Rubbing due to front end sag?

[rjfowler]

I just put new wheels (18x9 -12mm offset) and tires (Goodyear AT Wrangler Adventure in 265/70/18) on 2010 LTD with 45k miles.

Based on what I have read on the forum, it should not be rubbing that much with these wheels and tire size. The driver side is rubbing like crazy, though, both at the front and rear of the wheel well. (Rubbing on the passenger side is minimal.) I have used the heat-gun technique on the front and cut out some of the plastic on the back, and the driver side is still rubbing like crazy.

I was scratching my head and walking around the truck, and realized the front driver side seems to be sagging a lot, and is about .75" lower than the passenger side. (See below for pictures.) This would explain why the driver side is rubbing so much worse than the passenger side. The front overall looks to be about 2 inches lower than the rear, but I don't know if that is right or not.

Should it be sagging so much? I am planning on doing a spacer lift, but is there anything to level out the front driver and passenger sides?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

* * *

This is a yard stick, btw. I should probably have turned it the other way on second thought.

Visually, shouldn't the gap between the fender and the tire be about the same on the front and rear?

 

[Bad_Influence]

You have a couple things going on here. For one the 265/70r18 tire diameter is a little bit bigger than the 275/70r17 tires that some have opted to squeeze into their wheel wells without a lift. This chart should help you figure out why you have rubbing issues:265/70-R18 vs 275/70-R17 Tire Comparison - Tire Size Calculator

Also, when "leveling" a 5th gen 4runner, usually the back end still has a slightly bigger space in-between the top of the tire and the top of the wheel well. The driver side on these t4r's also tend to be slightly lower than the passenger side due to uneven weight distribution. That being said, that front end does look a bit low on the driver side. Maybe one of your shocks has had a slow leak that is now revealing its ugly face? If the shocks are fine, and you still are planning to do a spacer lift, i would make sure the driver side has a spacer that is about a 1/2 inch bigger than the spacers for the passenger side. Good Luck!

 

[rjfowler]

Thanks, Bad_Influence. Maybe I am misunderstanding our suspension, but wouldn't the height have more to do with the spring than the shock absorber?

Also, I see that you have a LE with coilovers. Did you remove the xreas from your truck? Or are coilovers an option for my truck as well?

Thanks again.

 

[Bad_Influence]

you have to remove the xreas to do a suspension lift, and yes the spring holds the brunt of the weight. If your shock has a leak, then those springs will sag more overtime due to more compression and stress being put on it. That is where i was going with that... You can do a spacer lift of 1.5 in the front and 1 inch in the back with spacers and keep the xreas. that is a popular option for those who want to save money and keep the xreas. If you do go this option, don't get too crazy off road, the spacers make the stock shocks less effective.

the icon shocks make for a better ride anyway, so no regrets there. especially at high speeds, the icons eat up potholes like a cadillac suspension. Looking at your ride, i would suggest raising the front end for now, maybe 1.5 inches to level it out more. Some have opted to put a rear spacer of 1 inch only on the driver side, it seems to assist the front end driver side sag. There are so many directions you can go from here, good luck and hopefully you don't get addicted to mods like i have.

 

[Sandhopper]

you have to remove the xreas to do a suspension lift...

How tough was it to remove the Xreas? I just got 5100 Bilsteins to replace my Xreas and level my 2011 LE. Just not sure if there are any tricks to removing the Xreas. Thnx

 

[shaneotool]

looks right in line with a stock 4 runner. nothing out of the ordinary.

most driver sides are approx 1/2" lower than the passenger side up front, and between 1/2" and 1" driver side lean in the rear. The rear is generally 2" higher than the front. I would add the toytec 1/4" spacer to the front driver side with whatever lift you decide on.

That is a very aggressive offset wheel you have there, that is why it is rubbing some.

 

[wfo9]

the problem is the 9" rim. I think 8" would clear. Plus, the 265 18 is pretty much the same diameter as a 285 17 (A 33" tire)

on the front, it is easy to relocate the fender liner way forward. The rear is more of a problem. Lift will help, but may still require some minor fender liner tweaks.