The SKINNY on skinny tires

13k feet

 

Just mounted my 255/80/R17 in factory spare location. It’s tight, what say you all? Am I going to melt it? Closest point is about 3/4 inch from exhaust at factory heat shield location. 2 inches from rear diff, can’t move back or driver side any more. Drove around town in 95 F heat didn’t appear to heat up the tire to the touch.

 

It’s fine

 

You won't melt the rubber but if you leave it in the same location for the next 4 years you may cook a section of the rubber that is going to wear differently on the one section of tire. Just rotate that tire into your rotations for a 5 tire rotation and you will be changing up what tire is down there and the location of the tire that is the "hot" zone and you should be good.

 

Awesome, 5 wheel rotation is my plan. Thanks!

 

What's the suspension and wheel/tire setup? This is the perfect size.

 

Stage 9 icon with 35x10.5x17 tires on 4runner trail wheels.

 

That won’t work if you’re using the oem steel spare rim.

 

You need help with geometry.
Increasing the tire diameter absolutely increases ground clearance.

If you look at the mfg specs for the few options the KM3 is slightly larger diameter than the coopers.

 

Well technically it would work, just won't match. But yes, if you want a 5 tire rotation, you would need to make sure you had 5 matching wheels along with the 5 tires.

 

255/80/17 ST Maxx lots of plastic trimming needed

 

Went with 4Runner trail take offs and wildpeak 255/80/17. FJ faux beadlocks were just too pretty... and I wanted to try 17 for more caliper clearance and options of tire in the future. And these wheels hide the valve stem very well, lots of short rocks here to mess up your day.

Very happy so far, gas mileage seems about the same, but I have always gotten terrible (16.5) mpg once I hit >75mph. I live in western CO so it’s always up or down...

Caster set to 2.9 both sides. SPC UCAs on a very conservative setting. Shop expected to be doing a CMC but “could not get it to rub” The shop I go to does very good work but are mostly Jeep oriented. Not many options around me. At 22” hub to fender

 

they make super cheap shrouds for this. Some for the pipe and some you can apply to the tire. I’m planning to use one for the pipe... seems like an easy mod that might give you some peace of mind.

 

Good info, do you have a link to the shrouds?

I’ve been checking the tire after my ~40 minute commute and it’s been fine. No warmer than other areas of the tire away from the exhaust. I’m also doing a rotation today so another tire will move into that position for the next 5000 miles.

 

No sorry here is a pic of what I plan to use... but many many options out there on the interwebs.

 

New Wheels & Cooper ST Maxx 255/80/17

 

CMC required with your setup? I'm planning basically the same thing in front, 6112 and those same wheels and tires. Do you have an aftermarket UCA?

 

Has anyone found mud guards they can run on stock wheels and suspension without rubbing on 255/85/r16's?

 

Vredestein does not have any affiliation to Michelin. They are owned by an Apollo tire a company out of India. Having said that I don’t think they have made tire for the US light truck market for very long so I don’t think you will find many reviews on there tires.

 

I plan on adding UCAs but stock currently. 6112 at 3rd setting giving me right under 2” lift up front. Took off the mud flaps and there is no rubbing anywhere. Not had them stuffed yet, but full lock it’s clear. No CMC. Feel like I got lucky. Was thinking of going up to the next notch, but I’m not sure now. Might just leave it. Got it aligned and it seems to wander on the road a little more, thinking the UCAs should help w that.