How practical are 33s with a t-bar crank?

[Skooks]

Hello, newbie here. I've heard that 285/75r16 tires can fit on my truck with cranked t-bars, but there seem to be conflicting reports on how useful they will be off road. I don't do much off roading, but my truck does see trails when I go camping. My buddy has a land cruiser on 35s so I need anything I can to keep up. My t-bars are leveled out with the rear right now, but if I crank them higher and put an add-a-leaf or shackle lift in the rear would I be okay with tucking the 33s or should I just go with 32s instead? Also, I'm not sure if my stock rims are 16x7 or 16x8. I guess 16x7 rims are too small for 285/75/r16? Thanks in advance.

 

[gw33gp]

I run 33" tires with just a Tbar crank. I have no problem with some very rough off-road travels. However, my tires are only 10.5" wide and what you are looking at are over 11" wide. You will probably have some significant rubbing without doing some modifications. I had to bend the front mud flap brackets to get full clearance at near full turn. The rear was good as is. When I ran 32 x 11.5" tires I would get and occasional rub off-road but nothing serious. If you can't go to a 10.5" wide 33" tire I think you would be better of with a 32" tire at no more than 11.5" wide unless you are willing to do some modification or get wheels with a little less back spacing.

 

[Skooks]

Haha I also live in Costa Mesa, I wonder if I've seen your truck before. What wheel backspacing do you use? I'd like to keep using ford rims if possible.

 

[gw33gp]

I still have the stock Alcoa wheels that came with the FX4 from the factory. I don't know what the back spacing is but I am pretty sure it the same as any Ranger 7" wide wheel.
We have probably passed each other some time. I see a lot of Rangers in Costa Mesa. I live not to far from the Fairgrounds.

 

[4x4junkie]

I think a 255/85R16 would fit on that without too much issue (close to a 33x10.5R16). Only thing is most (if not all) tires in that size have an "E" load rating, which them being stiffer & heavier, might make the ride a bit rough on a lightweight vehicle like a Ranger.

Stock rims are either 15x7, or 16x7.

 

[Skooks]

Thanks for the opinions guys. Definitely gonna go with a pizza cutter tire then. Don't really want a mud terrain because my truck is my DD and sees way more street than dirt, and they don't seem to make all terrains in 255/85R16, so I'll probably end up with the 33x10.50R15 with hopefully some 15 inch ford wheels or maybe keep the stock wheels and just run 235/85R16. That said, anyone want to get rid of their 15 inch stock wheels?