285 vs. 305

[FX4OffRoad1992]

I currently have a 3" BL and cranked torsion bars on my '04 with 265/75/16's. Obviously, this is WAY too small of a tire, as it looks REEEEE-TART-ED!
But my question here is not should I get bigger tires or not, as I am going bigger no matter what opinions you may have (haha). My question is what is the REAL difference in a 285/75/16 and a 305/70/16?!
I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH!...
but one calculator will tell me that the 305 is taller AND wider, the next will tell me that the 285 is like .1 inches taller and the 305 is wider, and then another one will say that they are the exact same size... my goal here is to get as close to a true 33" tire as I can WITHOUT changing my rim size to one that's tires are measured in inches (15, 17+). Can someone please tell me the true difference, and which one is actually closest to a 33?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Boggin]

i think the 285s are closest to the 33. my buddy has 305s on his lifted cummins dodge truck and they are 35s. then again they could be 315s

 

[Daven]

Sorry i cant be much help, not an expert in the different ways to measure tires. But i was in a tire shop today and noticed that these 285/75 tires also said on the label that they were 32"... So 305 would be more like 33"s? Idk lol

 

[martin]

According to my calculations, both sizes should be the same diameter but the 305 should be approximately one inch wider. That being said, different manufacturers seem to have different ideas on how long an inch is, some 33's are close to 33 and some are closer to 30. Best thing is to find some you like and measure them.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Both should be just shy of 33" (about 32.something) with the 305 being 20mm wider (285mm vs 305mm)... I'd go with the 285's, much more common tire...

 

[FX4OffRoad1992]

I would really like a 33 12.50... or even a 34 12.50... but the closest to this is like a 315/70/16 or 305/75/16 which are both very odd sizes... I wish I could find a Nitto in 315/70/16.....

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I would really like a 33 12.50... or even a 34 12.50... but the closest to this is like a 315/70/16 or 305/75/16 which are both very odd sizes... I wish I could find a Nitto in 315/70/16.....

Have you ever tried to drive anything with a 12"+ wide tire? It's not so nice on the road... If you want that though, that's cool... Just a forewarn..

 

[FX4OffRoad1992]

I've driven my buddy's '01 F-150 on 375/65/16s... which is like a 36/14.50 or something.... it handled differently, but I think it was mainly because it was so tall... 8" suspension and 3" body. With just a 3" body and 33/12.50s on a ranger I can't imagine that it would be too terrible...

 

[MasherAZ]

If you go on the 4wheelparts website and type in those tire sizes it will tell you the standard equivalent(inches) when you click on the tire profile. Most 33s are actually like 32.8 but that's still super close. I'd say buy on the quality of the tire, not how close it is to a "true" 33.The 305s are wider than the 285 so expect more rubbing or more trimming. If you have the stock 16x7 wheels I'd recommend the 285s. Also if you have mudflaps in the front then take them off cuz they rub with either one of those sizes.

 

[FX4OffRoad1992]

If you go on the 4wheelparts website and type in those tire sizes it will tell you the standard equivalent(inches) when you click on the tire profile. Most 33s are actually like 32.8 but that's still super close. I'd say buy on the quality of the tire, not how close it is to a "true" 33.The 305s are wider than the 285 so expect more rubbing or more trimming. If you have the stock 16x7 wheels I'd recommend the 285s. Also if you have mudflaps in the front then take them off cuz they rub with either one of those sizes.

I have gone to several size calculators, but they all say different things. Also, I have 16x8s, and when my truck was first pulled into the driveway, the mudflaps came off.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Wider tires "wander" and catch in the cracks of the road alot more... That's why I don't consider them very streetable... I like staying close to the 10" wide side...

 

[FX4OffRoad1992]

Wider tires "wander" and catch in the cracks of the road alot more... That's why I don't consider them very streetable... I like staying close to the 10" wide side...

well thanks for the advice, I really do appreciate it. I would just rather have the wider stance and bigger footprint.

 

[MasherAZ]

Well I basically have the same setup on my truck as what you have/looking for. 16x8 pro comps wrapped with 285/75r16 Goodyears on a 2003 edge 4x4 with a BL. Another thing to put into consideration if you are looking for the wide stance is the backspacing of your rim.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

well thanks for the advice, I really do appreciate it. I would just rather have the wider stance and bigger footprint.

Alright... As long as you know that and that's what you want...

 

[94xlt4.0]

285 is 285mm wide. divide by 25.4 and u get the width in inches (11.22" wide) 305=12.0" wide. 285/75r16 is 11.22"x32.83". 305/70r16 is 12.0"x32.81". nearly identical diameter and 3/4" width difference either one will probably rub without trimming on stock wheels