OME Lift kit chewing on my 33"s tires

[peram57]

I just purchased and installed the OME lift kit for the FJ cruiser off Toyteclift. This kit included the Medium weight spring, and a set of spacers + front diff drop kit for the front, and all the extended shocks for the read and heavy weight shocks for the front (140S model) as well. To go along with that, I purchased the MT MTZ 33/12.5/17 tires, on the stock wheels,(they are awesome tires) but after I installed the kit, the inner side wall of the tires only have 1/4" space between them and the upper leveling arm and they are hitting the upper leveling arm.
Now I am drinving around carefully not to chew on my tires, but I want to fix the problem before my expensive tires get trashed in the inside. The only thing I have not done is align the car yet, because I want the system to get a couple of hundred miles on it before so it settles a little bit
A frind of mine suggested I buy 1/4" wheel spacers, but I heard that they are not recommended for off road. I don't know what went wrong here, but I have a frind who has the same lift kit, but with the MT Baja Claw 33/12.5/17 (same as my tires, just unidirectional ones) and he get about 1/2" to 3/4" sepparation.
Any suggestions on how to get this fixed or what to look at next???

 

[D'Animal]

Is your friend running stock wheels or something with a different backspacing?

 

[peram57]

stock wheels as well. I have about 1/4" clearance on the front left tire and almost no clearance on the front left one. I have not done the alignment yet, but I don't know if that will make a difference or not.

 

[peram57]

I thought about 1/4" wheel spacers, but everyone is telling me that they will damage the lugs on the front and cannot be used off road anyways. Also, another friend recommended off set rims, but they are expensive and I already spend a few $$$ on my lift kit and new tires.

 

[D'Animal]

Have you called Toyteclift and asked them about it? You can't be the only one with this problem.

 

[peram57]

I sent them an e-mail, since they do not have a 800 number to call for tech support, and I am still waiting on a reply from them. I hope to get one in the next few days.

 

[bulldog-yota]

The 12.5 wide tires is probably too wide for the stock tires. Some folks run 1.5" spidertrax wheelspacers on their FJCs with no issues off road. I would recommend the spidertrax more than a 1/4" spacer as the spidertrax bolts to the hub and has new studs for you to bolt the wheel to.

Keep in mind that your tire will get closer to the wheel when you turn. SO even if you miss driving in a straight line ti can still rub a lot when you turn full lock.

Alternatively get a set of 8" wide wheels with 4.5" back spacing.

Also a set of aftermarket upper arms will help you avoid rubbing on the arm, and make your wheel alignment much easier as they help correct castor.

 

[Toledo FJ]

I have no idea if this has anything to do with it, but the guy I talked to at ARB said the alignment should be done as soon as the lift is installed. You obviously know that it needs to be realigned. What do you mean by wanting it to "settle a bit" before realigning? good luck

 

[Stinkyfinger]

The lift has nothing to do with your rubbing issue, your tires are too wide.
Your not suppose to going bigger then a 285/70/17 on stock rims.
I'm running a 34/12.2/17 mud tire on stock rims and the only way they would work is with wheel spacers.
I went with an 1.25 wide spacer to push the wheels out, and it works great.
I've run it for 20,000 miles now on and off road and I've never had an issue with them or a balancing problem.
As far as spacer not working off road is wrong, wheel spacers where design for off road use so you can run wider tires.
I'm surprised you can even mount your tire on, I tried putting mine on with out the spacers and they hit on the UCA and wouldn't turn.
You should also keep in mind your not suppose to mount that wide of a tire on the stock 7.5" wide rim.
You might have problems with knocking the tire bead off the rims when 4 wheeling.
I had the garage spray on bead sealer (it's a strong glue they use for damage beads) I could drive a round with 2 psi in the tires and there not coming off.
Go with the wheel spacers.
I bought them as a temp solution until I could save up for the rims I wanted, but they've worked so good, buying new rims is now at the bottom of the upgrade list.

 

[Stinkyfinger]

Have you done the body mount chop
Running that wide of a tire is definitely going to rub on the mount even with spacers

 

[peram57]

what kind of aftermarket UCA should I look at?? Total Caos has a set for $600+ that seem to do the work. Also, when I turn my wheel the tires do not hit the UCA, I can see that the tires only hit the UCA right at the very tip of it.
I will certainly look at the wheel spacers.... should I place them in all 4 tires, or only in the front??

 

[peram57]

Also, I already have about 1/4" clearance on one side and a bit less on the other, should I get the 1/4" spacer, or something bigger to gain more clearance??

 

[karpi7171]

I also did the toytec 3" lift and put 305/70/17 Maxxis Bighorns, the are only 1/4" from the UCA, they only rub at full turn, I haven't had any issues yet, the tire should only flew on the bottom not the top.
Anyway no issues at this point but I am still looking into spacers.

 

[Stinkyfinger]

I also did the toytec 3" lift and put 305/70/17 Maxxis Bighorns, the are only 1/4" from the UCA, they only rub at full turn, I haven't had any issues yet, the tire should only flew on the bottom not the top.
Anyway no issues at this point but I am still looking into spacers.

How do you like the bighorns?
I've been real impressed with how good they are and how well their wearing
20,000 miles and they still have half their tread.
I took a chance with them because they were cheap, but now I will be buying maxxis tires from now on.

 

[karpi7171]

I love them, this is my second set and don't think I would buy anything else, can't beat them for the price.

Hey, what kind of spacers do you have?

 

[Stinkyfinger]

It's been a while but I think these are the spacers I bought
eBay Motors: TOYOTA 6 Lug Wheel Adapters Spacers W/Lugs 1.25" 2 Pcs (item 220188132245 end time Jan-10-08 17:47:33 PST)
If I knew I would of been running them aslong as I have been, I would have gone with the Spidertrax spacers
They have the center lip that makes it easier putting on the rim, but I have no complants with the ones I'm running.
I've been running them for 20,000 miles now and never had a problem with them.