Yet another tire/tacoma question

[peanut'sdad]

Just put in a 3 inch lift on my 09 tacoma 4door TRD.
I want your opinions on which tire size to use, bear in mind I want to keep the stock wheels to keep costs down. I was thinking a 285 on stock rims?
Although I am concerned about tire rub,
any suggestions?
(I am also going to install an ARB bumper on the front so there may be some weight issues on the front clearance height).
I want to use MTR's...
(I did the "search thing" but couldn't find anything too specific).
Thanks
:26_7_2:

 

[Jacket]

With 285's and stock rims, there's a very good chance you'll rub your control arm more than a tolerable amount. Most folks go with aftermarket wheels on 285's to help move the tire away from the suspension. Or the other option is wheel spacers with your stock wheels. Or a different tire size: 265/75/16 and 255/85/16 both work well on stock rims.

 

[DarkHelmet]

I'm running the 255/85R16 combo on my stock rims with OME 3" suspension. I get some minor rubbing at full lock.

 

[Redline]

Stock wheels are a good-call both to save money, and to have a nice, tight fit with the tires if you don't go too wide (285s). I think the stock 16-in. Tacoma wheels are 7-inches wide. If so, they are technically 1/2-inch too narrow for 285s. I have put 285s on 7-in. wheels and even though they didn't cause me any problems (on an F350) I didn't like the way they were pinched in the middle, particularly when aired down. I'm of the opinion that the tire manufacturers know what they are talking about, and 7.5-in wheels are preferable as the narrowest wheel for 285/75R16s. In additional to all this, 285s are a wide tire and you will be more likely run into clearance problems. Do you ever want to fit tire chains?

If you want the height of a 285/75 (and a bit extra) I second the recommendation for 255/85R16s. If you don't choose the 255/85 the 265/75R16 is a great size, shorter but with many tread and load range choices.

 

[peanut'sdad]

I was told by the tires shop that I would need a 1/4 inch spacer and there still might be some control arm rubbing.
I am not keen on that,
what would be the best size then?
(285 being too big..)

 

[peanut'sdad]

Stock wheels are a good-call both to save money, and to have a nice, tight fit with the tires if you don't go too wide (285s). I think the stock 16-in. Tacoma wheels are 7-inches wide. If so, they are technically 1/2-inch too narrow for 285s. I have put 285s on 7-in. wheels and even though they didn't cause me any problems (on an F350) I didn't like the way they were pinched in the middle, particularly when aired down. I'm of the opinion that the tire manufacturers know what they are talking about, and 7.5-in wheels are preferable as the narrowest wheel for 285/75R16s. In additional to all this, 285s are a wide tire and you will be more likely run into clearance problems. Do you ever want to fit tire chains?

If you want the height of a 285/75 (and a bit extra) I second the recommendation for 255/85R16s. If you don't choose the 255/85 the 265/75R16 is a great size, shorter but with many tread and load range choices.

apparently stock tire size is 265/70r16
so the 16 inch tire (255/75r16) would'nt be too goofy a size on the stock rim?
Again, control arm rubbing is my biggest concern.

 

[Redline]

Did you mean to type “255/75" or “255/85”?

LT255/85R16s should clear with your lift. I had slight rubbing at full lock on my front anti-roll bar after lifting the 4Runner (which is lower both before & after lifting) when running the stock 16x7-inch wheels. I have a bit more clearance with the Toyota TRD (FJC) 16x7.5” wheels with less backspacing.

If not the 255/85 then I would again suggest the LT265/75R16. You can clear these 31.5-32.0-inch tires (depending on the tire) without a lift (even cleared on my 4Runner) and it will still look good with a moderate lift. Also 265/75 won't kill your gearing and hill-climbing ability as much as the very tall 255/85.

apparently stock tire size is 265/70r16
so the 16 inch tire (255/75r16) would'nt be too goofy a size on the stock rim?
Again, control arm rubbing is my biggest concern.

 

[TacoTraveler]

Well I found some used American Racing Baja wheels just now. All 4 are $200 obo, I'm going to call in the morning.
Factory wheels are 16x7 with 4.5" backspacing.
These wheels are 16x8 with 4.5" of backspacing.
I just got some 285/75 tires in the mail today, exactly how much more clearance will these rims give me?

Thanks,

Joseph

 

[MADBMW]

Well I found some used American Racing Baja wheels just now. All 4 are $200 obo, I'm going to call in the morning.
Factory wheels are 16x7 with 4.5" backspacing.
These wheels are 16x8 with 4.5" of backspacing.
I just got some 285/75 tires in the mail today, exactly how much more clearance will these rims give me?

Thanks,

Joseph

They will help keep the tire from rubbing the upper control arm, but you will probably still lightly rub the frame at full lock (especially with the wheel turned all the way left). You may also rub on the pinch weld, or the plastic peice that covers it. Some minor trimming of that and hammering on the pinch weld until it's flat should take care of that problem.

 

[JJackson]

Did you mean to type “255/75" or “255/85”?

LT255/85R16s should clear with your lift. I had slight rubbing at full lock on my front anti-roll bar after lifting the 4Runner (which is lower both before & after lifting) when running the stock 16x7-inch wheels. I have a bit more clearance with the Toyota TRD (FJC) 16x7.5” wheels with less backspacing.

If not the 255/85 then I would again suggest the LT265/75R16. You can clear these 31.5-32.0-inch tires (depending on the tire) without a lift (even cleared on my 4Runner) and it will still look good with a moderate lift. Also 265/75 won't kill you gearing and hill-climbing ability as much as the very tall 255/85.

I agree with Redline, my truck looked fine with the 265-75-16's before I installed the larger 255/85's. The 255 did change my gearing/hill-climbing ability on the street/highway. I am now looking to regear we I can afford it.

 

[hillbillyjake]

Well I found some used American Racing Baja wheels just now. All 4 are $200 obo, I'm going to call in the morning.
Factory wheels are 16x7 with 4.5" backspacing.
These wheels are 16x8 with 4.5" of backspacing.
I just got some 285/75 tires in the mail today, exactly how much more clearance will these rims give me?

Thanks,

Joseph

how will wider rims with the same back spacing keep the tires from rubbing the control arms. wouldn't this make it worse? just wondering

 

[TacoTraveler]

Well I got the tires mounted last night, only a little bit of rubbing. I trimmed away a small triangle of plastic from the wheel well and gave the bottom of the pinch weld a tap and boom! Problem solved!
I actually have no UCA contact with these tires although now I am really noticing my front end is lower than my back.
My current coilovers are used so they max out at 2" so I am going to add some 3/8" spacers for 3/4" of lift. Then asjust the coilovers to make it level. Sound good?

Thanks,

Joseph

 

[Redline]

I went back and looked your previous post for size info -

Confirming 285/75R16? On what truck? Pictures?

Well I got the tires mounted last night, only a little bit of rubbing. I trimmed away a small triangle of plastic from the wheel well and gave the bottom of the pinch weld a tap and boom! Problem solved!
I actually have no UCA contact with these tires although now I am really noticing my front end is lower than my back.
My current coilovers are used so they max out at 2" so I am going to add some 3/8" spacers for 3/4" of lift. Then asjust the coilovers to make it level. Sound good?

Thanks,

Joseph

 

[TacoTraveler]

Yes, 285/75R16 on a 2002 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 v6 5spd non-TRD. I have some used 2.0 SAWs at about 2" I think and some 1.5" lift shackles on top of some flat leaf springs.
Pictures will have to wait a little bit as I am not living at home at the moment. They will also be from my phone but the camera is decent.