Major Tire Confusion...

...Tire size.......Overall..Width....Diameter.......Depth........Revs/Mile
P235/70R16...................9.6........29.1............12...............713
P245/70R16...................9.7........29.7............13...............700
P255/70R16..................10.4.......30.3.............13...............686
P265/70R16..................10.9.......30.7.............13...............676
LT215/85R16..................8.7........30.6.............17..............684
LT225/75R16..................8.9........29.6.............17..............707
LT235/85R16..................9.4........31.9.............17...............656
LT245/75R16..................9.8........30.8.............17...............679
LT265/75R16.................10.7........31.8............16...............658
LT285/75R16.................11.6........33.0............18...............633
LT315/75R16.................12.4........34.5............19...............605


OK...here is a typical spec sheet, this one just happens to be for the Yokohama Geolander A/T + II. I just installed an OME 2" lift- coils, leafs and shocks, and am now pondering which size tire to use on my stock 16" rims. It's a 2000 Classic btw. 11 possibilities...I like the fact that the Light Truck series has more tread depth, but which one will look, fit, and perform the best???? I need em by the weekend. Thanx!!!

Frame of reference should probably be the 15" floatation tire sizes. You can fit a 31" tires (most of which run closer to 30-1/2" diameter) but on a new body style they tend to rub on the rear wheel wells, and with only a 2" lift it's probably pushing the envelope a bit.

I think the 16" equivalent of a 30x9.50/15 is what looks good and works well with a 2" lift. Most of the 30x9.50s actually run in the 29.4 to 29.6" diameter range, so pick one from your list that's about 29.5" diameter and about 9.5" wide and that's your selection. Looks like the 235/70 or 245/70 would work, or the 225/75 if you don't need the 9.5" width. If you decide on the 245/70 I suggest going to a tire shop that will let you trial fit one, because the diameter is almost 30" and you may have a problem at the rear wheel wells. I think I'd choose the 235/70R16.

Not sure if this will help but I have a 2000 Classic as well with 255/70/16 Firestones with no lift. However, my height from front fender to center of the wheel is 18" and rear fender to center of wheel is 17.5", which is a tad taller than some. I have some minor rub on the rear fenders only when I have a bunch of weight in the back, at least 300-400lbs and I hit a bump going at least 30 mph.