Thanks for all the info as it is very helpful. I am currently in a dilemma of trying to find the right wheel and tire for my LX and have found it somewhat challenging. I really like the Fuel Trophy styling, however when I pull on a site to purchase I am told they do not fit, but obviously you had no issue. Also, how did you get around the front center cap/hub issue? It looks as though they fit? Any input would be great. Thanks!Hey Hundyheads! I've been getting a good amount of questions about aftermarket wheel fitment, stance, and tire size options. This thread will share all of the information I have through my research and first hand experience. I will address in a general way wheel sizes, offsets, and tire options that worked for me. This should give you enough information to make an informed decision when it comes to what you are considering. Use my example as base line numbers and do the math for sizes you are considering. It should give you a good idea if you are going to have fitment issues.
Before we get started you should have a very good idea on how you plan on using your hundy. Heavy off road? Pavement princess? Do you have a certain tire size that you want to run? Research your tires first for your application. Bigger tires do not work well with most aftermarket wheels and a fully compressed suspension. Even if your hundy will be a pavement princess you can run into situations that will bottom out your suspension and cause damage by bending fender lips and tearing out wheel well liners. You may find aftermarket is not an option for the tire application you need.
Some may say...I'm going to run a lift that will prevent issues with bigger tires. Unfortunately, a lift will not keep your hundy from bending up that pretty sheet metal with a poor wheel and tire choice. If it will rub at stock height it will rub lifted. The only thing a lift does is start your suspension travel in a higher location and it still bottoms out in the same position as stock. Even with the added stiffer torsion bars and springs you will bottom out in the same stock location. It is much harder to bottom out with the lift and stiff components but you can still do damage when you do bottom out. A body lift will help to gain the extra clearance you need for large size applications.
Whats the wheel problem?
The 100 series Land Cruiser and LX470 have a very narrow window for wheel offsets and tire sizes. Throw in our protruding front hub and there are very few aftermarket wheels that will work with our vehicles. Most every aftermarket wheel that will fit is mainly produced to fit the Toyota Tundra. Luckily we share the same bolt pattern of 5x150 and from the factory use similar offsets ranging from +40mm to +55mm. The bad news is most aftermarket Tundra wheels have an offset around +25mm to +0mm. The Tundra is far more forgiving of lower offset than the 100 and this is the rub. Lower number + offset means that the wheel sticks out towards the fender. This can cause rubbing and clearance issues. To add to the problem finding an aftermarket wheel that is the stock 8 inches wide is nearly impossible. Most options will be at least 9 inches wide. This adds to the offset dilemma and decreases the already low offset wheel choices by 12.7mm. This puts things even closer to rubbing with your front fenders.
The conservative solution:
Whether you are choosing 16,17 or 18 inch wheels keep the offset +20mm or higher if running a 9 inch wide wheel. If you find a 8 inch wide wheel you can decrease your offset accordingly or increase tire width. I call this a conservative solution because running a wheel in this offset range limits you to a conservative tire size. I run a 275/70/18 on a 18x9 fuel wheel with a +20mm offset on my LX. It is on the edge of just fitting and required some minor modifications to avoid rubbing. This is what I consider to be safe. People will say you can go wider tires or lower offset but my experience with the fitment on my LX says different. I would not go lower offset or wider tire. This is conservative fitment of an aftermarket wheel that will work on a 100 series. If you want a wider tire you need either a 8 inch wheel, a shorter tire or a higher offset. Stock wheels are well suited for big tire options.
Modifications needed:
Any wheel you choose will likely need front center cap modification. The fuel wheels have a high cap and still required half inch poly washers to space the caps to fit. Keep it in mind when looking at wheels if you want to run caps.
The front fender liner will need to be remolded and flattened with a heat gun against the lower pinch weld. Easy fix.
The front fender liner where it attaches in the 12 o'clock position just inside the fender by a retainer clip needs to be pushed up flat against the inside fender. The retainer holds the liner and attaches it to a metal tab that will rub under full compression unless you push up and flat against the inner fender. Leave the liner attached when pushing up. You can do it with your fingers or block of wood.
This is how they fit.
Front
Rear
Fuel Trophy 18x9 +20 BFG AT 275/70/18
AHC on H
Happy Trails!
hub.
