I got a great deal on a set of 285/75 16 bfg a/t so I also purchased a set of eagle 16x8 chrome wheels to go with them. Problem is when I put them on I backed off the lift, turned the wheel and ripped my front mud flap off. I want to keep the tires if I can but I want to take the path of least resistance to make them fit. I really dont want a suspension lift so I was thinking of a small body lift or spacers. I have tried to read up on some options but cant find anything to help my specific predicament. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Those tires are a lot bigger than stock tires...the only way they'll fit without rubbing is if you lift the truck about 4 inches. You can fit 32s with a small lift, but 33s (like you have) will rub like a mofo with anything less than 4 inches of lift. The cheapest good quality 4-inch lift will cost about $1800-2000 installed. You could do a 2" body lift and a cheap suspension lift, and maybe get through it for less than a grand. That's a lot of trouble just to keep some tires, though.

 

I'm running 285's with a 2" spacer lift in the front and minimal trimming. You will have to do at least 2", there's no need for 4".

Just get a spacer lift and do a little trimming (under $300), you might have to take off the mud flaps.

 

Obviously, you can fit any size tire with trimming. Hell, I run 38x15.50s with a 5" lift and "minimal trimming" on my '85. If he's concerned about ripping off his mudflap, obviously he doesn't want to hack the piss out of his fenders. 33s rub slightly even with a 4" lift. Not to mention, spacer lifts are junk. You either get a bad ride from lack of down-travel, or you replace your balljoints every 6 months. They're not bad for street-driven trucks, but this is an off-road forum.

 

Scoot: Check www.tacomaterritory.com for a load of info on this subject. This question seems to come up at least once per week. I seem to remember 3" being a magic number for Tacos with 285s. You will still get some rubbing at full lock in a left turn and have to beat on the pinch weld some. Also check the New England TTORA site. They have a pretty good photo album that shows different lift, wheel and tire combinations and any body "modifications" they may have made.

 

Well, obviously when he states He's interested in "crap" spacers. And, it's certainly not necessary to "hack the piss out of his fenders" to fit 285's. I am not a proponent of "hacking" anything up.

I was just trying to help him out and I am not going to get into an opinion war with you on the usefullness or relaibility of a particular suspension modification.

 

I agree spacers will fix your problem as long as your only lo oking for clearence

 

It's not so much the height of the tire that will kill you, but rather the width. A 285/75 is only about 11.5" wide which means you should be able to run spacers and pound the pinch weld inside the front fenders flat and you should be set. If that doesn't do it, get a 1" body lift on top of that.