Third post on the first day :)

I am wearing down the stock tires, and the wife...so I think I may have my replacement tires soon enough. I have read alot so far about aftermarket tires, and I was hoping to seperate truth from fiction for my Xterra (newer model). Keeping in mind I want to continue all usage of my Xterra, off-road, and to get me snowboarding, and to work during the week. That being said:

- I have read 'Mud or Off-Road' tires are larger even though the sizes say they are the same, is this true?
- What are the larger sizes of tires that can fit without rubbing or any trouble?
- With larger sizes, like 285/75 tires will those have a problem on the stock wheels?

So...suggestions?

The largest you can run without any problems is 285/75R16's. These are close to 33x11.5" tires. They will rub a little, but not enough to worry about. If you want to stop the rubbing, get a heat gun and heat the back side of the plastic inner fender and push it back.

It's not so much that off road tires are bigger, but that many different manufactures measure their tires differently. It's kind of like shoes or a pair of pants, what might fit you in one brand might not in another. The one company that seems to be MUCH larger han their stated size is Interco (Super Swamper).

If you don't do a lot of wheeling or live in an area where there is not a lot of mud I would look at the BFG AT KO's. They are a great all around tire and have good highway manors. If you like mud, I would go with some sort of mud tire, but I would avoid the Super Swampers. Although they are great in mud, but use a really soft rubber and they do not last long on pavement.

Although most mfg's suggest a 7.5" wheel to fit a 285 tire, I am running 285/75R16 BFG MT's on my stock wheels and have not had any problems.

Hello, For us here the popular tires for all around is the BFG All terrains (you may want the 31's.)

On the other side of the Island (lots more rain), the guys like the Pro-comps, All terrains.

Both of these tires also come in Mud tires...little more rough riding.

Right now (came w/ the car)...we have the Michelins M & S tires...rides great too. Handles real well so far! .........Aloha

In the 05+ models the S, X come stock with ~31" tires on 16" wheels. The SE comes with ~31" tires on 17" wheels and the Offroad comes with ~32" tires on 16" wheels. You can fit up to ~33" on any of them with very minor rubbing.