34's on stock setup - it's done, now some advice...

[linuxgod]

This week I swapped out the stock tires and wheels with 34s (Nitto Ridge Grapplers in 285/75R17) and Icon Six Speed 17" wheels with +25 offset. I also added the 3/8" Toyota front spring spacers, which gave me a small boost in front, but not quite as much as I expected (or maybe it did, but with air bags in the rear it just seems that way). I love the look, but I've been trimming incessantly to get rid of the rubbing. Everything clears at partial and full lock while parked in my driveway, but under normal driving I'm still getting a little (noisy) rubbing when turning at moderate speed (unless I baby it).

As of last night I think I've tamed all the rubbing around the front bumper. If not, I'm willing to cut into it further if necessary. It'll eventually fix itself with a new front bumper, but that's a ways off for me still. However even with the front mud flaps removed there's still a small amount of rubbing on the plastic which was under the mud flaps when turning while driving. I'm going to unbolt that little plastic piece this morning and see how I can reform it, but it feels like there's a metal brace behind it, so I'm concerned I won't be able to do much without destroying it.

Ok gents, so here's my question(s) for all you guys which run larger tires - am I foolish to keep pushing 34s on the (mostly) stock setup? Am I going to regret this when wheeling in Breckenridge this summer? What's the likelihood I'm going to rub the fender when turning while wheeling under full compression with this setup?

I have 45 days to return these and step down to the 285/70R17, which I'm sure will fit, but I'm also a glutton for punishment and pushing things to (and past) their limits at times. Alternately I could use this as an excuse to add a 2" lift now, though I'd much rather do that at my leisure than rushing into a purchase and install in the next couple weeks, particularly since I don't really want HD springs now but will need them when I do front and rear bumpers.

BTW, even with E-load tires, IMO the ride is slightly more comfortable than the stock 285/60R18 Bridgestone tires. The larger tire has a small impact on acceleration, but I can definitely feel the added wheel weight when braking. Also for those interested the Ridge Grapplers are noisy for an A/T tire (at least as compared to the original Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos I had on my 4Runner) - or maybe I just need to turn up Lithium.

 

[teambell]

Sweeeet! @linuxgod that setup just looks great. The Fuel wheels are a great appearance option to the TRD RW, for sure.

 

[gaijin]

As stated in the other thread:

I know my position on this is an unpopular one in this community, but it just seems to me that you are buying yourself a whole lot of bother with the LT285/75-17 tires for an additional one half inch of ground clearance over the LT285/70-17 tires which we know fit and function with absolutely no problems under all conditions - on road and off road. I think you'd be much better off using the Toyota recommended LT285/70-17 tires. There will be plenty of time in the future - after your proposed mods - to install a larger tire ... if you feel the trade-offs are worth it at that time.

HTH

 

[chilibit]

I would not for somewhat the same logic as gaijin. I wager that the tire size is not going to affect what you accomplish in Breckenridge. They are not the choke point. Now, emotionally, the story line changes. Toyota's engineering on tire/wheel is very, very good IMHO. But I don't think this is an engineering question. In full disclosure---I run the 285/70-17 on RW wheels but I use P-metric to save un-sprung weight. If I lived in rocky terrain I might rethink that but I am biased for my use.

 

[mcgaskins]

Unless you're willing to do a lot more cutting on your front bumper and likely still go ahead and get a proper lift, you would be better served to move down a size to 285/70. If you're rubbing on the street, you will absolutely hate the noises and interference you'll get on the trail, and there's a chance you could damage the tire(s) under heavy rubbing on the trail too. I run this exact tire and think it's the greatest thing ever, but I'm running a lift, front bumper, no front mud flaps, KDSS relocation, etc. Also I'm shocked to hear you say you think they're loud as I (as well as every review I've read on the tire) think it's the quietest, smoothest AT ever. Maybe your tire pressure is off because mine are absolutely silent even with the windows down.

 

[chilibit]

Double post unfortunately.

 

[Rigger]

That truck looks great! Love the rims!

 

[linuxgod]

As stated in the other thread:

I know my position on this is an unpopular one in this community, but it just seems to me that you are buying yourself a whole lot of bother with the LT285/75-17 tires for an additional one half inch of ground clearance over the LT285/70-17 tires which we know fit and function with absolutely no problems under all conditions - on road and off road. I think you'd be much better off using the Toyota recommended LT285/70-17 tires. There will be plenty of time in the future - after your proposed mods - to install a larger tire ... if you feel the trade-offs are worth it at that time.

HTH

Hey some of us are compensating and need that extra half inch! Not me, but some other people...

I did some additional trimming and a little low-rent heat gun work (wife's hair dryer) and while I haven't worked it hard I think the rubbing is gone for daily driving. That said, in all seriousness I will still probably end up swapping these for 33s. I felt the need to try and push the limits of stock and with a bunch of trimming I think I did it, but I agree that Toyota engineers pushed the limits at 33" (though IMO they or the designers did it to themselves with the body and inner liner plastic design).

 

[linuxgod]

Unless you're willing to do a lot more cutting on your front bumper and likely still go ahead and get a proper lift, you would be better served to move down a size to 285/70. If you're rubbing on the street, you will absolutely hate the noises and interference you'll get on the trail, and there's a chance you could damage the tire(s) under heavy rubbing on the trail too. I run this exact tire and think it's the greatest thing ever, but I'm running a lift, front bumper, no front mud flaps, KDSS relocation, etc. Also I'm shocked to hear you say you think they're loud as I (as well as every review I've read on the tire) think it's the quietest, smoothest AT ever. Maybe your tire pressure is off because mine are absolutely silent even with the windows down.

I did some more cutting in front, including some reshaping of the bottom lip of the front bumper, and some reforming of the mount and plastic behind where the front mudflaps were (front flaps are gone). But yes without a lift the tire comes very close to the frame on the right front side when the wheel is turned right, and still comes to the mud flap area.

Maybe "loud" is the wrong term, but there's a definite mid-range hum that starts at about 15mph and continues from there. It's not mud tire-level, but it's not like the factory tires either (which were still very quiet, even down to ~3/32").

Dealer set the tire pressure at 42psi FWIW.

 

[gaijin]

Dealer set the tire pressure at 42psi FWIW.

The recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure for the LT285/75-17 Ridge Grapplers is 37psi F/R FWIW.

Out of curiosity, which Ridge Grapplers did you get?

LT285/75R17 C 117/114Q Part#:217210

-or-

LT285/75R17 E 121/118Q Part#:217200

I found it interesting that the E-Rated version weighs a little less than the C-Rated version.

HTH

 

[kreiten]

Hey some of us are compensating and need that extra half inch! Not me, but some other people...

I did some additional trimming and a little low-rent heat gun work (wife's hair dryer) and while I haven't worked it hard I think the rubbing is gone for daily driving. That said, in all seriousness I will still probably end up swapping these for 33s. I felt the need to try and push the limits of stock and with a bunch of trimming I think I did it, but I agree that Toyota engineers pushed the limits at 33" (though IMO they or the designers did it to themselves with the body and inner liner plastic design).

Rig looks awesome man, love the tires! In "Theory"(so many variables) that setup with some trimming and a lift should work! I roll 285/70 R18's with 20mm offset wheels and have no rubbing and wheel as hard as anyone with this setup! I totally understand if ya rip them off and go one size smaller(proly the smart move) But I would slap a lift on that thang and go all in, looks awesome!!!

 

[linuxgod]

Out of curiosity, which Ridge Grapplers did you get?
HTH

Thanks for the tire pressure info. I'll deflate a bit and see how they ride.

They are E load. I know I don't really need more than C load, but I like a large safety margin and the extra sidewall for low psi trail running. Hadn't noticed that the C load tires weighed more. Weird.

 

[linuxgod]

Rig looks awesome man, love the tires! In "Theory"(so many variables) that setup with some trimming and a lift should work! I roll 285/70 R18's with 20mm offset wheels and have no rubbing and wheel as hard as anyone with this setup! I totally understand if ya rip them off and go one size smaller(proly the smart move) But I would slap a lift on that thang and go all in, looks awesome!!!

Thanks. I dig your rig and wanted a similar setup.

I'm on the fence about lifting it right now. Normally I do an obsessive amount of research before buying something. But if I do a lift now I need to pull the trigger and get it installed in the next few weeks. How much was your iron man setup? Any complaints?

Btw with current trimming and "body adjustments" I apparently have 3 fingers of clearance now on both sides. Wondering what y'all have? Pics below, passenger side first.

 

[Rigger]

285 70 17's here on RW's.

Back wheels 3 to 4 fingers.

 

[Rigger]

4+ fingers in front but I've got an ARB front end.

My truck also has an OME suspension.

 

[Rigger]

I like your stock look with the filled up fender wells. But it won't work for me cuz I really like them trails at Moab and I'm wanting to run some tougher trails.

 

[1MAC]

4+ fingers in front but I've got an ARB front end.

My truck also has an OME suspension.

Now turn your wheels and check again!

 

[TeCKis300]

Love the big tire look! It looks good enough that I think it's worth the trouble! Plus you've already done most of the hacking!

Part of the challenge you're dealing with is the offset of the wheels. With offsets closer to the RW +50mm, you'd have much less interference to resolve. The lower offset causes the tire to "swing" more than it does pivot in place when turning.

Many people talk about feeling the weight of the wheel/tire when talking about power loss or reduced brake torque. It's not so much that as it is the loss of leverage with the larger overall diameter. Power loss due to reduced overall gearing and reduced brake torque due to the reduced leverage at the contact patch.

 

[mcgaskins]

I did some more cutting in front, including some reshaping of the bottom lip of the front bumper, and some reforming of the mount and plastic behind where the front mudflaps were (front flaps are gone). But yes without a lift the tire comes very close to the frame on the right front side when the wheel is turned right, and still comes to the mud flap area.

Maybe "loud" is the wrong term, but there's a definite mid-range hum that starts at about 15mph and continues from there. It's not mud tire-level, but it's not like the factory tires either (which were still very quiet, even down to ~3/32").

Dealer set the tire pressure at 42psi FWIW.

A lift isn't going to change rubbing on the frame with the wheels turned - only backspacing or spacers will. I saw the updated pics of your trimming and it looks good, but I'd also trim the front bumper horizontally up a few inches for extra clearance when the suspension cycles. Not sure how far you can go up and keep the factory fog lights, but if you want to keep them I'd trim to the highest point you can without hitting the housing.

 

[kreiten]

Thanks. I dig your rig and wanted a similar setup.

I'm on the fence about lifting it right now. Normally I do an obsessive amount of research before buying something. But if I do a lift now I need to pull the trigger and get it installed in the next few weeks. How much was your iron man setup? Any complaints?

Btw with current trimming and "body adjustments" I apparently have 3 fingers of clearance now on both sides. Wondering what y'all have? Pics below, passenger side first.View attachment 1490552 View attachment 1490554 View attachment 1490556 View attachment 1490557

I love the my Ironman Suspension, no complaints at all, I think the kit with UCA's was around 1700 bucks. I have about 3 fingers of clearance front and rear on the front fender to tire also!