285 v. 305 predicament

jcfree [OP] · 12-10-2012, 06:43 PM

Hey everyone, new to THIS forum, but not Toyota forums or Cruiser forums in general. I have an 08' Black Diamond FJC with a few mods, but I'm about to go crazy with all the stock that I see. I've decided to go with a set of Camburg Coilovers and the body mount chop, but I can't decide which tires to roll with. I'm debating over 285/70/17 (approx 32.7 in. tires), or the 305/70/17 (approx 33.8 in. tires). 17 due to the fact that I want to keep my black stock steelies. With the 285s I can't imagine having an issue with rubbing, except for maybe a little at full lock, but with the 305s it's somewhat inevitable. So my question is what should I roll with? 285s or 305s? The 285s of course would be playing it conservatively, but the look of those 305s are amazing! So any feedback would be appreciated, anybody have experience with this dilemma, or maybe what you would do in order to prevent the rubbing with the 305s? Thanks in advance!

snafu58 · 12-10-2012, 06:46 PM

Hello and welcome! I like my 285s, but then I've never liked vehicles with an over crowded wheel well. Good luck with your choice.

GabeRmrz · 12-10-2012, 07:20 PM

To add to this original post, I am also looking at tires and suspension. UCA, Coilovers.. I was gonna put in 1.5" wheel spacers due to the spindle gussets. if i did 285s or 305s would i need to a BMC? or would i rub?

FJX2000 · 12-10-2012, 07:41 PM

I know your talking about 17" wheels, but I faced the same decisions your going through with the 285 or 305 but with a 16" wheel. (And actually for me it was between 295 or 305)

I personally, like you, love the look of the 305s and just because of looks and because I wanted a wider tire with a wider stance, I got the 305s. And I haven't ever regretted it for a second! If i were you, I would just find someone who is running a setup similar to what you're wanting to run, and see what all they had to do to get no rubbing issues, because that's what I did.

I found someone running the same tire brand and size that I wanted to run, and he was also on the same TRD wheels as me so I knew exactly what I had to do from his very detailed build thread, such as getting the bmc done first of all. He also explained how for the first few months, he ran with just the wheels and tires and he eventually noticed rubbing on the UCA and because of this he got the Spidertrax wheel spacers, and that fixed his rubbing problem, and it just spaced the wheels in a way that I simply fell in love with. So I did exactly what he did, besides doing his same 3" lift, I only have a 2" leveling kit but it works just the same.

So yeah for you things are different since it's basically a 34" tire as opposed to a 33" but just search for someone with the same tire size and maybe even the same wheels or at least a wheel with the same specs and you'll have a good idea of what you need to do.

Good luck!!

GabeRmrz · 12-10-2012, 07:58 PM

Quote:

FJX2000 previously said:

I know your talking about 17" wheels, but I faced the same decisions your going through with the 285 or 305 but with a 16" wheel. (And actually for me it was between 295 or 305)

I personally, like you, love the look of the 305s and just because of looks and because I wanted a wider tire with a wider stance, I got the 305s. And I haven't ever regretted it for a second! If i were you, I would just find someone who is running a setup similar to what you're wanting to run, and see what all they had to do to get no rubbing issues, because that's what I did.

I found someone running the same tire brand and size that I wanted to run, and he was also on the same TRD wheels as me so I knew exactly what I had to do from his very detailed build thread, such as getting the bmc done first of all. He also explained how for the first few months, he ran with just the wheels and tires and he eventually noticed rubbing on the UCA and because of this he got the Spidertrax wheel spacers, and that fixed his rubbing problem, and it just spaced the wheels in a way that I simply fell in love with. So I did exactly what he did, besides doing his same 3" lift, I only have a 2" leveling kit but it works just the same.

So yeah for you things are different since it's basically a 34" tire as opposed to a 33" but just search for someone with the same tire size and maybe even the same wheels or at least a wheel with the same specs and you'll have a good idea of what you need to do.

Good luck!!

did your tire fit in the spare spot without hitting the bumper?

jcfree [OP] · 12-10-2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

FJX2000 previously said:

I know your talking about 17" wheels, but I faced the same decisions your going through with the 285 or 305 but with a 16" wheel. (And actually for me it was between 295 or 305)

I personally, like you, love the look of the 305s and just because of looks and because I wanted a wider tire with a wider stance, I got the 305s. And I haven't ever regretted it for a second! If i were you, I would just find someone who is running a setup similar to what you're wanting to run, and see what all they had to do to get no rubbing issues, because that's what I did.

I found someone running the same tire brand and size that I wanted to run, and he was also on the same TRD wheels as me so I knew exactly what I had to do from his very detailed build thread, such as getting the bmc done first of all. He also explained how for the first few months, he ran with just the wheels and tires and he eventually noticed rubbing on the UCA and because of this he got the Spidertrax wheel spacers, and that fixed his rubbing problem, and it just spaced the wheels in a way that I simply fell in love with. So I did exactly what he did, besides doing his same 3" lift, I only have a 2" leveling kit but it works just the same.

So yeah for you things are different since it's basically a 34" tire as opposed to a 33" but just search for someone with the same tire size and maybe even the same wheels or at least a wheel with the same specs and you'll have a good idea of what you need to do.

Good luck!!

Thanks a ton I appreciate the help I'm really opposed to purchasing any lift or leveling KIT, I plan on just rolling with COs. I'm pretty sure I will have to get wheel spacers as well considering I don't have the $ to be buying an aftermarket UCA. Just curious what exactly did you do to avoid rubbing, just curious? Ill probably end up doing the BMC plus some sledgehammering

**willinno** · 12-10-2012, 08:34 PM

I have 285/70/17s and I needed a bmc for rubbing at turn. I have 3" coilover. You'll probably need a bmc either way u go.

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jcfree [OP] · 12-10-2012, 08:38 PM

Quote:

willinno previously said:

I have 285/70/17s and I needed a bmc for rubbing at turn. I have 3" coilover. You'll probably need a bmc either way u go.

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Yea BMC is almost a given in any situation regarding larger tires. Issue now is with the COs will I need more clearance. The wheel spacers will take care of the rubbing on the UCA, but the wheel well is another story due to the clearance factor.. Really don't want to bring out the sledgehammer, but to get those 305s on there it's probably worth it!

tsy87 · 12-10-2012, 10:44 PM

I'm running 305 kevlar mtrs on a 16" wheel. I have the light racing UCA and the OME heavies. even with my caster pushed forward to 4 degrees, I had rub on the BMC.

I REALLY like the look of the 305s!! Now the biggest problem I have run into is the spare tire mount. I have the metal tech rear bumper and it actually does not allow for clearance of a bigger tire, ive read even 285s have issues. I have a local shop building me a custom spare tire mount which should FINALLY be resolved tomorrow... Since you have an older model FJ, you can just flip the mount, I believe 2009 and up have the rear view cameras so its not so easy.

FJX2000 · 12-11-2012, 06:06 AM

Quote:

GabeRmrz previously said:

did your tire fit in the spare spot without hitting the bumper?

It barely rubs on the bumper. But for me, even my old 285/75R16s were pretty close. But what the fellow that I copied did was just add some washers to where the bolts on the back door are for the spare tire mount and that spaced it enough so that there is complete clearance. So not that much is needed really, but for me, the rubbing is so minimal it's not a problem to me.

Quote:

jcfree previously said:

Thanks a ton I appreciate the help I'm really opposed to purchasing any lift or leveling KIT, I plan on just rolling with COs. I'm pretty sure I will have to get wheel spacers as well considering I don't have the $ to be buying an aftermarket UCA. Just curious what exactly did you do to avoid rubbing, just curious? Ill probably end up doing the BMC plus some sledgehammering

All I did to avoid rubbing was do the body mount chop (of course) and then I got those wheel spacers so there wouldn't be rubbing on the upper control arm. However, what some people do is just buy aftermarket UCAs that are a lower profile than the stock ones. I wish I could have done this because aftermarket UCAs give your front end a lot more flex and play in the suspension as opposed to stock which is stiff as a rock.

And as for the back, with my tire/wheel setup, at full flex my tire fits PERFECTLY and I am not exaggerating. Here is a picture.

Now if I had a true 3" lift, then I would have even more clearance but as it is, it's a pretty awesome fit. I kind of wish though that I had Bushwacker flares, it could not only give that rear wheel more room to articulate but you'd also look lifted more!