(Time to de-lurk...)

I had been planning to run the old-style 33x9.50 BFG MTs on my 76 FJ40, but now I'm considering the MT KMs instead, due to availability issues. I can get both sizes right now, but since BFG discontinued the other ones, if I destroy a tire six months or a year from now, I'm not sure I'd be able to replace it.

The general consensus seems to be that 33x9.50 will fit on a stock 40 with reasonably non-saggy springs. Will 33x10.50s probably fit, too?

The body of my truck is in mediocre shape, so I don't mind doing a bit of fender chopping if it will help. As a bonus, that might even improve the rust situation. :D

gonna have to chop the fenderwells.

FJSRULE sez...
gonna have to chop the fenderwells.
A lot, or only for articulation? I mean, is it a matter of "chop or you'll wreck the tires when you flex" but I'll be OK on the road for a while, or is it more like "chop before you go to the tire store"?

You kan always go 235/85 16. They are approximately 32" high and 9.5" wide.

You probably wouldn't be able to drive on the street with 33x10.5s and uncut fenders with stock suspension. My dad used to run 33x9.5s uncut with a slight lift and they would tuck up inside perfectly, but there was NO room to screw with. An inch wider tire (if it really is 1" wider), would definitely get destroyed by the fender. Of course one time the tire guy told me they used to put 33x12.5s on stock Cruisers all the time. :rolleyes: You should be able to get the tire guys to do a test fit before you decide what tire to run.

Originally posted by jbt
You kan always go 235/85 16. They are approximately 32" high and 9.5" wide.
Not if I want to keep my stock 15" rims, I can't! Putting new wheels on will push the price up too high.

Can anyone point me to pictures of well-trimmed FJ40 fenders? I want to know what I'm getting into... And will I have to do the front, too, or just the rear?

just the rear sorry i don't have any pics for ya though.

Do you mostly follow the lines of the existing fender, or do a radical chop to get the fender outta the way for good? I'm not too concerned about running flares right now...

If you want to keep it kind of stock looking, just follow the lines and trim out as much as you can (about 1/2" on the front edge of the well, about 2" on the top). You can trim as much as you want off the rear edge. Make it look how you like it.

Spend the $60 or about that and get the flares.
then you have a template to cut from.
Check the other LC websites (offroad.com I think) and there is a tech article on doing the fendercut/flare install.
Unless your rig is built it's gonna look hillbilly with butchered up fenders.

Try em on before you start cutting. Are you using stock wheels or something much wider?
I had 33x10.50 Swampers on stock wheels (soon to be seen on a certain shiny Pig) and they were as narrow or narrower than some 33x9.50's I compared them too.
I was running around 3" of lift with mine though, so I don't know how it would do with no lift.

I've run these on my 40. Actually the 33x10.50 BFG AT. It has no lift. I ran them on my 15x8 3.75" backspaced chrome mods. They will clear the rear fenders without trimming. However they rub in the top of the fender where the rollbar and seat attachments are. Mine is a 76 and has uncut fenders and complete stock, even had stock abused bushings. In the front in extreme turns fully articulated it would rub on the steering rod.

I have recently discovered the joys of a Sawzall, :D so I think I'm going to try out the 33x10.50s and see what happens.

Sheet-metal chopping is *fun*! I took out a bunch of rust from my fenderwell, now I need my friend to weld a patch in.

This Sawzall could be the start of a dangerous hobby...

All righty, sending this thread back to the top...

I picked up a set of 33x10.50 BFG MTs this morning, and on stock ('76 FJ40) wheels they just barely fit with my stock suspension and uncut fenders. I can see where I need to cut on the rear before I try flexing it up at all. I might leave the front as-is for a bit and see what happens.

I think I need to do a springover this weekend. :D

Thanks for the advice, guys! I think I'm going to like the extra width of the 10.50s.

If you do a SOA this weekend you will need new tires on Monday. 33s just won't be enough. Once you start down the slippery slope of modifications it is easy to get out of control. Good Luck! I've yet to see the 33x10.50 MTs. I bet they are nice.

Later!

Eric V.

Don't I know it. :rolleyes: I better hold off on the SOA for a while. I want to wheel this thing sooner, not later!!!

Eric, if you were closer than Idaho, I'd say c'mon by and have a look. As it is, I'll post some pics, hopefully tonight. I like the size of the tire. The width to height ratio looks just about right on my small 40. And my lack of power steering means that 12.50s wouldn't be any fun at all!

My '76 has 2" extended shackles front and rear, trimmed rear fenders, and approx 2.5" lift springs in the rear...I have to say, the 33x12.50's look really nice, and I do fine even w/out power steering...I do have an extra steering stabilzer, though. The 12.50's do slightly rub on the steering at full lock to the right, though...haven't had any troubles so far, though, since it's all round parts and I don't steer that tight too much anyway :D

http://polarweasel.cruiserpages.com/cruiser/Images/20.jpg

Doesn't look too bad, but those rear fenders really need to get whacked tomorrow night! I'll probably straighten out the front ones while I'm at it. They're, ah, slightly bent... :flipoff2:

good looking rig you got there!

Keep up the good work!

:D :beer:

Thanks, rugburn! :beer: Obviously you haven't looked too closely at it! :D

If you saw it in person, the rust demons would be a little more alarming. A friend's gonna weld in new fenderwells for me one of these days. For now, I've got my jumper-cable bag sitting over the hole to keep the tire from flinging all the road shit and slush up into the back. What a PITA. :mad3:

I'm very happy to finally have decent meats on it, though. It's so nice to have traction!

At least it's on the road and you are having a fum time with it!

Keep up the good work!

:)

My first cruiser was a 69 FJ40 that I had the springs rearched 2" and then put on 33 x 12.5's with no problem. I fourwheeled it hard and the only time the tires hit was when the spring lost its arch when I hit a huge hole while doing a water crossing. Other than that I never had a problem with them hitting and I never trimed the fender wells.