Wisconsin Tacomas and bad financial advice

Haha thanks appreciate the offer but my problem isn’t having the tires, I’ve got them sitting in my way already taking up space. I need to flatten the pinch weld and cab mount chop (hence the new welder). Just don’t want to rush that which is holding me up slightly, and not enough hours in the day. Who has a DeLorean that I can borrow? I’ll bring back a sports almanac!

 

Bring it.
My plug is currently zipped tied up, still from Moab.

Edit
I did remove it before leaving.

 

I ran those tires without doing the pinch weld or doing anything with the cab mount and I have the same wheel offset as you. For the alignment the front cam bolt should be all the way inboard and the rear should bolt should be all the way outboard. That will push the tire forward and maximize clearance at the back of the tire. Yes, there still was a rub when the tires were turned just right, but it was very minor.

 

33s fit just fine (fif)

 

Done, it’s got your name on it Dan. Another piece for the swap meet!

Just got the alignment done Monday. I only got 2.8 degrees caster out of the new UCA and feels like I lost a touch of clearance to the cab mount/firewall versus the SPCs but it feels rock solid. Also your fancy 3rd gens seem to have a bit more clearance from the factory than our 2nd gens. I think it would clear without modifications but I just don’t want to risk it and have surprises on the trail. Will know more later tonight after some percussive maintenance.

 

Depending on your alignment, I'm not sure all that stuff is necessary for 285s. I think it would come down to offset, and alignment. But, I guess, my experience comes from the 4Runner.

 

Are we going to need to set aside a table for the swap meet like they do at gun shows?

 

I've have seen it mentioned that alignment machines don't take UCA caster into account, but don't know that to be a fact. So technally you might be at 4.8 degrees of caster.

I forgot that you changed your UCA's. So in fact you might have lost a little clearance as most UCA's add positive caster which moves the top of the spindle rearward. With the SPCs you can add negative caster clocking the ball joint forward which in turn moves the top of the spindle forward.

 

These aren’t even 285s, just 33x10.5 which is slightly skinnier. But alas our 2nd gens take a little massaging to fit depending on UCA and alignment. I’m also being extra cautious because the problems don’t happen from driving down the highway - it’s on the trail at full stuff.

Alignment machine should take the built-in UCA caster into the spec. When you do the initial reading and turn the wheel lock to lock it measures caster at the wheel itself. These JD Fab arms seem a little shorter from bushing to ball joint (i.e. from where it mounts on the shock tower to the ball joint pivot) so I think that’s where it loses fractions of degrees. I still don’t think it’s any less clearance than the SPCs but it really does become a game of inches.

Last night of welding class tonight and I’m already done and have an A. Mainly just going to “borrow” some coupons so I can dial in my new machine. Once I do that will probably skip out early and start chopping. Re-booked tire shop appt for tomorrow and I’m off at noon so if all goes perfect I might show up at camp Thursday night. Else I might join the other convoy on Friday.

 

I don't blame you for being cautious. My 295s self clearanced on a T.W.A.T trip of all things.

I constantly see threads about "how much lift to clear 33's" or whatever, and am amazed at how many people still think lift clears tires. I always say, lift does not clear tires, it just hides the rubbing.

 

Oh yeah always see lots of threads on this. I can sympathize with people though, most think about Jeeps or other solid axle vehicles which can gain clerance by lift/bump stopping. Once you understand how IFS suspension up/down travel works with coilover lifts and the light bulb goes on then it becomes clear you aren't going to avoid smashing things in the wheel well area without some trimming at certain tire sizes.

 

Any modern machine will take into account as UCAs when it gets its laser level reading. If the tech can't do it properly then he doesn't need to be doing alignments.

 

I uh...I'm just gonna leave this here:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-toyota-land-cruiser-fj45-pickup/

@Supr4Lo it has 37s...

 

And a manual trans! Really nice

 

Do people drive vehicles like this on trails and then meticulously detail them? Or are they just for show? Maybe a little of column A and a little of column B?

 

Grrr. I didn’t win the lottery last night.

 

There’s a detailing shop near my business and the owner typically has two awesome rigs out front; a fully built Jeep and a 70s vintage Chevy 4x4 pick, also fully trail equipped. They never leave the parking lot.

 

I'd bob the bed throw some tons under it and wheel the snot out of it!


Oh and don't forget the Magnuson supercharger on that LS.

 

Or you could just get an “off-road Lambo”.
https://youtu.be/5YGCCQVk9Ys