Impending lift/wheel/tire upgrades :)

[brycejaq]

I'm planning on getting a 2.5" lift (similar to this one 2.5" Lift Kit w/spacers & rear OME coils - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits) by Toyotec w/ the 2.5" front spacers and the rear 2 or 3" OME coil springs.

Which should I go with to try to keep my T4R as level as possible? The 3" OME 890's or the 2" OME 906's?!

Also, I'm thing of putting some 17" FJ 6-spoke wheels under there with either a All-Season or an Off-Road tire, but I'm having problems trying to figure out what tire & tire size to go with. I don't want to have to trim away anything around my wheel wells to make things work, so I was hoping some of you out there with knowledge in the lifting/wheels/tires department could give me some tips on this whole process.

I don't do any real "off-roading", but I do drive on the beach alot when I go home, but I'd like these tires to be able to handle themselves during the snowy/icey winter season, but also be decent to drive the 10 mile round-trip to work during the spring/summer months w/out being too bouncy, etc. Also, because I don't do alot off-road, I'm trying to salvage my current shocks by just adding the Toyotec kit to them (they were JUST replaced about 4 months ago) and I've read that if I'm not going to be hitting bumps, etc. real hard then I should be o.k. with my OEM shocks (or whatever I have on there now).

Also, I suppose I should mention that I'm trying to keep this whole project under or around a $1500, including buying the lift kit (and either paying someone to install it, or attempting to do it myself--with a buddy, of course), getting the FJ wheels (I've found several for $400-500 in my area), and buying the new tires.

Hopefully you guys can give me some good advice, cus I really don't know enough about all this stuff to make a very educated decision yet...even though I've read every post in this forum and many other forums regarding lifts, wheels, and tires.

Thanks,

--Bryce

1999 T4R Limited 4X4, 170k, bone stock...but not for long

 

[downpour11]

I have no idea how you are going to buy FJ wheels, new tires, and a full lift kit for under $1500 bucks haha good luck! Save a little more money and do it right, you will be much happier in the long run.

 

[fightman80]

I did the 3" Toytec lift, with Procomp wheels, and 33" Maxxis Bighorns for $2000.00 CAD.........And that was with Shipping to Canada! Shipping costs are insane here!

I did have to do some trimming on the plastic lower valance.....but hardly noticeable unless I point it out.

That being said, you could probably do what I recently did, TRD Tundra Strut assemblies, Landcruiser 8 wrap coils, plus a Diff drop, and some rear shocks for $329.99 plus shipping......

Much better ride quality than the Toytec budget lift you mentionned above, and around the same price range!

 

[downpour11]

I did the 3" Toytec lift, with Procomp wheels, and 33" Maxxis Bighorns for $2000.00 CAD.........And that was with Shipping to Canada! Shipping costs are insane here!

and you ended up changing up your whole suspension! lol which looks awesome BTW!
So bryce, I'm no vet in any way, but do some more research and do it right! You are in the right direction with those FJ wheels though!! Keep us posted!

EDIT for fightman because he edited his post haha, there is the info you want right there bryce.

 

[brycejaq]

I did the 3" Toytec lift, with Procomp wheels, and 33" Maxxis Bighorns for $2000.00 CAD.........And that was with Shipping to Canada! Shipping costs are insane here!

I did have to do some trimming on the plastic lower valance.....but hardly noticeable unless I point it out.

That being said, you could probably do what I recently did, TRD Tundra Strut assemblies, Landcruiser 8 wrap coils, plus a Diff drop, and some rear shocks for $329.99 plus shipping......

Much better ride quality than the Toytec budget lift you mentionned above, and around the same price range!

Based on this forum, slightly diff. vehicle and a slightly larger lift, but it seems to be in the right ballpark, nonetheless.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/11590-ongoing-lift-install-price-thread.html

I knew I wasn't completely out of my mind, I got worried for a few minutes there. I'm not too worried about shipping, since the FJ wheels I found are all local (within a days drive--which is local enough for me). As for tires, I'm probably going to pick some lesser-named brand up from Les Schwab and have them installed there since they'll maintain them & rotate them out if I even need to for some reason.

I definitely need to do a little more research though, apparently. Thanks for the tips, guys!

--Bryce

 

[downpour11]

we just don't want you to be disappointed when you want to go bigger and want more out of your suspension!

 

[brycejaq]

we just don't want you to be disappointed when you want to go bigger and want more out of your suspension!

Well, I appreciate your honesty/help in the matter. I agree with you in doing it right the first time, but...I honestly just want a little more height (not a leap) and maybe someday I'll go bigger, but for now she's still my daily driver and I need her to be reliable and not too "out there".

I attached a photo of what looks perfect to me, but I'm guessing it's a 4" lift?! and would probably require much more than I want to do...right now.

 

[animal]

Max lift you can go on IFS is 3.5"(non 4x4) and 2.5"(4x4). If you require your vehicle to stand much taller, you might want to consider a 1"BL. Fairly cheap and a nice way to get extra lift. (Especially if you are going to a larger tire.)

 

[fightman80]

Well, I appreciate your honesty/help in the matter. I agree with you in doing it right the first time, but...I honestly just want a little more height (not a leap) and maybe someday I'll go bigger, but for now she's still my daily driver and I need her to be reliable and not too "out there".

I attached a photo of what looks perfect to me, but I'm guessing it's a 4" lift?! and would probably require much more than I want to do...right now.

That doesn't look like a 4" lift.........kinda looks like my old lift.....

Like I and others have said, if you shop around, you can get some quality used low mileage parts, for the same price of the spacer lift. If you don't like the rake I have in my newest pics, you can go with some 7 wrap LC Coils, and it will be lower than mine in the rear.......

 

[theizzardking]

you know if you get an ARB bumper or proper off road bumper you avoid almost all clearance issues with running a 285, i just put the ome/lc coil lift and since i had my arb on there before i did the lift i did zero cutting and pounding, lol

but then again that's alot more money and not sure if it's your style, just thought i'd throw that out there and see what everyone says ;-)

 

[brycejaq]

That doesn't look like a 4" lift.........kinda looks like my old lift.....

Like I and others have said, if you shop around, you can get some quality used low mileage parts, for the same price of the spacer lift. If you don't like the rake I have in my newest pics, you can go with some 7 wrap LC Coils, and it will be lower than mine in the rear.......

I agree, fightman, after closer speculation that does look closer to a 2.5" or 3" lift, which is what I want anyways. I'm still sticking with the 2.5" especially since I'm getting hell from the wife about putting 17" shoes up to replace the 16" that are on it now. I posted a new thread about this issue, but the short version is that we've heard changing wheel sizing can mess up the ESC/VSC/A-TRAC/whatever the hell it is...any truth to this guys?!

--Bryce

 

[fightman80]

If you only want the 2.5" lift and still want to do a budget lift, I can sell you my coil pack spacer and 890 coils for $200.00, plus shipping.......

Same kit sells on Toytec site for $279.99 plus shipping.......I ran mine for a bout 16 months, and as you can see from the pics....still in great shape.

But as I told you earlier, YOU can probably do the Tundra/LC lift for a little more than $279.99. I paid more than that, because of the shipping costs into Canada.


PM me if you are interested.

 

[KellyJ]

If you're looking for a 2.5 inch level lift, I'd go with the 881/906 setup from ToyTec, depending on your year. Pre-01 models will gain a little less lift since most were equipped with taller suspensions from the factory versus the late generation overhaul for the 01-02 models. I was told that with the 881/906 setup, along with the 1/4" top plate spacer up front, would make my truck sit level. This combination actually gave me a slightly higher stance in the front than in the rear. Still though, the truck rides great and it cleaned up a TON of sloppiness from my stock suspension (not trying to rag on ToyTec, just a little bitter about it. But time heals all wounds ). I've been itching to put in 890's in the rear, but I don't have any rubbing/clearance issues and still get a ton of flex so it hasn't bothered me too much. Just the stance is what bothers me. Although I do approve of it over a higher rear stance.

Shocks - another issue: with the increased travel provided by the longer springs, you are most likely going to need longer shocks. I'm not positive that my OEM shocks would have handled the new springs, but they needed to be replaced anyway, so I got the comfort shocks from OME.

Here's what she looked like before andafter the aforementioned lift. After I got 33's installed, the rake became more prominent. Both photos are taken on flat ground.

Before:

After:

That's about a foot and a half of unplowed fresh snow - can't wait for it again this season!

 

[brycejaq]

If you're looking for a 2.5 inch level lift, I'd go with the 881/906 setup from ToyTec, depending on your year. Pre-01 models will gain a little less lift since most were equipped with taller suspensions from the factory versus the late generation overhaul for the 01-02 models. I was told that with the 881/906 setup, along with the 1/4" top plate spacer up front, would make my truck sit level. This combination actually gave me a slightly higher stance in the front than in the rear. Still though, the truck rides great and it cleaned up a TON of sloppiness from my stock suspension (not trying to rag on ToyTec, just a little bitter about it. But time heals all wounds ). I've been itching to put in 890's in the rear, but I don't have any rubbing/clearance issues and still get a ton of flex so it hasn't bothered me too much. Just the stance is what bothers me. Although I do approve of it over a higher rear stance.

Shocks - another issue: with the increased travel provided by the longer springs, you are most likely going to need longer shocks. I'm not positive that my OEM shocks would have handled the new springs, but they needed to be replaced anyway, so I got the comfort shocks from OME.

Here's what she looked like before andafter the aforementioned lift. After I got 33's installed, the rake became more prominent. Both photos are taken on flat ground.

After:

That's about a foot and a half of unplowed fresh snow - can't wait for it again this season!

I really would hate to have to replace my shocks all around, especially since I just had them replaced (and for free, thanks to my father-in-law), but I suppose I'll do it if it must be done...

So, are you still running stock 16's, just with bigger tires and a lift?! You're set-up looks pretty sweet, but I definitely want to do something with my wheels (since they're all peely, anyways). I may just paint them, since that seems to be a really common, easy way to update them and make them last at least a year and they're easy to touch up...with a can of spray paint. lol

This whole thread has made me go even deeper into the world of lifts, and I thought I knew quite a bit before hand, but I've since become lost in a world of acronyms and numbers (which I like to think I'm pretty versed in since the military is all about using numbers and acronyms/abbreviations for everything)!

--Bryce

 

[brian2sun]

You don't have to replace your shocks, lots of people run 2.5" spacers with their stock shocks. The fronts will have little to no downward travel with those spacers installed, but for looks and even med.-light off roading, that's ok.

The problem you will have is mainly with the rear. Since you will be adding longer coils, the travel will be improved but your stock shocks won't be quite long enough and will limit that travel. That stress on the shock can break it or bend the shaft. The sway bar will also limit it and take some of the stress off the shocks, but will it be enough? That depends on how hard you wheel it. I actually have a set of used OME comfort shocks that I'm selling that are in great shape and are extended to accomodate up to a 3-3.5" lift on a 4runner. PM me if you're interested.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Any of the front spacer/ rear coil lifts would be a good fit for you. Toytec sells good quality gear.

Complete Lift Kits - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits


How big of a tire are you wanting to go with? The norm on the forums with a 2.5-3" lift is a 285/75/16 tire (33", stock is 265/70/16 which is 31").
The 2nd most popular tire is 265/75/16 (32"). With a 17" rim, that would be a 265/70/17. I would recommend an all terrain 32" tire. The 33's can rob power because of gear ratios. Find a good deal on tires and this should be right at your budget of $1500.

 

[brycejaq]

You don't have to replace your shocks, lots of people run 2.5" spacers with their stock shocks. The fronts will have little to no downward travel with those spacers installed, but for looks and even med.-light off roading, that's ok.

The problem you will have is mainly with the rear. Since you will be adding longer coils, the travel will be improved but your stock shocks won't be quite long enough and will limit that travel. That stress on the shock can break it or bend the shaft. The sway bar will also limit it and take some of the stress off the shocks, but will it be enough? That depends on how hard you wheel it.

I'm leaning more and more towards just putting in spacers, like shown in the pics below...mainly because I'm leaning towards having Les Schwab do the install (because of the 3yr/36k warranty they provide) and I won't have to replace my shocks that I JUST got replaced...BUT, I still don't know what kind of options that LS has, so I'll see what their options/prices are before I go deciding on something.

Also, this should line up with my budget quite nicely, since I'm still trying to stick to my guns on the $1500 budget. I posted in another thread about possibly keeping my 16's and just painting/refinishing them and putting some 305/70R16 Goodyear Duratrac tires on them...or if the money is still in the budget (and the lift will allow for it), I'll definitely do the 17" FJ wheels with some 285/70R17's. :driving:

As you can tell, I'm still heavily in the debating process. Good thing I'm deployed overseas and can't do anything about anything for at least another couple months

 

[brycejaq]

How big of a tire are you wanting to go with? The norm on the forums with a 2.5-3" lift is a 285/75/16 tire (33", stock is 265/70/16 which is 31").

The 2nd most popular tire is 265/75/16 (32"). With a 17" rim, that would be a 265/70/17. I would recommend an all terrain 32" tire. The 33's can rob power because of gear ratios. Find a good deal on tires and this should be right at your budget of $1500.

Ripcord (or anyone who wants to answer me this)--

What would be the largest tire I could fit under a 2.5" (spacer only) lift with 17's? You mentioned that you would go with a 32, but could I potentially go bigger if I did some trimming &/or got wheel spacers? Or am I just way out there on this one?!

--Bryce

 

[brian2sun]

Don't get 305/70/16s. They are too wide for just a 3" lift and will rub a lot more than 285s. You can make anything work of course, but you will have to cut and pound a lot more with 305s. I ran them a couple years ago and hated them. I could probably fit them now, but I am running more lift than you and trimmed my fenders a lot. Stay with 285s (or 255/85/16s).

 

[fightman80]

Don't get 305/70/16s. They are too wide for just a 3" lift and will rub a lot more than 285s. You can make anything work of course, but you will have to cut and pound a lot more with 305s. I ran them a couple years ago and hated them. I could probably fit them now, but I am running more lift than you and trimmed my fenders a lot. Stay with 285s (or 255/85/16s).

2X on this, my spacer lift barely cleared my 285's when I mounted those up, and I had to trim my plastic bumper valance and remove my mudguards on the front.........