Regretting Not Going Bigger On Tires

Last fall I installed a 2 inch front lift 5100s and eibach pro prings in addition to an icon 1.5in add a leaf and decided to replace stock tires. I went with 265/75/16 KO2s so only an inch larger than stock I was really paranoid about rubbing and didn't want to cut anything or get a cab mount chop. Since then I have installed all pro 3inch and 5125s in the rear since I have about 400lbs with my canopy and RTT. I also like having a little bit of rake. So i'm sitting at almost 2inches of lift in the front and almost 3inches in the rear I think the truck looks good and can handle a lot of weight in the back for trips before squatting too much. But, I'm really thinking I could have fit some kind of 33 inch tire now that I've had it. I really don't want to get new tires again after just 5,000 miles but i'm very tempted. I do wonder if 33s would rub at all while wheeling in moab with the current lift I have. Anyone else run a similar lift with 33s and done some serious wheeling? Anyone else have the same regrets?

 

You could probably fit 33s without a lift, you’re just losing travel before they hit stuff. Lift doesn’t really help with tire size capacity.

 

Welcome to TW…FWIW, your truck looks pretty decent the way it is.

 

https://youtu.be/l1tTelhdEiM

 

Agree

 

I would ride them out till you need to replace them BUT I get it.
275 may be the way to go, more tire equals more weight and power loss in ratio as well.

Use the salesman, have them mount a 275 one on front wheel and a 285 on the other front.
Drop the turck and turn the wheels right lock to left lock (you cant drive it this way) at least you can see if they fit physically and visually as well.

 

He says it’s about clearing larger tires at bump stop instead of at ride height.

 

255 85 16 on your OE wheels are a full 33" and fit with no lift, no rubbing.

Wheel fitment and tire specs mean more for clearance than lift.

 

great video thanks for sharing, didn't realize the up travel issue not fixed by lifting

 

Yeah I probably should just ride them out my wallet would definitely thank me too

 

Welcome to TW!

The 33" version of your 16" tire would be a 285/75R16, instead of the 265. It's about 3/4" of an inch wider, and about 1 inch taller. I previously did a lot of the same research that you're doing now.

I can tell you that the 285 WILL rub in the front, even with your lift, unless you perform a few modifications - cab mount chop, flatten the pinch weld, and trim some of the plastic in the inner fender wells. The lift gives you more everyday ride height, which will keep it from rubbing as you're driving around town. But when you're wheeling (you said you'll wheel it in Moab), the suspension will cycle to the point that the tire will still contact those areas, just as if you didn't have the lift. You can try to limit the travel with a really tall bumpstop or something to prevent that from happening, but that defeats the purpose of installing longer shocks and getting that extra travel for wheeling.

Something else to consider is that the 285 tire on the stock wheels is .4" closer to the upper control arm than the factory tires. I'm not familiar with the all pro lift kit, but if you're still running the OEM upper control arms, then those 285s will rub against the UCAs while steering. This was my situation, and I had to install wheel spacers to offset that. The spacers gave it an amazing stance with the new beefier tires, but they also made the tires rub more against the inner fender until the CMC/pinch weld/slight trimming was complete.

Here's a thread I made back when I was doing all of my research, which may help you: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/is-this-going-to-rub.694963/ I also probably have some info floating around in my build thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/jfanaselles-3rd-gen-build-and-adventure-page.699778/

In short, if your goal is to never rub, then the 265/75/16 is the largest size tire you can run without the CMC/pinch weld/slight trimming. If you're ok with some rubbing at full stuff/full lock while wheeling, then you can run the 285/75/16 on your current ride height (as long as you don't have UCA clearance issues), and still be OK for everyday driving. Hope that helps!

 

Yah, I love this video. Much more objective info than what we get from TW. Interesting what he says about the benefits of a small upper spacer, too.

 

Well, hold on. I have 33s on my pro. As I understand it, I am able to make this work without mods because I have -10 wheels. Shouldn't he be able to avoid all the aggression by simply replacing the wheels?

 

33"s should fit for sure, would look nice

 

What are you trying to accomplish with 285s that you can’t with your current setup? You will gain a little bit more clearance at the rear diff at the cost of weight, more excessive wear and tear on steering and suspension, worse mpg, and worse acceleration and braking performance. IMO with added weight and 33s, the stock gears start to struggle especially at elevation. If it’s just for looks I would stay with the 265’s. That’s a plenty capable setup with a mild lift.

 

He's not asking about why he shouldn't get 33s beyond whether he'll need to chop up his truck...

 

you want taller? or taller and wider?

if you want just taller go the 255/85/16, you can run these from no lift to 3" no rubbing, no cutting, no nothing. I had them, loved them, regret selling them. 33.1" tall, and 10" wide

if you want taller and wider, then the 285/75/16 is the route, but you will need CMC, inner fender trimming, and maybe a lil trimming up front. This is my current set up, and I do enjoy the wide tire look, but aside from aesthetics it does not offer me any more than the 255's did, hell the 255's are actual 33" tires instead of 32.8" x 11.2" wide


as far as lift, I am similar to you, I have 2" up front and 2.5" in the rear. on stock UCA,, I have a CMC and I did the pinch weld, and lil fender trimming front and rear of the wheel well. I will be upgrading to SPC's by the end of the month, hoping to be able to push the tire a bit forward with the LCA and then adjust up top.

 

I wouldn't change a thing. You CAN put 33" tires on there, but the costs vs benefits doesn't make sense. You'll gain 1/2 ground clearance. But it will cost you more initially and cost you more every time you pump gas. You'll wear out suspension parts sooner with the bigger, heavier, wider, tires. You might have to go with an aftermarket wheel if you go 285/75/16's. Your truck will have less power and reduce how much you can tow/haul unless you regear, which is another $2000.

That's a lot of negatives to get the truck 1/2" higher.

 

He will need a cmc and trimming if he actually off-roads, unless he goes with 255s which are worse in some environments like sand. And 285s without re gearing will make the truck worse in many metrics. Why spend the $$$ unless you absolutely need that clearance from the rear diff. That money could be spent on other mods first that would give you more capability offroad. Departure angle becomes a problem before rear diff clearance IMO.

 

Looks perfect as is IMO.