Can You Fit 33-inch Tires On A Hilux? (N70 FITMENT GUIDE)

A Hilux N70 (D4d) can accommodate 33” tires with a 2” lift combined with a 2″ leveling kit.

A Body mount chop combined with some wheel arch trimming is necessary to prevent rubbing at full compression and at full lock.

With the Toyota Hilux being an IFS front suspension setup, you are limited to how high you can go before compromising your CV angles.

Let’s look at what is required to make 33” tires work flawlessly on an N70 Hilux SR5 (D4d).

Use the app below to get an idea of suitable tire sizes for your Hilux.

The SR5 Hilux has decent wheel arch clearance which allows you to fit bigger tires without too many hassles.

So, let’s look at the minimum requirements to make those 33’s work.

Minimum Suspension Lift for 33” Tires on a Hilux

When it comes to fitting 33s on your Hilux N70 you have a few options available, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

• If, for example, your Hilux is stock and you are intent on fitting an aftermarket suspension to fit 33″ tires then opt for a 3” kit straight off the bat.
• This allows you to fit 33s with the least amount of additional trimming and cutting.

Also, make sure you understand the implications of a lift/leveling kit if your truck is still under warranty.

2+2 Option

If you have an existing 2” suspension upgrade, let’s say a 2” OME suspension kit, then you’ll need to either install a 2” body lift or a 2” leveling kit.

The leveling kit will be the cheapest and quickest option.

• In this instance, you’ll still be required to do some light trimming on the fenders.
• Body mounts will require some modification, but not extensively.
• Combine this with a 2-inch lift.
• Will be minimim contact at full compression

3+2 Option

With a 3” suspension and a 2″ body lift, you won’t need to do any extensive trimming or cutting at all.

• When you combine the 3” suspension with the 3” body lift, you will not have any scrubbing
• No Contact even under full compression
• There is enough room for the wheels to travel and compress.

What about your UCA? Will they clear?

UCA (Upper Control Arms) And 33s On Your Hilux

When fitting 33s, always remember the movement and room required to clear the UCA.

The biggest issue with your tires is hitting the UCA at the front when at full lock.

• An aftermarket adjustable UCA will allow more room on the inner side of the tire
• This gives you the option to fit a slightly more positive offset wheel.
• This wheel option keeps it nicely tucked inside the guards and street legal.  

A more negative offset wheel will give you a more aggressive stance and probably more stability, however, you’ll then need to fit wider arch flairs to keep it legal, since they will poke out quite a bit.

Alternatively, a zero offset rim is perfect to run 285s on a 16×8 inch rim with factory UCAs.

The aftermarket UCA also allows you to set the caster angle further forward in order to clear the body mount better.

• The aftermarket UCA also allows you to set the caster angle further forward to clear the body mount better.
• I had to set mine completely forward to clear the UCA 100%.
• With a 2″ lift getting caster is not a problem
• Once you go 3″ the IFS geometry is thrown out a bit
• An adjustable aftermarket UCA is a perfect solution.

Diff Drop Kit on a Hilux

The main problem with IFS suspension upgrades is the CV axles.

The diff of an IFS truck is mounted directly against the underside of the chassis.

This makes for excellent stability and cornering, however, it limits the downward travel of the wheels and places the CV joints under more stress when the vehicle is lifted too high.

NB: It’s not recommended to go higher than a 3-inch lift kit on an IFS vehicle, and if you do decide to go higher, you’ll need additional modifications such as diff drop kits, adjustable UCA (Upper Control Arms), LCA, and Stabilizer arms.

Trimming the Guards for 33” on a Hilux

With 2+2 suspension and lift options, you will still need to cut the inner guards and some of the metal underneath to make sure there is zero contact under full compression and full lock.

So don’t be afraid to get that dremel out, or else you’ll be slicing up your new tires in no time!

NB: If you don’t want to do any cutting, then go 3” suspension combined with a 3” body lift.

Even in this instance, depending on the tire, you might still have to do a BMC. The 3” body lift will raise the guard work higher resulting in less trim work.

BMC (Body Mount Chop) to Accommodate 33s

It is recommended to do a small BMC to ensure everything clears underneath at full lock, especially in reverse.

You will need to remove the front mudguards completely and also cut out a section of the inside front guards.

The body mounts at the rear of the front guards, that’s the limiting factor.

NB: A body lift kit will only lift the cab, however, the mount remains in the same position it was, and it is the amount that is the limiting factor as to the width and height of the tire you’re planning to fit.

Are 33-inch Tires The Same As 285s (Metric vs. MM)

When comparing a 33” tire to a 285 wide tire, you are essentially talking about two completely different measurements.

The 33” refers to the width of the tire (285) multiplied by the height percentage of the sidewall (75), in millimeters, x2 because there are two sidewalls, divided by 25.4 (inches) plus the wheel size in inches (16”).

Phew!!! That’s a mouthful and a lot to digest at once so let’s break it down into a simple formula.

As mentioned, 285 and 33 are referring to two completely different measurements.

Metric tire sizes can be a bit more complicated when it comes to understanding what size they really are.

Metric vs Millimeters

Because each tire manufacturer uses their own molds, and there’s no set industry pattern, the 285/75/16 is usually the accepted metric size for 33s, even though the physical diameter of the tire can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

NB: Two different 285s can vary in true diameter. Meaning some are smaller than 33″ and some are larger, depending on the brand.

This means 33-inch tires can be wider by 11 1/2 or 12 1/2 inches in width.

One way to find out the exact diameter of a tire is by going to the tire manufacturer’s website and checking the manufacturing specs on that specific tire and then comparing “apples with apples”.

…285/75/16 is usually the accepted metric size for 33s…

Will the 285/75/16 throw out your speedo?

• When upgrading to a tire with a taller aspect ratio (Sidewall), and increasing the wheel circumference, your speedo can be thrown out.
• In the case of 33” tires, the diameter will be larger and have an increase in the aspect ratio.
• This might throw out your speedometer reading slightly.
• The increase in tire circumference means the actual speed will be higher the faster you travel.  

The below table will give you an indication of how the speedometer reading is affected from 265/70/16 to 33”.

Speedometer reading	20mph	30mph	40mph	50mph	60mph	70mph	80mph	90mph
Actual Speed	21.4	32.2	42.9	53.6	64.3	75	85.8	96.5

Below are the actual differences between the stock 16” tire and the upgraded 285/75/16

Measurement	Stock Tire (265/70/17)	Upgrade (285/75/16)	Differences
Diameter	30.6”	32.8” (833mm)	+7.2%
Width	10.4”	11.2” (285mm)	+7.7%
Sidewall	7.3”	8.4” (213mm)	+15.1%
Circumference	96.1”	103.1” (2619mm)	+7.2%
Revs/Mile	659	615 (382mm)	-44

Helpful Resources

• https://www.newhilux.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3538&start=20