Tire clearance I have vs. tire clearance I want

My '09 Tacoma A/C long bed 4x4 has pretty much been just leveled, with Billie 5100's on 3rd highest setting in front, AAL's with Billies in back and 265/70/16 tires on aftermarket 1 1/2" off-set 16" wheels. This set-up works great with a nice stance and no rub issues.

But now I want a different look with a bigger tire, specifically Toyo A/T 285/75/16's. Should I attempt to utilize the existing set-up by adding taller springs or spacers to the 5100's or is it more advisable to change out the front shocks to a taller coil-over?

The local 4x4 shop suggests to basically rip out what I have and start from scratch with Rough Country 3" N2.0's but it seems a shame to pull the Billies when they're still close to being new. I know there's plenty of debate on types of lift but it seems more logical for me to build on what I already have.

 

If the lift is for the "look" then keep and build on what you have. If money is no option go for it. Decide by your intended use.

 

You could keep your current setup and clear 265 75 16s. The gen 2 and 3 Tacomas won't clear 285's that are under compression while in a turn with anything but an expensive and undesirable bracket lift. Those are 4+inches and required to avoid rubbing, unless you trim a decent amount of inner-fender plastic and cut/weld the body mounts just behind the front tires (search CMC).

Coils, spacers, add-a leafs, leaf springs, etc will not do the job by themselves (without said trimming and CMC), period. These lifts only make the truck sit higher in the factory suspension travel limits and those tires will rub at some point in the compression, period.

Having said all that, sometimes tires also rub the upper control arms depending on the combo of tire width, front end alignment and wheel backspacing. I am not sure sure how your wheel offset will work with wide 285's.

 

It's mostly for look and ground clearance getting into jobsites, there will be no serious off-roading.

 

Yup, I'm also concerned the off-set wheels might work against me with a wider tire.

 

Find a new "local shop".....Rough country would be a huge step DOWN in quality. Stick with your Bilsteins. Get OME 885X coils and set the shocks @ 0".

If you put 285's on, be prepared to do a cab mount chop and some trimming. Nothing too severe. 2nd gens need this, OR, stay on flat, level ground.

 

Thanks Bluegrass, this and the previous comments are very helpful.

 

Honestly, a CMC isn't that hard and a shop can do it for a very reasonable price if you can't. Cut, cap, weld, paint and nobody will ever know it happened, but you will be clearing the tires you want without swapping suspension and/or installing a costly drop bracket lift that will also require cutting the crossmember on the truck.

How wide are the wheels you're running or planning on running?

 

Not really sure. They came on the truck used, they look to be 16x8's with 1 1/2" off-set.

 

What do you mean by 1 1/2" offset? That's an extremely uncommon offset. Positive or negative?

My wheels are 9" wide with 0 offset and they stick out farther than factory wheels.

 

I dunno man...im running about 3" with minimal trimming and swaybar removed. I've never hit cab mount or flares with a little trimming up front on the splash guard plastic. That's with 295/75/16's. With 4.5" offset wheels.

 

I think some of you are confusing backspace with offset

http://m.autoanything.com/wheels-rims/wheel-offset-vs-wheel-backspacing

 

By that I mean the outside bead of the rim is 1 1/2" further out than a stock wheel.