Tundra Tire Questions – Low Pro’s, 33’s, or 35’s?
Dan Murphy | May 16, 2008 | Comments 27
What’s the first upgrade you think of for any aggressive-looking new truck like the Tundra? Wheels and tires, of course! Whether your taste runs to urban chic with a low profile hint of tire peaking over massive wheels or the super-lugged, gnarly off-road tires in search of mud, you want to stamp that truck with your own style, right?
Check out these photos of a featured Tundra (A Prize-winning Tundra) with a 6″ Pro-comp lift and 35″ tires.
A few after-market wheel companies have come out with larger rims mated to low profile tires that maintain the diameter of the stock package. This is pretty exciting considering the fact that Toyota went with an odd bolt pattern for a half-ton—5 on 150mm. If your favorite roads run to dirt, mud, sand and rocks and you crave the kind of traction gained with monster flotation tires, you’re probably limited to 33-inchers, just about an inch over stock. They’ll do the job just fine, but they lose a little in the gnarly category.
To figure out your max tire size while staying within 10-percent of stock diameter, you have a couple of options. You could simply measure the diameter of the tires on your Tundra and add 10%, but you wouldn’t get the opportunity to use the math you learned in school. The stock tire size for a Tundra is 255/70R18. The 255 represents the width of the tire in millimeters; 70 is the percentage of the sidewall height in relation to the width. Since flotation tires are measured in inches, you have to work the conversion factor into the formula which goes like this:
Tire width (255) divided by a conversion factor (25.4) = width in inches (10.04)
Tire width in inches times percentage (70) = sidewall height in inches (7.03)
Two (2) times sidewall height in inches (7.03) + rim diameter in inches (18) = 32.05 inches overall height of the factory tires.
Hypothetically, you could jump to 35-inch flotation tires and stay within the 10% limit, but since there are some guidelines that recommend staying within 3-percent of factory tire size, conservative tire dealers (read most tire dealers) insist 33-inches is the limit.
Here’s a featured Tundra (Michael’s Trick Doublecab) with a set of 33’s.
There are some downsides to going with bigger tires. First of all, you’ll loose some low-end torque (especially when you go 10% bigger than factory). Fortunately, the Tundra’s 10.5-inch 4.30 ratio is so beefy you could loose a bit of torque and never miss it. Also, a vehicle’s ECU is programmed for shift points, speedometer and odometer readings based on the stock diameter. If you go big, you’re going faster and farther than the system realizes. While most of us can live with misreads on our gauges, you can’t use “I’m over stock diameter, officer” as an excuse to get out of a speeding ticket. Most premium full-sized truck re-programmers will recalibrate all of the above for over-sized tires, but, you guessed it, none have programmers for the Tundra. Hypertech, however, does offer an in-line speedometer calibration unit that plugs in behind your dash and corrects your gauges. If you go bigger than 33” on a new Tundra, it might be wise to invest in one.
If you’re feeling deprived by the lack of wheels on the market (no to mention re-programmers) just stand back and look at how nicely the stock wheel or optional 20-inch rims fill up the Tundra’s wheel well. You’ve got tire options and as more new Tundra’s roll out of the showroom, the aftermarket will eventually catch up.
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Filed Under: Toyota Tundra Accessories • Tundra Lift Kits
What is the biggest tire you can fit under a bone stock 07 up tundra?
Patrick – Without cutting the bumpers or lifting the truck, 33″ tires are as big as you can go. Lift the front end 3″ (and the rear 1″) and you can get to 35″ tires. Lift the truck 6″ and cut a little bit away from the front bumpers, and you can get to 37″ tires. Haven’t seen anything bigger.
i have a 2007 tundra and i was going to lift my truck, but i didnt want to do what everyone else has which is a 6 inch with 35s/37s. so i came to the conclusion that i wanted big and to run 39s or 40s so i did a 6 inch suspension, 3inch spacer, and 3 inch body total of 12 inches and i am running 40s with no trimming did i mention it is 2 wheel drive.
Beau – Sounds awesome. Good point about the body lift – that’s another way to go bigger. Why don’t you send us an email so we can feature your truck? It’s sounds as nice as anything else we’ve featured…
So would cooper ltz 275/06/20 fit without a lift?
sorry i meant 275/60/20
Mike – That’s a 33″ tire, so there’s a good chance you’ll have some fitment issues up front. Adding a simple leveling kit should make it work.
[...] it matter? Check this out, and while you’re at it look for the article they did on my truck! . Tundra Tire Questions – Low Pro’s, 33’s, or 35’s? | tundraheadquarters.com __________________ Greg’s 2007 5.7 Slate DC 12″ Custom Suspension Lift 37″ Toyo Open Country’s [...]
Picking up my first Tundra this week and want to add a few aftermarkets including tires. I have been reading that the biggest tire you can put on a stock Tundra is a 33″ but does this allow proper wheel travel and turning?
I went through this many years ago with another truck but found that the bigger tires would rub and even dent the front fenders when they were turned and the suspension compressed.
Terry – You are correct. Without some sort of lift/leveling kit, 33’s are as big as you want to go. Even at 33″ you may have some tire rub.
OK, I’ve been out of the mod game for a while. Lift kit I understand, what’s a levelling kit and would that allow me to run 33″ with no rub?
Terry – No problem. A leveling kit usually just lifts the front end of the truck instead of both front and rear. Since most new trucks come from the factory with a forward lean (or rake), lifting the front 2″ just about levels them out. The issue with tire rub is two fold. Tires can rub on the top because they run into the suspension, body, or frame, or they can rub on the sides in the same ways. The leveling kit reduces or eliminates rub on the top of the tire in all but the most extreme situations (like full travel, something most trucks never experience). The rub on the side of the tire, however, has a lot to do with the tire width and the wheels you buy. Every tire and wheel combo is different, and I can’t say for sure if it will rub or not. However, adding a leveling kit (we recommend Toytec or Low Range Off-Road leveling kits) will eliminate “top rub”.
OK, I checked out some of the leveling kits available and they seem pretty inexpensive and easy to install. Any feedback on vehicle ride, handling, tire wear after an install? Did I also read somewhere that I will need to get a Toyota shop to reset my computer or something like that?
Sorry, last comment was from me too. Also wondering about the easiest way to get the low rumble sound the engine “should” have. I’m coming off a Hemi that sounded great and was a lot of fun to drive. The Toyota is a far superior vehicle but would love to get that V-8 rumble instead of the TRD sewing machine sound.
Terry – For the answer to your first question, check out our ToyTec and Low Range Off Road kit reviews (just search the site for the words “toytec” and “low range” and you’ll find them). As for the rumble, I’m a big fan of visiting your local muffler shop. Here’s a good article about it: http://www.tundraheadquarters......fications/
My truck came from the factory with BBS 20″ wheels and 275/60/20 Michelins. I do not have any rubbing issues.
I have a 04 tundra, What you guys think is the best size to lift it? 2.5 inches, 3 inches or 4 inches?
And what lift kit?
Michael – I’d like to refer you to TundraSolutions.com – they have some people that are more knowledgeable about the older Tundras. We specialize in the 07+ here. Having said that, ToyTec offers a lift kit for the older Tundras. Based purely on the quality of their product (and not on any actual testing or review), I would suggest you look in that direction as well.
I have 2005 4 door tundra. I have factory 17″ wheels on it. How big can I go with tires? I don’t want to lift it and I can’t afford new wheels.
Joe – No idea. Ask your tire dealer. Usually you can go 1-2″ bigger.
Just installed a 3 inch Toytec kit on a 2005 double cab 4X4. Even before the lift the distance between the upper control arm (UCA) on the front suspension and the inside of the tire was cozy to say the least. With the lift I have a tight inch between the UCA and the inner part of the tire. These are stock wheels with 265/75R16 tires; want to get new tires next, possibly 285’s. Would like to add new wheels, but wonder what the proper fitment as far as backspacing and offset to provide more clearance from the UCA and give the truck that bulldog stance I loved so much with my Tacoma. AIn’t scared about welding spacers on the back of the existing steel wheels and adding longer lug bolts, but I do transport my kids around in this rig, too! Fancy ain’t my bag just function.
Any suggestions on specs for proper clearance with new wheels; backspacing, offset, width, etc.?
Todd – Sorry man – I’m not sure.
If I put a 4″ lift on a my 07 crewmax would I have any problems with 35×12.50×17 rubbing on turing?
Brandonk – No idea, but my guess is that you’ll have a little. However, I think it will be something you can work around easily enough.
If i put a 3in front end leveling kit on my 2010 toyota tundra 2wd dbl cab standerd bed would i be able to put 33in tires on 20 rims with no rub? Or what size tires and wheels would you suggest?
Adam – Tire dealer bro. Not because that combo won’t fit (I’m sure that it will w/o significant rub), but because they can send back whatever you buy if it doesn’t work.
Ok SO I get that I can put 33s on with no lift and with a leveling kit I can go up to 35s. I am putting on a truxxx leveling kit but Im only going with the 33s. My question is can I use the stock wheels or do I have to go aftermarket with that too. I like my stock wheels but I want a bigger meatier tire.
Thanks Rob