Ducmonsta's Build Thread-very pic heavy!

[WakeDreams]

What's up Ducmonsta! I was browsing your build thread and saw that you (and your friends) used/still live in the Nova area so I wanted to say what's up. I work in Ashburn and live northwest of Leesburg, fyi..and I am one of the 3-4 Inferno TRD Pro's in this area. (That I have seen of course)

Nice rig you have there! Thanks for posting all your mods, it certainly helps me as I start my build and make choices of what to do next. My rig is 2 weeks old, so I look forward to stalking this site and your build for more ideas! eace:

 

[Scott@Hightech]

What's up Ducmonsta! I was browsing your build thread and saw that you (and your friends) used/still live in the Nova area so I wanted to say what's up. I work in Ashburn and live northwest of Leesburg, fyi..and I am one of the 3-4 Inferno TRD Pro's in this area. (That I have seen of course)

Nice rig you have there! Thanks for posting all your mods, it certainly helps me as I start my build and make choices of what to do next. My rig is 2 weeks old, so I look forward to stalking this site and your build for more ideas! eace:

You're in my neighborhood, I live in ashburn and The shop is in Chantilly. feel free to come on by and say Hi.

 

[WakeDreams]

You're in my neighborhood, I live in ashburn and The shop is in Chantilly. feel free to come on by and say Hi.

Thanks Scott, my real name is Aaron, I appreciate the hospitality. I have been over your way before, I will drop in and say hello the next time I am out that way, thanks again!

 

[Ducmonsta]

They made it!



I wanted to explore the 34/10.5R17 with the new FN Wheels Five Stars. I am absolutely elated with the outcome.



First and foremost, Dustin [MENTION=85422]FNWheels[/MENTION] was an absolute pleasure to deal with. Easy transaction and fast shipping. Can't ask for anything more.



Second, the guys at my local Discount Tire (Jason, Paul and crew) did a bang up job dismounting the old tires, removing TPMS, and transferring them over to the new wheels and then installing valve stems in the old wheels and airing them up. They even balanced the new wheels with the BFGs with the weights hidden behind the spokes. On top of that, they took the time to drop my spare and install the new wheel and tire in the factory spare location. All of this within an hour (they did have 3 guys knocking everything out). All I did was bring them all a Waffleberry Brownie Shake from Sonic. If you want people to take care of your stuff, take care of them. That's the best $25 investment on tips I can recommend. The guys in the automotive industry really appreciate the little things that customers do for them, trust me.



I tried to take a similar before and after pic for a side by side comparison. Sorry for the iPhone pics.

KMC Skitch 18x8 +15mm with Spidertrax 1.25 wheel spacers.

With the new wheels and tires. FN Wheels 17x8.5 with BFG 34x10.5R17 A/T KO2s

Overall impressions-

The new BFGs finally look the part. The new sidewall was the kicker. With the skinnier tire my scrub radius is drastically reduced combined with the fact that I removed the wheel spacers. Turn in is so much faster and lighter. I could immediately feel the difference when I drove off. It does feel like there is a bit more body roll with the D range BFGs with 40psi. I still need to experiment with tire pressures but I'm fairly happy with how they feel for now. Time will tell if I get better fuel economy but with a weight difference of approximately 15lbs per tire and wheel combo and the fact that the BFGs aren't as wide, I hope to break the 13mpg barrier.



The height difference between the 34 BFG and a 285/65 Trail Grappler is very minimal. I'll try and take a pic of the old/unused Nitto and set it up against the BFG. I was going to take a pic of both of them side by side, but the nice guys at Discount Tire had already installed the spare underneath.



If anyone is considering the 34 vs. a 285, I will always recommend the 34.

 

[cleveland48]

Whenever I wear out my 285's I think I will try these tires in this size. They look great and so does your rig !

 

[momo.75]

You need to redline the new wheels as well.....;:first:

 

[Ducmonsta]

Whenever I wear out my 285's I think I will try these tires in this size. They look great and so does your rig !

Thanks!

You need to redline the new wheels as well.....;:first:

Don't worry, it was planned all along. I figured I clean her up a bit put the pinstripe on them and go get 'em dirty.

 

[Antman]

Damn Bobby!

That looks fantastic. Very happy for you!

 

[1engineer]

Looks great man!
Probably just because it's me but I got flamed when I mentioned I always take stuff to the mechanics at the local Toyota dealer. I used to wrench for a living. I know how much guys appreciate it.
Your 4Runner is still one of the best looking ones here.

 

[Diver Deuce]

 

[Ducmonsta]

Looks great man!
Probably just because it's me but I got flamed when I mentioned I always take stuff to the mechanics at the local Toyota dealer. I used to wrench for a living. I know how much guys appreciate it.
Your 4Runner is still one of the best looking ones here.

Thanks,Greg. I appreciate the compliment.

The truth is, there are good techs at dealerships, independents, and even 4Wheel Parts. You just have to find them and maintain a relationship the same way you would with a doctor. I believe in being completely straight forward with anyone in the automotive industry. Whether its the parts guy, service writer, or technician. If they are uncertain about some of the questions you have or the way you want to be treated, it's a good sign to walk away with no damaging outcome. It's also best to treat someone with the same respect you want in return.

I've come across people in the industry that talk 'down' to you because you haven't learned from every forum on the interwebs about every year, make and model of their particular brand of vehicle. That's not going to encourage me to learn about it. So many professionals in the service industry think they can just install something without doing the research needed to be a 'professional'. That is what separates a good shop and a bad one. It also justifies the cost difference between the two.

 

[KVA]

Any rubbing?

 

[Keith_PDX]

Yes, any rubbing?

What are your thoughts on running these on stock TE wheels with a 2.5F/1.5R lift? Would it work?

GREAT Looking truck!

 

[Ducmonsta]

Any rubbing?

Yes, any rubbing?

What are your thoughts on running these on stock TE wheels with a 2.5F/1.5R lift? Would it work?

GREAT Looking truck!

No rubbing but I wasn't rubbing with the wider TrailGrappler 285s with wheel spacers either.

I think the stock offset wheels would look too tucked in. I think they would look fantastic if you ran a wheel spacer.

 

[KVA]

Let us know how they feel after a week of driving...I am looking for my next set of tires but want something that is good on road as well as off, but also good in the snow/rain.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Let us know how they feel after a week of driving...I am looking for my next set of tires but want something that is good on road as well as off, but also good in the snow/rain.

That's an awful lot of terrain I need to cover in a week to provide feedback for all of those situations.

 

[my14runner]

No rubbing but I wasn't rubbing with the wider TrailGrappler 285s with wheel spacers either.

I think the stock offset wheels would look too tucked in. I think they would look fantastic if you ran a wheel spacer.

Did you do any body mount chop or anything? I'm def interested in these tires but wanna make sure any potential rubbing issues are taken care of first

 

[KVA]

That's an awful lot of terrain I need to cover in a week to provide feedback for all of those situations.

If ANYONE can do it YOU can!!! :thumb:

 

[Ducmonsta]

Did you do any body mount chop or anything? I'm def interested in these tires but wanna make sure any potential rubbing issues are taken care of first

Thanks for pointing this out to me. Yes, I have had the body mount chop done since I've done the lift, wheels and tires. I can not say with authority that these tires will not rub with either factory or aftermarket wheels.

But, as I mentioned in our PM exchange, it is worth the investment to pay a local tire shop to test fit them at the cost of labor. This way, one will know for sure what they are dealing with regarding tire sizes.

I will note, the 285 Nitto Trail Grapplers are the same physical height as the 34x10.5R17 BFG KO2s. I'll update this post when I can get a side by side comparison.

 

[Ducmonsta]

And one last thing, a 34 BFG definitely fits in the factory location.