Help with new tire decision

[Coast]

Newbie here...trying to decide on what to go with. Two questions:

1) Is a 30x9.5 smaller than a stock 265/75/R15?

2) How much trimming is needed for 31"s?

I want something with a meaty tread, but most of my driving is on the road. Any suggestions?

[rrdstarr]

Originally posted by Coast
Newbie here...trying to decide on what to go with. Two questions:

1) Is a 30x9.5 smaller than a stock 265/75/R15?

2) How much trimming is needed for 31"s?

I want something with a meaty tread, but most of my driving is on the road. Any suggestions?

1) 265 actually converts to 30.65"...so they are very close to being the same size

2) Just a small cut on the inside of the fenderwell for the front tires.

If most all your driving is on roads, just get a quality A/T tire from BF Goodrich, Goodyear or whoever.

[ChuckH]

FYI; stock tire size for the 15" is 265/70/15; not 265/75/15. Rrdstarr is correct on the size but I think he got your question confused because you had the sizing wrong.

Anyway, the 30x9.5 tire is approximately the same height as the stock tire and a little more narrrow. In reality a 30" tire is about 29.5 inches. For all practical purposes it is a direct replacement when going to a non-metric sized tire. A 31 inch tire is actually about 30.5 inches and comes in a 10.5 inch width. It is marginally wider and about an inch taller than stock. This is the most common replacement size for factory tires as it gives a bit meatier look and has only a 2-3% impact on your speedometer and not too much effect on mileage or power.

With a 31 inch tire you may or may not need to trim the plastic behind your front tire. Depends on which 31 inch tire you get and surprisingly even your particular truck. The trimming is simple and unseen.

Things to keep in mind:

Not all tires are sized exactly the same; nor are the really what they are labeled as.
Not all Xterras are manufactured exactly the same.
Your results may vary!

[OffroadX]

2002 Xterras will fit a 31x10.50 with no trimming, and can keep the mudflaps. They can fit a 32x11.50 with a smidgen of trimming, if any, and also keep the mudflaps.

Brent

[Desert Rat]

In the past, I have had BFG ATs,and Goodyear ATs. I purchased some Yokahoma Geolander AT+2s recently for 400$ (total price) on the net. It is my opininion that they work better than wranglers,and same as BFG,but I saved 400$ by buying Yoka. For the price u cant beat them. Try Tire Rack.com . D>R:bandit:

[rrdstarr]

Two or three of our club members run them and are very happy with them!