i've been trying to make a decision on new tires for a while. i keep reading that big tires puts stress on the 3.0 engine. any recommendations? i'm looking at those bfg m/ts...

oh, i also got 4 tacoma alloy wheels. i'm planning to paint them black and then mount the new tires to them. will the bgf fit on these?

 

bfg will fit on those, just gotta make sure you get the right size for the rims. You should be fine with 33" and stock gearing...but you might want to check for rubbing. a tall skinny tire might be better, something like 33x9.5 or something. But i dont think BFG makes mud terrain in that size any more.

 

Im running BFG M/T's 31's, and while i'd love to run 33's (just for looks) theres no way i'd be doing it with standard gearing, from what other guys are running, i'd say 4.88's would be the way to go with them.
The 3.0 doesnt like hills on a good day, 33's will only make things worse.
This is just my opinion though...

 

I have 33" TruXus MT's, which are a lot heavier then BFG MT's and my 3.slow does 'ok'. You're not gonna win any races, and expect to downshift on hills...and stay in the right lane....all the time, but it's the price you pay. That is until you up the gears to 4.88's or 5.29's. BTW, my truck has 4.56's in it from the factory, you may want to check what yours has.

 

where do you find out what your gearing is?

 

4.88 are a must if you want to run 33x1250s "comfortably." i had those gears stock from the factory and didnt have any real issues. regardless though, i go to school in the mountains and it would constantly downshift on me with those big meats on there. if youre mostly on flat surfaces though, id say go for it, youll love the look and feel of the 33s.

 

Is it an auto tranny? If so, say goodbye to using OD and hello to 3-speed 4runner until you regear it or put more HP under the hood.

 

You get it from the code plate on the firewall in the engine bay, right in the center of the truck. I forget where I broke mine down to figure out gear and number of pins in the carrier (2 or 4), but that's where the plate is. Google around, you may find the site I used.

EDIT: Found this, see what it tells you: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/faq/vin/

 

If your truck is a manual and came with 31's, then you VERY likely have 4.56 and it will be OK (not good, not undriveable) with 33's. Regearing to 4.88's (don't listen to all the people who say regearing one step isn't worth it) will make things A LOT better.

If you have an auto and came with 31's then you likely have 4.88's and it's already a dog and will be A LOT worse with 33's (as mt goat said - kiss your overdrive goodbye). You will be looking for new diffs as these are not regearable due to the offset pinion. 5.29's would be OK, but I would lean towards 5.71's if you're on the highway a lot and want to be able to hold that monster overdrive.

The big issue is the width of the tire - you're probably going to need some lift to fit it without rubbing, and it might not wear right on a factory rim. Look into 33x10.50. The BFG MT comes in that size, it will fit perfect on those rims and eliminate all the rubbing/lift issues and expense.

 

Listen to this man...he knows of what he speaks!

 

x2

my buddy let me run a tank o' gas with 33/12.5's and my runner was slow as hell. i have stock 4.88's and an auto tranny. btw, rubbing was very minimal, but i personally would do 10.5's. my $.02

 

Aw shucks ... I gotsa fan club!

(but yes, when it comes to running 33's on a 2nd gen, yes I do know what I speak!)

 

Re-gear. 4.88 minimum

Check the newbie section, if you want 33's the next question will be "how much lift do I need?"

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f120/toyota-faq-66255/

 

wow! thank you all for your responses! i will be taking pics of 4runner this weekend. more about 4runner...5 spd, 2-3" body lift (i think because of a gap between rear frame and body) rock sliders (i think...), custom bumper (front & back) optima yellow top....

ive had this runner for 1 month and i love it! i'll keep you guys updated this weekend. oh, runner is going into shop this friday for a muffler job (cheap imco muffler) ill take picks of that also. well talk to you guys later.