Alright I’m having a hard time with tire selection after reading some threads and the tire database. Right now I am running BFG KO2’s in 285/65/18 on a stock 2017. I have a BP51 kit and UCA’s on order. I’ve become a big big fan of the Cooper ST MAXX tires and would like to try and run them. The options would be 275/70/18 or 295/70/18. I have read some threads where the 285/75/18 Nitto Ridge Grappler’s rub. The 295/70 Coopers are slightly shorter and slightly wider than the 285/75 Nitto’s so I’m guessing I may also have some rubbing. I could remove the front mud flaps and that would help some but I would like to avoid cutting if possible.
Oh and I have the stock 200 wheels and also a set of TRD Pro wheels. I believe the TRD Pro’s will result in a more narrow stance and potential totally increase any rubbing potential. It appears the database has not been updated in a while so I am hoping maybe someone out there has tried a similar setup. I would also consider spacers if that might be helpful.
Actually, if you mean the trd 17's, aren't those a slightly narrower wheel than the standard 18? It's just as likely the inside face is at least equal but possibly further away from the uca with the outside face being roughly the same. These should fit better than the 18's if so. I have a set of factory 17's that I got from UK for my lr3 which is also IFS and have pretty much all the same fitting issues as you all do. (I nearly bought a LC200 few yrs ago and researched these issues extensively at the time)
The LC200 can fir slightly larger tires for the most part with no mods. With similar fender liner and mods to the unibody as well as a bit of the frame, I now am able to fully utilize the almost 34" BFG KM2 in 285/70x18.
I replied to you because of your question about wheel offset which also leads into tire widths. Many people here are showing 295-305 widths which is a bit counterproductive in regard to fitting the maximum diameter while retaining 100% articulated function. Of course nobody wants a 255/80 right? Well I had to rule it out so I did a test fit weekend where I had Discount Tire mount a km2 255/80-17 and a 285/70-18 plus I tested each with and without a 25mm spacer and on front and back. The back is also IS. All 4 corners are air struts but with the rear having 30% more range. The34" in rear totally stuff into the fender liner touching the whole arc almost completely.
At some point I also had tried a 305 which turned out to be ridiculous in that it's width caused way too many issues.
The result is you learn that narrower tucks into the fender interior which is especially important in the rear while up front narrower allows full turning at all flex points and stays away from the UCA.
The last mod that made the 34's really work even in an unlikely emergency of losing the air suspension was installing 50mm strut top spacers. These basically ad 2" to the bump stop full drop level but also set the neutral point of the air strut 2" lower from the frame which is also a 2" higher standard ride height but without losing any of the air spring and damper range.
Now, the difference here is that the strut spacer actually does shift the whole spring/damper range to 2" lower so in essence this is a 2" "lift" but it's still not the same as the solid axle getting a 2" lift front and rear where everything is plus. We are still stuck with factory control arms, and on mine, it's 8 of them. These are still attached in same locations of course so the result gets close to the maximum tolerences when you're stretching it offroad in highly articulated moments. Otherwise, it does mimic an actual lift.
I mention this because it seems anyone serious about larger than 33" tires on the LC should first be looking at longer travel struts, taller springs, and longer dampers or else it's just kind of a waste of $ because it won't allow full flex in those bigger tires. Also, 295 is too wide for a 8" wheel on the LC. It may look cool, but the handling will be s*** and their aired down shape isn't all that great either. Far more functional and superior in aired down use is the 17" with something like 255/80 or as tall as possible in 18". 275/75x18 would be ideal, nice and square would make for incredible highway handling but also it's low psi shape would be nice and long which is almost always best.
