Tire Question for my 2002 4Runner

[Vermonster76]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the 4Runner game and just picked up my 2002 a couple of months ago. After reading through this thread I'm ready to start hooking up some upgrades!

My first order of business is to get some new tires. I have decided on some BFG's All Terrain TA K/O. My current rim size is 265/70R16. I'd like to get a slightly beefier tire and was looking at either 275/70R16 (taller?)or 265/75R16(wider?). I know that both of these tires are marginally bigger but my question is will either of them rub with my stock suspension or will I need a lift? Will the 265/75R16 fit on my factory rim?

And I guess while I'm at it, the 2002 model has the center locking dif. I notice a lot of people talking up rear locking dif and doing conversions. What's the difference between the two? Is one better than the other?

Thanks for your help! :cheers:

 

[IanB]

Tire size is denoted by section width/sidewall ratio/rim diameter, so the 265 is the section width in mm, the 70 is the ratio of section width to sidewall height (bigger means taller), and the 16 is your wheel size in inches. 265/75/16 is the common tire many upgrade to, it works on stock suspension, but your '02 is one of the lowest height stock suspensions on these trucks, you MAY experience some rubbing over bumps while turning, etc.

Your truck's 4x4 system has 3 diffs, front, center, and rear. The front is open on all factory 3rd gen 4runners, the center is electronic locking on multi-mode transfer cases like yours (open for 2wd and AWD modes, locked in 4hi and 4low, provides 50/50 front/rear power), and the rear was offered with an optional electronic locking diff from factory in '96-'99 I believe, all others are open.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

You have it backwards. 275/70/16 is wider than stock, not taller. 265/75/16 is taller than stock, not wider.

Pretty common for people to go up to 265/75/16's without a lift. Should be fine. As Ian said, '02's are the lowest of the 3rd Gens but should still be okay.

 

[Vermonster76]

You have it backwards. 275/70/16 is wider than stock, not taller. 265/75/16 is taller than stock, not wider.

Pretty common for people to go up to 265/75/16's without a lift. Should be fine. As Ian said, '02's are the lowest of the 3rd Gens but should still be okay.

Ahh, your totally right! my bad! Is it just as common to go wider as well? I saw one the other day with the wider tires and it looked pretty badass, that's why I ask. On here it seems everyone goes a bit taller. If either is cool then I guess I just have to make up my mind.

I would have liked to have found a 00' or 99 that sat a little higher and was manual but this one was a 1 owner with 65,000 on the clock and a bargain. Couldn't refuse.

 

[Vermonster76]

Tire size is denoted by section width/sidewall ratio/rim diameter, so the 265 is the section width in mm, the 70 is the ratio of section width to sidewall height (bigger means taller), and the 16 is your wheel size in inches. 265/75/16 is the common tire many upgrade to, it works on stock suspension, but your '02 is one of the lowest height stock suspensions on these trucks, you MAY experience some rubbing over bumps while turning, etc.

Your truck's 4x4 system has 3 diffs, front, center, and rear. The front is open on all factory 3rd gen 4runners, the center is electronic locking on multi-mode transfer cases like yours (open for 2wd and AWD modes, locked in 4hi and 4low, provides 50/50 front/rear power), and the rear was offered with an optional electronic locking diff from factory in '96-'99 I believe, all others are open.

Thanks for the clarification! Still really green at this but hope to be hitting the trails someday soon!

 

[IanB]

Ahh, your totally right! my bad! Is it just as common to go wider as well? I saw one the other day with the wider tires and it looked pretty badass, that's why I ask. On here it seems everyone goes a bit taller. If either is cool then I guess I just have to make up my mind.

I would have liked to have found a 00' or 99 that sat a little higher and was manual but this one was a 1 owner with 65,000 on the clock and a bargain. Couldn't refuse.

You will get rubbing going wider sooner than you will going taller. You can always track down some '99 tall springs and swap them into your truck. It sounds like a cherry, any pics?

 

[cj80cruiser]

I run 275/70r16 on my stock suspension so yes it will fit with no problems.

 

[Hepar]

Keep an eye on load ratings too when you buy tires. There are some (the 265/75/16 BFG AT's) that you can only get in an E load, which is overkill on these vehicles, in my opinion.

 

[bootown]

I know that both of these tires are marginally bigger but my question is will either of them rub with my stock suspension or will I need a lift? Will the 265/75R16 fit on my factory rim?

I put 265/75/16 Nitto Terra Grapplers on my 2002 and did not have any rubbing. The tires wore perfectly. That said, I think I remember reading a couple years ago about someone with a 2002 that did rub with the larger tire so there are no guarantees. And yes a 265/75 tire will fit on your factory rim. Any chance you can help me out in this thread?

 

[Vermonster76]

You will get rubbing going wider sooner than you will going taller. You can always track down some '99 tall springs and swap them into your truck. It sounds like a cherry, any pics?

Thanks again! Yeah, I have some pics. I'll get them up tomorrow....

 

[Beto-510]

I need suggestion on tire size for 3" lift on my 4Runner

I'm installing a 3" lift kit on my 2002 Toyota 4Runner (w/rear coils) but I'm not sure how wide of a tire I should get. I'm gonna be running 17" wheels on it. I'm thinking some Nitto Trail Grapplers 295/70/17r but I'm concerned that it would be too wide of a tire. Would the tire rub with that how of a lift?

 

[Hepar]

I'm installing a 3" lift kit on my 2002 Toyota 4Runner (w/rear coils) but I'm not sure how wide of a tire I should get. I'm gonna be running 17" wheels on it. I'm thinking some Nitto Trail Grapplers 295/70/17r but I'm concerned that it would be too wide of a tire. Would the tire rub with that how of a lift?

It's not just the width of the tire or the width of the wheel, but also the backspacing of the wheel that you have to consider.

 

[Beto-510]

What type of lift and tires are you running? (If you don't mind me asking)

 

[jeremyc74]

Here's a thread with a lot of different wheels and tire combos:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ptions-pics-3rd-gen-4runner-*post-em-up*.html

 

[Hepar]

What type of lift and tires are you running? (If you don't mind me asking)

3" Toytec adjustables up front, 3" OME's in the rear. Tires are 265/75-16 Duratracs on 16" Land Cruiser wheels. Backspacing is 4.5. On the smaller side of tire compared to what most run, so I have zero rubbing issues.