I hate ego

Antpwr · Feb 23, 2011

I am not the type of person to let ego get in the way, i have built alot of vehicles over the years from an 02 Tacoma Double Cab TRD with 38's no BL and no Cutting, to a '93 12.2 sec SOHC civic daily driver. I have always prided myself on being the different one out of the crowd, and usually one of the firsts in my area to bring these ideas to life. Which brings me to the next one, my 99, 4Runner, i am having an issue with doing a 3" lift and 285's, which seems to be the norm for most of the 4runners, while it is very functional, and reliable, i just want to be a little different. People keep trying to tell me that i cant put 35's on my runner but i know i can. But seeing as how money is the greatest component of all in any build, and that is something i just dont have enough of any more, i want to do this build budget minded. So i was hoping that all of you could share your input about your rides, how does your rig do, do you like your setup, lift and tires, how much what size. Would you change anything, want bigger tires, more lift, a different kind of lift. More and more i am realizing i will have to go for the 3" lift and 285's, as i see that the aftermarket is only shelling out 3" as the highest, but if i can get a handle on a good used set of 35's should i go for it, along with the 1.5" BL. And i want to say that i in no way want anyone to feel that i am downplaying or being critical of any ride, cause there are a great deal of sweet ass 4runners out there and on here, i just want to know how you all really feel about your setups.

durrell · Feb 23, 2011

My 3 inch lift and 285's has made the 4Runner into exactly what I want in terms of both looks and functionality. If anything, the only negative is the loss of power because of the large tires.

I would never run anything larger than 35's without regearing, though. So..go 35's if you want, but just plan to dump a ton of cash into it. I only spent about 500 bucks on my entire OME lift (bought used) and then 700 on tires. My rig has definitely been budget minded, haha.

downpour11 · Feb 23, 2011

with a 3" lift and a 1.5" BL you can run 35's no problem. I'm on 35's and love it. Just grab some coilovers, some LC coils, and a hammer and you're set.

Hepar · Feb 23, 2011

Yeah, there's definitely more than a few guys here running 35's. It can be done for sure. I think the 3" lift is perfect, especially if your Runner is a DD.

If you want to be different from most, throw a long-arm kit up in the front!

Limited2K · Feb 23, 2011

I agree, SAS would definitely be different 3 or 4 linked. Not too many guys can say they have that...

01t4rnr · Feb 23, 2011

Antpwr said:
I am not the type of person to let ego get in the way, i have built alot of vehicles over the years from an 02 Tacoma Double Cab TRD with 38's no BL and no Cutting, to a '93 12.2 sec SOHC civic daily driver. I have always prided myself on being the different one out of the crowd, and usually one of the firsts in my area to bring these ideas to life. Which brings me to the next one, my 99, 4Runner, i am having an issue with doing a 3" lift and 285's, which seems to be the norm for most of the 4runners, while it is very functional, and reliable, i just want to be a little different. People keep trying to tell me that i cant put 35's on my runner but i know i can. But seeing as how money is the greatest component of all in any build, and that is something i just dont have enough of any more, i want to do this build budget minded. So i was hoping that all of you could share your input about your rides, how does your rig do, do you like your setup, lift and tires, how much what size. Would you change anything, want bigger tires, more lift, a different kind of lift. More and more i am realizing i will have to go for the 3" lift and 285's, as i see that the aftermarket is only shelling out 3" as the highest, but if i can get a handle on a good used set of 35's should i go for it, along with the 1.5" BL. And i want to say that i in no way want anyone to feel that i am downplaying or being critical of any ride, cause there are a great deal of sweet ass 4runners out there and on here, i just want to know how you all really feel about your setups.

My current setup would run 35's with no body lift- ive got my struts maxed out though and axles prob. well past their limits. it can however be done. Ive got less than $500 in my entire setup. I wouldnt recommend spacers, they will wear on your coils and youll be sagged out in no time. The best setup for the money(in my opinion) is the blue/yellow & yellow/yellow TRD Tundra coils which if you stay on it and really do some digging you can find for $100-150 shipped with struts. LC coils can be had shipped for less than $80 easily. My vote is to skip spacers altogether, run the TRD/LC coil setup (middle clip,not maxed out) and 1.5" body lift. You wouldnt have to regear for 35's but it would be a good move.

brian2sun · Feb 23, 2011

There are alot of guys who run 35s, but I don't see a lot of guys who wheel and get their suspension really flexing with 35s. They either stick to mud holes and easier trails (or don't wheel at all), cut the fenders to fit em, limit their flex with bump stops, get larger than 1.5" BLs, or just put up with a lot of rubbing. Troy is the only person I know of with a 3rd gen IFS on 35s who actually wheels his truck hard.

bak3rme · Feb 24, 2011

i love my 3'' lift. i'm running 32.5'' tires which is still legit but if i could do it i'd go with 285's and thats what i would change

YotaZach85 · Feb 24, 2011

I'm running Taco Bilstein 5100's with a top out spacer and diff drop up front with LC coils and shocks with a custom panhard drop bracked out back with a 1" body lift on 285s and this damn thing just about goes anywhere. I can't justify running 35's for the mix of driving I do. Right now I think my power to gas consumption ratio is about perfect, I can still tow a big trailer and stop it with stock gears and I don't see that possible with 35's and stock gears. I also can't see running 35's because my 285's just barely tuck all the way without rubbing. I have a total of $225 in my lift (I already had the 5100's from my Tacoma) and another $1050ish in wheels and tires and it runs black trails with stock gears and no locker and I do regular road trips with it. 35's would look realy good but I don't see wheeling or road trips without a lot of cutting and re-gearing.

fightman80 · Feb 24, 2011

I've got the TRD Tundra Coils/strut assemblies, LC 8 Wraps, and some Skyjacker shocks in the back, with 285's on some Procomp wheels.

I love my setup, as it has the exact stance I was looking for. But what I like the most was the price! My whole lift cost me around $500.00, and about $1500.00 for my rims and tires. :bluejump:

Antpwr · Feb 24, 2011

wow, seems as though it is split just like my crazy mind lol. And by the way you guys have some sick rides. I see the appeal of going with the budget minded 3" and 285's, not alot of money and no regearing, on the other hand i know the results of the 35's. My taco started out with me throwing on 35's and 6" of lift, no regear, wheeled everywhere, never got stuck, even in mud upto the frame, pulled guys out all the time, but sucked on driving it to work everyday, no mileage. And before everyone starts to get mad i know its not a good idea to do that, but regeared with the 38's. I think i might just start out with the 3" and 285's and see how that suits my needs, cause even if i go with the 35's i still need the 3" lift anyhow, so i figure its just a stepping stone to the end goal, little bit at a time, i can still drive it and trail it, while i save up for the BL, 35's, and gears. Hey i want to say thanks for all the replies, and keep them coming, i look forward to seeing what else is running out there, cause there is great feedback for both sides of the fence on this one, there is never a wrong setup, its what suits your needs and that is never wrong. Anyway i go i will be about the only one again running a lifted Toyota above an 85 in my town, which i would be different even with the 285's. Thanks again guys

BTO · Feb 24, 2011

Isn't getting the biggest tires you can possibly fit all about ego?

JohnsD90 · Feb 24, 2011

BTO said:
Isn't getting the biggest tires you can possibly fit all about ego?

Thats what i was thinking, it does sound like he wants to 1 up everyone else. I personally couldnt give 2 sh*ts what someone thinks of me running my 31's.

Antpwr · Feb 25, 2011

well honestly i dont really care what anybody thinks about me or my builds, it only comes down to what i think about my rides, and i want my 4runner to be just like any other vehicle i have built. I put as much thought, innovation, and hard work in to my rides as i can possibly put into them. Pushing the limits on what is normal, what can be done, thats what makes a build fun for me, call it ego, call it pride, dont really care, its why i build, and i am guessing that its why most of you build too. I admire others for what they have done and the way they have done them, and i have the utmost respect for them. Like i said i am not here to downplay or degrade others and their hard work, i am just looking for feedback so i can get a good idea of what can be done and how it works, so if you would like to share then thank you very much for you time and responses they are appreciated, if not then please enjoy the posts, gather some info, and maybe get some ideas.

Bighead2001 · Feb 25, 2011

Going to 35s will take a bit more than just a 1.5" BL added to what you have already mentioned. Additional pinchweld clearance, UCA clearance, wheel backspace and so on.

In my opinion Brian is right in that there really aren't that many on 35s who really push the limits of their truck or really need the additional tire size/ground clearance. Go with the basic lift and 285s...run that for a while and see how that works for you. I don't think the extra work required for 35s is worth just to be "the different one out of the crowd"...especially for your desired budget build.

Hawkdog21 · Feb 25, 2011

I ran 35s for two years on my old 96 and wheeled the hell out of it. You can def run 35s with 1.5" BL and some hacking. You do not need to regear either, yes it would make it MUCH nicer on the streets, but it is not required. I ran lower 2 at tellico twice under my own power (anyone from the south east that "claims" to wheel should know exactly what I am talking about here, just look it up on youtube).

I say you do it. Tons of people will say things can't be done but you should listen to the guys that have actually done it.

dave_mcmillan · Feb 25, 2011

Whats wrong with Ego's....I love them with butter and syrup...:lmao:...and with that I am officially an :moon:...

You bought it...build it how ever you want to...after all your the one that has to drive it and live with it. Make it your own...

Hawkdog21 · Feb 25, 2011

brian2sun · Feb 26, 2011

Hawkdog21 said:
I ran 35s for two years on my old 96 and wheeled the hell out of it. You can def run 35s with 1.5" BL and some hacking. You do not need to regear either, yes it would make it MUCH nicer on the streets, but it is not required. I ran lower 2 at tellico twice under my own power (anyone from the south east that "claims" to wheel should know exactly what I am talking about here, just look it up on youtube).

I say you do it. Tons of people will say things can't be done but you should listen to the guys that have actually done it.

That's pretty much what we are all saying. At least a 1.5" body lift and a good amount of cutting and you can run 35s and wheel it hard. But a lot of people on here that run 35s don't do a lot of cutting and hammering, but they also don't do a lot of difficult flexy stuff. You can make anything work, we are just saying it takes some effort to really make 35s functional.

Hawkdog21 · Feb 26, 2011

I figured I would post some 35 porn, and an idea of the cutting involved.

You can see in this one an idea of how I had to cut the front. Keep in mind though after this cutting I did not rub anywhere even flexed at full lock.