Tire Chains...Anyone run 'em?

bigmoose

bigmoose

Member
I've recently bought a 03 4runner V6 and would like to run chains on all four. I've been doing alot of reading here and have not found anything on this subject. I know there isn't much clearance on the front wheels and the "book" says not to chain the front.

The 4runner came with 245/16s and I would like to run 265/75/16s. I've even toyed with the idea of 235/85/16s? Both tires are about the same height. Probably Toyo Open Country AT2 or Michlen ATX AT2.

I'm doing a 2.5" lift in the front with Bilsteins and a 2" Toytec lift in the back, also with Bilsteins. I see Spidertrax makes wheel spacers and these may help.

Any thoughts on this project would be appreciated.

Thanks Moose
 
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I've run both chains and radial chains and much prefer the latter. If you'll be driving over 30, the conventional chains will loosen and beat your wheel wells quite a bit. Up front, you'll find they'll probably won't fit in the wells, especially if you go up a tire size.

What road conditions are you driving in / how much do you think you'll use them?
 
I go out-of-state hunting in the Fall to various places in Colorado and Wyoming. The roads get pretty bad at times. Lots of mud and snow. Too far to drive with big gnarly mudders. The rest of year a good AT is perfect.

I've always had a big 4X4 diesel truck in the past. Now, I've downsized into the 4runner, which is alot more fun to drive!

I used to run double linked truck chains on the big Dodge. I didn't know about the clearance problem when I bought the 4runner. Guess I'll get by with chains on the rear.:rockon:
 
Thanks Casper...I used to roar up DLI from old Hwy 40 when the summit was closed in a 71 Dodge Power Wagon...chained up all four...snow coming over the hood. Man, you can climb trees with chains on all four!

Moose
 
bigmoose said:
I would still like to run chains on all four...anyone tried this?

Moose
Click to expand...

I ran the diamond style (these IIRC) front and rear and they were fine.

They are lower clearance than the larger traditional chains. At the time I had 16" Pro Comp wheels from Wheeler's Offroad (4.5" backspacing?) with 265/75R16 GY MTRs and stock UCAs. No rubbing issues.
 
Thanks jbs. I will look into those chains. I'm not sure of the back spacing...I've got the stock 16'' wheels and will probably go with the Cooper AT3's. How much of a lift are you running? Do you have back spacers?

Moose
 
bigmoose said:
I just checked them out. (thank you). I wonder how they would hold up off road? Looks like they would be great on the hiway. My driving with chains would be strickly off road...lots of mud and rocks.
Click to expand...

No worries, but I think there lies the problem... In Mud and Rocks, I am not sure how well they would perform... Interesting to find out though... :nod:
 
bigmoose said:
Thanks jbs. I will look into those chains. I'm not sure of the back spacing...I've got the stock 16'' wheels and will probably go with the Cooper AT3's. How much of a lift are you running? Do you have back spacers?

Moose
Click to expand...

I had the OME lift (~3") at the time. I think, IIRC, the area I most worried about rubbing was the UCA. More backspacing (and most aftermarket UCAs) gives a bit more clearance here. I supposed if the wheel was fully stuffed and cranked, there is the possibility of contacting elsewhere, but I never had any issues.
 
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