Every current Land Cruiser 79 Series, Single Cab and Double Cab, runs a stock tyre size of 265/70R16 on 16-inch alloys. The most common upgrade for both is 285/70R17 (roughly a 32-inch tyre, on 17-inch rims), which fits a standard vehicle without modifications.
Stock and Upgrade Sizes
| 79 Series | Stock Size | Common Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Single Cab | 265/70R16 | 285/70R17 |
| Double Cab | 265/70R16 | 285/70R17 |
Toyota South Africa’s current spec sheets list 265/70R16 alloys on every 79 Single Cab and Double Cab, including the spare, whatever the engine. Older 79s can differ, so check the tyre placard: Toyota SA’s 2012 leaflet lists the 4.2 diesel and 4.0 petrol Double Cab on 7.50R16 tyres and steel wheels, while the Single Cab ran 265/70R16 on alloys. A stock 265/70R16 is about 30.6 inches tall, so 285/70R17 adds roughly two inches of diameter and needs 17-inch rims.
How Far You Can Go
The 79 is leaf-sprung at the rear and built to carry, which makes it forgiving with tyres, but the limit on a stock vehicle is still around that 285/70R17 (32-inch) mark. Step up to a true 33-inch tyre or bigger and you’re into suspension-lift territory, with possible bump-stop, wheel-arch or even minor body-mount tweaks to stop the tyre rubbing on full lock and under load. The closer you keep it to stock, the better it drives loaded and the less you stress the drivetrain. Our 79 lift kit guide covers the kits, prices and what else a lift needs.
For overland use most 79 owners land on a 285/70R17 all-terrain and leave it there: it clears, it carries, and it doesn’t wreck the fuel figure.
This kitted 2.8 79 double cab, sitting on mud-terrains and black alloys, is the work of @arwald_extreme. Give him a follow.
Every Other Model
This is the per-model breakdown for the 79. For the full picture (76, 80, 100, 200, 300 and Prado) see the complete Land Cruiser tyre size chart, which also covers how to read the numbers on the sidewall and how to choose between all-terrain and mud-terrain.
