Biggest tires on a 5th gen without lift?

Hi everyone, I have a similar question. I have a 5th Gen 4Runner. My current wheels are 17x9 -12 offset. What’s the biggest tire I could install? I have a stock set up, no lift or leveling done. I am looking at the BFgoodrich KO2 tires and I was wondering if I could go any higher than LT 265/70R/17 (c load). Could I go up to 275? I don’t want to do any modifications or trimmings. I definitely do not want any rubbing. I would appreciate the feedback.

 

If you don’t want to do any wheel well work, leave it stock. Lots of threads dealing with this. Wide wheels with negative offset and big tires are a no go if you don’t want issues.

 

https://trail4runner.com/2018/01/03/largest-tire-size-4runner/

 

You'll probably rub with stock sized KO2's in this scenario.

 

Your Question:

"Hi Guys!! I would like to fit a blah blah blah......etc....etc..."

What I Hear:

"Hi Guys! If I get a flux capacitor to point at a 35 degree angle, shove a tampon in it and go bonafide Missy Elliot and put the thang down flip it and reverse it can I fit without a chop or lift?"



The easiest thing to do is just get a BMC, slice a little, heat gun a little, and maybe lift.

Just get it done and be happy.

 

I agree with nimby, you're definitely going to rub. a buddy got a set of SCS Ray 10's in that size with stock sized Wildpeaks, and we had to trim his front bumper and push his front wheelwell liners forward, and also deleted his front mudguards.

 

37’s no work necessary just do it already

 

Can only speak to my own experience, but here goes...

2016 4Runner Limited (X-reas still in place). Installed a 2" Rough Country spacer lift (obv front and back) and got Fuel Rush 17x9 wheels and Falken Wildpeak AT3s (E Load) in 265/70/17 and they do rub. I never guessed that a 2" lift would rub with 265s but, as someone pointed out earlier, the lift can often cause a rub where stock height otherwise wouldn't.

So I will be trying the "apply heat with a heat gun" to the fender liner to see if I can massage it into a better position. We'll see...

 

Interesting, can I ask why? Is it from a driveability perspective (handling, rpm's at speed, acceleration, handling, etc.?)

 

Isn't the 285/70R17 already a "skinny" in the first place?

Traditional 33's are 12.5" wide.

A 285/70R17 is 11.5" wide.

 

I watched a vid of a guy from Australia that stated the 255's, when aired down, will give a longer footprint than a wider tire with a wider, aired down footprint. The longer footprint of the skinnier tire will give you better traction off-road. Plus the 255's stand a little taller than a wider tire, which will give you more ground clearance.

Logic indicates that the lbs per square inch -on the road surface - would be a bit more with skinny tires, which would give better traction.

 

I don't study this stuff but was he saying a 255/80R17 (33.1 x 10) will give you better traction than a 285/70R17 (32.7 x 11.5) that's 0.4" smaller but 1.5" wider?

 

The skinny tire guys will always talk about how a taller, skinny tire will have a bigger footprint than a wider tire. But, if the wider tire is the same height, I think it would have a larger footprint.

I understand the logic that a skinny tire will have greater PSI on the surface. But, a wider tire will cover more surface, so it probably evens out. And, it will vary with tire pressure.

I went tall + wide for more flotation.

 

Not if the wider tire is also taller.

 

Toyo Open Country AT3 285’s on stock trd pro

 

Any rubbing ? Have you flexed it yet ?

 

Very slight rub on the passenger side fender liner only at full lock in reverse. Haven’t flexed it yet but I am getting the Eibach pro springs to lift it either way. Just waiting on them to come in but would be perfectly fine driving it like this.

 

Looking into this, I don't need tires for some time but always curious - the ones you are running are considerably lighter ( ~38 lbs) than my stock 265/70/17 Nitto's which hit around 53 lbs per tire, I'd guess the reduction in rolling resistance adds to the driving enjoyment via a little extra pep in the step... beyond just on road comfort.

Folks putting on 285/70 are moving to about 65 lbs per tire - so with regards to street drive-ability I'd think they are gonna have a more sluggish acceleration and longer stopping distances (so I'm ruling that out permanently). Ideally all of them are doing it for off road capability, and know they have to brake sooner, but I personally will have limited off road use - this is my super capable bug out / all weather vehicle because from time to time Houston becomes unlivable.

as far as moving to a 255/80 I think you run the risk of some buyers remorse, the ones i'm seeing are all E-rated and coming in @ ~51 lbs each, so a slight gain in ground clearance is likely to come with a considerable reduction in your driving enjoyment with the hardness of the sidewall and effort needed for spin up / stop.

All things considered I expect it's likely I'll go with a

• 255/75 C rated KO2 (46lbs and well regarded) which nets about 1/4" extra ground clearance - or -
• a 265/70/17 General Grabber A/TX C rated (also 46lbs) [anything with TX in the description gets extra points ]

either way I get a 7 lb per tire reduction - but not sure how I'll decide when the time comes .... maybe I need to better understand the effect on gear ratio's

 

FWIW I got some rub on stock 265/70/17 on OEM TRD wheels, simply from increasing the caster to the high end of spec. So yeah, any kind of upsizing can end up rubbing.

The rub was slight and only when turning in reverse, but ya get the point.

To quote the tag line of one of our xclnt regulars on the forum, “Yes, it will rub.”

 

Not sure if you're interested in P-rated, but my 285/70R17 P-rated Firestone Destination A/T's come in at 42lbs each.

 

At the point of needing new tires so am looking at the Nitto Ridge Grapplers 285/70/17. Still have my cornfed level that I have yet to install, so might put it on while adding the tires. 1.5" front and .75" rear. Also looking at BFG 275/70/17 but man the 275s are more expensive than 285s.

 

I can only speak for the TRD Pro runners. I replaced the stock Nitto 275's (44K mi) with Cooper STT Pro 285/70/17 (33"OD). After 42K (rotation every 5K) on these muds, I have had absolutely NO issues. The only suspension mod I've done is add the 1" lift Baja leveling spacer for the Bilstein Shock-tower + a 1/4" Billet spacer on top-- gaining 1.5" lift. Knowingly, by preloading the coil, the nose-dive while braking hard (A common complaint with the stock suspensions) was totally eliminated! Regarding Tires, as a former Gen 1, 2 & 3 owner, I prefer 16" wheels. As you all know, ya can't run 16's on the front of the 5th Gen due to the enlarged rotors and calipers. My remedy... KMC or Method 17's with Black Beadlocks to give the illusion of a smaller wheel and more sidewall. My dilemma is the tires:/ Comparing the Cooper and Nitto specs, I've decided to run Nitto Ridge Grappler LT285/75R17 (33.86 OD), LT305/70R17 (33.86) or 33x12.50R17LT (32.76 OD). I'm leaning toward the 305's, which are slightly wider, though have a TD of 16.4. Either way, I may need to replace the ShockTower spacer with 1/2"-- gaining about another 1" lift. This should prevent any contact with the front body mounts (pinch welds). The only other consideration is the wheel offset. If I want to move the 285's outward 1", the offset should be (-). I just have determined that yet.

https://www.nittotire.com/light-truck-tires/ridge-grappler-light-truck-tire/
https://coopertire.com/en-us/find-tires/all-tires/discoverer-stt-pro

Thoughts anyone?

 

You’ll need a BMC at the very least to run any of those tires, especially if you go off-road. If you go with the 285/75 or 305 you’ll need to most likely cut the fender liner and/or the front bumper as well. Alignment will play a big role with going with the larger tires, so you may need to get aftermarket UCA’s to get proper caster to allow the tire fitment to happen properly.