Max Tire Size for Stock FJ40? (1 Viewer)

[FloridaLife]

I did a search in the forums and found several threads about getting bigger wheels, and lifts, and shackles and stuff, but what I'd really like to know is what is the maximum tire size (height & width) that I can run on a stock 1971 FJ40 with stock wheels?

Thanks.

 

[JohnnyC]

31¨ is tight for stock height but is doable
33¨ is good for mild lift

the wider the tire the more rubbing youĺl get when stuffing

the pizza cutter tires work best on the 5.5¨ wide stock rims.... no more than 10.5¨

IMHO

 

[FloridaLife]

31¨ is tight for stock height but is doable
33¨ is good for mild lift

the wider the tire the more rubbing youĺl get when stuffing

the pizza cutter tires work best on the 5.5¨ wide stock rims.... no more than 10.5¨

IMHO

So for stock wheels go with 31 inch tall, and no more than 10.5 wide. Thank you!

 

[JohnnyC]

remember thats tight.... depends on your use for the truck... and suspension

if your springs are saggy .... you will be rubbing more than you like for a dd or weekend driver.... if your wheeling it extensively it will rub alot... but give you the height that helps more than hinders imho

If your sagging and rubbing more than you like ... shackles are quick and easy and give you that 1/2 to 3/4¨ more that stops that from happening

 

[FloridaLife]

remember thats tight.... depends on your use for the truck... and suspension

if your springs are saggy .... you will be rubbing more than you like for a dd or weekend driver.... if your wheeling it extensively it will rub alot... but give you the height that helps more than hinders imho

If your sagging and rubbing more than you like ... shackles are quick and easy and give you that 1/2 to 3/4¨ more that stops that from happening

I was planning on keeping it stock height, but I can raise it a little if I need to and the shackles would be easier. I like the rigs I've seen with the 4 inch lift, but my wife & son don't, so.... Gotta pick my battles. LOL! I REALLY cracked up the other day when I was searching and reading through the forums and saw the guy that bought the white 1971 fj40 it was jacked up so high that when he got it home it wouldn't fit in the garage. I could just imagine the look on my wife's face and what she would say if I did that.

 

[flx]

In most countries 40 were delivered on 7.50-16 size, which is equivalent to a 31.7", and obviously it doesn't rub anywhere, even with saggy springs or flexing.

So I'm guessing the issue is more with the width if some are rubbing on 31".

Very commonly 235/85R16 is used as an equivalent to 7.50R16 without any issue.

 

[JohnnyC]

yes the width is the killer... 7.50 16ś are only like 8.5¨ wide

i took his question as the largest tire.... 31x10.5 on stock... most stock trucks are running on 50 year old saggy springs

ive rode on 33ś on stock.... but... they rub so much

 

[flx]

7.50R16 on stock very saggy springs.

Obviously, to work the rear tires need to be able to go inside wheel well. But even lifted when flexing the tires get inside the body so the problem of wide tires remains.

A common issue also, even with narrow tires, are the aftermarket wheels that often have a negative offset.

 

[JohnnyC]

for comparison.... my truck 30 years ago 31x10.5 stock saggy springs

and fjguru with 33x10.5 stock suspension

both cut rear wheel wells ... the width is what kills it... thats why cruisers like the pizza cutters

@flx dont lose those 16¨ splits with clips... most of the world didn't get the clips on the 16¨ splits.... we got shafted

I run for the past 25 years or so 16¨ splits.... but.... canada didnt get clips and in the states we didnt get splits standard

 

[flx]

@flx dont lose those 16¨ splits with clips... most of the world didn't get the clips on the 16¨ splits.... we got shafted

I run for the past 25 years or so 16¨ splits.... but.... canada didnt get clips and in the states we didnt get splits standard

Even here they are very rare with the clips, only 1974 and 1975 got the clips (but never the caps).
Had to replace the rings to save them, as they were too rusty, but in good Toyota manner the ring partnumber supersedes all the way up to today 70 series split rims! (And a lot of 5 holes 70 series split rims float around and no one wants them so I scavenged 5 of them).

Demonstration that even lifted the tire will enter the rear wheel well (and of my caps still shiny ).

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I am running the kenda kevlar 33x9.50 with the 1inch Dobinson leaf springs with stock hangers. Its just about perfect for me. However I would prefer some old school 750 16s Like the super traxion tires.

 

[FloridaLife]

for comparison.... my truck 30 years ago 31x10.5 stock saggy springs

and fjguru with 33x10.5 stock suspension

both cut rear wheel wells ... the width is what kills it... thats why cruisers like the pizza cutters
View attachment 3637967View attachment 3637968


@flx dont lose those 16¨ splits with clips... most of the world didn't get the clips on the 16¨ splits.... we got shafted

I run for the past 25 years or so 16¨ splits.... but.... canada didnt get clips and in the states we didnt get splits standard

OK.... I'll bite... probably a STUPID question but since I'm new to the FJ40 scene and trying to learn everything I can... define all this cryptic "clips" and "splits" talk. I'm clueless. Now, if we were talking a 1934 Coupe or a 1934 4-Door and which was the first ever to be made with an independent front suspension and all that... I've got it. LOL.

I don't know what size my wheels and tires are. Right when I purchased, the sellers town (he is the local pastor) was hit by one of those F4 tornadoes we saw in the news a couple of weeks ago, so I told him "Hey, I'm in no rush, take care of your family, friends, and neighbors and we will get it shipped in a couple of weeks to a month. I'm excited to get it.

I went out and looked at my 25 year old Toyota 4Runner's tires, because I remember ending up getting bigger tires because they were a better price. And, they look good on the old girl. They are (and remember, this was my daily driver before being forced to retire due to disability) Goodyear Wranglers, P235/75R15. I grabbed my tape measure, and I "think" (best I can tell with the tires mounted and on the ground) they are about 29 inches tall, and about 9 inches wide, and I've always been very satisfied with them. I may be wrong, but I would think they would be good on the FJ40, although I tend to think "IF" I can fit bigger / better tires on it, without damaging anything, I think that might be good. I'd probably prefer to get a more aggressive tire than the 4Runner. My thought is... If you have an FJ40... why not be prepared to have a little fun off the pavement if you want to? I'm not planning to drive it coast to coast on the interstate anyway!

 

[FloridaLife]

I am running the kenda kevlar 33x9.50 with the 1inch Dobinson leaf springs with stock hangers. Its just about perfect for me. However I would prefer some old school 750 16s Like the super traxion tires.

View attachment 3637992View attachment 3637993

When you say "with the 1inch Dobinson leaf springs" does the "1inch" mean 1 inch lift? 1 inch high than factory?

Thank you.

 

[flx]

OK.... I'll bite... probably a STUPID question but since I'm new to the FJ40 scene and trying to learn everything I can... define all this cryptic "clips" and "splits" talk.

By split he is referring to the fact that my rims can be "split in 2" to install the tire (technically this design should be called locking rim more than split).
In the US the 40 were delivered with a plain rim without this removable ring. The ring allows to install stiffer tire with very basic tools anywhere.

The clips are those little clips which the only function is to be able to install the decorative hub cap.

In comparison those wheels don't have the clips:

And this is the only (decorative) utility of those clips:

 

[ace10]

For what it's worth, this my '67 FST sporting some new 235/75R15s. They're super-cheap Goodyear Wrangler Trailrunners.
I believe the springs to be original.

That's a ~29" tire with a 9.3" crossection. A 31" would fit, but I really didn't want to go any wider for fear of possibly damaging the body.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

When you say "with the 1inch Dobinson leaf springs" does the "1inch" mean 1 inch lift? 1 inch high than factory?

Thank you.

yes 1 inch over factory.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Split rims have killed people that didn't understand what they were doing. Most tire shops will not do them anymore, and if they do it will cost extra. Bead lockers might be an option- not any have highway use approved. I looked at 16" rims, it was like $1000 for the set. I'll just keep my 15 and put on a set of new tires - likely the last set I ever have to buy

 

[jim land]

The Toyota rims are suppose to be safer and not dangerous like big truck split rims , not the same design

 

[jim land]

Taller bump stop is needed with bigger tires if you use all the flex available
With stock flat springs you can not fit taller bump stop
31 on stock 5.5" rims will be fine, maybe a little rub
New lift spring and or 16x6 wheels will give you more options

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

The locking-ring wheels Toyota and other international light-truck makers install are perfectly safe, and easily manipulated with hand tools. I ran them for years on my stateside FJ40 and still find them on African Land Cruisers and Land Rovers that run ten-ply bias-belted tires. But there's zero reason to run them and the tubes they require here. A plug kit will handle a puncture in five minutes that will take 30 with a tubed tire. Read this for much more information.