32’s on a Tacoma questions..

Hello all! I’ve got some questions about new(ish) tires….


Back story, I’m driving a 98 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4wd with stock 15x7 alloy wheels on it right now (photo #1 & #2) with a 3” old man EMU lift. My current gear ratio is 3.9…and I won’t be able to re-gear for a few more years ($$), however I’d like bigger tires!! Right now I’m cruising on some Firestones (p265/75/r15).. I have an opportunity to purchase some decent tread used tires; Cooper Discovery SST’s (32/11.50/r15LT, photo #3); $500 for 4, or I can buy some brand new tires that are also 32’s (BF Goodrich LT32/11.5/r15 KO2’s, photo #4) for $900, for 4.


My questions are…

1. Will both of these sets fit on my stock 15x7 wheels? Or do I need new wheels as well?
2. If I buy the used ones, I *would* have some $$ left over in my budget for wheels - I’d likely get pro comp’s. Would I want 15x7 or 15x8 to fit the used Cooper 32’s?
3. Will the tires rub with the current lift I have now at full turn? Will I need spacers in the front, like the BORA .75 wheel spacers?
4. I live in the PNW, and I don’t do a lot of wheeling so mud terrains aren’t super priority — just wondering what input any of you got?? Discounted used mud tires or brand new all terrains?
5. Considering my current gear ratio, are 32’s gonna be OK on my rig? I bought the truck with the lift already on it. It just seems like it needs bigger tires, but I don’t wanna offset anything drastically.
6. Lastly, what do you all think of the KO2’s in general? Yay or nay considering what I wanna do? My main priority is camping and hauling my dirtbike to the woods.

I just want to make the best decision (obviously) and this is all new to me, so any and all feedback is appreciated!!

 

I don't know any real specifics but 11.5" very wide for a 1st gen with stock wheels and no backspacing. Not sure what your lift is or if you have caster adjustable UCAs. I assume you'll have UCA, frame, and or cab mount rubbing. Tirerack shows min rim width at 8" so I think you'd need new wheels. Probably best to wait for a better fitting used tire or grab something new?

I run these duratracs on my 1st gen with 3rd gen off road wheels and I rub on the frame at full lock. The duratracs are only 5 lbs lighter per tire than your linked KO2s so I assume if you're a manual w/ v6 you'd be able to run them with stock gearing without too much power loss.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...eModel=Wrangler+DuraTrac&partnum=675QR6WDTOWL

 

Thank you so much for the response! I see what you mean… maybe 10.5’s then..? If I go brand new rubber, I’ll need to salvage the 15x7 wheels I got.. so whatever fits those that doesn’t rub too terribly I suppose How do those DuraTrac’s do in the mud..?

And yes.. manual V6 is correct.

 

My only issue with the duratracs has been slicing up the sidewall when offroading in real rocky locations. Other than that, I think the traction is great and perform well in the snow. Honestly getting 16" or 17" rims makes finding tires a lot easier as more manufacturers make them in more load ranges. When going for 33"s I ended up getting a r17 procomp 8" diameter alloys. You could probably find some 16" Toyota 6 lug wheel/tire take offs used easily enough (it's what I did). Anything from a 4runner, tacoma, tundra in the last 20+ years will likely work.

 

My 285/70R16s are 11.5 wide on +12mm offset American Racing wheels and only clear the upper control arm by about 1/4-1/2 of an inch. A numerically higher positive number denotes less offset and I believe the wheels you have are +15 so you could probably clear an 11.5, but it'd be closer than I'd want to run. Try and go 10.5 if you can, gives you an extra inch of room to fit that tire in. Also likely won't be able to fit an 11.5 on a 7" wide wheel safely (it can be done but not usually recommended). Hopefully my info is of some help!

 

Definitely helpful!! Thank you!

 

I have a '96 Tacoma 4x4 with 1.75" Quicklift in front and 1.5" aal in the rear and running BFG 32x11.50 15 on the stock 15x7" wheel and have no rubbing issues whatsoever. Looks like you have more lift than I do. I would say you would be okay.

 

I had 11.5s on my Taco with no back spacing. The wheels rubbed the frame on extreme turns.

 

4 or 6 cylinder? auto or manual? Inthink you need uca’s with that lift.

 

I'm going to assume you got it aligned after you installed that lift. If not, you absolutely need to do that. And as others have suggested, you may end up needing upper control arms to be able to align the suspension correctly (factory specs).

Also keep in mind that lifts don't change if it will rub, they only change when it rubs. A lift might prevent it from rubbing on the street at ride height, but if it rubbed at stock height it WILL rub elsewhere, like going into a driveway, or especially off road (turning and compressing the susp.).

The main thing to consider with going with larger tires and not re-gearing is your engine/transmission. A 4 cyl auto will absolutely notice those larger tires than a v6 would. I drive a v6 with 32's since the day I bought it, and it's hardly noticeable. I'm sure once I go to 33's, I'll def want to re-gear.

 

If you go for the 15X8, the wheels will be -19mm offset which will already push the tires out past the fender so you won't need spacers...that is unless you want to have spacers.

 

Are you running the stock wheels? I have gotten my 31's to rub offroad when I was aired down, other than that, it has been fine with the 32's.

 

You can source some 3rd gen 4runner 16" rims. I got mine for $75 (although i did powder coat them) but it opened up a much wider option on tires. I run 265/75-16.

 

@Chaospdx85 you may be able to get away with better all-terrain tires and skip the LT tires unless hauling the heavy items in the bed. I do some dirt roads but no where near off-road and use Falken Wildpeak AT3W in a 32 and 10.5 (265/70-17) and have had no issues with snow/mud/ice/rain at normal psi

you can find plenty of 265/75-16 tires as they are one of the most popular sizes out there and usually a good deal (I think I paid less than $700 out the door with mount/balance)

it all depends on what you will be getting into and whether the tread meets those needs (mine does)

also as others have mentioned anything from the 96-02 T4R, 00-06 Tundra, and 00-04 Tacoma have the lesser backspace to keep the tire from rubbing the UCA