*help* ok to ride on 33" tires at stock height? (1 Viewer)

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Apr 24, 2008
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Pac Bch, CA
I dunno if my situation is doable or even wise to do...forgive my ignorance...

the dilemna::

my rig [not a daily driver] is riding at stock height [NO lift what-so-ever].
my cousin graciously donated his five less-than-2k miles Cooper Discovery S/T 255/85/16 tires.
I want to buy five 16 x 7 black steelie rims that would fit onto to the Cooper tires, but am not sure of what problems and issues I would run into if I installed these rims and wheels on stock height...like rubbing on tie-rods, calipers, fender wells, etc.?

again, my rig is not a daily driver, and will not be used for wheeling anytime soon, just grocery runs & errands w/ occasional fwy driving. is it ok to install 33" tires riding at stock height or should I wait & get the lift first?

everyone's .02 is appreciated :)

thx,
jonathan
 
i ran 33x12.5 on no lift just saggy springs and had only minor rubbing at full lock and flex. depends on your offset i guess and how saggy you are. Should be fine. your on a 62 as well so i would assume lower gears in the diffs wich will be ok.
 
Should be less rubbing at full turn since those Cooper's are a lot narrower, around 10.5". As for the height of the 33", that depends on the condition of your springs.

What are you currently running?

Alan
 
I really don't see that working out well.....you would need at least a shackle lift. I wouldn't go bigger than 31 and even that is pushing it.
 
mall crawlin you should be fine, mine are on 15x8 3.5 backspace steelies and like i said only minor rubbing on the fenders. Pictures of how saggy your truck is might help? Free tires are awesome tho and with some seraching online for used wheels will keep it pretty cost effective. even if it doesnt work out in the end.
 
You are actually dealing with multiple issues.

Issue #1: Finding a 16 inch wheel with the correct 3.5 inch or less backspacing. Good luck! There are a few choices out there but once found will make your free tires a really great set up. Most choices require spacers or have very close tolerances with tie rod ends and/or front brake calipers. I would suggest that you do a search on this board for 16 inch wheels and the like and also surf the wheel and tire suppliers. I am a fan of the 16 inch wheel/tire. 15 inch tires seem to be phasing out and are becoming more difficult to get, particularly in an AT tread. Furthermore, the heaviest duty tire you can buy is load range C. The nice thing about 16 inchers is that so many standard pickups are running them (load range C,D,E) that it keeps the pricing competitive.

Issue #2: Wheel well clearance: I don't know about the tires that you are wanting to run but I ran 33X9.5X15's for several months with stock springs with no issues. I was doing what you plan to do..daily driving. May be different with flexing on uneven surfaces.

Issue #3: Choice of shocks. Stay with a OEM or equivalent shock with travel length matched to stock springs. I made the mistake of upgrading to OME shocks (that work with their lift) while running stock springs and broke a shock tower.

Issue #4: Change in gear ratio. The stock 3.70 differentials on the FJ60 are not optimal for 33 inch tires. You will enjoy the rubber overdrive on open highways and flat ground, but you will not enjoy running 45MPH up on grades in 3rd gear because uphill pulling power is dramatically reduced.
 
I'm driving an 88, all stock, and put 33x10.50's and havn't had a problem with any rubbing yet. I've even done a fair amount of off-roading with a decent amount of articulation, and no issues. With the old springs there's not going to be a whole lot of articulation going on anyway. Go for it and enjoy the extra 2" of lift!

Also, I have pictures on here somewhere. I'll post the link when I find it.
 
33x 12.5 x 15 on my 86 hj60

0721101640-00.jpg


0717102012-00.jpg


0717102013-00.jpg


only rubs in the rear and just barely on the crappy metal patch job that somone was too lazy to cut off 1/4" in the wheel well. Front has little to no flex with the diesel over load springs in it so rubbing hasnt been an issue. It might have had some rub up front with the super loose wheel bearings and trunion bears that it had when i bought it tho.
 
thx shance for posting your pics.

I've attached a few pics of 'knucklehead' at stock ride height with some minor sag, and the amount of space btwn tires and wheel well.
approx. 4.5" at the front
approx 3" at the rear
TLC_stock ride height.jpg
TLC_front tire space.jpg
TLC_rear tire space.jpg
 
again, my rig is not a daily driver, and will not be used for wheeling anytime soon, just grocery runs & errands w/ occasional fwy driving. is it ok to install 33" tires riding at stock height or should I wait & get the lift first?

If you can find rims with the correct backspace (do a search for threads on this topic) and if you don't flex the suspension (eg - mall cruisin only) then you'll be fine with these tires.

Given where you live, these will actually be a help, since 70 on the freeway is slow in LA...with these 33" tires you'll be at ~75mph @ 3000 rpm.
 

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