Tire Size Options/Offset requirements for 3" Lift

Hi Folks,
I am putting a Stage 2 Icon lift/leveling kit on my 2012 4wd double cab long bed.

I would appreciate your advice and recommendations on wheel and tire options. Here are my questions:

1) Does anyone know the offset on the standard OEM steel 16" wheels that came on it? The tires are 245/75/16, for a diameter of 30.5 (http://tire-size-conversion.com/tire-size-calculator/)

2) How big (diameter) can I go with the Icon 3" lift? (and is this affected by wheel offset? I want to widen the stance a little.)

3) Does an Icon coil-over lift affect the control arm angle? If so, what wheel offset am I required to have for the new lift?

4) What is the effect of offset on useable tire size, regarding wheel rub. I want to make sure I don't have any...

Thanks in advance for your input and expertise.

 

Honestly, much of this information is already out there, and you could find it with some searching. But to get you started.


2) How big (diameter) can I go with the Icon 3" lift? (and is this affected by wheel offset? I want to widen the stance a little.)



How large of a tire you can fit will depend on the specific tire and wheel combination (even the exact same tire size from different manufacturers will be slightly different). And it will depend largely on your willingness to trim the areas that rub--especially the cab mount area.


I'd start around a 285/75/16 or a 285/70/17 tire on a wheel that is 8" or 8.5" wide. Get a wheel with -6 offset, which will be -4.25" backspacing on an 8" wide wheel and 4.5" backspacing on a 8.5" wide wheel. You will still likely need to trim to completely avoid rubbing.


Basically, I'd suggest you buy an aftermarket Upper Control Arm to fully benefit from a coilover lift. I assume you researched the various dropbracket lifts, and decided a coilover lift is what really suits your needs/desires/and how you are going to use the vehicle.


3) Does an Icon coil-over lift affect the control arm angle? If so, what wheel offset am I required to have for the new lift?


Hmmm . .. yes a coilover lift will effect control arm angles. Basically an adjustable coilover just puts the ride height at further down travel without effecting overall travel . . . so, for every inch of height you lift the vehicle in the front, you lose that same inch in downtravel.



I don't typically think of control arm angles and wheel offset as related, but everything is inter-related I suppose. I can tell you this . . . your stock UCA's won't like being at 3" of downtravel at ride height. Get aftermarket UCAs. And if you haven't already purchased your lift, I'd seriously look at the RCD 4" dropbracket lift. If I had it all to do over, that's what I'd get.


4) What is the effect of offset on useable tire size, regarding wheel rub. I want to make sure I don't have any...



For a given width wheel the backspacing defines the offset or vice versa. If you want to make sure you don't have any wheel rub issues throughout suspension travel, then get an aftermarket front bumper or trim your stock one significantly, do the cab mount frame mod, and trim the plastic in the rear of the front wheel well arches. Basically, plan on trimming, or plan on getting a 265 or narrower tire.

 

As a newbie, I didn't consider that this is such a common question. After I realized it, I gave myself a big "duh..." But thanks for your reply and for the good links. I'll use the search better in the future. Thanks again.

Also, your answer was exactly what I was looking for. Tire width without cutting, backspace, and diameter.