265/60-18s…describe trimming/BFH expected on a STOCK height VX?

[VX KAT]

Picking out tires for the Borbets 8" x 18", -2
Want as big as I can get, and don't mind significant trimming/BFH work.

Favoring 265/60-18 to minimize loss of height.
RAZ got 285/60 NTGs on his, but I want a little smaller.
I can't recall anybody putting this size on a STOCK height VX. I know Mav had them but he'd cranked the TB and had 1.5" spacers.

Tires I'm considering:

• Nitto Terra Grappler
• Toyo Open Country AT2
• Cooper Discoverer AT3

Looking at sizes:
255/55 - too "small" diameter for my taste.
255/60 - Nitto Terra Grappler
255/65 - no good choices I like
265/60 - Both Cooper AT3 and Toyo Open Country AT2


--------CURRENT-NTG----------COOPER AT3---------NITT0 TERRA GRAP
Tire size----285/60-18------265/60-18-------------255/60-18
Width-------11.2''-----------------10.4''----------------------10"
Sidewall --- 6.7''-------------------6.3''-----------------------6"
Diameter---31.5''-----------------30.5''----------------------30"
Circumf ----98.8''-----------------95.8''----------------------94.3"

---------------------TOYO OPEN COUNTRY AT2
Tire size----------------------265/60-18
Width---------------------------10.4''
Sidewall -------------------------6.3''
Diameter-----------------------30.5''
Circumf ------------------------95.8''


Saw a Cooper AT3 in person at a Goodyear shop near me. Shop has a 265/60 in the AT3 in stock and offered to do a mounting and test fit. Surprisingly, he knew about the VX, recalled a few details about it.

Isn't my normal shop, not sure if I want them doing the trimming/etc.
The manger guy has a Jeep, goes to Moab, does the tough stuff like Metal Masher, Steel Bender, maybe he's "qualified" to do trimming.
He said he can figure out/measure what needs cut/trimmed/pounded.
So I can be sure on sizing.

Going back tomorrow with a rim, see how it goes.

Any specifics or tips on the trimming expected for the 265/60s.?

[vt_maverick]

Is your "normal shop" the one that sanded the crap out of your cladding?

[VX KAT]

Is your "normal shop" the one that sanded the crap out of your cladding?

oh gawd NO…that was the stupid off road fab shop that made the tail ligt guards. I'm talking about my regular mechanic who is a big off road/dune/boulder climbing enthusiast. In fact, they're at King of Hammers right now for 3 days.

[Triathlete]

...don't mind significant trimming/bfh

Did someone highjack Sue's account? Next thing you know she will be asking about 35's and lockers!

[vt_maverick]

Got a call from her a bit ago... she's at the shop getting 265/60's fitted right now!

[44ficus44]

should look awsome! i put 265s on my 16 rims and the hight is stock. they make it look a bit rased but it doesnt distort it or make it look too wacked. so im sure the car will look amazing with the new tires. woow. post pics when you get done

[VX KAT]

Did someone highjack Sue's account? Next thing you know she will be asking about 35's and lockers!

Just did a test fit of the Cooper AT3s in 265/60, on front Driver side.
I really like this Cooper tire, looks great!

ANY INPUT/SUGGESTIONS DEFINITELY WELCOME!

• **Biggest Issue** - Top of tire is only about 2.5" from bottom edge of cladding. This is closer than current set up. Upward wheel travel may hit cladding pretty hard. Upward travel is an arc shape, need to see if tire clears it.
  If it doesn't I'm thinking of trimming down the flat horizontal part of cladding wheel well, from about 10 to 2 o'clock position.
  Flat part is about 1/2" wide, so removing that be enough??
  The exterior side of wheel well wouldn't look any different in that area.
  Is there any metal behind the wheel well cladding, or is it just straight sanding/dremling down?
  
  
• The NTG 285/60 is 31.5" diameter, vs. the 265/60 is 30.5.
  Even though it's 1" (net effect 1/2") shorter, since the Coopers stick out a bit due to -2 offset, they'll likely hit cladding, whereas the 285s are within well, and don't hit.
  
  
• May consider turning TB a small amount to gain height, but not affect rake too much.
  
  
• Bolt on back side actuallly JUST cleared, so just needs some BFH
  
  
• Front outer edge (where already trimmed for the 285/60s ) needs a fair amount of cladding trimmed. We couldn't even get tire turned inward to see where/if it touched splash guard.
  
  
• My Rocky Road SuperSliders MAY need to be trimmed a bit?it protrudes about 1/8- 1/4" beyond the bolt head. If we grind it down, then we'd have to weld a cap back on and paint of powdercoat.
  Any suggestions on this problem?
  
  
• Tires stick out about 1 - 1.5" beyond wheel wells, I really like the look, so I'm willing to put up with the extra dust/dirt/rain/muck that they spray up on side?.hopefully not rocks?.
  

So I ordered them, install on rims tomorrow, but taking them to off road guy on Monday morning for install & trimming. Goodyear shop isn't allowed to do it, plus I want my off-road guy to do it anyway?ah yes, I love privately owned small businesses!


Body is lifted up a bit in pic.

[VX KAT]

Did someone highjack Sue's account? Next thing you know she will be asking about 35's and lockers!

You're rubbing off on me Billy…who knows next I'll be chopping off the front lower bumper and pitching those plastic skids for Jo!
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um no

[VX KAT]

woow. post pics when you get done

...……he doesn't know me well enough...

[44ficus44]

...��he doesn't know me well enough...

picture queen hhe

[VX KAT]

LOOK OUT ficus, picture alert!…

Wohoo!! Got the Coopers mounted on the Borbets.
Lovin' the look, a bit more like a Tonka truck!

My guy had to turn the Torsion Bars a few times to get these to fit.
(I forgot to ask how many times), so I lost quite a bit of the rake. Raised up maybe 1" and good thing the new tires were 1/2" lower than my Nittos. Can anybody estimate how many TB turns based on the pics at bottom?
I'd like to lower them a little…will have to have the Moab mafia check her out, see if it can be done.

But the extra clearance up front will be handy now.




































Think I just found out where the Torsion Bars are

[Triathlete]

Nope...those are not your tbars. Your pic shows the tie rods. Your tbars are the large tubular bars that run from the rear of your A arm to the cross member about mid way back.

[VX KAT]

oh, thanks. Can tell the tie rods are freshly adjusted, what role do they play in fitting the wheels? Add some clearance somehow?
Would I notice any change?

[Triathlete]

That is for alignment. If not adjusted properly the tires would not be straight (like skiing with the skis not parallel to each other) and would wear your tires badly.