Tire Cables (not chains)

I just read where Toyota says no chains up front. And I read a thread where it is brought up that a clearance issue is involved behind the tire at about 12:00 o'clock. I need to confirm this. But my question is: I bought some cables (SSC Super Z's) and I got those before reading the manual (Dooooh!) is the clearance still relevant with such cables? I just need them a few times a year with ice being a bigger issue than snow. So front steering is rather critical under these conditions. thanks!

 

I believe the clearance issue would be the uca(upper control arm). I guess since you already have them try them on and see how close they are.

 

I see that you bought cables instead of chains. I do run the Les Schwab cam chains and the only clearance issue with them is the UCA and when the suspension is all the way suspended in the down position. So normal running of chains on the highway is Ok.
So to answer your question I would say that the cables would be just fine since they are thinner than chains and your just running them on the highway.
I wheel with mine on the front and the rear and I run the stock tire size. 265-70R16.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'll check them out today and see how they fit. I didn't even think of clearance issues behind the tire Silly for a 4WD to be a concern. But as stated, we're just looking at running down the icy roads a few days a year. I've never used chains before so I am curious if there will be a difference. And yes I am running the stock tires but they are going to need replacing soon. thanks again, Randy

 

The clearance between the front tires and the upper control arm's on a stock truck is very small...about the thickness of a finger. With the thickness of the cable added your down to around maybe a 1/4" of clearance...not enough in my opinion.

 

I keep seeing websites that recommend putting tire chains on all four wheels.

That makes sense for off-road-trailing into the snow.

But I've never seen a 4x4 chained on all 4 on the pavement.

If you need to chain up for the highway, put chains on the back (EDIT: AND DRIVE SLOWLY!) and you're done.

 

Thanks for all the advice. I ran out to my truck and ran my hands behind the tire and sure enough, the Upper Control Arm is only 5/8-3/4" from the tire but there is a knuckle that sticks out from the UPC pointing towards the tire that narrows the gap to about 1/2" or maybe a bit less. Just so happens that the fattest part of my cables (where the joints are) line up just perfectly with the knuckle. Not worth the obvious high chance of tearing them up.

Mostly interested in the front to be turning on ice on hilly roads. Snow and packed snow not really much of a concern. So far I've done okay without chains but they would come in handy once or twice a year when staying off the road is not possible.

No worries, I'll just send one un-opened box back. thanks again for everyone's comments. Randy

 

Are chains OK on the rear tires? Manual says "cables..." but the set of chains I bought seem pretty low-profile. Should I look for the receipt and take them back and keep looking for cables for the rear?

 

Well, Toyota didn't think this through, chains will not work on the front and cables are not recommended because of clearance issues. Better stick to chaining or cabling the rear. If you need a real snow rig, git a Jeep. Chain up all four without issue and go around winching Taco's out of the ditches.

 

studded snow tires on a set of steelies for the winter.problem solved

 

Well thats not entirely true I have been running chains on the front of my 08 4x4 truck for 2 yrs now and no problems with hitting. I run them on all 4 tires when wheeling hard. I run 245 75 16 M/T TOYO's and also ran the chains with 265 70 16. No Rubbing on the UCA.
My chains are from Les Schwab and they are the Cam Lock chains and they are recommended for our trucks and have been since 05. Might want to check them out.

 

I have 265R70x16 on the Toy and wouldn't consider running anything but spiders on them. I run 33x9.50 on my CJ, great tire for snow, lots of pressure. With two Jeeps, both were studded and one was chained all four during heavy snow (lived at South Lake Tahoe, worked at Echo summit). The Toyota has been a highway flyer, maybe we'll have some snow this winter...