Hello Gents,

I have a question about a wheel and tire combo. First off, I have an 03 Sport 4WD V8. I have been reading threads and just don't seem to have an answer yet. I am thinking about getting some Rock Crawler Series 97 wheels with BFGoodrich 285/70/17's. The wheels have an offset of 4.5 inches.

Seen here: http://www.4wheelparts.com/4wp/produ...HEELS&man=TECH

In your opinion, do you guys think that will be enough offset to fit those tires? I am thinking that they will fit with minimal rubbing. I found a great site, well, I stubbled across a great website. It is www.tirepackage.com. They are running an instant 50 dollar rebate. ALso, you can purchase there "no questions asked" warranty and you get free shipping, which in my case ends up being only 8 bucks more than the shipping price. Also, they mount and balance everything for free. The total price you ask ... $1100 shipped. Not bad, huh?

I am going to get a lift eventually. I am really liking the Cornfed stuff. But, I really want to get those wheels and tires. It will give the truck that "Get-the-F##k-out-my-way" look. Know what I mean?

I appreciate any advice. Oh, do I need to get new lug nuts? I would hate to get everything and not be able to put the damn things on.

Thanks again,
Joe

Without any lift, you will not be able to fit 285's on the 4runner. Most people get rubbing with a 2" lift, so with no lift, you will most likely slam the tire into the wheel well on full compression or turning. Although the offset does help, it won't be enough.

If you are determined, you can fit them and try, but I really would suggest you do a lift first.

Sorry, not exactly the answer you were hoping for.

Oh, and if you double check that page, it tells you that you have to buy lug nuts separately.

Good luck.

it'll fit as long as you don't drive the 4runner. once you take the jack stands off the 4runner it'll be perm wedged in (doh).

IF you turn, I think you'll rip off a few items (front bumper, inner fender, mudflaps... etc etc)

I'd say lift then tires. Or Buy the tires and wait for the lift. Don't forget that steel wheels are a pita to balance. There's an user that had steelies (17") and ended up returning them because he couldn't get them to balance correctly (always had problems).

GOod luck

Hey guys,

I appreciate your help with this. Two comments:

1. Would the cornfed suspension lift be enough? I am thinking yes. I want to do the lift and tires then wait for the ARB front bumper. I just want an SUV that will go most places but is still civilized enough to drive around town.

2. With the balancing issues for steel ... The website says they will balance the tires for you before they ship. I don't think it should be to much of a problem. I will definitely call and ask about any problems with this. It is something to keep in mind.

I am wanting these wheels for two purposes. THe first being my stock wheels have started to pit and bubble. I read the other day that tire shine products cause this. In my case, I have never used tire shine on these wheels because I know better. I really think it is the road salt from going through two Boston winters now. Also, I need some wheels I'm not worried about getting scratched for off-roading. Otherwise, the stockers will be on the truck for summers.

I really appreciate your help. I am going to order those wheels and tires when I get back from vacation. I'll keep you guys posted about my experience with www.tirepackage.com. I am going to get the lift but try to fit these wheels just to see what happens. IF there is minimal rubbing, I might just roll without the lift after some mods to the wheel wells. I don't mind wacking and bending.

Thanks for the help!

Joe

Hmm. Where to start. Good Times let you know to do the lift first or buy tires and wait until you do the lift. Since he off-roads more than most that is pretty good advice. But you also want to also put on a heavy front arb bumper.

Maybe you should consider coil overs in the front to allow you to adjust for the heavy bumper when you get it. Also, maybe ome in back instead of the spacers.

Good luck with your choice.

For what a set of spacers cost, I would go with the spacers and try stuff the wheel wells with what you want (since you seem committed to getting the wheels and tires anyhow) and see what happens.

I think you might be holding you breath for a while on the ARB bumper so unlesss you want to go ahead and do the coils now, I'd hang onto you money and do the spacers and wheel/tire combo.

I can't see ARB having a bumper out in the next few months and with people experimenting with suspension setups presently, IMO, you might want to wait on the coil setup until the experimentation process has been developed by Lance, James and Andries (as examples).

I guess I'm just being cheap but switching over coils to get the right one is a PITA when you can let others do it and learn from their experimentation.

Just my 2 cents.

Fitting 285's will require trimming. I hope you do understand this. If you don't mind the trimming then you're all set. Personally speaking, 285's are definitely worth every penny (AT/MT). If I were to choose between 265.75.16 / 265.70.17 vs 285.75.16 / 285.70.17 I'm all for the 285's. They're just better (of course mpg will suffer but you know what, I love what I drive so it really doesn't matter)! Remember, when you offroad, you want the largest foot print and the bigger the tire the better

The cornfed's should be fine for the application you want. When the arb releases their front bumper (more like if - I suspect 06/07 btw so don't get too excited. keep in mind I've been bugging them since dec 02! hehe...), you would have gained valuable experience on the trails to want a more aggressive suspension setup so save up for then. The cornfeds are a cheap and reliable setup so you can't go wrong. Go with this setup for now as it'll look pretty clean .

As for the steelies, they'll be able to balance initially (because it's perfect off the line) but the word is that it's a real pita to rebalance over time (meaning months/years from now - for me it's every 3 months). So, if you start to notice a shimmy, you'll want to balance them and that's when you run into problems. I love steelies though so it's a hard call. Steelies are easier to repair on the trails too compared to alum but the weight does pose an issue. One way or another, I'm sure you'll figure out a way to work I know of 2 other members running steelies right now with no ill effect so the odds are good right now.

Good luck

Gentlemen,

I really appreciate all your insight. I do hear what you are saying though. I am going to do the lift, and your reasoning with the spacers work for now. I live in Boston right now (military) and the only off-roading is in New Hampshire or when it snows. SO, I don't need a huge upgrade right now. Maybe I will stay with the stockers. I don't want to subject the stock wheels to another winter if I can help it. Do steelies flex a lot? Making them harder to balance?

I am going to order everything Tuesday/Wednesday!! I will post some pics when I get done, although, you have all seen what this setup looks like.

If I ever move out where any of you live, I hope to join you guys on the trails. There are some Air Force bases out in Colorado. I have some Lt's that work with me who are from Colorado, they say it's prime. Anyway, you guys take care. I'll keep you posted.

Joe

Hey guys,

Another question? I was reading on some of others posts about the cornfed suspension. Was the issue with the stock rims and 285/70/17 tires resolved? Will they fit with trimming? THere is a post with a guy named the_josh that talks about some rubbing but never reposted about whether the tires fit completely or not?

I am thinking about staying with the stockers if I can for now. I was looking at them today and just decided that they are too far gone to keep as my nice wheels.

What do you guys think? Will they fit? I am going to trim no matter what, but if there is no possible way for them to fit, then I will have to get different tires.

Thanks again for the help.

Joe

Hey guys,

Got everything installed!! I am impressed. The road manners of this truck have not changed at all. I do have a couple of questions though.

I installed the BFG T/A KO's. I have taken them back twice now to get them rebalanced. Will they inherently have a vibration because of the added tread? I am just starting to come to the conclusion that the tech balancing the tires SUCKS! Any others out there with the same experience? Anyway, hope you guys enjoy the pics. You have probably seen the same thing 29 times already. Enjoy!

Oh, apparently Cornfed has changed there lift kits. The rear spacers are now a Ultra High Molecular Poly -- something type of plastic. The front spacer is now two pieces. I need to go down and take some pics. This is an observation from previous pics posted.

Will return in a sec.

Joseph

Pics.

http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/we...ZkMzF5NTQx.jpg
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/we...ZkMzF5NTQx.jpg
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/we...ZkMzF5NTQx.jpg
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/we...ZkMzF5NTQx.jpg

I'm all tingly

So to get this right -

You have mounted 285/70/17's on stock wheels with a 3" Cornfed lift and you have no rubbing on compression or full lock?

Thanks
Mark

They're balancing them wrong. Take it another technician and have them do it. Apparently the guy doing it doesn't know how to balance it correctly.

The other option is finding someone w/ a Hunter Balancer. That'll work for sure.

Good luck

Btw, Looks nice!

Oops. I forgot to comment on the tires. They are 265/70's. I decided to go that route because the 285's are only .5 inch taller. This is my DD and I don't want to have metal parts falling from the truck every time I take a sharp turn.

The balance thing sucks because I paid for a service warranty that included lifetime balance. Unfortunately, there is no other Air Force base around to take it too with out paying.

Do you think it is worth taking to a Hunter Balancer? Oh, do you guys have any experience with repainting wheels? Three of my wheels have seen a winter and the coating has started to peal. Kind of annoying, cuz they are ugly now!!

Anyway, if you guys need any other pics, let me know. I will gladly take some. Oh, I made an observation while I was doing the rear. Before you can lower the axle, you must disconnect the lower shock mount and the rear sway bar. Well:

1) I disconnected the sway bar by lowering the axle until the bar was unstressed. Then, I unbolted the two bushing brackets on the axles themselves. When I was removing the bolts, I took care because added stress from the bar would strip the threads. Well, it happened. The top bolt actually stripped the thread in the mounting hole. I had to retap and redie the whole connection. So, if anyone decides to go that route, be careful.

2) I compressed the rear springs placed them in their mounting position and then removed the spring compressors. It was quite easy. I didn't have to disconnect more than the shock and sway bar. And I didn't have to risk snapping brake lines and what not.

I thought that I would add those tips if any one read's this before doing the job.

Thanks guys, Joseph

Grrrr... lost my tingly feeling