'02 SR5 - Need Tire Recommendations - Want to go Larger

cambone

New member
I am purchasing a 2002 SR5 4WD, it does not have fender flares and the tires are small. I want to get larger, wider tires without causing any rubbing on turns and I also don't want a lift.

I want something that is all terrain and will make it look tougher but won't kill gas mileage and will last. Is 265/75/16 the largest I can go w/o rubbing?

Any recommendations on size and make would be greatly appreciated?
 
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265/75R16
Wrangler Dura-Tracs look awesome.

I have 255/85r16 BFG KM2s that ride incredibly well but are a full blown MT. I'm also lifted.
 
I have 265's too and I have no lift and no rubbing. They are hankook AT's. Not too bad, they havent warn funny. They came practally new on my Runner when I bought it in 2006.
 
with 265/75/16, you are bound for some slight rubbage.

The 02 suspension is very low in comparison to the older years. you might have to do some trimming and hammering for them to fit. They didn't even fit on my 99 very well until I got taller springs.

My 265/70/17 (.3 in smaller than 265/75/16) had this issue:

before, lots of rubbing at full lock while entering driveways, shopping centers, going over speedbumps, etc..., even with trimmed mudflaps, inner fenders, and hammered pinch welds:
30456120815_large.jpg


After 99 tall springs, all of which was remedied:
30456120912_large.jpg
 
Add'l Question

Hey ChildrenOfBodom, did you notice a difference in how the car drove when you added the tall springs, bumpier, stiffer, etc?
How much $ do the tall springs run? Sorry not familiar with adding lifts. What tires would you recommend if I didn't want to add tall springs but wanted to have as big of tires as possible w/o rubbing?

Anybody else have recommendations on a size to get for an 02 that won't rub but is a good looking, large tire?
 
Last edited:
Wow, that is alot of lift with just the 99 coils. It looks really good.

Thanks man. It's a great choice, I think, if someone has the 2.7 and wants a lift that won't cripple their mileage.

Hey ChildrenOfBodom, did you notice a difference in how the car drove when you added the tall springs, bumpier, stiffer, etc?
How much $ do the tall springs run? Sorry not familiar with adding lifts. What tires would you recommend if I didn't want to add tall springs but wanted to have as big of tires as possible w/o rubbing?

Anybody else have recommendations on a size to get for an 02 that won't rub but is a good looking, large tire?

I will just copy and paste my reply to the PM you sent me.

Well yes, of course, the difference between nice new springs versus old saggy springs was quite different. My ride was very stiff before, but I attribute much of the new "boatiness" to the different shocks. It's a much more comfortable ride now, but depending on your shock choice, you can monitor that yourself.

The tall springs are available either through the Toyota dealer or through Sonoran Steel. While Steve at Sonoran is a good guy I hear, he charges way too much for the kit. Stay away from that.

1999 4Runner 4WD Front and Rear Coil Springs = $343.85 - Power Toyota Irvine

Bilstein HD Shocks x4 = $278 - TireRack.com

99 spring part numbers:
Front Right Springs - Blue / Yellow (48131-35400) Passenger Side
Front Left Springs - Blue / Pink (48131 - 35350) Driver Side
Both Rear Springs - Yellow / Red (48231 - 35210) Both Rear

So all in all, you get about the same stuff and you get it for 2-300 cheaper than from Sonoran.

Rubbing is a variable issue depending on everyones car. Everyones sag levels are different. On an 02, the rubbing I can imagine would be pretty rough since it sits so low. You could fit the 265/75's (about a 32" tire) if you really want to and you can do that without changing anything, but the offroad capability may be sacrificed and the whole driveway and bump thing. I personally would do this because I loved the extra ground clearance they offer and they're size it perfect for a stock 4Runner I think.

I forgot to mention my rims have a different offset and backspacing. Mine are closer to the inner fender than the stock 4Runner rims (I have Tundra rims). You shouldn't have as much rubbing as I did, but you still will have a substaintial amount to the point that you couldn't drive it normally without remedying it first.

If you don't want to deal with rubbing, the stock size, 265/70/16, which equates to about a 30 inch tires versus a 32" tire, is guaranteed to fit like a glove.

As far as certain tires go, I got the BF Goodrich All Terrain (265/70/17 since I have a 17" rim, about the same as 265/75/16) in Load range C. I don't do much heavy hauling, no towing, and I don't like a rough ride. The Load range C has done me very well and I have around 10-15k miles on them. They look great, too. Some people like to bash against this tire since it is so popular, but results don't lie. They perform great on and off road. Some say there is extra road noise, and of course they constantly bicker about it, but I have never noticed. I try to listen for it (I am only 19, not like I have bad hearing or anything) and I still don't know what people are griping about.

Expected tread life on these tires with normal driving and occasional offroad use can range to about 50k miles.
 

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