2008 LC w/ARB-BP51's/33" or 35" tires

[Expolander]

I've read a ton of forum info on tire sizes. My LC is current set up running 285 70 R17 which seems the optimal size.

I don't like the Method wheels that came with the vehicle so I'm switching over to Tundra wheels just like these with 60mm offset it appears.

Will I be able to run these wheels with 285 76 r18 AT's or 315 75 r18?
Tire Size Comparison

or will there be to much rubbing issues?

Will I need to re-gear to 4.88's?

I have OME BP51's on front and SPC UCA's with OME reservoir shocks on rear, I'm not sure what the spring is as this vehicle I just purchased in Nov came with that. I'm taking this rig into Cruiser Outfitters sometime beginning of next year to have them add a top out spacer on the front to help level it out more.

View attachment $1B536F0005282FD6.jpg

View attachment 31575r18.jpg

 

[Markuson]

My 1.5 cents: (As a guy with 35’s)

At best, 35’s will rub somewhere...sometimes...at certain compression and turning...against something.

Exactly where that rubbing occurs, and whether it’s a real problem...depends on a ZILLION variables like UCAs...forward/rearward adjustments during alignment...spacers...KDSS relocation brackets or not...front bump-stop sizes...rear bump-stop sizes...wheel offset...tread WIDTH including the shape/tapered nature of the specific tire model...

In other words—It’s complicated, and until they are actually on your vehicle...don’t believe any blanket promises of a simple yes or no. And no...even engineers cannot tell you exactly what will specifically happen...because there are too many unknown, real world measurements you simply cannot look up...and how various installs ride and sit differently depending on nonstandard factors in each truck’s other factors like weight, etc.

If you want to save a lot of adjustments and prefer skipping expensive regearing (not required, but recommended) or simply want to avoid all rubbing...stick around true 33ish (I say “ish” because 285/70/17’s are often called 33’s...but are usually more than a full inch shorter than that on the truck).

I run “35’s” on BP51’s with OME 2725 rear springs (super heavy) and have Slee’s KDSS relo, SPC UCAs, forward-adjusted wheels via alignment, .75” Bora wheel spacers in combination with 50mm offset Rock Warrior wheels with 35x12.5x17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers.

Despite ALL of the above, my rears touch the rear wheel well on full stuff (not dangerously, but they can touch), and occasional sway-bar touches in front under extreme articulation when turning to full lock.

The most reasonable approach is almost undoubtedly 33’s. I like my 35’s but going in with eyes wide open is important.

 

[Expolander]

Great feedback Markuson. I have thought about most all those factors as you stated. I'm new to the 200 LC community but have outfitted other rigs in the past. One cannot simply say definitively one way or the other (yes or no) it will work because of all the vehicle conditions and factors.

I am too running SPC UCA's I forgot to mention that. But when larger tires are introduced then all those other factors have to be taken into account and wear and tear on other components and such. I was just looking to see how large of a tire I could get away with running to give best ground clearance without putting too much more $$ into it or adding Tundra front end stuff like axles, or wheel spaces, etc...I think like you said it may be best for what I plan to do to keep it as close to stock as possible and stick with the 285 70 or 75 r18. Something closer to the 33" tire range to be optimal.

Also, i'm not familiar with the Slee KDSS delete i assume that is what you meant.

I'll keep kicking myself for selling my 80's series for it's ruggedness and capable terrain tackling...but it was time to move up to the 200 series and I'll just have to suffer through with small tire syndrome.

 

[mcgaskins]

34s. Just go 34s. 285/75/17 or 285/70/18

 

[Markuson]

Also, i'm not familiar with the Slee KDSS delete i assume that is what you meant.

I'll keep kicking myself for selling my 80's series for it's ruggedness and capable terrain tackling...but it was time to move up to the 200 series and I'll just have to suffer through with small tire syndrome.

It is actually a relocation bracket...not a KDSS delete.
KDSS is a pretty amazing piece of engineering that truly works & I wouldn’t want to delete it.

The Slee relocation bracket changes its mount angle/location slightly in front...to help clear that bar when turning.

There are differing opinions on when & whether to install it...but I’m running one.

Sounds like you’re on the right track to me... especially if you want to avoid additional expense.

 

[kreiten]

34's are the biggest you can go with basic mods...

 

[Climbingnut]

I would have gone for 34" tires had they been available in South Africa. I have 285/70R17 on my 200, but would have loved to have had the option of buying 285/75R17's... Having that extra 1/2" is nice when airing down.

 

[TonyP]

34"
There's very little a 35" can do that a 34" can't in these vehicles for most people, beside look neat.
The asspain of fitting 35s on a 200 isn't worth it in my opinion.

 

[Markuson]

34"
There's very little a 35" can do that a 34" can't in these vehicles for most people, beside look neat.
The asspain of fitting 35s on a 200 isn't worth it in my opinion.

Despite my 35’s, and all the fiddling I’ve done to accommodate them, I agree with this.

 

[TeCKis300]

I echo all the others and say 34s. 35s are not worth the added trouble when you consider the incrementally more loss of gearing, braking, fitment, potentially needing to limit suspension travel, etc., for marginally more clearance to the ground.

The particular size would be a 285/70/18 as mentioned earlier. If you want to make that a bit more aggressive, consider adding more width - 305/65/18.

 

[Expolander]

Awesome feedback from everyone here which is greatly appreciated. Since I'm running 285/70/17 now and wanting to switch up to 18" Tundra wheels I think the best option I'm hearing for those is also a 34" or 285/70/18 or for more width 305/65/18 though I think I'll stick with the skinnier tire size. I'm thinking for tires:
Terra Grappler G2 All-Terrain Light Truck Radial Tires (I've ran a couple sets of these on our 2001 Toy Sequoia and love them. Running 285 60/18)
Trail Grappler Mud Terrain Light Truck Tire
It looks like for these in metric tire sizes these are the tire size options for staying close to the 34" range.
The other tire brand I'm considering is General tire. I run a set of Grabber AT's 2's on my XV3 trailer and they are pretty good, but I'm limited on sizing for the 18" wheel. For the Grabber X3's I can get them in a 295/70/18 or 34.3"

Decisions decisions...

 

[mcgaskins]

295/70/18 is way too big. Do a search and/or scroll through my build thread and you’ll see what I mean.

 

[Expolander]

This is what I'm leaning towards. 285/75/18
Builds - Nitro Gear / Justdifferentials, Project 200 Series Land Cruiser

 

[Expolander]

295/70/18 is way too big. Do a search and/or scroll through my build thread and you’ll see what I mean.

Were you stock height when you tried the "My bro in law has a Tundra with 295/70/18 RGs, so we swapped one of his onto my truck to see if it would work. It wasn't even close - WAY too big and would require a ton of work to get it to function, and I know from personal experience the compromises wouldn't be worth the marginal gains" ?

Nice rig btw..

 

[mcgaskins]

Yes, but lift height does not make a larger tire fit on an IFS truck because of the way the suspension cycles. If you’re trying to avoid issues, I would avoid that size or anything wider than 11.5”. I run 275/65/20 on my LX which is 34x11” and that’s even better. Width is the enemy here, and height is fine up to about 34.3”.

 

[supercarrera]

I'm running 275/65/20 as well. When it's time to get new tires, I may consider 35x11.5x20 Nitto Terra Grappler G2s, which are really 34.53" by 11.42".

 

[Expolander]

Update:

I picked up these rims:
TRD Pro Wheels on 200 Series

I see Builds - Nitro Gear / Justdifferentials, Project 200 Series Land Cruiser
is running a 285/75/18. Is this because he is running aftermarker UCA/LCA's? I am running SPC uppers, but the tire shop (Discount Tire) I went to said the Tundra wheel with the 285/75/18 Nitto G2 and 1.25" spidertrax spacer still rubs against front swaybar and something else on driverside.

I added spidertrax 1.25 spacer and still I get rubbing with that combo.

How are others able to make this work and is what I'm doing worth the effort or just go down to a 275 tire with this rim/spacer combo or just get an aftermarket wheel with the right offset and if I do that, how much offset would I need?

 

[mcgaskins]

I see Builds - Nitro Gear / Justdifferentials, Project 200 Series Land Cruiser
is running a 285/75/18. Is this because he is running aftermarker UCA/LCA's? I am running SPC uppers, but the tire shop (Discount Tire) I went to said the Tundra wheel with the 285/75/18 Nitto G2 and 1.25" spidertrax spacer still rubs against front swaybar and something else on driverside.

I added spidertrax 1.25 spacer and still I get rubbing with that combo.

How are others able to make this work and is what I'm doing worth the effort or just go down to a 275 tire with this rim/spacer combo or just get an aftermarket wheel with the right offset and if I do that, how much offset would I need?

34s. Just go 34s. 285/75/17 or 285/70/18

 

[Expolander]

are others running spacers with the stock Tundra TRD Pro rims? The ones I have say 60 inside so I'm guessing that is +60mm offset (2.3622 inches) but that is on a Tundra.

I've tried spidertrax 1.25" spacer with TRD Pro stock 18" rim at 60mm positive offset with a 295 70 18 and on driver side it barely rubs/catches on the swaybar.

A 285/75/17 or a 285/70/18 or the equivalent of 34" is what I'm planning to stay within.

 

[Orangeanger]

275 70 18 i believe is the safest. No wheels spacers needed, stock wheels 60 offset