Bought the lift, now need wheel/tire help

[digphisher]

So I finally took the plunge and bought the OW 2.0 full setup and will be ditching my XREAS after 93k miles. I'm installing the lift this weekend, and know I will need new tires in the next month or two and would like some help figuring out what will fit. I've done tons of searches, but can't get the right advice, so I thought I'd ask myself.

I'm looking at going 285/70/17 either AT or MT. Right now I have the sport wheels which are 17x7.5 with a 30mm offset. To fit the 285's on there, I learned that I would need spacers. This was the plan, but I have also read that spacers are not necessarily good for the bearings/drivetrain, as this is my daily driver. So I thought about picking up some used FJ wheels for $250 which are the same size but have an offset of 15mm. If I get the FJ wheels, is that 15mm enough to clear 285's? If so, that seems to be the route to go.

If that doesn't work, will getting aftermarket UCA's do the trick or are spacers the only option besides buying new wheels or going 275?

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Will_4R]

I don't see how wheels of different offset will be any easier on your bearings or front end components than spacers would. The cheapest easiest thing for you to do is to get Spidertrax.

 

[digphisher]

I have read both arguments. Some say spacers increase the load on the bearing as it pushes it away from the hub, but different offset wheels only move the tire. Others say as you do, there is no difference. I do not want to start that debate up again.

I just wanted to know if the increased offset of 15mm that the FJ wheels would give me would be enough to clear 285's, or will I still need the spacer?

Also, anyone have issues with spacers at high speed? 80-90mph?

 

[Will_4R]

I have read both arguments. Some say spacers increase the load on the bearing as it pushes it away from the hub, but different offset wheels only move the tire. Others say as you do, there is no difference. I do not want to start that debate up again.

I just wanted to know if the increased offset of 15mm that the FJ wheels would give me would be enough to clear 285's, or will I still need the spacer?

Also, anyone have issues with spacers at high speed? 80-90mph?

I don't think spacers move the bearing at all, only the wheel/tire, basically exactly what a different offset wheel would do. The Spidertrax are more of a wheel adapter than a spacer and noone has reported problems at high speed. Some people report problems with conventional spacers, which I would avoid since Spidertrax exist.

285s are 20mm wider than stock 265s, which means the tire will be 10mm closer to the UCA, steering knuckle etc, so the additional 15mm of offset should be enough. Ideally someone with firsthand experience will chime in.

 

[digphisher]

Wil,

You are right, spacers don't move the bearing, I used the wrong word. Your math makes sense to me, but like you said, I would love for someone with first hand knowledge to let me know.