Hi everyone,

I'm new here and new to wrenching on my 4Runner. I've spent about a week looking through all the information here, attempting to gather the necessary tid-bits to solve my problem.

I bought a used 2001 4runner some time ago that came with aftermarket tires and wheels. I didn't know much about cars at the time, mostly I work in the world of motorcycles. I noticed that under some load (a car-full of people), and when making a sharp left or right turn, I could hear the tires rubbing.

I tried to look into the wheel wells with the tires/wheels installed but couldn't see any problems. So, I stripped the wheels off. It turns out the tires are rubbing on the frame behind the suspension component mountings. I hadn't read anything on here about that yet. Mostly, I'd read that people had trouble with tires rubbing against fenders.

The tires that came with my rig are 285/70/R17. After doing a lot of reading here, it looks like this set up is much different than many that are used here. For example, most of the setups I've seen start with 15x7 or 15X8, even the largest tending to stay in the 15 in range.

I'm trying to figure out if there is a lift situation I can use, or if it would be in my best interest to save up my money, buy new wheels and tires in the range of what I've read herein, and then lift to accommodate the more typical tire/wheel setup. I'm guessing smaller wheels will help with unsprung weight and general cost of new tires when needed.

Any information will really help me. Thanks very much.

G

 

You could always give some wheel spacers a shot. I think that would solve your problem.

 

You'll need to post up your wheel dimensions including backspacing. There is a quick fix however, the steering stops are adjustable. But you'll lose some turning radius.
One more thing is that less rim/more tire is heavier, IIRC.

 

I'm by no means half as knowledgeable as some people here but I'd guess its a backspacing thing.

 

Your 2001 most likely came with 16X7 rims and 265/70R-16 tires. So your ties and rims are definitly sized up. Wheels spacers will most likely help. here is a site that shows you the difference between stock and what you have.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

Awesome info, thanks!

I went and did a bunch of reading about backspacing and other assorted wheel terminology. I'm guessing whatever jackass had the car before me used a wheel with a positive offset in order to clear the fenders. Using this supposition, I'm guessing that changing it, via spacers, adjusting the steering stops, etc. will end with the wheels rubbing the fenders. I think I can solve this with a body lift, right? In the end, I'd like to do a suspension lift as well, although I'm guessing I'll need both to clear the fenders at full compression, yes?

In order to gain a better understanding, I will measure the backspacing to be sure. I'll check my FSM for details on how to adjust the steering stops. What can I expect when doing this, aside from a loss in turning radius? Will wheel spacers also sacrifice turning radius?

What wheel spacers are recommended? I'm assuming how much space is needed is relative to the backspacing of my wheels. However, what is the metric to determining necessity?

I didn't realize that more wheel and less tire is LIGHTER than less tire and more wheel. Did I read that right?

I like that miata tire comparison site. I had been using a different one before I posted. Check it out: http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

Thanks again everyone.

 

Also, according to the link I posted in my last post, my original tire size was 225/75R15. Could that be right?

 

Morning bump.

 

These spacers good?

http://www.spidertrax.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1252/.f

 

Ok, so I think I found my wheels online. They are the American Racing Pythons. They claim to have a backspacing of 5". What does this tell me?

The other dimensions, according to the same site, are 17x8 with a 12 mm offset.

 

That depends. Check your spare out. If its a 225 then thats what came with it. If it's a 265 then of course thats what it came with. How far is your speedo off. That will also help in knowing what you originally came with. Can't help much with backspacing, not sure I understand it much myself.

 

So, to check my speedo, do I just ride along side someone else's car and have them tell me how fast they are going? There's got to be a better way to check than that. Also, how do I heal a speedo error due to tires?

 

you need less backspacing, not more. Under 4" I think, I can't find the thread where I measured my stock 16x7 rims.

Also, a body lift won't help. You said in first post they're rubbing on the frame.

FWIW, my 285's on 16" rims rub the frame a little with the steering cranked. Its livable for me, I don't want to use wheel spacers.

In addition, I don't believe wheel stops for turning are adjustable on the 3rd Gen.

Use a GPS to check true speed.

 

Ah, good info. Thanks.

I was under the impression that moving the tire profile out would eventually cause rubbing on the fenders (which are part of the body) when the suspension is compressed. That was the reason I posted with the idea of a body lift. Is this not true?

 

if you're worried about rubbing the fenders then do a 1" bl and move the tires out a little like with the wheel spacers

 

you need a lift if you are running 33's like that. not only that you probably can't run a 15" wheel because of the size of your brakes. a wheel with a different offset might help, but i'd just go with a suspension lift.

 

Yea, I'm planning to lift it. I'm guessing around 3" overall might do it (1" with BL, 2"+- with suspension). What do you think?

 

imho body lifts are ugly.

 

I went down to my local shop, was impressed with the proprietor and his information, and have figured out my course of action. Thanks very much for all your input, guys. Hopefully I'll see you out on the trail once I get my rig up and running.