Tire chains on the front axle?

Been looking around for a good way to run tire chains on the front end, I know Toyota does not recommend it. Here in the next few months I plan on doing a ome lift with arb bumper and winch, will that help/hurt the chain clearance in any way? The only way I see right now is to put wheel spacers to clear the UCA and spring or wheels with different offset. Thanks

 

With wheels spacers and skinny tires, you might clear chains. It might be worth spacing your bump stops so you don't hit the wheel well and fender with the chains.

I was really upset about this issue when I first bought my Tacoma, because I ran chains on all 4 corners of my Nissan regularly. I rarely need chains on the Taco. I haven't put them on in at least 2 years.


That's not fluffy powder snow

 

You in Montana @mtmudrunner ?

 

Yes down in SW MT, I see you are in NW MT thanks for the info, not much winter for us yet this year how about you?

 

I used to guide elk down in the Ruby. I know chains are the only thing that works in gumbo. Dragging loaded horse trailers through that shit was a nightmare!

We're having a pretty solid winter. Pic from yesterday



Here's a pic of what I had to do to get my trailer out of the back yard

 

The Ruby is just over the hill from me. If I scraped up all the snow in my yard I couldn't get enough to make a snow ball hope we get some soon, but around here most of it just blows away. I elk hunt mostly in the Centennial Valley did pretty good last season got some meat.

 

I was a slacker. All I shot was a whitetail and a handful of grouse.

 

@Pigpen what part of NW montana are you? I live in West Glacier/Coram during the summers. looks like you all are having a killer winter, can't wait for highwater in the spring!

 

Love those stick chickens

 

With stock wheels, 255/85-18 tires, SPC UCAS, and 1" spacers, I have 2" of clearance for chains. I run the spacers so that chains are not a problem. I don't need them often, but would not be without the option.

 

I can no longer say it's been 2 years. Got myself in a bit of a pickle today and had to put on the chains. Big shout out to @MuddyJackson for being there to spot me. The turn around would've been way more sketchy without another set of eyes - and yes, your recommendation for where to turn around was better than where I was going to do it.

I'm currently living in Hungry Horse. Do you work for Randy or Darwin in the summers, or for the circus? Maybe GN, Wild River, or the Park?

I just got invited on an April Deso Gray trip. Can't wait

Spring runoff in the Flathead is going to be great this year too, with all the snow we're getting!

My sausage boat has been missing the water

Here's the San Juan last spring



And a little Middle Fork Flathead smoke from last summer



And the Main Salmon from last fall

 

I've wondered about chains but never needed them (Bozeman, MT). But in the winter 95% of my driving is interstate or city streets. Never have time or anyone to go snow wheeling with. And even then chains wouldn't be much help in packed snow.

 

I'm running SPCs and 255s on stock wheels. You're saying that all I need is 1" spacers to run chains up front?!?!?! That would be fun!

 

I work for Darwon! Last summer was a shit show in terms of smoke... but I got to spend some time in the upper as well as the north fork working some trips so at least I was able to avoid the shit show in WestG. Hopefully things work out better this year in terms of crowds/smoke.

And good looks on the Deso in april, hopefully we start getting snow down here otherwise things might be a little skinny for ya! Im gonna be running the san juan in may, then down to the eastern sierra to do some kayaking and then ill make my way up to glacier.

 

Yea, it works well. I can take a picture tomorrow of the clearance.

 

I used to teach snowboarding With LaPierre, and now I work With Timber K, Russell M, and Brandon A. Pretty sure all those characters work for Glacier in the summer. We'll have to have some beverages on the river and/ or at the Stonefly when you get back.

 

I know them all, small world! I will absolutely see ya at the stonefly this summer!

 

Would be great to see your pictures of the clearance I was looking at 255/85/16 or 235/85/16 after a lift.

 

I've run both sizes with chains. The 235s are easy with 1" spacers. The only issue with the 255s is the cab mount clearance, but I'm about to fix that.

 

I love my 255/85/16s