285x70x17 MTR's and what cutting I'll need to do

[Expat]

Ok..ok... I have been flippping and flopping on what tires to fit. I have spent countless hours on the net looking at AT and MT tires and am getting sick to death reading and re-reading posts on the various forums.

Clearly what is good for one person is not for another so I am coming to this conclusion....

I will build my truck over the next two/three years into a even more capable off-road machine.

That means I will ditch the Daystar spacers and get a bigger lift, ARB bumpers (front and rear hopefully), lockers, winch, spare tire carrier with carrier for gas cans etc.

At the moment tho. I want to get tires that I won't want to replace in a year and I feel that I am willing to make cuts into my truck for larger wheels.

So to the question....

SPECIFICALLY - what cuts and trims will I need to make to my 04 Sport to fit the 285's? (They will fit my stock wheels won't they?)

I know the inner liners - no problem
The triangular plastic - no problem
Mud flaps - no problems

What else SPECIFICALLY.

On my Porsches in the past we cut the fender lips to fit wider tires so I am not fearful of the cutting process.

Will I need to cut the lower front edge of the fender wells (behind the bumper) and the trailing edges of the fenders (towards the doors)?

Does anyone have before and after pictures of the cutout required?

Any metal grinding required? This might be my Achilles Heel!

I'd really appreciate input of experience not opinion.

Thank you.

Mark

 

[Expat]

4Route?

 

[TeCKis300]

Pics and difinitive info would be great.

 

[Expat]

Thanks Joel. I knew I had seen the info somewhere :bash:


Edit: Ended up getting 275's. Three places refused to fit 285's to the stock 7.5" wheels.

 

[truckhigh]

I didn't cut any metal at all!!! I did even cut the front at all. If you look at the front mudflap area. Right under the lowest bolt for the MF i cut everthing below that. Only the part facing the tire. So, from the side view,you cant tell I cut anything.


I do get rubbing though. I don't feel like cutting anymore so I have decided to go with a body lift It should be here anytime now.
I too plan on upgrading my lift as soon as I get teh money. I dont want to have a bigger lift with a hack job that wasn't necessary. thats why I chose the body lift.

 

[Expat]

Are you running the 285's on stock wheels tho? Edit - I see your running new wheels with possibly a different backspacing to the stock wheeels?

I just checked Goodyear website and it said the 285's would fit 7.5 - 9" wheels

 

[truckhigh]

Yeah im currently running a 17x8in rim. My rim is abouot a .25-.50in wider. I forgot how to translat offset to back spacing. Because its also in cm. I have been asking around other members. I would say go with a 9in rim with a 4.5 backspace(0 offset) I wish I did. My rims look to thin.

YOu will also notice that I have a 4in front lift. But since I put on a front brush gaurd it lowered it to a 3in lift in front.

 

[Expat]

I would say go with a 9in rim with a 4.5 backspace(0 offset)

I'm staying with my stock wheels and 275's for now. Have to wait on a delivery from Illinios so won't get them on till next week. Only have the Daystar 2.5 lift so I think the 285's are being too hopeful.

Thanks
Mark

 

[vandert]

Good chucle from this one

MTR's are some of the most aggresive tires out there,

You don't have to cut anything, no plastic, and no metal. But after that first drive you'll wish you did It'll look lke that 4Runner that Nitrous Enterprizes used to run on thier site before everone stopped buying thier stuff.

MTR's will look soooo sick though.

T

 

[vandert]

Oh, I found it

Here's a preview of how it'll look if you don't trim some

http://nitrousenterprises.com/anthony.html

You gotta look and laugh at that one. Nice amount of lift and all but comon.

T

 

[Fro-Runner]

I'm staying with my stock wheels and 275's for now. Have to wait on a delivery from Illinios so won't get them on till next week. Only have the Daystar 2.5 lift so I think the 285's are being too hopeful.

Thanks
Mark

04Runner,
What brand of 275's are you buying? I, too am thinking as you are in that the trimming is just not for me. I would like to stuff my wheel well as much as possible with a 3" lift without trimming.

 

[Expat]

I bought the 275x70x17 Goodyear Wrangler MTR's. On road I have no rubbing with these.

I have not been off-road yet but found a dirt mound to compress the suspension into the wheel well and the leading edge of the tire ever so slightly touches the plastic triangle at the lower front of the inner fender well.

I am off-roading in a few weeks and will take a small dremel tool in case I need to trim. At this stage it looks like I can even keep the mud flaps on .

The tires look freaking awesome and all the Runners I nornally see on the 101 freeway each morning who normally never even glimpse at another runner are looking with curiosity and one thumbs up even!

Cheers
Mark

 

[MAC4Runner]

Where's the pics?? You're killing me! :awais:

 

[Expat]

Sorry for the delay on pics. I'm not happty with any of the photos. They just don't do justice so I'll re shoot soon. Anyhow.....

 

[4route]

Looking good. You'll have definite rubbing if you take it offroad ... or if you go over any really large bumps, as it looks like you have very little clearance between the upper arms and the tires ...

Part of the problem is that you're running the stock wheels. When eventually you upgrade to some aftermarket wheels, be sure to get 4.5" backspacing, which will help give you a bit more space in there.

I think you will really enjoy the 275s. I have over 4" of lift in front and the 275s (though not quite as big as I'd like because I have this problem where I keep wanting just a little more height and tires that are a bit wider) are perfect for offroading because you can stuff them and not feel like you're going to drive the tires through the hood of the truck!

Also, with the lift you're running right now, the 275s will be even more perfect for you!

 

[Expat]

See, I'm so darn slack I don't know! The tire company aired them up and I still haven't checked. I still haven't had an alignment and its about 3 months since we installed the spacer lift.

I'll go check the pressure and repost.

 

[Expat]

38 all round.

Cheers
Mark

 

[Expat]

Just to update this thread...

I wheeled pretty heavy this past weekend. We had several occasions with wheels stuffed up inside the wells and rear wheels hanging 2ft in the air. And this was with a trcuk packed with camping gear, one adult (me) amd my 10 yr old son. Note we did not do any dune jumping - it may be another issue but I doubt it. Also - I have the 2.5 Daystar lift.

I ran the MTR 275's with NO rubbing on stock 17" wheels. I have NOT done any trimming. I believe this size to be the max. without making other changes.

I think the 285's look a little better (aggressive/mean) but others can confirm that trimming is necessary.

Yeah...I suck at getting pictures up but they are coming soon

Cheers
Mark

 

[MAC4Runner]

Just to confirm, absolutely NO trimming? What about the infamous triangles in the front of the front wheel wells? Were you able to keep your mud flaps?

TIA :beer:

 

[Fro-Runner]

Just to update this thread...

I wheeled pretty heavy this past weekend. We had several occasions with wheels stuffed up inside the wells and rear wheels hanging 2ft in the air. And this was with a trcuk packed with camping gear, one adult (me) amd my 10 yr old son. Note we did not do any dune jumping - it may be another issue but I doubt it. Also - I have the 2.5 Daystar lift.

I ran the MTR 275's with NO rubbing on stock 17" wheels. I have NOT done any trimming. I believe this size to be the max. without making other changes.

I think the 285's look a little better (aggressive/mean) but others can confirm that trimming is necessary.

Yeah...I suck at getting pictures up but they are coming soon

Cheers
Mark

Sooo let me get this correct----you are running 275/70-17's with a 2.5" daystar lift. Does that mean you would NOT recommend buying the 275's without putting on at least a 2-3" spacer lift kit??