Your input on my lift plan is appreciated. 32x11.5x15 BF Goodrich on 2002 DC taco 4X4

Hello friends. I have a stock 2002 double cab 4 wheel drive Tacoma. I recently found a good deal on a slightly used set of tires, BF Goodrich all terrain 32x11.5x15 on a set of aftermarket rims. I purchased them with the thought that they would slightly rub, but man was I wrong, they rub way too much. After reading on this site for a good while, I came up with the bilstein 1500s for the front and the add a leaf for the back. Should I still have concerns of rubbing after installing the lift? I don't want to order and install the wrong lift. Should these tires fit or should I just sell the tires? Thanks for the help.

 

What exactly are you rubbing? You might have to remove the front mud flaps.

 

Jack up the front end 2 inches, turn steering wheel from lock to lock....check for rubbing. If it still rubs, go up another inch. If tires still rub.....you are going to need more than 3 inches of lift to keep from rubbing. From that information, you can decide what to do next. Either buy a lift for your tires or buy tires that will fit your truck without a lift.

 

thats not how it works... its still gona cycle the suspension and still rub with 3" lift.

theyl fit stock height. just do the pinch weld mod.

 

I assume by rubbing you mean it's rubbing on the pinch weld right? The metal part of the body just behind the tire (usually covered by a plastic). My stock size tires were rubbing on mine because of the aftermarket wheels I have (spacing was different).

I cut back that plastic part and bend the pinch weld back as much as I could with a hammer/pliers. Couldn't really get much of it to bend back though because it get's pretty thick. I installed my 5100/OME 881s and got about and inch and a half of lift in the front, which combined with bending back a bit of the pinch weld, got rid of 99% of my rubbing. I only rub now if I'm at full lock and on a steep decline (when off-roading).

 

So raising the front end will not simulate a lift? Whether by floor jack or springs. It does the same thing. You want to cycle the suspension. That's the whole point.

 

coilover/preload lifts only raise the ride height. the suspension still cycles up all the way to the same bottom out point. if you hit a bump or articulate the suspension its gona rub the same. even with the lift youl need to do pinch weld mod because itl cut your tires up and rub.

 

My OME881s got rid of my pinch weld rubbing, I left the 5100s set at 0. I used to rub like crazy even after beating back the pinch weld on full turns, after the coils were put on it doesn't rub on those turns anymore. Not saying it'll work for everyone, depends on where and how bad your rubbing is but it worked for me.

 

They are rubbing the front mud flaps, which it looks like cover the pinch welds. I will remove the flaps and make the pinch weld mod and see how much it helps. Thanks to all for the suggestions.

 

A lot of people can get away with just removing the mud flaps. It'll depend on your wheels if you need to trim a little more or not.

 

Update, I removed the mudflaps and did the pinch weld mod. Got rid of most of the rubbing. Went ahead and ordered 5100s for the front end and will install next week. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

I'm running the exact tire size and brand on my 02 with OME suspension. 3" lift front and a little more in the back with add a leaf. Never rubbed even at full tuck and turn. With no body lift or wheel spacers.

 

What are you running for lift in the back of your truck?

 

Dakar leaf springs with add a leaf. Nitro Charger shocks and 3" shackles i believe.

 

that would give you like 6" of lift or more?

 

That's why I didn't respond to that quote. It seemed a little "high" @devinzz1

 

No, I'm at about 4" lift in the back with that set up. The leaf shackles are 5" long so about 2" longer than stock i believe. Every inch added to the shackle length from stock length will lift the truck about 1/2" in most cases. With just the dakar leafs + AAL you will be up roughly 3" from stock. Measurements from the top of tire to bottom of fender is at about 9" now. Stock height the measurement from top of tire to bottom of fender was around 5". So my back is up 4" roughly from stock.