New 2012 TE and a few questions...

smallcandle

smallcandle

New member
Hey guys,

Well, after trading my 02 Taco in a couple of years ago I'm back in the Toyota family with a 2012 TE with nav and KDSS that I bought this week. So far I'm enjoying the truck, but I have to admit that I brought it home with an eye towards doing some mods to give it a better stance. To that end, I have a few questions that I'm hoping some members can shed some light on:

1. Does going to 285/70/17 tires have an adverse effect on performance? Specifically, is the cruise control still useable or does the truck struggle to turn the taller rubber?

2. For those members running the 285's, did you replace your spare as well? To my eye I'm not sure a 285 spare will tuck up under the truck.

3. I intend to retain my stock wheels, so will I have any problems if I choose to go with the 285's?

4. Is using spacers pretty much the accepted way of getting the 285's to fit as good as possible?

I think those pretty much cover the main questions on my mind. As you'll notice I've already tinted the front windows and have removed the factory running boards. Like most people I only want to do suspension and tire mods once, so I'm very interested in hearing other members experiences and impressions based on the improvements they've made themselves.

Below I've attached the obligatory pics of the truck as she sits today. Hopefully with everyone's help I'll be able to formulate a plan for tires and suspension in the next few days and then proceed with the changes.

Thanks everyone and I look forward to your thoughts and observations...

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Can't help you with your questions, but I wanted to say congratulations on your purchase. I've got the same truck, but I'm keeping 'er stock, other than upgraded Firestone tires in OEM size, Husky floor liners and Wet Okole seat covers.
 
smallcandle said:
1. Does going to 285/70/17 tires have an adverse effect on performance? Specifically, is the cruise control still useable or does the truck struggle to turn the taller rubber?

I bought my te in february. The dealer had installed the ome lift along with the wheels and tire. The additional height and the added drag of the bfg mud terrains make the cruise control useless. It just doesn't have the torque needed to pull the effective final drive ratio. I just completed my first long road trip to colorado and it honestly ran better if i left it in 4th gear on any highway section that had any incline. That stopped the constant hunting between 4th and 5th. With the cruise, it would drop to 4th and then to 3rd, overshoot the set speed by 5 to 7 mph, then quickly drop back to 4th and 5th, only to immediately do it again.

2. For those members running the 285's, did you replace your spare as well? To my eye i'm not sure a 285 spare will tuck up under the truck.

I still have the original spare and agree that it looks like it would be a tight fit for a 285 in there. However, i believe there is at least one person on this forum who has a 285 spare stuffed in there.
Click to expand...

xxxx
 
285's only with a lift is advisable.
Cruise control works fine with larger tires
My spare 285 fit fine

I didn't use any spacers but went with aftermarket UCA's

Congrats on the TE!!

We should go wheelin sometime
 
I installed a toytec ultimate lift kit/LR UCAs and run Falkon wildepeak ATs 285/70/17 with no issues on stock TE wheels for my 12 TE4R. The wheel width is in spec for this size rubber. I did push the inner fender plastic forward prior to install and set my camber to +4 to prevent any rubbing. Have had full suspension travel with no issues, at least 1/2 inch clearance at full lock.

My D rated tires are heavier than a E rated duratec (61 lbs a piece vs 53 for duratecs) but have noticed no significent drop in performance or cruise controll functionality (I did lose about 1 mpg though). Love these tires for what I do.

As others in this forum have already done, you can run 285/70/17's with no lift or spaces if you like, but why?

And yes, at least for my tires, the spare 285/70/17 fits just fine in the spare slot.

Check out the 5th lifted thread to see all of your options.

Cheers!
 
Thanks for the replies so far guys. I should have mentioned that I would be installing a Toytec Ultimate lift to help clear the tires. Always interested to hear other observations and opinions, so keep em coming...
 
1. Does going to 285/70/17 tires have an adverse effect on performance? Specifically, is the cruise control still useable or does the truck struggle to turn the taller rubber?

I haven't noticed an issue. It's definitely working a bit harder, but nothing that concerns me.

2. For those members running the 285's, did you replace your spare as well? To my eye I'm not sure a 285 spare will tuck up under the truck.

I have a 285/70/17 on the stock spare rim - it fits tightly but it fits.

3. I intend to retain my stock wheels, so will I have any problems if I choose to go with the 285's?

The TE wheels are 7.5" and are considered the minimum width for 285s

4. Is using spacers pretty much the accepted way of getting the 285's to fit as good as possible?

Spacers will cause rubbing in most cases. Mine only rubs in full lock on the drivers side rear wheel well. I feel it's worth the improved look. I did have to move the wheel well liner up a bit on the fronts.
 
Thanks again for the replies guys! I'm sure this subject has been beaten to death so I appreciate your patience... Moving forward, I have an Icon Stage 1 lift on order now and am leaning towards the BFG AT/KO 285/70/17, so hopefully the transformation will be completed shortly. I'll post the 'after' pics ASAP...
 
Looks great, Reata! I notice you're running the 265 Duratracs with 3" of lift. How has your experience with that setup been so far? Does using the stock size tires look ok with a lift? Anyway, the rig is looking very nice!
 
285's came on my CPO TE I got back in May, on road driving only (didn't take this setup off road), they only rubbed the front panel at full lock. I just moved the front panel forward by drilling new holes and re-attaching.


1. Does going to 285/70/17 tires have an adverse effect on performance? Specifically, is the cruise control still useable or does the truck struggle to turn the taller rubber?

No, truck still does just fine, still enough power and CC still works well.

2. For those members running the 285's, did you replace your spare as well? To my eye I'm not sure a 285 spare will tuck up under the truck.

Have not yet, but am looking too.

3. I intend to retain my stock wheels, so will I have any problems if I choose to go with the 285's?

No I have 285's on stock TE wheels. Ran that setup for about a month then added spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers. I did need to bump the front panels forward a little more as it rubbed again. Did a shake down run this past weekend and had no rubbing with full suspension articulation.

4. Is using spacers pretty much the accepted way of getting the 285's to fit as good as possible?

I did it more for the wider stance, better stability (noticable) and appearance. IMHO, the slightly wider stance totally changes the look of the truck for the better.

-bh
 
I have the Limited but the issues are the same. My replies in red
smallcandle said:
Hey guys,

Well, after trading my 02 Taco in a couple of years ago I'm back in the Toyota family with a 2012 TE with nav and KDSS that I bought this week. So far I'm enjoying the truck, but I have to admit that I brought it home with an eye towards doing some mods to give it a better stance. To that end, I have a few questions that I'm hoping some members can shed some light on:
Just curious what you had between the Tacoma and the 4Runner?

1. Does going to 285/70/17 tires have an adverse effect on performance? Specifically, is the cruise control still useable or does the truck struggle to turn the taller rubber?
I run 295/65x18's and haven't noticed any. By now i'm sure you've experienced the aggressive cruise control, larger tires may actually tame it a slight bit

2. For those members running the 285's, did you replace your spare as well? To my eye I'm not sure a 285 spare will tuck up under the truck.
Yes it will fit np

3. I intend to retain my stock wheels, so will I have any problems if I choose to go with the 285's?
You can mount 285/70 on the OEM TE wheels

4. Is using spacers pretty much the accepted way of getting the 285's to fit as good as possible?
No, they will actually increase the chance of rubbing. If you are wanting a wider stance then wider wheels while keeping the 4.5bs would be the way to go.

I think those pretty much cover the main questions on my mind. As you'll notice I've already tinted the front windows and have removed the factory running boards. Like most people I only want to do suspension and tire mods once, so I'm very interested in hearing other members experiences and impressions based on the improvements they've made themselves.

Below I've attached the obligatory pics of the truck as she sits today. Hopefully with everyone's help I'll be able to formulate a plan for tires and suspension in the next few days and then proceed with the changes.

Thanks everyone and I look forward to your thoughts and observations...
Click to expand...

I see you chose to go with the Icon set-up, I also have the Icon stage 1 with the extended travel fronts and really like the set-up! Did you also go with aftermarket uca's? If not I would highly recommend the Light Racing uppers which will allow for more positive caster. This will make it much easier fitting your 285's with only the fender liner mod.

Good luck :thumb3: and yes pic's are required:boink:
 
Thanks for the info Qjake. As strange as it will sound, I actually owned an 00 Excursion with the 7.3 diesel engine, then an 07 Super Duty with the 6.0 diesel and finally an 11 Super Duty with the 6.7 diesel. While I never really "needed" any of these trucks it was nice to have the extra room and power. Now that I have that phase out of my system it was time to return "home" and get back in a Toyota.

Once again I appreciate everyone's input on my original questions. That being said, however, I'm starting to have second thoughts (as is my way) about the lift and larger tires. While my 4Runner will not be a daily driver, I do manage to put about 10,000 miles per year on my vehicle. My main concern remains how enjoyable it will be to drive a lifted truck on a 700 or 1,000 mile trip. My off-roading will be limited to once or twice a year and towing will be rare as well. Now I'm over-thinking the issues and don't know what to do...
 
smallcandle said:
Once again I appreciate everyone's input on my original questions. That being said, however, I'm starting to have second thoughts (as is my way) about the lift and larger tires. While my 4Runner will not be a daily driver, I do manage to put about 10,000 miles per year on my vehicle. My main concern remains how enjoyable it will be to drive a lifted truck on a 700 or 1,000 mile trip. My off-roading will be limited to once or twice a year and towing will be rare as well. Now I'm over-thinking the issues and don't know what to do...
Click to expand...

I would suggest a simple lift with springs+5100s and 275/70 or even stock size AT tires (Maybe BFG AT KO or something). I think the 4R rides better after my lift and tires - though it's a bit louder and my MPG is decreased. I don't have issues with power really.
 
^^^ Good advice as well. I've made my mind up though and am continuing on with the Icon lift and 285/70/17 BFG AT/KO's. What sort of load range is appropriate for our trucks? I've seen this issue debated at length as well...
 
smallcandle said:
^^^ Good advice as well. I've made my mind up though and am continuing on with the Icon lift and 285/70/17 BFG AT/KO's. What sort of load range is appropriate for our trucks? I've seen this issue debated at length as well...
Click to expand...

I'd recommend Load Range D. E's are heavy!
 
I have E's but had no choice with my tire size. D's are fine for our trucks and you won't take as much of a hit in MPG.

edit: I see you're looking at BFG's, I have no experience with them so nvm
 
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smallcandle said:
Looks great, Reata! I notice you're running the 265 Duratracs with 3" of lift. How has your experience with that setup been so far? Does using the stock size tires look ok with a lift? Anyway, the rig is looking very nice!
Click to expand...

Welcome aboard!! I was concerned as when I decided to stock size tires. I love them and they look great on 3" of lift to me. I chose this because on my land rover I upsized the tires and couldn't stand the speedo variable. The Duratracs did very well on all the trails in Ouray and all the other places I have been as well. As for the ride, it is great with the lift and tires. This is my DD, and I drove straight back from CO to Dallas. Smooth ride on the road at 75-80 the whole way.
 
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