Advice for a newbie and a new Runner

TheRainMan

TheRainMan

New member
I've purchased a '14 LE in Blizzard Pearl which is slated to arrive next week - pretty pumped! It's a compromise between creature comforts (for my wife) and a hunting wagon (for me).

I really appreciate this website - have learned a ton reading through your posts. Some really smart people here.

I have been combing through hundreds of pages on this site trying to gain an understanding on how best to make this a little more off-road worthy. I know that this is kindergarten stuff for most of you - but its fourth year calculus for me.

Thanks to many of your posts, I have ordered this 3" lift/levelling kit and still keep the X-REAS 3" lift / leveling kit for FJ & 4Runner

Now it's time to choose wheel/tire sizes.

From my reading through these pages - it seems like these are the most commonly chosen sizes:

285 70 17
265 70 17

275 65 18
295 65 18

2 Questions that I hope some of you with experience might help me with is:

1. What tire/wheel combo would you think would work best w a LE with a simple 3" lift (without modifying much)

2. I am thoroughly confused on the offset numbers. When buying rims, is there a standard offset that I should order that works with a T4R?

I am grateful for any help that you can offer.

Jeff
 
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There is this reference guide in the mods/quick links/FAQ sticky. Also some good info about offset and backspacing (definitions, how to calculate, etc). It's where I started (new member and new 4runner owner myself!)

5th Gen tire fitment guide

I don't have much more personal experience/advice as I still have stock tires and wheels and am currently in the process of researching also.
 
BrickSwindle said:
There is this reference guide in the mods/quick links/FAQ sticky. Also some good info about offset and backspacing (definitions, how to calculate, etc). It's where I started (new member and new 4runner owner myself!)

5th Gen tire fitment guide

I don't have much more personal experience/advice as I still have stock tires and wheels and am currently in the process of researching also.
Click to expand...

Very helpful chart. Thanks BrickSwindle
 
Make sure you read the links in the post above the chart. There will be a test Monday! [MENTION=102688]BrickSwindle[/MENTION] glad you found the chart useful!
 
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jam23r1 said:
we would all fail.
Click to expand...

I for one would flunk any exam that had numbers in it.

Decided to go for the 285/70r17 size. Torn between the Michelin LTX® A/T2 and the Nitto Terra Grappler.

I know many who love the Michelins - I am far less familiar with the Nitto --- any bad experiences with them?
 
snzscooter said:
This cracks me up coming from The Rain Man. Can you at least count cards and toothpicks?
Click to expand...


The name came from many years of bad weather luck when riding my Harley - nothing to do w being an idiot savant. Well at least not a savant....

Any advice on the Nittos vs Michelins (based on experience)?
 
Can't help with the Nittos, but in the past 20 years, I've only had the best experience with every Michelin tire I've ever used. Even when I try out what I think is a newer, potentially better competitor, I end up disappointed. That never happens with the Michelins, and the LTX are an outstanding tire with one of the best ratings.
PS, found your wheels for you...
 

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Don't know much about lifts, but the lift you referenced had this message at the bottom:

NOTE: 3" front spacers are Not recommended for 2010+ models and will leave the front of your vehicle sitting higher than the rear. Choose 2.5" spacers for '10+ FJ and 4Runner
 
There is an Apple app called "TireSizer". It does the conversions for you and makes it super easy. From my experience, (BFG A/Ts, NITTO TerraGrapplers, Cooper STT MTs, BFG kM2s, Hankook DynaPro MTs) all in different sizes from 32s to 34s. A three inch lift should accommodate 33s, but I'd still do the body mount chop. Coopers have the best traction worst tread life. Nittos & BFG ATs are great commuter tires with fair off road traction, great tread life. Wouldn't recommend the KM2s. Hankooks would have been a good compromise but they wore oddly so I sold them. I'd try the Goodyear Duratracks.
 
splash101 said:
Don't know much about lifts, but the lift you referenced had this message at the bottom:

NOTE: 3" front spacers are Not recommended for 2010+ models and will leave the front of your vehicle sitting higher than the rear. Choose 2.5" spacers for '10+ FJ and 4Runner
Click to expand...

Yep - ordered as instructed in that note. Thanks though
 

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dekeman said:
Can't help with the Nittos, but in the past 20 years, I've only had the best experience with every Michelin tire I've ever used. Even when I try out what I think is a newer, potentially better competitor, I end up disappointed. That never happens with the Michelins, and the LTX are an outstanding tire with one of the best ratings.
PS, found your wheels for you...
Click to expand...

Yes Dekeman, I am with you. I think I'm going the LTX AT2s.

Just bought a set of these Black Rhinos with a -12 offset to swap with the wagon wheels when the 4Runner finally makes if off the slow boat from Japan
 

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TheRainMan said:
I've purchased a '14 LE in Blizzard Pearl which is slated to arrive next week - pretty pumped! It's a compromise between creature comforts (for my wife) and a hunting wagon (for me).

I really appreciate this website - have learned a ton reading through your posts. Some really smart people here.

I have been combing through hundreds of pages on this site trying to gain an understanding on how best to make this a little more off-road worthy. I know that this is kindergarten stuff for most of you - but its fourth year calculus for me.

Thanks to many of your posts, I have ordered this 3" lift/levelling kit and still keep the X-REAS 3" lift / leveling kit for FJ & 4Runner

Now it's time to choose wheel/tire sizes.

From my reading through these pages - it seems like these are the most commonly chosen sizes:

285 70 17
265 70 17

275 65 18
295 65 18

2 Questions that I hope some of you with experience might help me with is:

1. What tire/wheel combo would you think would work best w a LE with a simple 3" lift (without modifying much)

2. I am thoroughly confused on the offset numbers. When buying rims, is there a standard offset that I should order that works with a T4R?

I am grateful for any help that you can offer.

Jeff
Click to expand...
What is the reason for the lift and big tires? Are you planning on doing serious off road driving? If so, a spacer lift with the stock suspension is not the way to go. If it is just for looks, keep in mind that what you are planning on doing is going to change the handling and dynamics of the vehicle drastically. Make sure that a competent shop does the install, because the XREAS system, ABS and VSC sensors are pretty touchy. In my experience, even the LE is very capable off road with just a decent set of wheels and A/T tires, without losing it's great on road manners. I hunt 5 months out the year in rough country and bad weather, launch an 18' duck boat off of what the DNR calls a boat ramp, and have never needed a lift or oversized wheels and tires. It's just not worth the trade off for me.
 
Curt makes a great point. The LE with the right rims and tires can be unstoppable right out of the box. Save your money, try it stock, if you get stuck, well, then you know.

The Konig Countersteer Type X wheels are a great choice too, they're lighter than most and look especially good.
 
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