TravelWest01
New member
I have 285 70 17 now and want to go bigger. Have 3.5" lift now. Can I get to 35"?
Going Bigger - 5th Gen Tire Fitment Guide
- Thread starter 1engineer
- Start date
1engineer
Moderator
Hello all, new to the forum as I just bought my first truck...a T4R Limited. I know that the Bridgestone Duelers that come stock on it are not great winter tires...past experience. I am looking to put on some Goodyear Duratrac's and want to go to a bigger size. I live in Wisconsin and the snow is just around the corner...so it's time to get this change made. My question is how big can I go without making any serious modifications. These may get made in the future but I would like to keep things stock for now. The 275/55 20's look to be a safe choice. Also wondering about 20 inch vs 18 inch wheels and what the advantages are to both. Have not committed to the Goodyears yet so any endorsements of other tires are welcome...mostly hwy with a little bit of off road and lots of snow. Thank you everyone, great forum and glad I found it!:bravo:
Please go carefully read the first post in this thread.
You can go as big as you want. Just remember, size is proportional to the number of mods you will have to do to keep from rubbing and the dollars go up exponentially in proportion to both.
TravelWest01
New member
Go Big
Yes, I understand that. I guess a more specific question is, does anyone have experience running 35" or bigger tires on a Gen 5? Gearing up for the Rubicon. Thanks.
Yes, I understand that. I guess a more specific question is, does anyone have experience running 35" or bigger tires on a Gen 5? Gearing up for the Rubicon. Thanks.
Ol'Baditude
New member
Trying to run 35's carries with it a lot of additional work and expense.
The unsprung mass and contact area of a 35" tire will sap your torque and fuel economy like crazy. Not to mention it's not in any way good for your drivetrain components via the added stress, CV angles from higher lifts, etc. Hence the recommendation to re-gear when going to any size above a 33", which is not cheap.
Then there's the heavy modification to the fender well linings, chopping of body mounts, bump stop extensions, etc, and even then you're still probably going to rub when flexing and or turning which is never ideal.
Really, 34" is about the largest tire we can realistically run on these 5th gens and have everything run the way it's supposed to: 33" being and ideal compromise with the least amount of associated modification.
All of this being said, I was standing beside a 5th gen on 35's yesterday and it appeared to be workable and very well done, but I know it was a long, tough expensive job getting it to that stage. However, I haven't seen it offroad so there's really no indication of how practical it will be.
EDIT: From all accounts, the Rubicon is more than doable with a good set of 33's.
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1engineer
Moderator
In 2009 Toyota engineers ran the Rubicon in a stock TE prototype. No lift, no bigger tires, no extra skid plates but I think they ran sliders. That's all and they came away with a little cosmetic scratch and nothing broke. If I remember one of the head Execs was piloting one of them. Just sayin'.
TravelWest01
New member
Thanks for the detailed reply, much appreciated!
TravelWest01
New member
As you say, sliders key. Just ordered Shrockworks sliders. Will do skid plates and rear locker before the Rubicon.
Ol'Baditude
New member
Very good plan. Quite a bit of initial expense, but at the end of the day cheap insurance against much more costly repairs to your undercarriage and body panels. You'll ALWAYS be glad you made those three upgrades.
4fun-ar
New member
Actually there were 2 stock TEs and only mods on those two were better stock size tires and rock sliders.
TravelWest01
New member
Yeah, but the Toyota engineers had a support crew including helicopters flying supplies in and out, and they didn't have their own money in the game! Anybody who wants to put their stock truck up against the Rubicon should do it and post lots of pictures!
1engineer
Moderator
So I guess your point is this: Spend lots and lots of dollars to run 35's, get it regeared, lose tons of efficiency not to mention reduced life of components, all to run a trail that's been run before by a stock vehicle just like yours? Good plan. Go with that.
wfo9
New member
I would say doing the Rubicon in a stock tr4 trail is just crazy. It might be possible, but the chances of making it without significant damage seems very low. These tests that mfgs do are pretty unrealistic. The trucks are driven/guided by trail experts and still come out looking like a smashed soda can.
I'm not saying the trucks are not reliable and capable, but you can't deny the need for ground clearance and travel... on level 5+ rock crawling trails like the Rubicon.
My guess is that it would be doable on 33s with aftermarket armor and bumpers. Front and rear lockers would be a big plus. Some type of mid travel suspension setup would also help. 35s on a 5th gen just seem out of reach at the moment.
I'm not saying the trucks are not reliable and capable, but you can't deny the need for ground clearance and travel... on level 5+ rock crawling trails like the Rubicon.
My guess is that it would be doable on 33s with aftermarket armor and bumpers. Front and rear lockers would be a big plus. Some type of mid travel suspension setup would also help. 35s on a 5th gen just seem out of reach at the moment.
4fun-ar
New member
It is obvious that running Rubicon with stock 5th gen doesn't make sense since almost all of us pay for these trucks out of our own earned dollars. MFG engineers don't pay a dim out of their own pocket to do the same thing, they actually get paid for!!!!! That's why running Rubicon will need some level of modifications but not so extensive to effect the reliability and fundamental design of the truck.
Have fun at Rubicon.
Have fun at Rubicon.
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TravelWest01
New member
Nice post 1 engineer! I don't think you have seen the Rubicon. Have a great day!
TravelWest01
New member
Good advice. The plan will be 34" tires, sliders, skid plates and rear locker.
1engineer
Moderator
Rubicon Fails to Rattle 4Runner / Toyota Driver'Seat
2010 Toyota 4Runner Rubicon Trail First Drive
My post was not clear.
If you want to take a $40K truck, chop it up to run 35's (as you said in your 1st post) add several thousand dollars in mods to it just to run the Rubicon, a trail that has already been run by a stock version of the TE, then have at it. It would be way cheaper (and much cooler) to run the trail stock and then fix what you dented up. I posted the links so you could see the support staff was not all experts. Yes they had a guide. Big whoop.
TravelWest01
New member
I get what you are saying, I think we just have different approaches. You prefer a minimalist approach and I prefer to throw the kitchen sink at it. After all, it's a hobby, everybody enjoys it their own way.
Askaltoy
New member
All mfrs do the same thing. Here’s Jeep and their support staff on Rubicon getting the Trail Rated badging for the Grand Cherokee 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee tackles Rubicon looking to become Trail Rated - Autoblog After images 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee after Rubicon testing All that is needed is for it to makes it through to get the Trail Rated badge!
3wbdriver
New member
Ah the coveted Jeep Trail Rated badge.....
AX90028 SCX10? 2012 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon - The Axial Rubicon Trek (teaser) - YouTube
Sorry about the hijack.
AX90028 SCX10? 2012 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon - The Axial Rubicon Trek (teaser) - YouTube
Sorry about the hijack.
TravelWest01
New member
That is a tough way to do the 12 miles, the snake almost took it out! Thanks for sendIng that one on...
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