Tire mounting

[DEF4Runner]

I'm apparently destined to keep 265/65/17 tires on my 08 4R forever!

This is really the first time I've tried upsizing tires on any of my vehicles and I'm finding NONE of the local chain installers willing to mount 265/70/17 to my wheels. I'm told that particular tire size is NOT a 4Runner spec tire and that the 70 size isn't stamped on the door identification stickers. To wit, they won't mount them. So...where do you guys get your tires mounted? I've also thought about dragging a Tire Rack purchase with me, but no one will mount carry-in merchandise.

Anyone know of an installer in/around St. Louis who will sell/mount so-called 'out of spec' tires?

Thanks

 

[Wingman707]

Shopping at the wrong shop

No one has talked to you about the secret handshake yet? That is the only way you can get over or undersized tires outside of your factory spec. It might be on Youtube.

 

[DEF4Runner]

I guess a slap on the head won't help? Maybe that's where I'm going wrong.

 

[jbx35]

I had no issues getting a set of Cooper AT/W's in 265x70x17 several weeks ago on my 08 SE from:
Combs Tire & Auto
Address: 10520 Big Bend Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122
Phone: (314) 821-6100

Great family run shop; not open on weekends but will go out of their way for you the other 5 days of the week.

 

[StL-T4R]

Dobbs, Firestone and Hellbent have all installed 265/70/17s on my 2007 and 2008 4Runners

 

[DEF4Runner]

Thanks. I've tried Dobbs, Firestone, Sam's and NTB on this side of the river and none of them will deviate from the tire size found on the door jamb. Maybe it's an Illinois liability thing. Frustrating....

 

[kevinpt]

sears installed my tires on my 4runner, they put 255/70/18s on with no issues. the guy just asked me if they fit and that was that

 

[WI_4Runner]

Weird..many of the shops I visited either encouraged going up or had no problems if I wanted to. Stayed with 265/65R17 tho

 

[DEF4Runner]

Thanks guys. I'm not sure WHY they do it. I went with the 70s mainly for the cost. The 65s are about $25-$30 more a tire.

I have some time off next week. Maybe it's time to make the trip across the river into STL.

 

[alia176]

Sam's and Costco are really stickler about tire size in my experience. Liability thing, doncha know. Isn't the larger size installed in some other 4th gen 4Runners?

 

[parboy]

most big box places will not do it. Find yourself a good private shop, talk to the manager and explain you know the risk, yadda,yadda and that works. Also , it does not hurt to check out what is in the lot the techs are driving. I had mine done once at a Merchants and the manager drove a lifted jeep. He looked at ma and said" I got you" and told his tech to mount the #$%^% tires..

 

[tom5191]

I just got 275/70/17s mounted at Plaza Tire in St. Charles, MO. They had no issues with the bigger size, or carry in.

Pur Performance in St. Charles, MO can do it too.

 

[wmiranda]

Most places don't since the whole Ford Explorer/Firestone Tire debacle years ago ( I think 2000?).. there were lawsuits back and forth between ford and Firestone,.. cheap tires,.. faulty suspension,.. blah, blah,.. somehow this built up to shops (mostly chains) being told by their legal departments not to replace tires with anything but stock sizes.. I know,. ridiculous. But,.. in todays litigious America where a lawsuit is like a lottery win,.. I can understand. I have found shops (here in Virginia) that will do it (have 285/70r17s on my 2004 4runner) but it's kinda like... 'we can't really do it..." , "What if you write it up as if I just brought in the wheels?"... "you'd agree to that...?" and poof my truck gets taken in back and tires changed.

Had to remove the wheels and take my tires to a shop before that though, that was a stickler for the rules before I found the more "lenient" shops.

Find an off-road shop.. they don't seem to care about much ... although they will definitely be more expensive.

Love that area.. just spent the last 7 years working out at Scott AFB and living at the Embassy suites downtown STL. Fun times.. Lot's off good food and beer (Love Schlafleys!).

Bill
-Bill

 

[brianhuntRVA]

Pep Boys was willing to do it, no problem, but their deal at the time required an install package and road hazard warranty at an unusually high cost. So I ordered them online and had a local independent shop do the install and alignment.

 

[Troymclure]

Never had this issue before, even with 35x12.5r17's. They just ask if theyll fit, I say yes and thats it. Hell, even the Big O recommended 265/70r17 for my dad's stock 4runner

 

[DEF4Runner]

It's nuts. I'm roughly at 150K and checked the local dealer here for the differential seals I'm replacing as I repair the inboard CV boot. The one here in Illinois wanted roughly $8 more per seal than the dealer in St Louis, about 20 miles away.

Illinois can be a screwy place...

 

[kevinpt]

Sam's and Costco are really stickler about tire size in my experience. Liability thing, doncha know. Isn't the larger size installed in some other 4th gen 4Runners?

i work at sams and can not even get larger tires put on. they also will not touch my truck with wheel spacers

 

[CXS]

That's crazy! I never heard anything like it but maybe Colorado knows we all go with bigger tires. Time to head across the border to whatever state is closest.