Another How Big of Tire Thread...

[Werolin]

I've searched, and also went back 6 or so pages, and saw some good related questions/answers, but looking for ideas and confirmation specifically related to what I have I thought I would post yet another how big of tire thread.

I have a '97 3rd Gen SR5, and with help from guys like Tim I pretty much rebuilt the front suspension. While doing the front suspension I replaced the front shocks with the adjustable Bilstein 5100 shocks, in the #3 snap ring location, giving it a 1.6" lift up front, and this weekend I'm going to replace the rear upper and lower control arm bushings, and then install the 5100's with the OME 906 springs to get me a ~2" lift in the rear.

The current tires are 31X10.50R15, which were on the truck with no rubbing or any other problems before I started the lift project. So I know that I'm golden with this size tire. However, I'd like to go bigger, and I'm looking at the 33X10.50R15, but after reading some of the other threads I fear I will get some rub. If it makes any difference, the tire I'm looking at is the BGF A/T TKO2.

In this picture, which isn't great, you can see I have plenty of room around the tire, but is it enough room for the 33's? With the 31's looking kind of small, what is the biggest tire I can get with the ~2" suspension lift and no body lift or wheel spacers? Is there a size between the 31's and 33's that would work? Thanks in advance for your suggestions and/or advice!

 

[pluton]

The famous 265-75-16 tire, which is roughly equivalent in diameter to a [non-existent] 32x10.5x15, is the go-to, no problem, slightly larger tire for these trucks, but you've got 15" wheels. Your truck is 4WD, right?

 

[Jon88]

I just installed 295/70/17 with a -18 off set, with minor trimming they only rub at 90%. I could do some more in depth trimming and it wouldn’t at all. Mine is a limited so the trimming I did was on the fender flare and front bumper. The tires are Nitto trail grapplers which run sorta big, they are pretty much 34x12 if I remember correctly.

 

[Werolin]

Thanks for the reply! Yeah, the 15" wheel seems to be great for price of new tires, but not selection. I just want to make sure this doesn't turn into a bunch of little projects before I drop a bunch of cash, and I pick the right tire the first time.

Oh, and yes, it is 4WD.

 

[Werolin]

I just installed 295/70/17 with a -18 off set, with minor trimming they only rub at 90%. I could do some more in depth trimming and it wouldn’t at all. Mine is a limited so the trimming I did was on the fender flare and front bumper. The tires are Nitto trail grapplers which run sorta big, they are pretty much 34x12 if I remember correctly.

Those look real nice!

 

[phattyduck]

Keep in mind that a front lift won't get you any more clearance for wheels/tires. The suspension still travels in the same arc as before the lift. A correct wheel alignment (maximum caster) will net the most clearance.

265/75-16 and 265/70-17 are the max size for no rub guaranteed (assuming correct alignment). That is a small "32" inch tire. Anything larger and you will likely have to do some cutting/pounding/etc. to fit.

Wheel spacers will help with upper control arm clearance, but will make fender rub worse in most situations.

-Charlie

 

[KamKoz]

I have been running a similar setup with OME 881/906 on my 99. I just put on some 890s in the rear and added some 265/75r16 Milestar Patagonia M/T in place of my P rated (265) A/Ts on stock 5 spokes. These are maybe .5" taller and wider than the previous tire so that helps fill the wheel wells.

I was debating the 33" vs 32" option but with the fact I go off-road a fair bit I stuck with the 32" tire to avoid any additional rubbing under flex. I feel the 265s look great with the stance and are quite a bit more functional than the 285s for a daily driven vehicle that sees trails most weekends. Don't get me wrong the 33s look great on a slightly lifted rig and give a bit more clearance but the negatives outweighed the positives in my situation. I wanted to avoid new wheels, spacers, possibility of adjustable UCA's not to mention MPGs and wear and tear on components.

 

[T4topher]

Keep in mind that a front lift won't get you any more clearance for wheels/tires. The suspension still travels in the same arc as before the lift. A correct wheel alignment (maximum caster) will net the most clearance.

265/75-16 and 265/70-17 are the max size for no rub guaranteed (assuming correct alignment). That is a small "32" inch tire. Anything larger and you will likely have to do some cutting/pounding/etc. to fit.

Wheel spacers will help with upper control arm clearance, but will make fender rub worse in most situations.

-Charlie

This^..

I’m getting away with 285/75/16 BFG KM3’s but haven’t tested full compression lock to lock.. I have toytec billy Kit w/ 1” bora spacers, no need for trimming or anything so far with normal driving.. this size is like 32.5”, a true 33” I’m pretty sure I would need to do some clearancing.

 

[Werolin]

Excellent, thanks for all of the replies! So I think I'm ruling out the 33X10.50R15 for fear of rubbing. I know that the 31X10.50R15 will fit without rubbing, as that is what I have on her now, but I wanted to go slightly bigger. I do like the 265/75R16, as they are a little taller (0.6") than the 31X10.50R15, but that means I need new wheels, which is a whole new expense. So, I'm leaning towards the 31X10.50R15's.

I bought this car for my 17 year old daughter, so I'm trying not to make it too much of a "wheeler" which is why I went with such a little lift. That is also why I am avoiding dumping more money into it than I need to. However, working on this truck has made me a 3rd Gen 4Runner lover, so I can't help but to do some little tweaks to make it both better and safer.

The info I have come across on this forum is excellent, and I appreciate all of your opinions, advice, and help! Thanks again!

 

[CaboRunner]

Keep in mind that a front lift won't get you any more clearance for wheels/tires. The suspension still travels in the same arc as before the lift. A correct wheel alignment (maximum caster) will net the most clearance.

265/75-16 and 265/70-17 are the max size for no rub guaranteed (assuming correct alignment). That is a small "32" inch tire. Anything larger and you will likely have to do some cutting/pounding/etc. to fit.

Wheel spacers will help with upper control arm clearance, but will make fender rub worse in most situations.

-Charlie

This should be copy and pasted to all 1093 threads that ask this exact question

 

[onemanarmy]

Post a pic of you 15" wheels. Don't usually see 15" wheels on the 4wd models.

 

[Werolin]

Post a pic of you 15" wheels. Don't usually see 15" wheels on the 4wd models.

I tried attaching a picture in my initial post, but it didn't work. The tires on it are 21X10.50R15, so I don't see how the rim could be anything but 15". Also, when I get the specs from running the VIN it states that the stock tires were P225/75R15, and that it came with 15X7" Styled Steel Wheels. However, that same spec sheet states that the seats are cloth-faced bucket seats up front, and split folding fabric rear seat, when the seats are leather, so maybe they were replaced by a previous owner.

Here's another try at a picture. Not the best shot, but you can kind of see how the front is a littler higher than the rear.
Shared album - The Dave - Google Photos

 

[Werolin]

Let me try this another way...

 

[phattyduck]

If 15" wheels fit, you have a 15 inch wheel truck. Almost all of the 4WD's were optioned (SR5) or standard (Limited) with 16" wheels. The door stickers on most still say 225/75-15 though...

Since your truck was a 15" wheel truck, you also have the smaller brakes meant for the 225/75-15" (~29") tires. Your front calipers, pads, discs and rear wheel cylinders are all smaller than the 16" wheel trucks. A brake upgrade would be a good idea with the (much) larger tires.

-Charlie

 

[Werolin]

If 15" wheels fit, you have a 15 inch wheel truck. Almost all of the 4WD's were optioned (SR5) or standard (Limited) with 16" wheels. The door stickers on most still say 225/75-15 though...

Since your truck was a 15" wheel truck, you also have the smaller brakes meant for the 225/75-15" (~29") tires. Your front calipers, pads, discs and rear wheel cylinders are all smaller than the 16" wheel trucks. A brake upgrade would be a good idea with the (much) larger tires.

-Charlie

Good point about upping the brakes! I have been thinking about doing that Tundra brake upgrade, so maybe I need to think a little more about it. Thanks for the advice!

 

[phattyduck]

Good point about upping the brakes! I have been thinking about doing that Tundra brake upgrade, so maybe I need to think a little more about it. Thanks for the advice!

Tundra upgrade will be fine! Just do the rear wheel cylinders to upgrade the rear brakes at the same time.

-Charlie

 

[kolelt]

Tundra upgrade will be fine! Just do the rear wheel cylinders to upgrade the rear brakes at the same time.

-Charlie

To what will you upgrade the rears ? Only thing I can think is “refresh” them with same oem cylinder and oem shoes.

 

[phattyduck]

To what will you upgrade the rears ? Only thing I can think is “refresh” them with same oem cylinder and oem shoes.

15" wheel trucks have smaller diameter rear wheel cylinder pistons than the 16" wheel trucks, otherwise the brakes are the same in the rear. So, the upgrade is just to the stock parts that most guys have on here already...

Adding more braking to the rear to match the front upgrade will give you overall better braking.

-Charlie

 

[Werolin]

15" wheel trucks have smaller diameter rear wheel cylinder pistons than the 16" wheel trucks, otherwise the brakes are the same in the rear. So, the upgrade is just to the stock parts that most guys have on here already...

Adding more braking to the rear to match the front upgrade will give you overall better braking.

-Charlie

What's kind of a bummer is I just had the slave cylinders replaced and brakes done in the rear... which is what prompted me to start doing my own work and rebuild the front suspension (new upper and lower ball joints, new upper and lower control arm bushings, new steering rack and sway bar bushings, remanufactured front axles, new front differential oil seals and gear oil, new sway bar end link bushings, and the new Bilstein 5100 shocks). I still need to do the tie rods, and then the front end will be complete. I'm replacing the rear upper and lower control arm bushings, sway bar end link bushings, and shocks and springs (5100's and 2906 coils) this weekend to complete the lift. I know my tires are badly cupped from the bad lower ball joint and shocks, which is what started this quest for bigger tires.

 

[kolelt]

15" wheel trucks have smaller diameter rear wheel cylinder pistons than the 16" wheel trucks, otherwise the brakes are the same in the rear. So, the upgrade is just to the stock parts that most guys have on here already...

Adding more braking to the rear to match the front upgrade will give you overall better braking.

-Charlie

Oh I didn’t know that. Good info. Thanks.