Critique my proposed Suspension / Wheel / Tire Setup

[ajwhitt44]

I've been browsing this forum non-stop since I picked up my 2008 4Runner SR5 4WD, and needless to say, I'm incredibly pumped to make this truck my own.

I'm not much of an off-roading guy but I am a businessman/adrenaline junkie, so my truck needs to reflect this type of subtle aggressiveness.

This truck is to be used as a 2nd car / daily driver for poor weather conditions, but it's also to be used by my fiancé to transport our bulldog. This means it has to be functional, practical, and handle just as good as stock if not better.

Through some conversations with members and THOROUGH thread-browsing, I present my proposed setup:
Please note that much of the reading I have done has led to some confusion due to the overwhelming amount of information, so please take it easy on me if I didn't do my homework properly.

WHEELS: Method Standard Wheels - 17 x 8.5
TPMS: do I need TPMS for my 4Runner? Can I purchase the ones shown on Tirerack for $220?
TIRES: Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac LT265/70/17 - E LOAD (choice was between these and Cooper ST Maxx's)
LIFT: Daystar 2.5" Lift Kit
SPACERS: (4) Spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers

Questions:
--With the proposed setup, will I rub? (assuming I push fender liners forward and possibly trim mudflaps)
--Can I fit a wider tire OR wheel? (i.e. 8.5" wheel with 275 tire, or 9" wheel with 275-285 tire)...or is my current width and tire the most optimal?
--Will this lift / spacer combination negatively affect my handling/overall driveability?

Thanks for your comments. I looked at Dusty Driftwood's 4Runner (here) and it seemed to have the most subtle-yet-aggressive stance I was going for.

 

[sluggercz]

[MENTION=98211]ajwhitt44[/MENTION]

Wheels/Spacers: You won't need those wheel spacers with the Method Wheels as the Standards are 0 backspacing and also 1.5" wider than stock wheels.
TPMS: I don't know if it's needed or not.
Tires: DuraTracs are great tires, only complaint I see would be they are heavy - which you should already know given their description, load rating, and that they are LT tires.
Lift: I'd spring for a real suspension lift instead of a spacer lift, but it looks like you won't be taking it off road so the DS kits probably fine.

Questions:
--With the proposed setup, will I rub? (assuming I push fender liners forward and possibly trim mudflaps)

--You most likely will not rub, and if you do, the amount of trimming needed should be minimal.

--Can I fit a wider tire OR wheel? (i.e. 8.5" wheel with 275 tire, or 9" wheel with 275-285 tire)...or is my current width and tire the most optimal?

--The wheels are perfect, you could easily step up to 275/70/17's but I don't see the point as you will be keeping this runner on the road mainly. In fact, I'd recommend going with an All-terrain tire with a P-rating to make sure you keep your gas mileage up.

--Will this lift / spacer combination negatively affect my handling/overall driveability?

--By most accounts, the Daystar kit has little to no impact besides raising the runner and leveling it off a bit; likewise spacers will have a neglible impact on its driving characteristics- but like I said, you don't really need them with those Method Standards.

My personal advice would be to get aftermarket coilovers and rear shocks+springs for 2 reasons:
1. It seems like most members here end up upgrading from their Daystar lift kits to a suspension upgrade.
2. The stock suspension was far too soft for my liking, and a new suspension - which can be as stiff or soft as you choose- gives you better handling and steering feel both on and off the road.

BTW congrats on the 4Runner :thumb:

 

[JustSomeName]

But in all seriousness...

You don't HAVE to have TPMS to drive the car, but if you have stock wheels, TPMS are probably still on each of the wheels. If you're going with a new set of wheels/tires, you might as well dismount the tires and mount the TPMS onto your new wheels/tires setup while at the shop. It is quite helpful, knowing when you need to check tire pressure, especially since it doesn't seem like you'll be offoading much (if at all)

If you choose to not keep them, a light will be constantly blinking on your dashboard the every time you turn the car on, take a look at this thread for more info on how to disable it: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/108176-write-up-how-disable-bypass-tpms.html

 

[smc23]

sounds good, like slugger said you wont be needing the spidertrax with a 0 offset wheel as they will bulge out on their own. As for tmps when i got my new wheels the shop just transferred the stock system into my new wheels. I have a ds 2.5 lift and when your driving you cant tell its there no negative effects at all

 

[HHIRunner]

The wheel and tire choice is great, but if you want to have a better ride suspension wise I'd go for Bilstein 5100s with FJ Coils as it will improve the ride while the DS will just make it taller basically. Either way seems great for your setup though.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

if you want to maintain or improve stock handling without taking it offroad, definitely think about upgrading your sway bar end links and sway bar bushings, for under $50 you can greatly improve the handling around the bends and during lane changes on the highway.

check prothane for sway bar bushings (i recommend greasables) and here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...sh-extended-rear-sway-bar-links-write-up.html for the end links

 

[ajwhitt44]

[MENTION=98211]ajwhitt44[/MENTION]

Wheels/Spacers: You won't need those wheel spacers with the Method Wheels as the Standards are 0 backspacing and also 1.5" wider than stock wheels.
TPMS: I don't know if it's needed or not.
Tires: DuraTracs are great tires, only complaint I see would be they are heavy - which you should already know given their description, load rating, and that they are LT tires.
Lift: I'd spring for a real suspension lift instead of a spacer lift, but it looks like you won't be taking it off road so the DS kits probably fine.


--You most likely will not rub, and if you do, the amount of trimming needed should be minimal.

--The wheels are perfect, you could easily step up to 275/70/17's but I don't see the point as you will be keeping this runner on the road mainly. In fact, I'd recommend going with an All-terrain tire with a P-rating to make sure you keep your gas mileage up.

--By most accounts, the Daystar kit has little to no impact besides raising the runner and leveling it off a bit; likewise spacers will have a neglible impact on its driving characteristics- but like I said, you don't really need them with those Method Standards.

My personal advice would be to get aftermarket coilovers and rear shocks+springs for 2 reasons:
1. It seems like most members here end up upgrading from their Daystar lift kits to a suspension upgrade.
2. The stock suspension was far too soft for my liking, and a new suspension - which can be as stiff or soft as you choose- gives you better handling and steering feel both on and off the road.

BTW congrats on the 4Runner :thumb:

WOW. Dude amazing response, I can't really ask for much more. The reason I mentioned a 275 tire is because I LIKE MEAT, to me there is nothing more pleasing than a big fat meaty tire.

The gas mileage doesn't concern me much, and I do want the capability to handle some moderate off-road stuff.

But thanks so much, I'll have to do more research into the suspension. You said to get coilovers, but then also to get rear shocks/springs...
--are you saying that coils don't cover all of this? (for my past cars, usually coilover 'kits' = all 4 wheels)?
--Is there a common coilover kit people here use? (no need to answer that, I'll search anyway).

But in all seriousness...

You don't HAVE to have TPMS to drive the car, but if you have stock wheels, TPMS are probably still on each of the wheels. If you're going with a new set of wheels/tires, you might as well dismount the tires and mount the TPMS onto your new wheels/tires setup while at the shop. It is quite helpful, knowing when you need to check tire pressure, especially since it doesn't seem like you'll be offoading much (if at all)

If you choose to not keep them, a light will be constantly blinking on your dashboard the every time you turn the car on, take a look at this thread for more info on how to disable it: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/108176-write-up-how-disable-bypass-tpms.html

Hahaha too funny. I actually DO plan on going off-road, just not too much (i.e. not to the hardcore extent that you guys buying Schrockworks bumpers are doing). I know there are some great trails here in CT and upstate New York, and one of the reasons I got the 4Runner was to use it offroad!

That's a good idea about the TPMS, I always err on buying NEW TPMS because should I ever want to sell the old wheels, having them ready with TPMS can raise their re-sale value.....but it sounds like a lot of people disable theirs anyway, so I may just take your advice and switch my old ones (so long as the price of dismount/mount doesn't equal the cost of the tpms LOL).

sounds good, like slugger said you wont be needing the spidertrax with a 0 offset wheel as they will bulge out on their own. As for tmps when i got my new wheels the shop just transferred the stock system into my new wheels. I have a ds 2.5 lift and when your driving you cant tell its there no negative effects at all

Thanks for the comment....I really didn't realize that about the 0 offset thing. So the stock wheels don't have a 0 offset?

--Do you feel like you may upgrade your suspension in the near future?
--Does the daystar make the rider firmer or softer?

The wheel and tire choice is great, but if you want to have a better ride suspension wise I'd go for Bilstein 5100s with FJ Coils as it will improve the ride while the DS will just make it taller basically. Either way seems great for your setup though.

How much would that setup raise my rig? Again, I'm not trying to go high, just high enough to fit the wheels and tires without rubbing. Coils are usually adjustable, so I'm guessing I could customize the height to my liking?

if you want to maintain or improve stock handling without taking it offroad, definitely think about upgrading your sway bar end links and sway bar bushings, for under $50 you can greatly improve the handling around the bends and during lane changes on the highway.

check prothane for sway bar bushings (i recommend greasables) and here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...sh-extended-rear-sway-bar-links-write-up.html for the end links

Thanks man I'll check that out! Although I remember when I changed my sways on my subaru I changed the bars, endlinks, AND bushings, and it made everything TOO harsh.......Can you tell me if just upgrading the endlinks and bushings will make my ride noticeably harsher?


Again thanks for the comments and your patience!! You guys are more helpful to a noob than most forums I have been on.

 

[smc23]

No stock wheels do not have a 0 offset, daystar may firm it up a tiny bit but it's not really noticeable. Yeah I'm saving up for a new suspension right now that will be my next mod the spacers are good but a temperary thing since my stock suspension is on it's way out at this point.

 

[hearno]

Marked

 

[wnelax04sr5]

Thanks man I'll check that out! Although I remember when I changed my sways on my subaru I changed the bars, endlinks, AND bushings, and it made everything TOO harsh.......Can you tell me if just upgrading the endlinks and bushings will make my ride noticeably harsher?


Again thanks for the comments and your patience!! You guys are more helpful to a noob than most forums I have been on.

When i did just my bushings, i noticed no change in ride quality at all, the handling was far improved though, almost zero body roll through corners, lane changes, etc. you will notice though once you do it that our seats arent bolstered very well, because with the body staying still through the bends, you are the one that moves now! the end links (id recommend just doing the rear) will only tighten up the body more, they shouldnt have any effect on the ride at all, a new sway bar like on your subaru would definitely harshen it up if it was super stiff. Good luck with everything, youve got some great plans and ideas!

 

[WXman]

I just ditched the TPMS sensors on mine (the spare still has the sensor since I didn't replace that tire) and I don't have any lights on the dash or beeping or anything. It's as if nothing happened. Being a 2008 yours may be different, not sure. But it's not 100% sure that you'll need the new sensors.

As far as will you rub... probably. With 1.75" lift in the front and the same size wheels you are talking about, mine was going to rub horribly with the new tires and was almost rubbing with the stock tires. I ended up going back to OEM wheels and they are tight but they fit. With 2.5" of lift you MIGHT clear ok...but it'll be close.

Cooper ST Maxx is a better tire and more rugged tire...but the price you pay is in the weight. While Goodyear Duratracs are very lightweight for their size, the Cooper is just the opposite and it's very heavy. The Cooper goes 56 lbs. each, compared to 49 lbs. each for the Goodyear. Since gas mileage is not a concern for you, I'd go Cooper.

I agree that Bilstein 5100s are a better option because not only do you get the same lift that Daystar spacers would give you, but you get new shocks at the same time. It's killing two birds with one rock.

 

[HHIRunner]

The Bilstein 5100s are adjustable. So you can get anywhere from 0, .85" , 1.25" , or 2.5" of lift (may be 1.75" instead of 1.25 can't remember ATM). The FJ coils will give about a half inch if I remember correctly so you will have a max lift of 3" which is the max for our trucks without a lot of extra fab work.

 

[ajwhitt44]

The Bilstein 5100s are adjustable. So you can get anywhere from 0, .85" , 1.25" , or 2.5" of lift (may be 1.75" instead of 1.25 can't remember ATM). The FJ coils will give about a half inch if I remember correctly so you will have a max lift of 3" which is the max for our trucks without a lot of extra fab work.

Awesome, thanks. I got a little more info from some other members so I think I understand how our systems work.

The blisteins on the front and a daystar 1.5 on the rear sounds like it may be my best bet....moderate yet functional.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

Hahaha too funny. I actually DO plan on going off-road, just not too much (i.e. not to the hardcore extent that you guys buying Schrockworks bumpers are doing). I know there are some great trails here in CT and upstate New York, and one of the reasons I got the 4Runner was to use it offroad!

Follow up post, where in CT are you?

 

[ajwhitt44]

Follow up post, where in CT are you?

Southeastern CT, Stamford...you?

 

[wnelax04sr5]

Southeastern CT, Stamford...you?

Just south of the mass line, Granby

 

[HOJeepster]

That setup will meet your requirements just fine. I ran that daystar kit for 3 years and found it to handle well and gave me a good looking lift. The other option would be getting a set of 5100 bilsteins.