33's on 15 x 7 rims

[BTV]

Good day, all knowing brethren.
So my KZJ78 has the factory 15 inch rims, 7" wide. I'm hoping to get some 33's on it, and was hoping for 12.5 wide. Also planning a modest 2-2.5" lift, and 1.5" spacers to help avoid any rubbing.
Since I'm going to be running more road than trail in it, I'm avoiding MT and going AT for better noise, mileage, comfort etc while still being able to go to some good fishing spots and up some snowy mountain. Maybe a bit of mild'ish crawling.
So, my question is, do you know of a tire that fill that requisite list, that will go on that rim in a 33 12.5? Most 12.5's say to go 8 inch wide or more. I'm definitely open to size adjustments based on your experience. Is it safe (allowed) to put tires rated for wider wheels, on a narrower wheel?
Mucho Thank You-o!!!

 

[Irish11]

I had 33x10.5's on the stock 15" wheels on my FJ40. I don't think anyone will mount a 12.5" on them though, none of the major installers at least. I had to go to a mom and pop to get the 10.5" on my 5.5" rims. Its way over the safety threshold most installers have. You can ask around though and see if someone will do it. Its common to go 33x10.5" on the factory 5.5" wheels. Alternatively, you can get the wheels widened, or find an aftermarket set.

 

[BTV]

I had 33x10.5's on the stock 15" wheels on my FJ40. I don't think anyone will mount a 12.5" on them though, none of the major installers at least. I had to go to a mom and pop to get the 10.5" on my 5.5" rims. Its way over the safety threshold most installers have. You can ask around though and see if someone will do it. Its common to go 33x10.5" on the factory 5.5" wheels. Alternatively, you can get the wheels widened, or find an aftermarket set.

View attachment 2936328

Sheesh, that does look really nice!
I'm thinking I'll find myself in this position a few more times, so I might just replace the wheel and go with something with more options.
A place called Trail Built in WI has a lot of options for packages of wheels and tires that they'll ship out, so I'm taking a long look at them as well as other places.
I was hoping of staying north of the border for shipping purposes, but sometimes the deal just makes sense.

 

[FJ73Texas]

I personally would be ok with 12.5 on 7" wide wheels but like @Irish11 said...some national tire chains might balk at the request. When I worked at discount tire, we turned away requests like that all the time some of them were way beyond the safety limits too.

Store I worked at had an internal memo that outlined in a table what we could say yes or no to. Not sure if all store has a such memo and if so...what the current one says. I am sure they all have a such table to look up limits (NTB, Discount, Costco, Sam's club, etc)......but I am sure it is all derived from the tire and rim association yearbook.

I am looking to go up to 16" wheel now. Options are just too limited at 15" wheel now.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

15x8 wheels are better for 33 in. tires.

Avoid spacers. They will only cause your axle bearings to wear out faster.

33 x 12.5 tires will not only rub. They will wear out your axle bearings faster. Ask me how I know.

Big and wide tires kill Land Cruisers. Skinny tires suit them better.

I would go with 33 x 10.5 tires and 15x8 wheels.




Juan

 

[onemanarmy]

Why do you need 12.5 tires? 10.5 wide looks and performs so much better.

 

[BTV]

I personally would be ok with 12.5 on 7" wide wheels but like @Irish11 said...some national tire chains might balk at the request. When I worked at discount tire, we turned away requests like that all the time some of them were way beyond the safety limits too.

Store I worked at had an internal memo that outlined in a table what we could say yes or no to. Not sure if all store has a such memo and if so...what the current one says. I am sure they all have a such table to look up limits (NTB, Discount, Costco, Sam's club, etc)......but I am sure it is all derived from the tire and rim association yearbook.

I am looking to go up to 16" wheel now. Options are just too limited at 15" wheel now.

That's good to know, thanks for sharing.
I'm not totally sold on the 12.5, but do really like the look of a wider tire on the wide body KZJ like mine.
The more I look at tires, there seem to be endless options for 16" wheels, and very few for the 15"'s... I guess everyone is moving away from them, which is a shame as the 15's on the rig I'm getting look to be in really great shape.
Dohhh!

 

[BTV]

Hello,

15x8 wheels are better for 33 in. tires.

Avoid spacers. They will only cause your axle bearings to wear out faster.

33 x 12.5 tires will not only rub. They will wear out your axle bearings faster. Ask me how I know.

Big and wide tires kill Land Cruisers. Skinny tires suit them better.

I would go with 33 x 10.5 tires and 15x8 wheels.




Juan

Sounds like you had to learn that stuff the hard way... I appreciate you trying to help me avoid doing the same!

 

[BTV]

Why do you need 12.5 tires? 10.5 wide looks and performs so much better.

I find the 10.5 to look a little too skinny on the KZJ78 wide body like mine. Hoping to widen out the stance a bit to make it a bit more stable too.

 

[JuanJ]

Sounds like you had to learn that stuff the hard way... I appreciate you trying to help me avoid doing the same!

Hello,

Yes, you can say that.

I am glad I can help.

I found the rubbing annoying but I did nothing about it.

It is not just the bearings that wear out but also the seals and, in my case, the brake cylinders.








Juan

 

[Imurdaddy]

I just bought a set of 30x9.5 15 tires and I now want to get a set of stock Steelies 5.5x15.
will the tires I have fit those wheels?

 

[vega01]

Good day, all knowing brethren.
So my KZJ78 has the factory 15 inch rims, 7" wide. I'm hoping to get some 33's on it, and was hoping for 12.5 wide. Also planning a modest 2-2.5" lift, and 1.5" spacers to help avoid any rubbing.
Since I'm going to be running more road than trail in it, I'm avoiding MT and going AT for better noise, mileage, comfort etc while still being able to go to some good fishing spots and up some snowy mountain. Maybe a bit of mild'ish crawling.
So, my question is, do you know of a tire that fill that requisite list, that will go on that rim in a 33 12.5? Most 12.5's say to go 8 inch wide or more. I'm definitely open to size adjustments based on your experience. Is it safe (allowed) to put tires rated for wider wheels, on a narrower wheel?
Mucho Thank You-o!!!

When I bought it, my Cruiser had 33 12.5s Goodyear Wranglers MT on 15" rims 7" wide. But tubes were put inside to prevent the tires from falling off the rims. Besides they rubbed in max turn. I changed them right away for 33 10.5 and got rid of the tubes.

 

[aselawanni]

Hi
Im running my KZJ78 on 33 12.5 R15 on steel wheels. Im planning to move in to alloys with same tyre set. What you guys think, if I can fix them in to my stock 7inch alloy wheels? Will it looks better? Or do I need to move in to another wider alloy wheel set 8inch or 10inch maybe?

 

[Squash]

I find the 10.5 to look a little too skinny on the KZJ78 wide body like mine. Hoping to widen out the stance a bit to make it a bit more stable too.

You don't want to look like the Dodge, chev or Ford crowd.
Skinny is the way to go...

 

[LutherLM]

I rode on OEM 33x12.5 R15 rims and there was no problem. I liked it better. Then I switched to 33x10.5 R15 on aftermarket rims. The LC rides smoother.

 

[kgrove]

Avoid spacers. They will only cause your axle bearings to wear out faster.

33 x 12.5 tires will not only rub. They will wear out your axle bearings faster. Ask me how I know.

Big and wide tires kill Land Cruisers. Skinny tires suit them better.

Agree, but let me add a clarification because I've heard people take this simplification (which is not wrong) and apply it incorrectly.

It's not spacers that wear out bearings faster, it's moving the center of the tire further outside instead of being basically directly underneath the hub's bearing complex. It doesn't matter whether you add spacers or an equivalent amount of negative offset with new wheels... it's shifting the centerline of the tire that does the damage by causing the tire load to be off center from the bearings.

I only say this because I've talked to guys who refused to add spacers because they took the "spacers kill bearings" mantra way too literally and instead they went out and bought new wheels with really negative offset measurements to get the look they wanted. They missed the point.

That said... There are obviously tons of people out there who either add spacers or use new wheels to push the tires outward to create a look. If you don't get too aggressive, you can push your tires outwards a little without doing too much damage too quickly... maybe you cut the lifespan of your bearings from 25 yrs to 20. You have two ways to create that 'tires poked' look - add more negative offset via spacers or new wheels, use wider tires, or split the difference and slightly widen the tires and add a bit more negative offset.

I've had 4 KZJ78s. All of them were the wide model with the fender flares and all had roughly 2" lifts. Three had aftermarket wheels with a bit more negative offset than OEM (2 were imported that way, one I added new wheels) and one had the OEM 15x7 wheels (I think zero offset but don't quote me). All 4 had or I installed 33x12.5 tires. Personally I think the12.5 wide looks right with the fender flares, but from a performance standpoint, I'd be inclined to make that a 33x10.5 tire (better snow and mud performance plus lower weight). I think the 12.5 wide would look odd without the fender flares. Despite several requests - I've commented multiple times on KZJ78 tire size - I have still not seen many photos of a 10.5 wide tire on a KZJ78 with the fender flares. With OEM 15x7 wheels, the outside of the 10.5 should be 1" more inboard than a 12.5... I just haven't seen what it looks like.

My educated guess.... 33x10.5x15 tire on the OEM 15x7 wheel (which I believe has zero offset) would look and perform very well on a KZJ78 with a ~2" lift with or without fender flares. If you have fender flares and highly prioritize looks vs performance - or I guess if you drive a lot of soft sand - increase that to the 12.5 wide tires. If you don't have fender flares, stick with the 10.5 wide tire unless you frequently drive on soft sand. Or if you like your tires near flush with the outside of your fenders but the performance of a narrower tire, go with 10.5 wide tires and a 20-25mm spacer (roughly 3/4-1") and recognize that once every decade or two you may have to replace bearings or seals to pay for the look you wanted.

 

[LutherLM]

The OEM wheels on the wide Prado have ET -20. On mine I currently have ET-25 + 3cm washers, 33x10.5 R15 tires and the wheels are flush with the fenders. Even 10.5 inch tires cannot be applied without washers. The tire interferes with the tie rod pin.