1986 Toyota Land Cruiser 70-Series for Slow Exploration

There's been lots of discussion at work lately regarding wheels and tires for this thing. The current setup has Delta Trailcutter AT 4S tires, 31x10.5R15. I don't know the specs on the wheels. I'll measure next time I pull one off (safe to say wider and more offset than stock. The current 15" barely clears the rear drum brakes! The spare is a different size, 265/70-16. The rolling diameters aren't far off, so it would probably work if needed in a pinch. I like the all-around tread design that isn't too noisy on the street. I'll be honest, and say that I'm happy to give up some traction in gnarly off-road situations I will likely encounter only now and again for a bit more peace and quiet on the slab which I will be dealing with more often.

Issues as I see it:

-The current mismatched sizes become a potential problem  once I upgrade to something other than an open rear differential. Also not ideal for a five-tire rotation.

-I don't love the chrome/polished finish. I don't hate the general bullet-hole/phone-dial style of the wheels, but I'd prefer a different finish. Some have suggested that they are "Boomer-spec Jeep wheels." 🤣

-I'm not lacking for footprint. I've almost never broken traction outside of two instances, one while dumping the clutch on gravel with revs up in first gear, and once while stomping on the brakes hard at low speed on soaking wet asphalt during a downpour. Both were a 'chirp' for a fraction of a second. I could use a rotating weight reduction. Lighter weight would help me here. Narrower would also help pep it up with slightly reduced rolling resistance.

-Current and future tall/skinny AT tire availability looks better for 16" than 15" 

My coworkers are all more experienced at this stuff than me, even if it is 80's/90's  G-Wagens, Jeeps, or Tacomas instead of Landcruisers. I've also asked a few of our local-ish dealers who do a lot of 70-Series Toyota stuff. The consensus is tall and skinny tires are the way to go. The wide steamroller brodozer crap is just that.

There seems to be lots of tire selection in 235/85-16. The 31" diameter is pretty good.Slightly taller by an inch or less wouldn't hurt (I don't think.)

I'm leaning towards a forged JDM five or six-spoke alloy like Volk TE37XT, or 4x4 Engineering Bradley V Takumi. This should give the right restomod look with a performance boost. Not cheap, so the purchase will likely have to wait. The finish I have in mind is gold or a lighter bronze.

I'm still a relative n00b at this stuff, so I'm open to suggestions or comments.

A te37 or a variant there of is almost impossible to go wrong. Heck, I almost went with te37s on my SS and if I could get them for the d90 it'd be a done deal. I'm also a big fan of tall/skinny tires over balloons and I think this body style is perfect to accentuate that. IMHO, you're on the right track.

E36 M3, I just found volks on ebay in the big d90 pattern...

I like Nomad Wheels offerings right now, and Fifteen52 has a couple vintage-ish options. Bronze on red is a perfect color combo for the wheels. Can you fit a 255/85-16? Works out to about 33x10.5 in inches. 

255/85R16 is indeed, theoretically, about 33". I wanted tall and skinny on the J20 and went for Cooper S/T Maxx in that size, and was pretty disappointed that they are both shorter and fatter than advertised. I mean, so am I, but nobody pays me four figures to look tall and skinny.

235/85R16 is probably a more appropriate size for the little Cruiser, and I believe Toyo offers a 235/85R16 that actually measures out as advertised, or at least looks like it. There are far more choices in the 235 than the 255, for whatever that is worth to you.

iansane said:

E36 M3, I just found volks on ebay in the big d90 pattern...

Yes; I say do it! 😁

In reply to thatsnowinnebago :

Thanks for the suggestions! I've taken a look at both, and I'm not a big fan of the ones both brands offer that look like an alloy version of a stock steelie with a dog dish hubcap...too vintage IMHO. The other models from either brand come close, but none quite have a mix of the particular style I'm after plus exactly the right size. It's hard to put it finger on exactly what it is, but they look like modern wheels that have some vintage styling cues. I'm picky...😜

Here's examples of the styles I'm digging at the moment.

255/85-16 *might* fit without a lift, maybe just a little rubbing at the extremes. I doubt they would save me any weight, and the slightly taller height is also going the wrong way for adding pep/acceleration. The 235/85-16 should theoretically be right around 31.75 inches.

DarkMonohue said:

 both shorter and fatter than advertised. I mean, so am I, but nobody pays me four figures to look tall and skinny.

🤣

I'll look at the Toyo offerings in the 235...thanks for the tip!

I got a beefier universal exhaust hanger bracket (slightly thicker steel) and set about drilling holes in the perfect spot to line up with my existing exhaust.

In the process of installing it, I realized that the next hanger downstream is also broken. It snapped off at the cold raised booger-looking weld between the hanger and the pipe. I'm guessing it failed before the hanger I just replaced, and then hastened the demise of the one I already fixed, but it is probably a chicken/egg scenario as to what started things.

It might be hard to see in the photo below, but the rod is definitely not attached to the pipe any longer.

I left it for now, as I was at work after-hours, and didn't feel like shuffling vehicles around to get access to an empty lift, digging out the welder, getting the settings dialed in, getting the pipe clean, etc, etc. I went home for dinner instead, but someday soon...

On a side note, the Cruiser seems to love the cold temperatures lately. I can feel/hear the turbo spooling, especially in third gear, and it scoots along a lot better than when it sucking in hot air. 😄

In reply to ae86andkp61 (Forum Supporter) :

No worries.  It seems like 235/85 might be an OEM size for something.  For whatever reason, there are tons of choices in that size and very few in 255/85.  

In reply to ae86andkp61 (Forum Supporter) :

The five spokes on the pickup are **chef's kiss** 🤌