Max Tire Size for Stock FJ40? (1 Viewer)

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Certainly not the biggest tire, but one that I felt fit the openings and (stock) wheels the best. No lift, stock 55 year old springs, 30x9.5x15.

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FloridaLife said:
LOVE IT! Especially since I'm Texas born and bred. So, just to clarify, even if you are going off road and the springs & shocks are at full range of motion, you are not getting any rubbing or issues with this setup. Correct?

Let me ask this... do you think that is because of:

1. Your factory springs and suspension are in better shape than most? Not as much beating over the years? Or...

2. Is it the brand and model of tire you are using that makes a difference?

I've seen a couple of other people in the forums say they were using the same tire, or at least I "think" so as they said a Kenda Kevlar tire, to which I actually sat here and thought it myself "Wow... they are using Kevlar bullet proof vest & helmet material in tires nowadays... no wonder they are tough!" and now I'm thinking it was a typo and I'm an uneducated FJ40 idiot. LOL.

So... please educate me on why you think you are able to run that tire on your rig. And, what year is your rig? Looks GREAT! I still have a little place in Texas, and a very old friend was a missionary to Africa has a real deal old FJ40 in his barn that was his daily drive in Africa, complete with snorkel and PTO winch/ "Maybe" I can take it off his hands.
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That’s somewhat true. There’s Kevlar in some bicycle tires, and Kenda makes a lot of bicycle tires. But I have no idea what’s in their truck tires.
 
igotta40 said:
These Kenda Klever (not Kevlar) are narrow enough on the Toyota 5.5” rims that they stay inside the quarter panels. When one rear wheel drops, the other side stuffs into the quarter panel and tilts inside a little bit. It clears the sheet metal. The front left will contact the steering drag link on full lock, but the BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM2 also did. They were 31-10.50x15. Adjusting the steering stop will fix that, I just haven’t done it. I just got these Kenda tires last July and they are noticeably taller and narrower. If I lift the truck I can only go an inch or two higher because then it won’t fit in my garage. Leaving the truck outside isn’t an option. It’s a 1974
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So if you had to go buy another set of tires today, looking back on the ones you have used in the past and/or seen other guys using, which would you buy? The Kenda Klever 33x10.5 15 inch? I like the look of the sidewall too, with that aggressive "I can go anywhere" attitude going on.
 
FloridaLife said:
So if you had to go buy another set of tires today, looking back on the ones you have used in the past and/or seen other guys using, which would you buy? The Kenda Klever 33x10.5 15 inch? I like the look of the sidewall too, with that aggressive "I can go anywhere" attitude going on.
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These Kenda tires barely have 1,000 miles on them since new in July so no long term evaluation. I will, however, tell you what I’ll never buy again- BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM2. They may be the best off road tire in the world, by whatever metrics are used, but most miles are driven on paved roads and that’s where they suck. I barely got 20,000 miles out of them and when the tread got to around 60% the noise was unbearable. Constantly having to put air in them before leaving the house. No way. In the early 1980’s I had the original BFG Mud Terrains and then a set of All Terrains, both were great, on and off road. 10.50x31-15 on 8” wide aftermarket steel rims. They rubbed the rear fenders and stuck outside the truck about 1.5”. That looks cool until mud, sand and crap get thrown all over your truck and yourself. Opinions vary, but that’s mine.

My new Kenda tires are 9.5 wide, not 10.5
 
igotta40 said:
These Kenda tires barely have 1,000 miles on them since new in July so no long term evaluation. I will, however, tell you what I’ll never buy again- BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM2. They may be the best off road tire in the world, by whatever metrics are used, but most miles are driven on paved roads and that’s where they suck. I barely got 20,000 miles out of them and when the tread got to around 60% the noise was unbearable. Constantly having to put air in them before leaving the house. No way. In the early 1980’s I had the original BFG Mud Terrains and then a set of All Terrains, both were great, on and off road. 10.50x31-15 on 8” wide aftermarket steel rims. They rubbed the rear fenders and stuck outside the truck about 1.5”. That looks cool until mud, sand and crap get thrown all over your truck and yourself. Opinions vary, but that’s mine.

My new Kenda tires are 9.5 wide, not 10.5
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Thank you!
 
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Another set of tires I had (in the mid 1990’s) that I liked were Dunlop Mud Rover. I have no idea if they are still around or not.

When I switched from the 31” to the 33” tires the truck is now noticeably slower taking off, the gearing is taller, and it seems better suited to freeway traffic.

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igotta40 said:
Another set of tires I had (in the mid 1990’s) that I liked were Dunlop Mud Rover. I have no idea if they are still around or not.

When I switched from the 31” to the 33” tires the truck is now noticeably slower taking off, the gearing is taller, and it seems better suited to freeway traffic.

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Love it!

I was blessed enough to find & purchase a "Todd Toyota Overdrive Unit" so that may help some on the roads.
 
JohnnyC said:
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
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"if your springs are saggy ...." What is the best way to tell if the springs are sagging? Is there a height measurement I can take a certain spot? I would think it would vary a lot based on whatever tires are on it now.
 
FloridaLife said:
Where did you purchase the Kenda tires?
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They are available through Walmart but enduring their tire shop process is like going to the DMV with a hangover. I got mine at Tires by Design. I paid about $10 more per tire but it was worth it to me. I was getting my wheels powdered so it involved a couple of trips.

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Green Bean said:
Wow. Love your shop/garage as well as your cruiser.
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VERY nice! Where do you live? And if you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost per wheel to have them powder coated? I only asked because I checked with a local powder coat shop and they charge $150 per wheel, and I'm curious if that's a good deal or if it's priced higher than other places?

Thanks!
 
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