285's BFG T/A KO2 install and review, trimming, etc. (with pics)

**updated pics**

I spent a lot of time doing the homework on my tire selection and wanted to help out and throw in my experience and specs:

2011 T/X PRO with a 3" spacer lift up front and a 1" block lift in rear

-Testing parameters included full flex and full lock at each of the 4 corners and in each direction

-ZERO issues with the rear so all below is referencing the front end only

-Suggest doing trimming even if you don't plan to flex or wheel. If you hit a speed bump right or a steep driveway, etc., etc you COULD rub with just the right parameters. However, I drove around for a couple of days in mall crawl status with no trimming and had ZERO problems.

-Get an alignment before you do your trimming. Not crucial, but if you want to do the least invasive amount of trimming once and be done with it, I suggest this order. Example: I was a little negative in caster and had zero rubbing issues on the FRONT side of the wells. After alignment (and now correct, positive caster) I had very minimal rub in the FRONT DRIVER side of the well @ the small square box that drops down into the well area (only in reverse and only @ full-lock). I didn't trim that yet (discovered after the fact) but really, it's SO minor that it's not a rush. (see pic). The tire will do it's thing to it anyway if I let it go a little longer and make it good to go. I'm picky, so I will trim it nice and pretty soon.

-The factory T/X rim backspacing/specs have zero issues clearing UCAs.

-I trimmed approx. 1.5" of the rear portions of the plastic fender flare (inner, lower lip) on each side (see pic). Total trim time was literally 5 minutes with using a tiny air-saw. Super clean cut due to air-saw. The material (plastic) takes well to cutting which is nice. Use tape to define your lines and protect the surface that you are not cutting off. I experimented with shears and even big industrial scissors so I could report to you on it.....they work....but it's not the cleanest.

-The truck def drives WORSE (all relative, right?)....well I'm saying, relative to me, it's WORSE than the stock Rugged Trails. It is a tad stiffer (to be expected and don't mind at all) but my issue is with the steering. It's way more finicky at highway speeds......best way I could describe that is "finicky". I've played with different tire pressures to dial this in and am happiest at 36psi in all 4 corners. It was happy at 36psi with chalk test as well. Threw it back on alignment rack just to double check on the finicky highway steering and all is well. I think it's unfortunately the tires. I want to clarify they are not unsafe or too much to handle.....but they are NOTICEABLY more finicky then what I would consider "normal or expected". I have concluded that the aggressive tire edge profile just likes to grab and steer themselves around a little.

-OVERALL: I love the tires and love the 285 size! Traction in desert has been great both at high-speed and crawling up/down hill. Wet weather traction and handling have been great as well. They are def. tough and look the part as well. The 265's just don't look right once you're at 3" or more lift.

** UPDATE 10/14/2015**

-Fuel economy took a hit by a couple mpg.
-Took the truck in for a 5k rotation and balance and that SOLVED the "finicky" steering issue. I was pissed to find out the morons balanced so poorly the 1st time but thrilled on the fact that it drives well now. Still, not as good as stock, but totally manageable and comfortable....Well within normal feel. So, I am on stock UCAs and it drives great.
-Very quiet and VERY good off-road.
-Wear is great so far. Look brand new!

 

Nice write-up and truck looks good!
I strongly suspect that your "finicky" feeling is because, best I can tell, you have stock UCAs. With those, you can't get enough caster to make the truck drive well. Need caster set at or about 3.

 

Yeah is the caster. You said it yourself the number went from neg to pos and that will greatly effect the feeling

 

ahh. cool, thx guys for the info.!

 

Great write-up, OP!

I did a small amount of trimming where you pointed out (front flares at the rear) to get by until effin Spring decides to show up and I put on the Bushwackers, then I'll trim those like you suggested above.

 

Hey thanks for the write up, I'm looking to get 285/75/R16 KO2's installed next week. I have almost the same set up with the ToyTec Baja front spacer, Allpro leafs, factory baja wheels and Icon UCA's. What would be your thoughts on spacers? I'm considering adding a 3/4" spacer to help with clearance?

 

I just bought the 275/70/17 ko2s and put them on my stock wheels with spider Trax 1.25, my lift is bilstein 5100s with ome 885 and aal in the rear. I am having some rubbing going on when doing hard turns. Should I be having this issue? Reason I went to 275 is to avoid all the trimming, I would of gone 285s.

 

Ahh crap, sorry to leave you guys hanging, I did not receive email alerts on this thread??? Just got a PM that triggered me to come back to it.

Anyway:

-Husker: Did you mean additional 3/4" lift spacer or a wheel spacer to extend out? I would def. think you will need some more front lift from your picture, however, if you set yourself up right when the time comes you can throw the tires on and see how they look/rub....all the wile being prepared to throw the spacers on if needed (likely needed). Logistics is a factor here. The wheel extender spacer will help but I'm not sure anything less than 3" lift upfront is going to work.

-Kevo: There is a small amount of "each truck is different" factor here......I would think the 1.25s would give you what you need but I don't know what you rim specs are and that's a big factor. I'm kind of only smart on the TX / Baja wheels.

Hope this helped.....also updated original thread

 

I ended up going 275 so I have a little more room to play in the dirt. Im getting black rhino sidewinder 4.5bs and -12 offset right now so I'll be getting rid of the spacers. Im getting rid of the spidertrax 1.25in wheel spacers if anyone interested $150 for 2 pairs. It'll be on the buy and sell as soon as they come off.