37" Tires on FJ Cruiser

[Runner Ryan [OP]]

Well, quite a few people have asked how I made them fit. So, here goes:

First, I know of the possibility of breakage. I run a 89 4Runner with a Ford 5L V-8 and 38.5" Swamper SX's. I know all about breakage. The axle in the front of my 4Runner was designed for 4cyl use. It's survived (for the most part).
The IFS in the Cruiser is the same as the one in the 05 4Runner with stock V-8 power. I'm gonna guess it's at least as strong as the 4cyl stuff. I know we are comparing IFS with solid axle stuff, but it's gotta be close.

Anyways, when I first started test fitting the 37" Krawlers on my first Cruiser, I knew right away the front bumper had to go. They would rub the inside of the bumper with the wheels pointing straight.





It was also obvious that the body mount needed to be trimmed. But we've all seen that done. This was my first attempt. It needed more trimming. You can also see the pinch seam that will need to be flattened over.



I then had an unfortunate accident. The road was washed out in a winter storm.



I got another Cruiser, trimmed the body mounts more than my first try.



They don't rub on them, anymore. They don't rub on the front bumper, anymore, either.



I had to trim the inner fender liner for the bumper, and to clear the front of the tire. This is normal with an aftermarket bumper.
The tire cleared the UCA when there was only 6 psi in the tire. But when I aired them up to 30 psi, they juuuuust touched the UCA. They also juuuust touched the caliper. For now, I have a 1/4" spacer in there, and it clears fine. I have since replaced the lug nuts that are in the pic.





I trimmed the bottom corner of the flair, where the front mud flap mounts. I also trimmed the inner fender liner at the rear of the front wheel well. This exposed the pinch seam. I folded over the pinch seam, as well as a small bracket that the mud flap mounted to.





It still rubs on the inner part of the front fender flair. It needs some minor trimming. The rear already has this trimming from the factory. First pic is the front, second pic is of the rear with the half moon shape made to clear the tire.





The rear is very close to rubbing, but so far clears everything except the mudflap.





Finished product. Well...it's never finished.

[FJVP]

Them's some Meats!

[Chatsworth 818 FJ]

Wow, thats alot of butchering. But the big tires look really good.

[Runner Ryan [OP]]

Chatsworth 818 FJ previously said:

Wow, thats alot of butchering. .

You should see my 4Runner.

[mkiv94tt]

I like it...! Great work, how does the gearing feel?
Dan

[westchalk]

looks great!

[fivestar13]

Wow! Dem is huge tars

[Mtbcoach]

[bandi]

Thanks for your efforts on this... It's some real
test information, which will let everyone know
what is needed as far as mods to add the biggest
tires that will fit the FJ... With some spare sheet
metal, and a litte welding, you could make some
real good mods to make this totally functional in
every way...

Thanks for the Info...

[Runner Ryan [OP]]

Mtbcoach previously said:

Sorry to be the downer but...just because you have them on, doesn't mean they "fit". You have clearly won the big tire contest but you have removed a lot of functionality of the FJ. Don't take this wrong, I simply don't think you have added anything to your capabilities off-road with these tires.

But, to each their own...it certainly looks bad-a$$.

I fail to understand your reasoning. The only thing that is worse now, is the gearing. All I have to do is get the lower gearing (Allpro now sells 4:56's) .
The suspension still functions the same, I get just as much travel as anyone else with an OME lift. Well, once I finish some minor trimming. Actually, I probably get more, as both swaybars are removed.
There is a higher possibility of breakage, but even with all stock components things can be broken. It's all in the driver, and his/her ability to be smooth, and know the limits.
Anyways, it's all about winning the big tire contest.
The gearing is actually useable. The engine has quite a bit of low-end torque, and doesn't seem to complain much. The crawling speed is obviously a bit faster, but it still climbs pretty good.
My biggest worry about breakage isn't CV's, or ring gear. It's the steering. That stuff is tiny!! I will be carrying spare CV's, though.