Trailhunter max tire size

[SirLeigh]

Took the truck to an offroading shop today, and my options to alleviate the rubbing on 35's are:
- Westcott's new preload collar front lift kit, which would be around $1000 installed (not my favorite choice, that seems like a lot of lift just on the front)
- Trimming fenders at the very bottom (basically under the vehicle), and maybe moving the wiring harness in the driver wheelwell
- Smaller tires (which I worry I'd need to go significantly smaller if I don't want to trim)

I'm leaning towards trimming, but I've never done it before, and doing it on a brand new car doesn't feel great when I think about it.

I don't know how some of these people install them with no rubbing.

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[FlyAngler]

Took the truck to an offroading shop today, and my options to alleviate the rubbing on 35's are:
- Westcott's new preload collar front lift kit, which would be around $1000 installed (not my favorite choice, that seems like a lot of lift just on the front)
- Trimming fenders at the very bottom (basically under the vehicle), and maybe moving the wiring harness in the driver wheelwell
- Smaller tires (which I worry I'd need to go significantly smaller if I don't want to trim)

I'm leaning towards trimming, but I've never done it before, and doing it on a brand new car doesn't feel great when I think about it.

I don't know how some of these people install them with no rubbing.

Thanks for this info. Forgive me ignorance. How did the shop figure this out? Did they mount the tire of choice and try it on? Or is there some other way of doing it (i.e. measuring)? My Westcott collar lift came in today and I need to call my shop to help me figure out pretty much the same thing.

 

[tacorancher]

Haven't decided on which ones yet. Less concerned about off road toughness and more concerned about towing safely (i.e. load rating). That said, I want good traction year round on and off road. The snow performance will probably have the most impact in terms of how often I drive in snow compared to other conditions. The KO3 and Falken AT4W are top of my list. I'm expecting to take a hit on mileage, stopping distance, etc. because of weight. Sticking with the stock wheels for now.

Hmm.. for some reason, I thought the stock tires were a true 33". Good to know!

t.

Took the truck to an offroading shop today, and my options to alleviate the rubbing on 35's are:
- Westcott's new preload collar front lift kit, which would be around $1000 installed (not my favorite choice, that seems like a lot of lift just on the front)
- Trimming fenders at the very bottom (basically under the vehicle), and maybe moving the wiring harness in the driver wheelwell
- Smaller tires (which I worry I'd need to go significantly smaller if I don't want to trim)

I'm leaning towards trimming, but I've never done it before, and doing it on a brand new car doesn't feel great when I think about it.

I don't know how some of these people install them with no rubbing.

I don’t think @Snickers did any of that

 

[SirLeigh]

Thanks for this info. Forgive me ignorance. How did the shop figure this out? Did they mount the tire of choice and try it on? Or is there some other way of doing it (i.e. measuring)? My Westcott collar lift came in today and I need to call my shop to help me figure out pretty much the same thing.

Discount Tire mounted them and I found the rubbing. Took it to the offroading shop and they eyeballed it really, I was kinda disappointed they wouldn’t discuss any other options.

That being said, it has been chopped. I didn’t love doing it, but it looks great with no more rubbing other than the case protecting the wiring harness at full lock. I’ll move it eventually.

 

[FlyAngler]

Stopped by my shop today. They're putting together a quote to do an Airlift on the back (for towing squat), Westcott front preload collar lift (and alignment), and new tires. I decided to go with the KO3 285/75R18. I think these are slightly smaller (34.8" vs 35") than the Falken A/T4W and thus might give me hair more breathing room to avoid rubbing. That's also the reason I didn't go any wider.

It will be at least a couple weeks before they can get it done, but I'll report back on the experience. If any trimming is needed, I'll OK it first and they will take pics that I can share here. I'll see how it looks with the new tires and without the preload collar before making a final decision on the collar install. Fingers crossed this all works out on the first try!

Anyone know if any of the sensors need to be recalibrated after doing this and what it might cost? Shop said probably should do it when I asked.

 

[SirLeigh]

I asked about this in one of the Facebook groups too, but do with the little bit of rubbing I’m getting at full lock in reverse and occasionally on bumps while turning, would a lift help to correct this? It does seem like the rubbing is right at the top/front of the tire.

I wish I could remove the felt inside the wheel-well without worrying about shooting water up into the engine bay.

 

[Airborne]

All intresting, i just installed my westcoot preload lift/level kit……on my TRD Offroad its a noticiable diff, this took my truck, higher in rear and front, and…its level that was my goal, ive owned toyotas for long time and i dont like the raked look on trucks, problmn solved, my wheels came in , i ordered toyota wheels OEM. Trailhunter wheels and center caps…….great price from Elmsford toyota, next ill add tires , lol im cheap im going to run the stock falkens that came on the truck, at 10,000 miles ill add new tires, there paid for may as well use them…. As in the past i will consult again @tacorancher go over tires for the 6 th time and add new skins
David

 

[SirLeigh]

I asked about this in one of the Facebook groups too, but do with the little bit of rubbing I’m getting at full lock in reverse and occasionally on bumps while turning, would a lift help to correct this? It does seem like the rubbing is right at the top/front of the tire.

I wish I could remove the felt inside the wheel-well without worrying about shooting water up into the engine bay.

I actually just figured out what was causing it! It was one of the bolts holding the fender liner on, so I just replaced it with a little plastic flat one and it's perfect and not hitting it now.

 

[tacorancher]

All intresting, i just installed my westcoot preload lift/level kit……on my TRD Offroad its a noticiable diff, this took my truck, higher in rear and front, and…its level that was my goal, ive owned toyotas for long time and i dont like the raked look on trucks, problmn solved, my wheels came in , i ordered toyota wheels OEM. Trailhunter wheels and center caps…….great price from Elmsford toyota, next ill add tires , lol im cheap im going to run the stock falkens that came on the truck, at 10,000 miles ill add new tires, there paid for may as well use them…. As in the past i will consult again @tacorancher go over tires for the 6 th time and add new skins
David

Awesome - can’t wait to provide input when the times comes

 

[Airborne]

Indeed, truck looks good with the lift, and level….theres a lot of room for tire love it, lol wife likes it but shes short and said new rails/ sliders lol, those wheels from trailhunter are beautiful looking forward to it
thank you David

 

[FlyAngler]

Well, it is done. Airlift in back to help reduce squat when towing, Westcott preload collar lift in front, and 285/75/18 KO3 tires (34.8"). "Pads" (with felt) and mud flaps had to come off the front. No other mods so far. The shop tells me the pads were enough and there is no rubbing. Time will tell. So far, so good. I'll see what I can do re: replacing mud flaps. The increase is height is noticeable when I get in for sure. The leveling is also noticeable when driving via the view over the hood. I'll figure I can always go smaller and put the pads back if this doesn't work out down the road.

Sorry the before and after pics aren't better aligned. And those parking lines feel like an optical illusion, especially in the first pic. Anyway...more later maybe.

Oh, I almost forgot. I didn't bother with a dedicated compressor for the Airlift since there is already one onboard. The valve to inflate is nicely tucked into the rear of the right side storage compartment in the bed.

p.s. And yes, I only have the nFab step on the passenger side for my wife.

 

[bemmster]

I've been looking over the thread, It's a little difficult to piece together information at this point.

I'm planning on putting in some Dobinsons springs. I have a Lietner bed rack with the gear pods, so loaded up I'll probably be around 400-450lbs in the bed when loaded up with my kayak and fishing gear, so I planned on going one category up in terms of spring stiffness from that based on @TrailhunterBC recent post and his experience with the springs. Unless he jumps in and suggests otherwise. That way it gives me room to grow in terms of bed payload maybe doing a RTT and some occasional camping. Maybe I should go two categories up??

I want to keep weight in mind for wheels and tires and I definitely want a bead grip wheel from Method so I'm going with the 705 since they are the lightest in black with the Bronze Oxide truck.

Where I'm getting stuck is tire size, weight, and load range. Specifically C or E load range. I don't want a tire that's too stiff that will ride terrible on the road, I might be commuting from northern Maryland to Virginia a few times a month for work. I know mileage will obviously go down but I don't want to take a huge hit.

I was between going 285/75/17, 35x12.5, or 35x11.5. Looking at Falken A/T4 and the KO3s, should I consider any others? How does the E load KO3 drive on the road? Too stiff?

What would you all recommend? I'm cool with removing the crash brackets and doing some very minor trimming if needed - but nothing major. The main goal is to have good off road capability, I want to take it on the beaches around Maryland the Delaware, needs to be good for snow, and still maintain good drivability for that occasional commute.

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