tyre chains, body lift, tyre clearance.

[deetoy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close deetoy]

I'm thinking of getting some tyre chains - to cope with occasional trips to mud & snow.
currently have 45mm lift. Looking at 50mm bodylift.
Has anyone tried the low profile style tyre chains on a 90 series prado? I'm running 265/75/16 tyres, and even those have minimal clearance once a little mud builds up. The squarer tread rubs on the chassis at full lock & compression where the original highway tread left some clearance.

I've looked at mudguard trimming and modifying the inner guards, not much to be gained there.

Anyone had good/bad experiences?

[Jared Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Jared]

Re: tyre chains, body lift, tyre clearance.

Hey there,

I bought chains for my 90's prado a couple years ago, for Vic high country. Konig brand.
I run 265/75/16 cooper st. Fit chains with ease on the rear! I think in users manual of the prado it
says not to use chains on the front.. Also have the after market suspension 45mm.

I have no problems with tyres rubbing either, though i know others that do rub and they adjust their front end some how
for more clearance.. Im not a mechanic

Any way ive had no problems with my chains!!

If you have any doubt fit them on your vehicle before you buy them, if they want to sell a product it shouldnt be a problem..

Good luck

[StormyKnight Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close StormyKnight]

Re: tyre chains, body lift, tyre clearance.

To get a lttle more clearence on the front of your Prado 90, get your wheel alignment guy to adjust the castor. This adjustment actually moves the wheels forward thus giving more space at the rear of the tyre where they tend to rub at the buldge in the mud flap.

I fitted BFG MT's with standard suspension (with no sag ie. >740mm from bottom of rim to guard) & whilst they did still rub a little when that side was compressed & the wheel turned to 45 degrees, after 10,000km it wasn't an issue.

Those BFGs have now done 55,000km & still have 10mm of tread.

...and remember to rotate your tyres, they will last a lot longer that way.

...and yes, no chains permitted on a Prado 90 front due to insuficient spacing between the tyres & the suspension/brakes.

Cheers
Richard

[Christopher Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Christopher]

Re: tyre chains, body lift, tyre clearance.

...and yes, no chains permitted on a Prado 90 front due to insuficient spacing between the tyres & the suspension/brakes.

Cheers
Richard

What ? Why?
Sometimes it is a must .... sometimes on all 4 tires also .....

Depends on the terrain I guess .... but I always carry 4 sets of chains in my car .... usually I use chains only on 2 tires (front), however there has been the odd occasion where that was not adequate and 4 tires had to be chained ..... anyway it is a good idea to carry spares as sometimes chains break .... not happened to me yet as I use strong chains but would hate to be left in very bad snow conditions without the best "shoes"...