I wanted some ideas on which tires to get for my 2009 Xterra...I wanted factory size (265/70R-16) tires, but I am willing to go bigger as long as it doesn't rub. I'm looking for an off-road look by the way...any idea's? Pricing info would be good to know too.. Thanks

To start off with perspective, 265/75/16 was a STOCK size on your year X, so you can start the upgrade process from there instead of the wee baby 265/70's as your starting point.

Most people upgrade to 285/75/16's, which are about an inch larger in diameter (33" instead of 32"), and ~ 3/4" wider (285 mm vs 265 mm).

On SOME 2005+ X's, that can rub at ONE spot, in the front wheel wells...there's a plastic wheel well liner...and it has a bulge in it for some reason we never found out (There's nothing behind the bulge).

IF your X has that bulge, you can let the tire rub it off (Self Clearancing), or cut it off with a razor knife, or, the most popular method, take a hair dryer or heat gun, and shrink it back flat (Melt Mod).

As this is IN the wheel well, its not like it will be seen by other people, etc.


So, for 285/75/16's...you might need to do nothing, or, just that melt mod.

Are you planning on actually off roading, or are you just wanting to LOOK like you might at the Mall parking lot, etc?



If you're not really going off the road, anything works, and you can go by pure aesthetics...if going off road, then depending on what TYPE of off roading, we can recommend tires that would work better on that terrain, etc.