by the rear track. But once corrected, it now feels like a nimble, but freight-train-stable LandCruiser.
Supply
Given it’s a less common profile in Australia – we hopefully won’t have any trouble sourcing more Toyo Open Country MT in 255/85r16. We paid a little more for these over the 285 also, direct from Toyo Australia. But when it comes time to replace our worn set of six, or in the event of non-repairable damage during a trip. This is the size for us. So, we will cross that proverbial bridge, when we find it.
Nevertheless, I feel very confident on these tyres, they’ve really woken up the 76, on and off road. The profile is a game-changer, the sidewalls are phenomenal. I can’t wait to trade the soggy hills for the rusty dunes and corrugations on an extended expedition soon.
I would have to agree from what I have read and I’d really like to try them on my Defender but I can’t seem to find them under $400/tyre. Were they cheaper buying directly from Toyo or the same as a retailer?
My other concern is the availability of the 255/85/16 tyre. There is not many manufacturers of this size and it seems to be getting smaller with BFG not having the 255 size in their KM3 (yet)
Thanks Rob, I’ve heard that 255 for KM3 is coming in 2019. I purchased the 255 Toyo directly through Toyo – my 2017 price might have also been a Show price as it was much better than $400 a corner.
Hi guys. Can’t understand why this is considered a “niche” size of tyre when it is around about equivalent in diameter to a 33″ but without the overly wide 285 or 305 mm footprint of other tyres. Here you get a decent sidewall height, and consequently unsprung height increase in a fairly more usable 255 mm width. We all know that tyre width isn’t really useful and doesn’t provide any more grip or floatation in the majority of situations so to me this is the perfect tyre size for overland/ Bush for a typical vehicle like the LC 70 series. I am going to be purchasing a set of 6 very soon if I can. My only concern is that being a niche size there won’t be a possibility of finding one in the Bush if you needed one and you’d have to settle for something like a 285/75 which technically is too big for a 7 inch rim.
But anyway that is not a massive concern when we’re carrying twin spares I should think.
Couldn’t agree more. There is still a strong argument for wider tyres, and aesthetically, wider is still preferred by most. We will be testing our 255 properly in the desert this year, so we look forward to learning for ourselves. You’re spot on about availability, this (and solo travel) is why we continue to carry two spares. Perhaps, the tide will shift and these will become more popular and readily available. BF Goodrich have told me late 2019 or 2020 for their KM3.
Not sure what happened to my first comment, but I’ll try again….
Would have to agree that 255/85/16 tyres are the way to go from what I also have read but…. the prices for them and the selection/availability is the one thing that is stopping me. I cannot find them for under the $400/tyre mark so for the time being, I’ll have to continue running my 235/85/16’s
Cheers for the article! I’m a big fan of tall skinny tyres for touring. I’ve been thinking about this size for my Defender. I wish they did this ratio in the BFG KO2’s. I’ve heard good things about the Toyo’s lately.
Thanks! We’re happy with the Toyo thus far, profile aside. A very solid construction with way the ply is extended over the sidewall. See how we go with some more kilometres under our belt.
…Boom-tish!
Are the 255 85 16 toyo tyres too skinny for 16×8 alloy rims? I love the look of these but I worry my rims are too wide. With a 16×8 neg12 rim and a corrected rear track I’m hoping to have the rear wheels slightly inside the flares or at most flush with them. The front should be perfect.
Hi Jamie,
Hrmm they look perfect on 16×7, might be a bit likely to come off the bead if you air down a lot on a 16×8.
for my 10 cents worth I’m a big fan of tall skinny’s and had the BFG 255/85R16’s on my 80 series after using the 285/75R16’s for years and now have the 255’s on my 76 series wagon …. they do duty touring the Kimberly occasionally and the Vic High Country a lot I average 40,000k’s pa and I’m always happy with them – noise is a factor but I reckon it’s a small price to pat when I’m happy with everything else.
Happy to read of your extensive Australian kilometres on this tyre profile. Such varied terrain too. Gives me the confidence that this really is the size for us as well!
Howdy RLHYDN
Have you done suspension lift with 255/85/16 on your LC76 or still on stock suspension?
Happy 4WDriving!
Stock suspension?! Nooooo
We’ve been on ARB Old Man Emu Springs for years. Currently on 400kg constant springs. Last couple of years riding on Koni Raid 90 dampeners. Really like this combo on and off road. We also added PolyAir airbag helpers for when we’re fully loaded, tanks full etc.
Do you think 255/85/16 will fit an LC76 with stock suspension or need a 2 inches lift?
Hi Elgin,
I’ve had the BFG 255/85R16 KM2’s on GXL alloys and factory suspension for the last 60,000k’s and it’s been all good.
Go for it.
Mark
(PS I am about to change the suspension due to the factory set up being quite ordinary however this tyre size is not a deciding factor in that)
Thanks heaps Mark
Howdy Guys
Has anyone heard of the rear kit spacer for 70 series from SnakeRacing.com.au I think they have a shop in NSW. Are this spacer legal? According to their Youtube advert they are legal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OzPk-jXCR8
I want to get one for my LC76 if they are really legal. I’m not worried about the negative effect of the spacer on axle bearing because I’m not towing and not doing extreme offroading.
Any insights guys?
Hey guys just wondering how the toyos are going and whether your opinion is still the same?
Hi Andrew,
Yes they are a good solid tyre.
Great review, just what I was looking for having just picked up a 76. After putting in the obligatory 2inch lift (OME) I’ve been trying to decide on the right tyre and have been leaning toward the skinny. Glad to know that they are legal for the stock rim as I do like them. Great stuff. Cheers.
Great choice with the vehicle, I think BFG might have released their KM3 in the 255/85 profile now if you want some options.
Thanks for a great review of this underrated tyre. There appear to be a couple more options now with the release of the Dick Cepek Extreme Country and Yokohama MT G003.
It’s now 2021. How have these tyres worn please ? I’m interested in longevity – Thanks
Hi, we are on our second set which I think speaks volumes to the performance. They will wear if your vehicle is heavy.
Hi RLHDYN,
You mentioned that you had the rear track corrected, which company supplied the corrected part may I ask? I have emailed MDT which seem like a reputable mob, however their price was more that I expected… Thanks.
Hi Chris, we had a JMACX corrected housing fitted and engineered. Having a 76 series a complete refab housing is similar in cost to MDT which just plate the factory housing.
What mileage did you end up getting on the set of six?
Did you rotate all every 5-10k or keep the spares as spares?
You get about 40-50000kms of good usable usage before we replace most tyres. You can take them down lower and usually we get a few hundred selling the old tyres.
Looks like a good tyre and nice review! Do you know what the actual width of the tread is? Hoping to fit these to a HDJ78 without too much tread outside the guards on 0 offset rims, bit of sidewall is ok. Any increase in noise as they’ve worn more? Cheers, Alex