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Recently installed a 2.5”/2” lift with Bilstein 5100s and OME springs with SPC UCAs. Tires upgraded to 285/70 17, but had to swap for 275/70 17 due to tire rub in rear of front fender well. Unfortunately 275s still rubbed. I had already done the screw replacement and used a heat gun. I also had 2 different shops align it hoping they would be able to adjust the camber enough to prevent rubbing, but no dice, even with the adjustable SPC UCAs. Ended up trimming out a chunk of the inner fender liner and that did the trick, no more rubbing.
UPDATE- (My 265's fit with factory hitch) After getting service at the local Lexus dealer, the tech told me he thought the 265's would fit in the spare location if I tilted the front up first, then cranked the spare up. I had my son crank it up while I directed the tire into place and it fits perfectly. It doesn't touch the KDSS bar. So, it looks like it fits afterall and I'll be able to take it in the stock location. I do plan to someday put in a supplemental fuel tank there so will eventually move the spare to a rear bumper or hitch mount tire carrier but for now I have the option to have it on board if I'm going outside of AAA reach. I'll post some pics once I can get them off my phone and onto my desktop. [See post above under my username for the original post details]
I noticed this is true for @Seanzky too so I'm confident it probably works for most.
I'm wondering that too. I have basically the same setup with the 285's and was able to get it to not rub pretty easily. I'm betting it was a higher negative offset wheel, I'm running -10.
Just a quick update on these tires... since I do 60% highway, 30% city/local roads, and 10% off-road, I find these to be a great choice. After driving 120 miles total (just got home), I can report back with some of my findings that forum members might find interesting/helpful. Although road noise and vibration is minimal, I can definitely feel and hear it compared to the factory Dueler H/Ts. It's negligible, but it's there. There's also some felt rolling resistance and obvious weightiness to these tires. Acceleration is a bit lethargic in that regard, but otherwise very, very smooth. The gas mileage hasn't suffered by much, though. Just by my estimation since I haven't done a full tank yet, I think I'm losing about 1 mpg. We'll see about my drive tomorrow, which will be another 120 miles, starting with a full tank. Also, my speedometer is finally 1:1 with the GPS! I no longer have to do mental arithmetic when setting cruise control. I haven't tried these under wet conditions or snow yet, obviously, so that part remains to be seen. So far, though, these seem to be great highway tires (obviously, H/T = highway tread). The big, aggressive lugs look nice and rugged, but for sweeping curves, straights, and at high speeds (85-90mph), they handle very closely in comparison to most good all-seasons. Having experienced the factory Bridgestone Dueler H/Ts for 39,000 miles, I can say I would never buy those again. These, on the other hand, I definitely will. In fact, I'm considering these for the '21 NX 300 once the Yokohama Geolandars on that car are bald. Great tires, too, to be fair, but these Falken Wildpeak H/T HT02s look so much cooler especially for highway tires.
I really appreciate you taking the time to share your detailed analysis and opinion.
Howdy, I recently upgraded my 4th Gen 4Runner (2008 SR5 V8) to a 2021 GX 460. First order of business: improved tires. I have to give an incredibly massive thanks to @schwein for creating and organizing this thread. Using the photos and links in this thread, I was able to mitigate the risk of purchasing four new tires and not having them fit or producing excessive rub. Although I did not see any forum member citing a stock 2nd gen GX with 275/65/18 Nitto Ridge Grapplers, I was able to validate tire circumference being relatively close to the KO2 and went with it. They fit perfect; no rubbing at full lock (I did replace the lower, inner liner bolt).
I love my T4R, but WOW the GX is an excellent upgrade!
Haven't had the chance to get her washed; forgive the dirt and tire grease.
Howdy, I recently upgraded my 4th Gen 4Runner (2008 SR5 V8) to a 2021 GX 460. First order of business: improved tires. I have to give an incredibly massive thanks to @schwein for creating and organizing this thread. Using the photos and links in this thread, I was able to mitigate the risk of purchasing four new tires and not having them fit or producing excessive rub. Although I did not see any forum member citing a stock 2nd gen GX with 275/65/18 Nitto Ridge Grapplers, I was able to validate tire circumference being relatively close to the KO2 and went with it. They fit perfect; no rubbing at full lock (I did replace the lower, inner liner bolt).
I love my T4R, but WOW the GX is an excellent upgrade!
Haven't had the chance to get her washed; forgive the dirt and tire grease.
Thanks @SURVIVOR619 I tried to add you to the first page, but unfortunately I am at the limit of photos one post... its 25 images or something, if i have some time i'll see if I can work with an admin @arcade to see what the options are to increase the bandwidth of this thread or something.
thank you, SURVIVOR619, for the information and photos. looks great. gives me confidence the 275/65/18s should fit mine when the time comes. yes, we definitely owe schwein kudos for this thread.
thank you, SURVIVOR619, for the information and photos. looks great. gives me confidence the 275/65/18s should fit mine when the time comes. yes, we definitely owe schwein kudos for this thread.
Right on! Thanks for the compliment. I'm really stoked to be part of the GX club! Good luck managing the wait 😃
I'm wondering that too. I have basically the same setup with the 285's and was able to get it to not rub pretty easily. I'm betting it was a higher negative offset wheel, I'm running -10.
I am convinced the shops that did the alignment didn't set the caster forward enough even after I told them. Had it aligned at 2 different shops and same result. I even have SPC adjustable UCAs so was definitely not expecting to need a BMC.
surprised to see i've been reading this thread for 2 years. FINALLY, though, it's time to replace the michelin latitudes that came on my GX when i bought it in 2020. the latitudes weren't bad tires, and it's one of those deals where i don't want to waste/spend money i don't have to, or before i have to, but WHEN ARE THESE TIRES EVER GOING TO WEAR OUT??? well, the tread is finally thin enough that i can legitimately make an excuse to replace them before winter.
as practically everyone on this thread agrees - or you probably wouldn't be reading this thread - i think the oem tire size is visually too small for the vehicle. and, not having a need for a lift, i just want to stuff as large a tire as i can in the wheel wells and still have everything function the way it's supposed to. which includes the absence of rubbing.
thanks to schwein and everyone who as contributed to this thread, as well as the "official tire and wheel thread", and, of course hours researching on tirerack, discount tire, consumer reports, etc., etc., i'd narrowed my candidates down to either michelin defender ltx m/s2, goodyear wrangler steadfast ht, or.... (dare i admit this?) vogue tyres. hopefully the vogue tyres comment doesn't get me kicked off the clublexus island. but, i years ago i had a cadillac concours (great car!!!) with vogues on it, and they were fantastic tires (or tyres) and nothing looks like them. i don't have the disposable income to take my expensive near-luxury suv 4-wheeling, so for me, the GX is basically a very tall, 4x4 cadillac - only BETTER. and, no one else is putting vogues on a GX. (maybe there's a reason for that, eh?)
anyway, in the KC area, I contacted SEVERAL tire shops, and none of them would even consider selling me anything other than oem size tires. or tyres. including KC Trends, which is one of the very few, better known custom wheel/tire/lift/lowering, etc. shops in the area. the manager said they will not touch a GX other than to install whatever tires I buy. no assistance in terms of determining fit, etc. he said GXs are too sophisticated with too tight of tolerances. they're also supposed to be one of the vogue dealers in town, so their attitude kind of killed my vogue obsession. probably for the best, right?
so, between michelin defenders and goodyear steadfasts - i know goodyear is practically never mentioned on the forum, but tirerack rates the wrangler steadfast essentially neck to neck with the defenders. and, with the promotions goodyear is currently running, a set of 4 goodyears is several hundred dollars less than the michelins. finally, and most importantly, the goodyear shop a few blocks from my house is the ONLY shop i could find that is absolutely happy to work with me to find a larger size that will fit. in fact, they're ordering in 3 sizes so we can switch them out until we get one that works!
we'll start with 275/65/18, and if that rubs, then go to either 265/65, or 265/70. actually, will start at the spare tire well, to make sure that fits. then, which ever size we settle on, i'll get a cheap-*** brand tire the same diameter for the spare.
looking forward to monday!
Last edited by BlackAngus; Sep 26, 2024 at 07:26 PM.
Reason: clarification
FYI, a goodyear wrangler steadfast ht 275/65/18 will NOT fit in the spare tire niche, even without a hitch. so, had to go with 265/65/18s. NO RUBBING. put about 100 miles on them today, and happy so far. maybe just because they're new, but they are practically silent in comparison to the michelin lattitudes they replaced. being taller than stock, they're slightly more wallow-y, but i like the feel. odd combination of being noticeably smoother over some road conditions and maybe a little stiffer over others. but, overall, very pleased so far! especially considering they cost 25% less than a set of michelin defenders.
hoping this helps someone else who is thinking about changing to larger tires. after a few weeks on 265/65/18s, i'm glad i made the move. for such a slight change, i'm surprised how much heavier, more planted the rolling weight feels, as well as how much more cushioned the ride is. firmly cushioned, not floaty, but definitely more cushioned. on the downside, i think i'm taking about a 1 mpg hit, and i'm a little concerned the additional weight will impact brake life. hopefully, not the life of the bearings, etc. as well. aesthetically, rationally, the height difference between as 265/60 and a 265/65 shouldn't have much, if any of an impact, but it really is just enough taller that it does help fill out the wheel wells. overall, if you're considering it - go for it.
