98' SR5 3.4L - Tire advice

[Clemintine]

Hey All,
I just bought my 98 and love it. 5 speed, 3.4L, 215K, in excellent condition.
Like all things good though, I will be starting to slowly build her up. I have to save a little, but first things first.
Tires. I have the stock 16", and want larger tires for off-road. All Terrains. I don't really know how the tire sizes work though (yes...groan for sure), but I thought if there is a place to start asking, it's definitely here.
Any of you peeps have thoughts on this? I don't plan to do a body lift, but I do plan on at least a 2" suspension lift. Also thinking of installing 2" wheel spacers.
So tires first. Is there a cap to the size I should use (for over-sized), and concerned about wheel rub.
Any info will help. Thanks.

 

[pluton]

Stock size is 265/70/16. A nominal 31" diameter. I assume these trucks were sold with P-series "fake" all terrain tires. So...putting a real all terrain tire that is significantly heavier on the truck will put a small ding into your mileage and power.
The next size up is 265/75/16. This is a 1-inch greater diameter tire, so it gives you a 1/2 inch lift over stock. Most folks think it looks better, especially if you lift the truck 2". Visually, they seem to fill the wheel well better.
With these 32" tires you can expect a noticeable hit in power, acceleration, and gas mileage. Many here say it's worth it for the looks and slightly better ground clearance. Also, many here state that with 265/75/16 tires on a 2" lifted 4runner there is no issue with rubbing.
I chose to, even though my 4Runner has a 2"+ lift, to go with the stock size. I want to preserve the driving dynamics and mileage as closely as I can. With stock size tires and the 4R loaded with camping gear or passengers, I can just barely stay in 4th gear when ascending the big, long grades on the interstates. I got BFG AT/KO2 tires this time. I've been using BFG AT tires since 1998 across 4 different vehicles. They are extra expensive in the 265/70/16 size for no known reason.
I don't want to go back to the power level of my old 4 cylinder Toyota 4WD truck, which had to use 3rd gear on those long climbs. Never again!
Hope this helps.

 

[RunningForNow]

I have stock sized Cooper Adventurer A/T on mine. I got them when they were on sale, and I’ve been very happy with them. I took them through two moderately challenging off-road trails, and they performed very well. Snow is above average, but not stellar, just good enough to keep you safe.

I have a 2” lift on mine now, and I’m probably going to go to 17” tires/wheels when these tires are done. Unlike most here, I’m going to go with Toyota steel wheels, because I dig the steelie look. With a 2” lift, unless you increase the overall diameter, there shouldn’t be any rubbing issues with 17” wheels.

 

[Fishwerks]

Hey All,
I just bought my 98 and love it. 5 speed, 3.4L, 215K, in excellent condition.
Like all things good though, I will be starting to slowly build her up. I have to save a little, but first things first.
Tires. I have the stock 16", and want larger tires for off-road. All Terrains. I don't really know how the tire sizes work though (yes...groan for sure), but I thought if there is a place to start asking, it's definitely here.
Any of you peeps have thoughts on this? I don't plan to do a body lift, but I do plan on at least a 2" suspension lift. Also thinking of installing 2" wheel spacers.
So tires first. Is there a cap to the size I should use (for over-sized), and concerned about wheel rub.
Any info will help. Thanks.

Welcome to the forum. Replace the lower ball joints if they haven't been replaced before.

Suspension lift on IFS does not help clear tires. Body lifts, larger bumpstops (limiting travel), messing with the caster to push the tires forward or cutting whatever the tire hits will clear tires on IFS.

The first number on a metric sized tire is the width in mm. The second number is the ratio of sidewall height to width. And obviously the third number is wheel size in inches.

For a 265/70/16 tire, the width is 265 mm (10.43 inches). The sidewall height is 70% of the width so 265 mm x .7 = 185.5 mm (7.3 inches). The overall diameter is then sidewall height times 2 plus wheel diameter. Obviously do this in inches so (7.3 inches x 2) + 16 inches = 30.6 inches diameter. It's common just to round up (31") on these metric tires.

Increasing backspacing by using spacers or buying aftermarket wheels will make tire rub worse but can be necessary depending on tire size. Wider tires will rub more as well. As a general rule for the common 16" tire sizes:
- 265/75/16 (~32" tire) shouldn't rub on stock wheels, but still might hit the back of the wheel well.
- 285/75/16 (~33" tire) will probably require trimming of the wheel well liner and cutting/hammering the pinch weld. The sidewall of the tire may or may not clear the UCA on stock wheels.
- 315/75/16 (~35" tire) will require tubbing the firewall.

If you want zero to minimal work for tire clearance go with 265/75/16 and no spacers. If you want bigger tires and/or wheel spacers or aftermarket wheels just be prepared for more work.

 

[Clemintine]

Welcome to the forum. Replace the lower ball joints if they haven't been replaced before.

Suspension lift on IFS does not help clear tires. Body lifts, larger bumpstops (limiting travel), messing with the caster to push the tires forward or cutting whatever the tire hits will clear tires on IFS.

The first number on a metric sized tire is the width in mm. The second number is the ratio of sidewall height to width. And obviously the third number is wheel size in inches.

For a 265/70/16 tire, the width is 265 mm (10.43 inches). The sidewall height is 70% of the width so 265 mm x .7 = 185.5 mm (7.3 inches). The overall diameter is then sidewall height times 2 plus wheel diameter. Obviously do this in inches so (7.3 inches x 2) + 16 inches = 30.6 inches diameter. It's common just to round up (31") on these metric tires.

Increasing backspacing by using spacers or buying aftermarket wheels will make tire rub worse but can be necessary depending on tire size. Wider tires will rub more as well. As a general rule for the common 16" tire sizes:
- 265/75/16 (~32" tire) shouldn't rub on stock wheels, but still might hit the back of the wheel well.
- 285/75/16 (~33" tire) will probably require trimming of the wheel well liner and cutting/hammering the pinch weld. The sidewall of the tire may or may not clear the UCA on stock wheels.
- 315/75/16 (~35" tire) will require tubbing the firewall.

If you want zero to minimal work for tire clearance go with 265/75/16 and no spacers. If you want bigger tires and/or wheel spacers or aftermarket wheels just be prepared for more work.

That's great advice. I really appreciate this! I guess at this point (the beginning) of my venture, I'll stick with what works with minimal work, since I don't have a garage...grrrrr.
Are there specific rims to work with 265/75/16, or is that just a standard fit for most. I also have some nice rims on my 91 (which I'm selling) that I bought, but unsure if the bolt pattern is the same for 91 and 98.
Thanks

 

[Clemintine]

Would it be a bad idea to look at 265/80/16?

 

[TheSaturnV]

I went with 265/75/16 GoodYear Ultra Terrains and am very happy with the size and brand. More aggressive tread than the OEM Wrangler tires and still really quiet on the highway.

SECOND heads up to check your Lower Ball Joints. Google 4runner lower ball joint and see what the fuss is about.

 

[Fishwerks]

That's great advice. I really appreciate this! I guess at this point (the beginning) of my venture, I'll stick with what works with minimal work, since I don't have a garage...grrrrr.
Are there specific rims to work with 265/75/16, or is that just a standard fit for most. I also have some nice rims on my 91 (which I'm selling) that I bought, but unsure if the bolt pattern is the same for 91 and 98.
Thanks

Moving away from the stock wheels will change how tires fit due to backspacing differences. 265/75/16s have the best chance to fit with stock backspacing.

Regarding the 91 vs 98 bolt pattern - I think both should be 6x5.5 but I'm not 100%.

Would it be a bad idea to look at 265/80/16?

I don't even know if anyone makes this tire size.

But that made me realize I missed a semi-common tire size in my other post. 255/85/16 is a skinny 33" tire. But the selection is kinda limited.

 

[Endlessblockades]

I also have some nice rims on my 91 (which I'm selling) that I bought, but unsure if the bolt pattern is the same for 91 and 98.
Thanks

Unless you upgraded the rim diameter on your 2nd Gen 1991, keep in mind that they came stock with 15" wheels. Same bolt pattern.

 

[gamefreakgc]

If it helps, Toyota told me BFG Goodrich was the OEM option for tires for 4x4 models in California. Tread patterns have changed over the past 20 years, but the Rugged Trail & KO2 are the most similar to what it came with from the factory.

 

[Ryan and Jerri]

I just put a set of LT 265/75/16 Duratracs on my winter wheels and they're unstoppable. Especially seeing that I had them studded for ice driving pleasure. Plus they look pretty badass.
Pardon the crappy picture.

 

[Clemintine]

Thanks everyone...

I appreciate all the responses. Some really good things to look into.
I've read upon the lower ball joints. Better go get that checked out. Ball joints, it's always the expensive fixes, never the cheap fixes.

 

[gman1970]

2000 SR5 with Pirelli Scorpion MTR 265/75/16's, had to do some minor trimming to the running boards but I'm eventually taking those off.

 

[RadMan69]

I have 265/75/15 BFG all terrain T/A KO2s on my 98 and I absolutely love them. I plan on getting a suspension lift soon as these do rub if I turn the wheel all the way to one side or the other. They do also weigh more than the stock tire, so there will be a decrease in MPG and overall power, but a good set of shoes is well worth it in my book.