1st gen Prerunner max tire size

Hey yall,

So, I got a 98 prerunner, currently running 235/75/15 tires on it. So that would make it about a 29x9.25, based on RelentlessTaco's math in another post.

I know prerunner's come stock with at least some life, and I'm trying to figure out how much taller and wider I can get on my 15" inch rims, without running into much rubbing issues?

I'm not opposed to using spacers either, as I'm trying to get a wider stance anyways, but don't know much about them.

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mal

 

Since you're running 235/75/15 tires I'm gonna guess your truck isn't actually "lifted", just stock height for a prerunner which is actually the same as a 4x4 because it has the same suspension.

Maximum tire size on stock suspension is 265/75/16 which would be pretty close to a 31x10.5r15 if you wanted to keep your 15" wheels.

You shouldnt need them, but for wheel spacers most go with either All-Pro or Spidertrax which I believe are 1.25" in thickness.

If you wanted to lift your truck you could fit larger tires than mentioned above.

Hope this helps.

 

Yeah, thanks, definitely helped. You're right too, prerunner's are just the stock 4x4 height.

I guess after thinking about it more, I'm more concerned with getting a wider tire. I'm assuming tire width is going to have as many concerns with rubbing as height would, correct? Also, would the backspacing of my wheel affect that?

 

Yeah, a wider tire is gonna have more rubbing issues than a skinnier one. Check out this thread to read about wheel specs and terminology.

A numerically lower backspace will push the tire out from the vehicle and a higher backspace tucks it inward.

The wheel spacers have the effect of decreasing backspace to push the tire outward but then you have issues rubbing the fender when the suspension is compressed.

 

I read that thread before I posted. I guess I'm still confused as how to determine how much backspace, or distance out I would need, for a particular width/height of tire/wheel package to fit.

 

Generally, most people run 16x8 wheels with 4.5" backspace which is enough space to keep from rubbing issues with 265 series tires. For 285s it seems the general consensus is about 4" of backspace. Other than those suggestions you kinda just have to try it and do some trimming to fit.
Sorry I can't be more helpful than that.
Maybe somebody else will chime in and elaborate on the subject.

 

No need to apologize. I appreciate the input! If anyone else has some advice, I'd love to hear it too.

 

Ill send some help your way

 

7

 

Nobody panic! What is the problem here?

Parsec is pretty much right. You can get a 31x10.50x15 tire under your truck with no issues. You could even go to a 32x10.50x15. the spacers should not be necessary and if they are I would go with a .75" spacer, rather than the 1.25 that Spidertrax offers (easier on the wheel bearings).

 

Couple things:

1. If you want to fully stuff the tire without rubbing the wheel well then lift does not matter unless it's a drop bracket lift. A suspension lift will still have the tire traveling in the same space, it only changes where in that space it sits at rest. However if your truck never sees dirt you can get away with a bigger tire with a lift and not rub (unless you hit a pothole or something).
2. Backspacing is important for frame rubbing. Bigger tire (taller or wider) puts rubber farther away from the pivot point and closer to the frame when turned to full lock.

On my truck I am running 255/85R16 BFGoodrich KM2's on a 16x8 wheel with 4" backspacing. These are 33.3" tall tires. I have minimal rubbing here and there when fully (and I mean fully) stuffed. I used this guide for the most part to make them fit:
http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipment/tacoma/bfg_mt_km.html
With no lift, if you follow the same steps and had the same tires/wheels as me, you would get the same results as me.

One important thing to watch is the actual tire size. Tire calculators will give you a rough diameter for a certain size tire but you should always check the actual specs of the tire. One size can vary almost an inch from brand to brand.

Now to specifically answer your question, I don't know 15" tire sizes and don't have time to look them up now. But you should be able to fit a 32" tire with no need to trim and no frame rub as long as you have enough backspacing. I ran 265/75R16 Cooper Discoverer STT's on the stock wheel (16x7 with 4.5" backspace) with a 1.5" spacer and it only slightly rubbed the frame at full lock. Same setup with Firestone Destination AT's and no rub. Also had the Firestones on the 16x8 wheels with 4" backspace and no rub.

If you want to fit a 33" tire, follow the steps in the guide I linked to and you'll be good. Other than centering the rear axle it took me maybe 30 minutes to do the trimming necessary.

 

thanks guys

 

That is what we are here for.

*flies off in to sunset*

 

Muchas Gracias,

That helps a lot. I felt like i've asked this question a few times and I always get the answer "the higher lift the bigger the tire", which Oswego backed up my thoughts that this isn't necessarily true in the other thread.

 

One more question for clarification for you guys.

If i were wanting to get the widest tire i could (like a 285), is that going to have a dramatic effect on the rubbing concerns? Like if i were to try to put 285/75/15 (roughly 31.8" overall estimate), because that's going to be significantly wider than a 265/75/16 but roughly the same diameter.

Am I'm asking this in a way that makes sense? I'm not really looking at 285s, but I'm asking mainly to help me understand this better.

 

The width will likely cause frame rubbing. That is the case on my truck. I added a set of .75" spacers to help, but I still get a little rub. I doubt if there will be a problem with interference on the fender firewall with that size.

 

Yeah, you should be fine on the fenders with a 285 and enough spacer to keep it from hitting the frame bad. John, what's the backspacing on your wheels? I think he might need a little more of a spacer with his stock wheels, like 1"-1.25".

 

Mine are 4.5" with a .75" spacer. Effectively 3.75" BS.

 

Actually come to think of it I may have only had the rub with the 265/75R16 Coopers before I got the spacers. That probably makes more sense given your setup.

 

I had no rub with the 265/75/16 BFGs. I only started to rub when I went to the 285s.