Fitting 285/75/R16 on factory trd offroad wheels

Hello everyone, I am new to the Tacoma world, as I just bought my first Tacoma a few weeks ago. I have a 2009 TRD offroad double cab with an ARE c amper shell on the back, everything is in great condition except the tires which are dry-rot (265/70/R16 general grabber A/T), so I want to upgrade to bigger tires but I cant afford new wheels at the moment.

I have researched for weeks everything from suspension kits to tire sizes to tires themselves but I couldn't quite find the solution to my problem.

As of right now I currently have Bilstein 5100s' with OME 887s and an rear AAL on the way. I am estimating this should put me at a 2.5" lift all around.

I want to keep factory uca and trd offroad wheels while avoiding all rubbing.
I understand that I will need to do CMC and trimming on the fender lining and removing mudflaps.

I plan on getting spidertrax 1.25" spacers all around to hopefully prevent rubbing on the uca

The tires I plan on getting are 285/75/R16 nitto ridge grapplers

Do you think this will work without rubbing or needing any other components?
I plan on doing all the work in one weekend so Im trying to avoid any surprises.

​

​

 

Hey!

Sounds like you have a solid plan. Will you be adding any additional weight? Bumpers/sliders etc?

With a 2.5” lift for the front I would bet money you’ll need new upper control arms.

You will likely need the CMC, you could get away with leaving fenders alone if you don’t do any hardcore off-roading.

Also smart move on getting wheel spacers for the stock wheels.

 

Hey Alexely999 I don't plan on adding any additional weight other than sliders in the next year or so.
I am really hoping I wont need new uca because I cant afford them at the moment lol. I plan to do some moderate to basically whatever I can find in Texas offroading. Do you think going with 265/75/R16 tires with the same lift setup would look kinda goofy? I am pretty sure I will be able to keep the factory uca if I go with that size, I just don't want to regret not getting the 33"

 

I did 2 inch all around with 285/75/16 with no uca. The tires wore horribly and the truck wonders all over the road because I couldn’t get the alignment to spec. I will be adding UCAs when I get new tires. I’d recommend getting them right off the bat. Very happy with the tire size as it adds a decent amount of clearance. No cmc chop yet for me either.

 

@eman2009 if you want the 33s you’ll regret not getting them. Maybe try a different spring or different setup to achieve a 2” lift, as it is less likely to need new UCA, although it’s still a possibility. Or say F it and get the UCAs. Lol.

I also have about 2 1/4” of lift in the front with 315/75/16 stock UCA my alignment is close but I do get some bumpsteer and wandering. My tires wear pretty evenly luckily.

 

You're most likely going to need UCAs. You could go with a set of used tires to save some money and just plan to replace them in a year. I don't think 265/75/16 looks goofy with a 2" to 2.5" lift.

 

That's exactly the size i am targeting when i get new tires. wanted to be able to fit a full spare in the existing compartment

 

Spacers make contact with the cab mount worse, but let’s you clear the UCA. Could go with a .75” if that would work for his specs right?

 

I really appreciate all of your inputs, being new to this and on a tight budget and with this being my new daily, I don't wanna make any mistakes haha.

Would money be better spent on buying aftermarket wheels with the proper backspacing (4.5) and 10-13mm offset, enabling me to clear the uca, or spend money on a JBA uca and hold off on new wheels.

There shouldn't be any rubbing on either the factory or an aftermarket JBA uca , if I use a 1.25" wheel spacer correct?

Additionally I purchased an 3degree axle shim to install when I do the AAL, does anybody know if I will need extended U bolts or center pin? I am getting the tsb leaf springs put in as we speak.

I have heard bad things about doing the diff drop spacers along with the carrier bearing drop spacers. Should that be something I address if I get vibration after I put everything on the truck?

I will be doing cab mount chop before install no matter what.

I cant afford Total chaos uca but JBA is in my price range. My understanding is that the JBA uca will restore caster to factory spec? Does that mean it will be pushing the front wheels farther forward, away from the cab mount? Does anyone know the best/cheapest place to purchase JBA uca?

Also I was looking through the forums about extended brake lines. Do you think I will need them with 2.5" lift? Or should I just wait and see?

 

I don't know why people think that you need spacers to clear the uca. I never had that, 285/75/16 on two different rims, one 7" factory 4runner rim, and one 8" ivan stewart, both 4.5 backspace (stock backspace I always thought). I never tried it with factory tacoma rims, are they more than 4.5" backspace?

as others said, spacers make the cab mount/fender area rub more. I'd avoid that unless absolutely required, and even so, use .75" ones. Getting a SPC UCA is the way to go. adjust the LCA to make the wheel as far forward as it will go, then get your alignment to spec with the extra adjustability of the UCA. you can leave the caster high by using the stock setting of the UCA, or move the wheel further forward by adjusting the caster lower (more in the stock spec range).

Anyways, with all said and done and all the combos I have used, I'd suggest going with no more than 2" of lift if you won't get UCA. if you do get the UCA, a tiny bit more lift is ok, but alignment will be WAY better, and you can get away with extending the down travel by putting some spacers above the coil-over and even using lower spring rate if you can (like 885). This will get you the topout free suspension movement that you want, without being overly stiff and topping out all the time.

And I don't think there is anything wrong at all with a 265/75/16. Easier to fit without rubbing, easier on the gearing (btw, what elevation and load/towing do you do - as the gear ratio change to 33's could be bad), and easier on the fuel economy (if you are into that).

I think that if you can't afford to do it right, then wait until you can. get some cheap used tires to test with, either stock or slightly larger, see if you can clearance to make them not rub without the lift - which you will need to trim for anyway if you actually offroad - since the clearance at full compression is the same no matter how much your static lift is. Then when you do the lift you can do it with the UCA and the clearance, and the tire size you really want and you will know all the downsides to using that size tire.

 

Because my tires were hitting the stock uca at full lock. I went with .75” boras to solve the issue.
I’m just saying depending on wheel specs you may need spacers.

I agree it’s better to get new UCAs though.

 

I haven’t had any issues with the stock brake lines with my lift.

 

huh, hitting the UCA at full lock. I didn't ever have that issue with 285 and 4.5" backspace. what is the backspace of the stock tacoma rims?

 

Do it right while the suspension is apart and install aftermarket UCA's. At 2" of lift, it's already hard to get caster to 2. Have you looked at 255/85R16's?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/255-85-r16-owners-experience.155849/

 

Factory TRD Off-Road 16x7.00 Wheel Offset = +32 mm - Back Space = 5.25" Inches

I don't want to run the skinny tire route.
Will jba or Spc UCAs' get better alignment?

 

Depends if your alignment guy knows how to adjust the SPC's. If you don't have an alignment tech that knows how to, then go with the JBA's. Either should get you good alignment numbers in the end if done properly.

 

I will need spacers because of factory backspace being 5.25" . I believe the 3rd gen tacomas factory backspace is 4.5....
Presuming that using the "stock setting" of light racing UCA will be the same as JBA UCA.
Given the option for additional adjustability in the light racing uca, If the uca were adjusted to push the tire further forward (towards front bumper), would this improve bump steer, make it worse, or just help with tire rub on rear of fender?

 

The SPC is adjustable. I believe the JBA is not so it can't be fine tuned. If your alignment shop isn't used to adjusting aftermarket UCAs they will be less likely to utilize the extra adjustment of the SPC.

 

sometimes you have to go and tell the alignment guys how to do it. but the SPC UCAs are totally superior from an adjustment perspective. push wheels forward with LCA cams, as far as they will go while still being equal. Set camber by adjusting the UCA ball joint location. then toe, and the caster will be large and good. if you want wheel further forward, you can adjust the UCA ball joint clocking angle to achieve that, but it will reduce caster.

Just get SPC uppers. and now that I know stock is 5.25, then yes, you may need .75" bora spacers for no-rub. I know that works... but not sure if you have to use the spacers if you have the UCA and stock wheels??

 

285s didn’t rub UCAs, but 315s did. Sorry I should have clarified.

I’m just saying it’s possible that spacers are needed. Not in most situations.