Do I Need Wheel Spacers?

I just bought a 2013 Tacoma double cab 4x4 and I want to put bigger tires on it. I want to go with 285/75/16 BFG All-terrain tires. The rims on it are stock 16x7J. I'm going to start with the 2" leveling kit and hope it doesn't scrub too bad. After looking under the wheels wells though it looks like the 245/75/16 tires that are on it are pretty close to touching the control arms so it may need wheel spacers.

Has anyone gone to this size tire and what mods were necessary? Does it need the spacers and if so how much? Will the 2" leveling kit be enough to clear these tires? I don't have a problem trimming the plastic in the wheel well as long as its not real noticeable.

Thanks in advance.
Mark

 

Welcome to TW.

Max recommended size without cutting modification is 265/70R17 or 265/75R16. Going to 285s will likely require more than plastic cutting. Look at the cab mount chop, where you grind off your cab mounts and weld in a new box plate to cover the opening. 285s will also zap power and mpgs much more that the sizes listed above.

 

I just put 265/70/17 on my 16 sport and they rub at full lock and are very close to UCA i have to get spacers.

 

Your 3rd Gen is different than the OPs 2nd Gen.

 

No wheel spacers 285/75/16 , 2015 TRD Off-Road, 3inch lift with 5100's ome 887 coils , LR uca, rear lift - toytec boss progressive aal with overload and toytec 3 degree aluminum shim total 2.25 lift. Removed front mud flaps after that no rubbing at all during street driving and off road on beach sand to fishing spots and really uneven dirt road

 

Did you color match the front grill and rear bumper? - Looks great.

 

Lol no I used plasti dip white along with the plasti dip glossifier

 

Thats what i was referring to when i said color match. I plan on doing the same to the rear bumper, but probably order the replacement oem super white grille.

 

With a 3" suspension lift and 285/75/16 Duratracs, I had to remove the mudflaps, trim the lower fender plastics near the mudflaps mounts, cab mount shop and flatten the pinch weld.

As stated above, you will have to cut and trim more than I did. But, I flex and wheel the thing. Not sure your intended use, but I would ditch the spacers and at least get 5100's all around and run stock coils.

*EDIT* - wheel spacers are not the best option. Get the right wheels (right sizing, backspacing etc)

 

2" leveling kit won't be much help to clearing 285's.....A full 3" kit still needs trimming if you even think about off roading. Stock rims and 285's will almost always rub UCA's look at 3/4" or 1" Bora wheel spacers, OR, different rims.

285's and any amount of suspension flex and you'll be putting tires against the cab mount, the pinch weld, and the inner fenders with lifts up to as much as 3". Especially bad when you turn to full lock.

 

I have a 3" lift, 285/70/17s on stock sport wheels and I needed spacers. The tires rubbed against the UCAs. After installing the spacers I had slight rubbing on the inner fender, but instead of cutting I just took the fender flares and inner fenders off. Zero rubbing now and has a great stance. Also, no problem out of my spacers or anything. Drives great.

 

Did you get aftermarket UCAs?

 

I didn't. I plan to one day when I convert to a better suspension system overall. For my current needs I just went with the Rough Country 3" lift.

 

Going to be installing Spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers (as soon as they come in) and I saw a post somewhere that said to coat behind the spacer(s) for easier removal in the future. Any idea what product this might be? Some type of grease.?

 

What would be the reason behind removal? I have no intention of that with mine.

 

Not really sure. Had them on my 05 4Runner and never took them off. I guess in case I go with a larger wheel or tires where I don't need the additional offset.? Kinda new to this.

 

I don't know the "product" to use for that, but like I said I didn't use anything. I can't imagine they would be too terribly difficult to just remove when you need to since they are only torqued down to ~85ftlbs similar to just lug nuts. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. 1.25" gives the Tacomas a great look, even with different wheels IMO, but don't be one of those crazy people who makes their truck look like a roller skate they're spaced out so far.

 

Thanks man! You're probably right. Living and driving on the beach a lot has me a bit paranoid when it comes to stuff like this. No worries about the roller skate look - HA!