Wide tires and snow chains (or not) on the 100...

[e9999]

well, as discussed elsewhere I am leaning more and more towards skinnier rather than fatter tires. Just put 265s (32.6") on the '03, down from 285.


Well, was just looking under the front, thinking about tire chains for a snow trip. We probably could not have put on most tire chains with the previous 285s (TNGs) had we wanted to. Got to be very close to the upper A arms indeed. Maybe skinny cables but not fat chains. And wider than 285s, I would think would get real dicy.

Anyway, I was happy to see that 265s and chains look like they should be OK without spacers, there is about an inch of space between sidewall and upper arm.



added: some discussions out there already of fit with larger tires, need for spacers, skinny chains etc.

 

[Skidoo]

Running 295-16 and Rud chains on all 4 corners, wheel spacers on front. Changed to Carl's UCA which gives a little more clearance, but was running chains and spacers before. Think one of spresso's posts talks about different tire sizes and chains, pretty sure its his post...

 

[e9999]

Running 295-16 and Rud chains on all 4 corners, wheel spacers on front. Changed to Carl's UCA which gives a little more clearance, but was running chains and spacers before. Think one of spresso's posts talks about different tire sizes and chains, pretty sure its his post...

couldn't do it without the spacers, eh?

mmm... I should back and look, maybe some judicious grinding on the OEMs might help some?



yup, a couple of discussions by spresso and others on this for fat tires someplace else (added comment up top)

 

[Skidoo]

With the 295s I would not try without spacers, I don't know that 285s would be okay. Think it would be good to have breathing room around chain as they move around a little. Not sure how skinny with tire you need to go before you don't need spacers.
How are you planning on using them? If it is offroad with some off-camber trail, skinny ladder chains will get you in trouble, you want something heavier with a modified diamond chain pattern like the Ruds.

 

[e9999]

With the 295s I would not try without spacers, I don't know that 285s would be okay. Think it would be good to have breathing room around chain as they move around a little. Not sure how skinny with tire you need to go before you don't need spacers.
How are you planning on using them? If it is offroad with some off-camber trail, skinny ladder chains will get you in trouble, you want something heavier with a modified diamond chain pattern like the Ruds.

well there is about an inch spacing with the 265s. A good chain would likely take about 1/2" plus some wiggle (literally) room, it'd be close. I would think that 265 is OK, maybe 275s. 285s would be unlikely from what I saw.
I don't know what the OM says about putting chains on the OEM 275s. Will look.

But again, I'm pretty confident 265s would be fine with a fairly thick chain.

 

[Skidoo]

Rud's should work with an inch of space. Check Bill Burke's website for Rud chains if you want to look into them.

 

[uHu]

OM says NO to chains on front original tires. Looked at mine and concluded: No way. Have tried Autosock though. Works fine.

Bigger diameter tires without going wider could be better.

 

[1loudLX]

you need...

 

[e9999]

well, I stand corrected... Not so easy to fit chains even with 265s.


while heading out to the snow, I stopped at Walmart and got some chains to have on board at least.

They had only one kind that would fit the 265/70R18s. Some heavy duty chain type, with a strong chain for the inside "circle".

Well, the links were 1" across. Would not have fit safely I think, even with the 265s. (Did not actually try to test fit.)

On top of that, a cursory look at the rear suggested that they would not fit there either.

Bummer.

Will have to go to cables on the inner side I think to make this work. But those are usually less heavy duty and not suitable for offroad, I guess.

Moral of the story: this needs some serious measurements and research before you buy the darn things.

Good part was that the 100 would just breeze through light snow and moderate ice with no chain needed at all...

 

[farinvail]

I've run them in the rear without issue. 295's

 

[e9999]

I've run them in the rear without issue. 295's

it would depend on how high (towards the center) the inside side chain runs, I would think, because the shock bracket is very close to the sidewall plane.

 

[EdsCruisin]

you need...

what are those things and how do they work?

 

[1loudLX]

on-spot, that rubber wheel that the chains are on pushes up against the sidewall and the tire moving spins the chains underneath the tread. YouTube - Onspot Automatic Tire Chains

 

[mobi-arc]

I've seen these on big trucks but never on an LC...that's very sweet. Was the install a bear?

 

[LCHardriver_02]

what are those things and how do they work?

Very interesting Loud. Do you they have a tendency to get debris hanging on, when off-roading? We have a lot of scrub here in So Idaho.

 

[yoter100]

I don't think loud has those....

 

[EdsCruisin]

cool. I've seen those on virtually all the emergency vehicles around here, but never in action. It's good to learn something everyday and especially on January 1st! Happy New Year!

 

[OakieEd]

I too only have about 1.5" clearance with the front control arm on my 2001 LX470. I bought two sets of big standard chains at Walmart, and now see "the rub" that probably lead to the owner's manual saying ONLY chains in the rear. That said..what about using real chains on the rear, and some low profile tire snow cables on the front? I have 275's. Thoughts?

 

[AimCOtaco]

This was discussed recently in another thread and it does not look good without spacers. No way on mine, have about 1/2" to the UCA.

I think I saw front chains on one of the 100's on Expedition Overlands Yukon episodes on YouTube and was wondering if anyone knows their set up (chain comes loose and beats up fender). Anybody know? I haven't gone looking yet but was curious.

 

[e9999]

any more insight on this issue before we head out for the snow?