Hi,
97 4Runner SR5 4WD 5sp - I split my time daily driving this, my motorcycle, and a Honda Civic. The 4Runner's primary purpose is to haul my dirtbike to the dunes and Hollister and I camp in the back. I spent about 6 grand on repairs after a few sessions of jumping my 4 runner at the dunes on stock suspension For suspension, I ended up just putting some cheap shocks up front and some air shocks and new springs in the rear. Air shocks are good for when I have my dirtbike loaded on the hitch hauler and I can air it up to keep from sagging. I wont be jumping my 4Runner too much because it is too expensive lol. But I do like running around the dunes and getting unstuck.

Anyway, I want to put some new tires on it and I was thinking rather than putting another set of 265/75R16s on, I would like to go a little bigger. I put some spacers on when I did the suspension and I am planning on cutting the fenders to make room for bigger tires. It sounds like 33s need too much additional work and modification. I think I can do a 1" body lift but I don't want to do too much more. I dont do any major offroading but I do race around the dunes a bit. I might take it on easy trails in the future.

So should I stick with 265/75-16s?


Thx!
Brian

 

Sounds like you did quite some damage For $ 6000.00 in repairs if you only came away with shocks and air shocks and new rear springs

Tires are always a compromise get good tires for the dunes you will eat them on the Highway

Then maybe your commute is only a few miles your only a few miles from the dunes not knowing who can say

Are two sets of wheels more of a hassle then you want ??

Then you have your Dune tires when you want to play and your normal highway tires for those times

 

While I don't have a lot of experience in sand beyond parking on the beach, I have been very successful with BFG A/Ts. The do well on the road. They are like 11 ply so you could air them down without too much risk to sidewalls. They have a high load rating, so your dirtbike won't be an issue. And if timely rotations are kept, they will last for 70k+ miles.

 

Oh man.. The damage was: New suspension, new wheel bearings, new pinion seals, new AC compressor and alternator, transmission rebuild, and I cant remember what else. The 4runner made it home but I had trouble with gears and it didnt want to drive a straight line haha.

Yeah I think those tires sounds good. A/T and LT rating means lots of plys which is good because I have to air down to 12 or 15 psi on the dunes. I think 265/75R16 is the right size for now. My research shows that going with bigger tires means all kinds of rubbing without a lift, body lift, wheel spacers, fender trimming, and shaving down mounts and stuff.

Brian

 

If you want recommendations I used to run Kelly Safari TSR's, great on all terrains and low noise on the road. Still looked almost brand new after 19,000 miles. They make them in 32x11.50, which is almost exactly the size you have now, just slightly wider. (Only switched to BFGs cause I wanted a certain size.)
On those 4Runners you should be able to get away with a minor body lift, which really doesn't look bad in my opinion if you stay 2" or less.