Front Tires cupping on '05

New to the forum, so go easy boys.
I've owned my Tundra since '07 and it's pretty much stock except for a few items.
I installed a 2" spacer on the front and installed larger rims and tires, not huge just bigger.
NOW, the problem is after my tires have a bit of use on them, they develop a cupping on the front tires which is super loud and annoying.
One mechanic said since my suspension is stock it can't handle the extra size of the tires, thus the cupping.
Ok, makes sense, I guess.
Problem is I can't really get a straight, educated answer on the best solution, without spending a ton of money.
This is my work truck, occasional play truck.
tires are expensive and I would like to fix the issue if affordable.
Thoughts?

 

First thing first, after the lift did you get an alignment done?

 

Yes, it's had many alignments over the years and the cupping problem seems to be getting worse with each new set of tires.
The new tires appear to be fine and everything is as it should be until the tires have some mileage on them, then they get super loud with the cupping issue.

 

Assuming that you don't have worn/bad suspension, steering components in the front (would need to fix any of that first) what you describe is bad alignment and perhaps no tire rotations and that spacer lift is not helping your issues.

Those spacers mess with the geometry worse than a lifted coilover. But plenty of people run them and they can work. Proper wheel balance, alignment, suspension/steering in good order is still needed.

Many places that do alignments dont do a "real alignment", they set the toe and send you on your way. Find a front end shop, 4wd shop that can do a real alignment. The dealer and most box shops will just be setting toe most likely.

You should be rotating your tires every 5k miles. Not rotating the tires can have them wear funny, cup, etc and once that starts there is no fixing the issue with the tire. Once they are cupped, you either run them that way or replace them. Try placing the front on the rear now and see if it wears down the current cupping and irregular wear some. Probably wont go away, but may help and worth a shot vs buying new tires.

Cupping can also occur if your shocks are weak. No idea which shocks you have or the miles on them but you should check them out. If they have leaks or are original they may be toast. Black toyota shocks are the weakest of the bunch- marginal at best with stock tires and are generally losing damping around 60k miles. Sport and off road package shocks are better, last longer too, 80k ish miles they start to lose damping ability some. Either way, Im guessing you are above 90k miles, so if they are original its time to replace them.
You also installed bigger, heavier tires so those old shocks may not be able to control them which will have the suspension oscillating = odd tire wear and cupping

 

Thanks Fricho228 for the detailed response, really appreciate the expertise.
I can't say I have been great at tire rotation, so that's an easy "fix", the shocks are good and I have my mechanic looking at the rest of the suspension for wear, etc. I'll look into a four wheel drive shop for a proper front end alignment and stay up on the rotation schedule.
Again appreciate the helpful response