1.5" Daystar OR 2.5" Daystar for 265/75s

[Colonal Angus]

I'm settling on 265/75s as opposed to the awesome 255/85s. I don't want to have to regear and trim pinch welds, fenders, bumpers, etc.

So, my question to you guys is.....

What do you think will look the best? The 1.5" or the 2.5"? If I did the 2.5" would I need to drop the differential? Also, if I got the 2.5" with 265/75s....will I wish that I had got the 255/85s?

Let me know what you think and post pics if you get 'em.

Thanks folks!!!!

 

[emptypockets]

It would help to know what year your rig was, as some will clear 265's without a lift. 98 - 00 models had the taller springs, with 99 being the tallest. 01 and 02 models were the lowriders of the bunch. I did the Daystar 2.5" lift with 265's many moons ago, then switched to 285's with the same lift.

The problem that I, along with almost everyone else who run spacer lifts have is that over time, the spacers will sag your stock springs. In the end, I was getting at most 1.5" of lift from the spacers...less up front. I've since installed Land Cruiser coils in the rear and OME 882's up front with a diff drop. That combo has given me about 3" of lift up front and 3.75" in the back, which is about perfect. IMO, spacers are a cheap, temporary fix. Go coils and you'll never need to mess with it again. Here are the pics you requested.

Daystar 2.5" lift (before it sagged) with 265's

Daystar 2.5" lift front/Land Cruiser rear lift (sagging evident) with 285's

LC Coil/OME 882 lift with new 285's and wheels (as she sits today)

 

[Colonal Angus]

Thanks EmptyPockets! Man, you have a good looking T4R. I have a '99 4x4 Limited. The most offroading my truck will see is fire lanes and trails during hunting season. It's pretty flat here in FL and I don't see much articulation in this truck's future. I really prefer the 255s but am afraid of the power loss. Everyone at my work says "just do it" and "go big or go home" and "bigger is better". But these are rednecks that all have 38"+ TSLs on their daily driver and 44" boggers on their huntin' truck. For the time being, I really have to stay under $200 for the lift. I know I can get a spacer + coil kit for $230...but then again, I could get the spacer + coil + diff drop for $270...but then again, I could get the all OME coil kit for $350...but then again, for just a little bit more I could get the shocks, etc, etc. Before you know it, I'm looking at ordering a $600+ lift kit. It's a hard sell to a wife that wants that second child. I'm on a budget but I like to have my fun too. Spacer kit just seemed to fit my needs/budget. It's not the best but I thought it would at least allow for a cooler rig and something I can work on and play in the woods with.

My 4Runner has 240k on the clock. I'd hate to put a $1,000 into the suspension and have the transmission fall out and the engine flick me a bird 2 months later.

Can anybody understand this dillema?

Thanks again guys!

 

[brian2sun]

I'd go for the 2.5" so you have the option to get the 255s if you want em later. Your ride will most likely go to crap in a year or 2, but by that time you can decide if you want to upgrade. 265s won't look bad with 2.5" - especially if you get M/Ts, I ran that set-up for a while. This is an addiction though so most of us end up getting a "real" lift at some point anyways so tell your wife if she wants to save $$ in the long run and spare herself the hassle of nagging at you, then she should just let you spend the $$ and do it right the 1st time. Don't forget about the alignment you'll need too.

 

[manhunter]

If you are on a tight budget, which it sounds like, I would recommend the 2.5 spacers just to give you some space for when they do start sagging, because they will after about a year or so, but until then, the 2.5 will serve you better than the 1.5.

 

[runrunner]

Can you stuff 265/75's under an 01 or 02 with no lift temporarily? Reason I ask is I might try and negotiate keeping the 265/75 Duratracs off my Frontier if and when I am acutally able to trade it in for a 4runner.

Basically the tires would need to fit until I was able to choose a lift and have time to install it.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Can you stuff 265/75's under an 01 or 02 with no lift temporarily? Reason I ask is I might try and negotiate keeping the 265/75 Duratracs off my Frontier if and when I am acutally able to trade it in for a 4runner.

Basically the tires would need to fit until I was able to choose a lift and have time to install it.

You'll rub, the 01-02s are the lowest 4Runners. They're only gonna rub at full lock most likely but you really should try before taking my word for it. My 99 rubbed a lot, inner fender, pinch weld, mudflap... i suppose it will be fine temporarily but how long do you plan? I had to trim the first night, I couldn't take it.

 

[Colonal Angus]

This is great...thanks for all the responses. Guys, if I get the 2.5"...should I just go ahead and get the 255s? I can get them for close to the same price as the 265/75s...so then in a year or so, I'll already have the tires when I do get new springs, etc. Will I wish that I had gotten 255s if I get the 265s?

Let me ask you this (I'm sure it's been discussed), what are the name of the shocks that are standard on these trucks? I have Monroe Sensatracs on there. Are those aftermarket or OEM?

 

[runrunner]

You'll rub, the 01-02s are the lowest 4Runners. They're only gonna rub at full lock most likely but you really should try before taking my word for it. My 99 rubbed a lot, inner fender, pinch weld, mudflap... i suppose it will be fine temporarily but how long do you plan? I had to trim the first night, I couldn't take it.

Well, it all depends on if a deal go's thru or not. If you've watched my other post (Looking at a 2002, need help fast!) you can see that I have a couple of trucks I am looking at, but so far no deal.

If something worked out and keeping my tires sealed the deal it would only need to be long enough for me to do some research and figure out what lift (OME, SS, etc), order it, and have time to install.

 

[jsmarine]

You should be fine running 265/75/16 on the 4runner with no lift, if they rub anywhere it will be very slight, if at all. I ran them for years on mine with no lift, and no rubbing.

Now, the 255/85/16's will rub with no lift if you are considering those.

 

[monsterman]

this thread was great as i just bought the 2.5" daystar kit a few days ago (also on a budget) and am currently looking for wheel/tire package. It's a 98 sr5 5-spd, white with black trim and i'm going with 265/75r16 on black moto 951 wheels. I will put pictures up as soon as I get it all together.

 

[Colonal Angus]

I'm glad it helped. The lift was kind of a pain in the arse to install but well worth it. Don't forget the spring compressors and get it aligned immediately afterwards.