Tires: Pre and Post lift

[shelby95]

I am at the point where I need to replace my tires (currently BFG KO2 275/70 18 E). I am hoping to add a 2- 2.5 lift later in the fall.

I’ve read through numerous posts regarding tire size, including the tire/wheel database. My question is: do you think if I replace my tires with the 275/70 18, I will be disappointed with the size post-lift?

Thanks.

 

[Fisher23]

That depends where you drive or if you may need to run tire chains or cables.

That 33" tire is very good overall and doesn't require other modifications which are needed when you go larger.

Many folks running larger go back to 33's, it a good size for this vehicle.

Not sure why you would go with KO2 when the KO3 is a better tire, maybe a really good price?

 

[shelby95]

That depends where you drive or if you may need to run tire chains or cables.

That 33" tire is very good overall and doesn't require other modifications which are needed when you go larger.

Many folks running larger go back to 33's, it a good size for this vehicle.

Not sure why you would go with KO2 when the KO3 is a better tire, maybe a really good price?

Thanks for the reply. I should’ve been more specific, I’m going with the KO3 but was concerned with the size.

I’m in Central Texas. If I ever need chains here, we as the human race are in deep s***.

 

[afgman786]

Here is what 275/70/18 looks like with an OME 2-2.5" lift. I think it's too small so run larger for wheeling.

 

[shelby95]

Here is what 275/70/18 looks like with an OME 2-2.5" lift. I think it's too small so run larger for wheeling.

View attachment 3729023

Thanks for the reply. A thousand words…although they don’t look “too” small for my purposes, a bit larger would have advantages. I now I have to wring my hands over going 285/70 18 and hoping they fit without too much difficulty prior to the lift.

 

[Fisher23]

The 285 is a wider tire, so you should refer to the tire threads as they will need a different wheel offset, and other modifications.

 

[lx200inAR]

Thanks for the reply. A thousand words…although they don’t look “too” small for my purposes, a bit larger would have advantages. I now I have to wring my hands over going 285/70 18 and hoping they fit without too much difficulty prior to the lift.

It's been said a million times, but i'll go ahead and bump the concept. Lift on a 200 series has little affect on whether a tire fits or not. The geometry of the iFS doesn't change with lift, just changes the static height. The wheel still has to move through the same arc. Once you start going bigger, wheel offset and clearing the KDSS are most important. Then the UCA and the body mount behind the front wheel if you keep going bigger (35s).

 

[sedole]

I run 275/70/18 winter tires and 295/70/18 in the spring/summer/fall. ~2.5" bilstein lift. Visually I much prefer the 295 with the lift. Certain angles make the 275 look good sized, but imo it's the narrow width that just make it seem small at other angles. A lower offset helps. It is easier to fit larger on an LX though. But even with the LX I do rub a little on my front swaybar under full lock and braking.

Of course now that I type this and have these photos right next to each other, the difference doesn't look all that much... But in person the 295s just give it so much more "presence". It looks and feels much bigger. I do plan to go up to a 35/11.50/18 next year when these 295s are worn down. I don't wheel hard enough to need more than a 33, but it looks cool and gas ain't too terribly expensive where I'm at. I'm a poser, I'll freely admit it haha

 

[MRego]

I am at the point where I need to replace my tires (currently BFG KO2 275/70 18 E). I am hoping to add a 2- 2.5 lift later in the fall.

I’ve read through numerous posts regarding tire size, including the tire/wheel database. My question is: do you think if I replace my tires with the 275/70 18, I will be disappointed with the size post-lift?

Thanks.

Since you have not yet lifted, I will leave my two cents here. Think long and hard about lifting. Honestly, unless your plans are to reaaaaally go rock crawling hardcore trails and stuff 35s or 37s, I would avoid it. I myself have done in the past with my previous LC. Slapped a BP-51 lift and 305/65/18 tires. Parked, it looked great. Moving, I hated. Even more rolly polly than OEM and now that I am thinking, even parked it looked a little silly. It throws a wrench at all Toyota OEM engineering in your car and as much as you adjust here and there, it is still going to be out of whack.

IMO, you are much better served investing in a good set of sliders and installing the OEM Toyota strut spacer in the front. That is what I did with my current LC HE and swapped tires to 285/65/18. I got a full inch lift overall (the HE sits higher in the back) and the truck is very very capable in this configuration, and I can still drive comfortably in the highway, without the sensation that I am driving a semi. 275s are just too "skinny" for such a wide body in the LC. Just my opinion. I know folks run this size all the time with no lift. It does not work for me. If you use this size and lift it will be the "skipped leg day" look.

 

[TeCKis300]

Bigger tires. Less suspension lift. That's the recipe for real performance and capability if that's your goal.

If you need more aesthetic height, throw on a 1" body lift. I'm a proponent of BLs as it'll lift your front and rear bumpers increasing approach and departure. While keeping center of mass lower as the heavy things stay low. It allows the suspension operating in its sweet spot which is key. Big suspension lifts destroy too much goodness.

I'll say it, 275s are weak. Even 4Runners and GX run largers and meatier tires. They also ride poor with the higher pressures required to maintain good load capacity.

Get yourself some 285/70R18s (33.7s). That's real lift and is the only thing that increases clearance under the rear axle.

 

[ryanCA]

I'll say it, 275s are weak.

my wife calls me weak
you call me weak
mmmmurica calls me weak

i love my 275s - cant wait to go to 245s like my other 200 on the other continent

 

[shelby95]

Thanks everyone for their input. MRego and TeCKis300, appreciate the advice on not lifting. I was afraid that a 285/70 18 on stock wheels would rub on a 2013 200.

 

[TeCKis300]

my wife calls me weak
you call me weak
mmmmurica calls me weak

i love my 275s - cant wait to go to 245s like my other 200 on the other continent

Apologies if I'm being candid. I'm also making assumptions that the OP and typical owner are looking for an all around upgrade, rather than trading some performance qualities when choosing a narrower width over stock. For those consciously making the trade, more power to you.

 

[MRego]

Thanks everyone for their input. MRego and TeCKis300, appreciate the advice on not lifting. I was afraid that a 285/70 18 on stock wheels would rub on a 2013 200.

285/70 will rub in stock form, as I understand. 285/65 won’t. That’s what I have in my truck that only has the OEM strut spacer.

 

[ryanCA]

Apologies if I'm being candid. I'm also making assumptions that the OP and typical owner are looking for an all around upgrade, rather than trading some performance qualities when choosing a narrower width over stock. For those consciously making the trade, more power to you.

All good - no harm no foul

I respect Americans and their 305 tire

I am an illegal alien thus I like my 245-265

To each their own

 

[stellite]

The biggest mistake made in tire fitting is offset. Most go to much negative offset, which actually creates a larger arc, causing tires to rub. There are people on this forum, who are running true 34 inch tires with little to no rub. You should have enough offset to clear UCA's.

 

[200Cruiser]

Since you have not yet lifted, I will leave my two cents here. Think long and hard about lifting. Honestly, unless your plans are to reaaaaally go rock crawling hardcore trails and stuff 35s or 37s, I would avoid it. I myself have done in the past with my previous LC. Slapped a BP-51 lift and 305/65/18 tires. Parked, it looked great. Moving, I hated. Even more rolly polly than OEM and now that I am thinking, even parked it looked a little silly. It throws a wrench at all Toyota OEM engineering in your car and as much as you adjust here and there, it is still going to be out of whack.

IMO, you are much better served investing in a good set of sliders and installing the OEM Toyota strut spacer in the front. That is what I did with my current LC HE and swapped tires to 285/65/18. I got a full inch lift overall (the HE sits higher in the back) and the truck is very very capable in this configuration, and I can still drive comfortably in the highway, without the sensation that I am driving a semi. 275s are just too "skinny" for such a wide body in the LC. Just my opinion. I know folks run this size all the time with no lift. It does not work for me. If you use this size and lift it will be the "skipped leg day" look.

MRego - do you have your build specs and pictures of your rig? Some thoughts make sense

 

[MRego]

MRego - do you have your build specs and pictures of your rig? Some thoughts make sense

I do not really have much changed in the truck. Only the OEM front strut spacer and KO3s 285/65/18 al around. Also slee sliders. Mine is a 2020HE with NO third rom, so the back is already slightly lifted when compared to the third row cruisers. Here is a link to some pics I posted in the coil spacers thread.

OEM Front Coil Spacers Installed

Check out post 73 & 75 on page 4 by @timjax. Freeman Toyota. Instal and alignment for $350. Also post 321 on this page Although it’s not a dealership. I’m scheduled at Tandem Off-road for the 9th to have a set installed as well as getting power brakes installed upfront. I’d do them all myself...

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