Rims/Tires and 3" lifts

Guys, I have searched the forums here for over a month for an answer to what appears one of the most commonly asked questions, Each time I think I know the answer I stumble across another post that contradicts the last so I apologize I have to ask for clarification. I am planning to do a 3'' suspension lift on my 2009 Taco and put on 285/70/17 tires on KMC XD SPYs. The rims are 17x9 with -12 offset and 4.53 backspacing so from everything I have read so far I think they should work fine with the lift. What I dont understand is why some posts say you will need to trim or do something called a cab chop and why other say no rubbing issues at all even with 295s. How do you know beforehand if those tires/rims will work or rub? I dont do any off roading with the exception of gettting to my deer stand but i want to understand what kind of mod work i may have to do and why before I make these changes. Any insight would be appreciated. Thx

2009 Tacoma Crew Cab
TRD Off Road Package

 

You usually just have to try and see. The trimming is the inside of you fender flares and ditching the mud flaps if you haven't already and the cab mount is usually only hit when flexed at full lock I believe. The rub/no rub thing is hit or miss. Some people run the same wheel and tire setups and one person rubs and the other dont. It's just try and see what happens and be prepared to do a little extra to make it work.

And welcome to the forum.

 

Welcome!!!


My sons 2008 Tacoma Sport 4x4 DCLB has the 17x9 spys with287/70 duratracs with LR ucas and we had to definitely trim the inner fenderand do the CMC. It would rub just turning in reverse and forward. This was justmy experience and I didn’t want everyone turning around and looking my way tosee what that noise was.

 

Thanks for the info and quick response guys, I will just pull the trigger on the upgrades and hope I am one of the lucky ones with no issues!! Will post how bad r good it goes

 

You will trim a lot.. trust me. I have the same spec wheels with gy duratracs and it rubs a ton

 

Dont buy 285s and hope to not trim, then be disappointed. Do buy 285s and plan to trim, and if you dont have to then you will be happy lol. There are more factors than just wheel offset/backspacing and amount of lift vs. tire size, those are the main factors though. Aftermarket UCAs can move the wheel back in the wheel well a little bit and increase the chance that the tire will rub the body mount. Alignment also can play a role in where or if you will rub. The tread pattern on the tires you buy can matter, how you drive the truck can matter also. The width of the wheel can actually affect the height and width of the tire (fractions of a inch) also which could possible change things. Basically what i am saying which i always try to tell people is there are to many factors to determine if you will or will not rub with 285/70/17, 285/75/16. I still find it hard to believe that some people claim to have NO rubbing or trimming with 285s after the amount that i had to trim and i still rub on occasion.

 

Don't want to cut? Go with 265s. Otherwise embrace it and grab some tools.

 

I run 295/70/17 on a 3" lift. Trimmed the fenders a fair bit. Minimal rub most of the time as is

 

When you guys say trim the fenders do you mean the interior of the wheel well or do you mean the actual fender itself? I think I agree with Evan and am going to plan on having to trim and if it doesnt have to happen then that will be a suprise.

 

No shouldnt have to trim the fender itself, maybe beat it with a BFH but no cutting. Atleast on mine I havent had to yet

 

i had to trim my actual fender some. But I have 295s