Lift and Tire Central (pics)... Post 'em Up!

[stanleybb50]

I'n just literally copying my post from another thread to here, since I can finally join the club! Thank you all, and big thanks to Ark of course!

Well - here's the results from today... I'm embaraased at how long it took me to finish the front.

I set the Billies at .85 but also added the Toytec 1/2'' (1'' net) spacer. It looks like I got exactly 2'' on the front from this.

I'll take some better/cleaner pictures tomorrow after I raise the back. I just gotta decide if I'm going to only use the 1'' rear with my stock coils or use the FJ rear coils I snagged, or maybe use both? I plan to keep my Air Lift 1000 bags either way. I just don't want too much rake, especially with the current tires, but need it to be able to haul loads of camping gear without sagging. Current measurements are as follows:

Fr Driver = 35''
Fr Passenger = 35 1/4''
Rr Driver = 35 3/4''
Rr Passenger = 36''

I can honestly say that the ride blew me away. Not harsh at all, but seemingly more controlled, and just absolutely soaks up all any imperfections in the road. Seriously - the Wife was impressed as well, which was one of my biggest concerns. Alignment feels great, but I know it'll need adjusted. I'll get that done this week with inspection.

Just a couple follow up pics. Ended up using the 1'' rear Cornfed with stock coils today. The rear is so easy compared to the front!

New measurements with front and back done =

Fr Driver = 35''
Fr Passenger = 35 1/4''
Rr Driver = 36 3/4''
Rr Passenger = 37''

(Original measurements before any lift were the below):

Fr Driver = 33''
Fr Passenger = 33 1/4''
Rr Driver = 35 3/4''
Rr Passenger = 36''

 

[Burl]

Wanted to post most recent pics in this thread with my new-ish wheels. Since my last photo post in this thread i have repainted my silver door handles, grill and rear hatch piece. I also replaced my silver roof rack with a black Urban Runner rack and replaced my running boards with black step tubes. Really liking the new look.....:boink:

Lookin good!

I like those wheels as well. I like the lip on them. What kind of wheels are they and where did you get them from?

 

[momo.75]

Thanks. They are the BBS wheels that were offered on the Tundras a few years ago. they are 18"x9". I found them used on CraigsList

 

[stanleybb50]

Alright... So I get done lifting and am all excited... Then I see this:

That's my drivers side lower ball joint. Is it just ''spitting'' a little bit due to the new angles? All other joints are great. The boot is definately 100% not torn (I was able to confirm this when the angle was still sharp). The seapage came from/is coming from the very bottom of the boot. Did the seal break loose and I'm now screwed? Or have others seen this as well, only to have it stop leaking on its own? I've wiped a few of the drops of clean grease twice now.

If this is an issue, I don't have a press to change the LBJ. And, if its an issue, can I put a ''new'' boot on there, even though this one is not ''torn''?

This is removing the excitement I had gotten from lifting.... Da**it.

 

[jbmccul]

I can finally post in here!

Went with the OME light duty setup, and Toytec Superflex rear coils. Love the stance and the ride. Also, one of the guys in our local club gave me his 17" tacoma rims with Firestone Destination MT's for free!

 

[4Runner8]

momo i love those wheels man! where did you get them and how much?

 

[momo.75]

I can finally post in here!

Went with the OME light duty setup, and Toytec Superflex rear coils. Love the stance and the ride. Also, one of the guys in our local club gave me his 17" tacoma rims with Firestone Destination MT's for free!

jbmccul, Looks much better. Now you need some Spidertrax wheel spacers.

4Runner8, Thanks. I found them on Craigslist. I have seen a few sets of these listed. I got mine for $425.

As soon as i can get them cleaned up, i am going to be selling my old wheels and Spidertrax spacers.

 

[jbmccul]

jbmccul, Looks much better. Now you need some Spidertrax wheel spacers.

4Runner8, Thanks. I found them on Craigslist. I have seen a few sets of these listed. I got mine for $425.

As soon as i can get them cleaned up, i am going to be selling my old wheels and Spidertrax spacers.

I do need Spidertrax and new UCA's

I see you are selling yours soon.........

PM'ed!

 

[momo.75]

I do need Spidertrax and new UCA's

I see you are selling yours soon.........

PM'ed!

I don't think you will need UCA's. I have only installed a DS spacer lift on mine, so i am not familiar with any of the UCA issues.

 

[jbmccul]

I don't think you will need UCA's. I have only installed a DS spacer lift on mine, so i am not familiar with any of the UCA issues.

I'm sitting at 3"of lift and the stock UCA's make it next to impossible to get a proper alignment

 

[momo.75]

Surely some of the other guys can chime in and let you know what to do about that issue. Just hit you back with a pm

 

[stanleybb50]

Alright... So I get done lifting and am all excited... Then I see this:

That's my drivers side lower ball joint. Is it just ''spitting'' a little bit due to the new angles? All other joints are great. The boot is definately 100% not torn (I was able to confirm this when the angle was still sharp). The seapage came from/is coming from the very bottom of the boot. Did the seal break loose and I'm now screwed? Or have others seen this as well, only to have it stop leaking on its own? I've wiped a few of the drops of clean grease twice now.

If this is an issue, I don't have a press to change the LBJ. And, if its an issue, can I put a ''new'' boot on there, even though this one is not ''torn''?

This is removing the excitement I had gotten from lifting.... Da**it.

As a reference only to anyone who might have this issue in the future: the same question was asked over at Toyota120.com. I ended up getting all the answers anyone should need over there. So just as a reference, see the below link and read the follow up answers and questions/etc on pages 2 and 3:

OME Install - no spring compressor - Page 2 - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

My stresses are over. I'll just need to pop that new boot on sometime in the near future.

Sorry to clutter up the Lift & Tires thread, I just thought it was applicable to those lifting.

 

[blue4run]

New Shoes!

Just got some 285/70/17 Goodyear Duratrac's put on.
First thing I noticed was how much quitter they are than the BFG Mud T/A I had (old school tread pattern) Then I noticed a bit of wandering feel it's not to bad takes a min to get used to it. They are bigger, and much softer rubber than the BFG. I hope I get some miles out of them they were not $cheap$.
I had quite a bit of rubbing in the very front fender so had to push the liner forward for the second time, Then cut a few inches out of the bottom front. I'm very close to the body mount and get a small amount of rub on the passenger side. The rear tires are all good. So far I haven't seen anybody try to fit theses with just a FJ coils and bilstein lift (daystar 1.5 rear). But now I do have plans on getting new coils . It's fine for the road and a small amount of off-road but I think it's to close for the bigger stuff.

 

[momo.75]

Looks great man!

 

[4Runner8]

you'll definitely get the miles outta the D-Tracs. you wont be disappointed!

 

[jbmccul]

Just got some 285/70/17 Goodyear Duratrac's put on.
First thing I noticed was how much quitter they are than the BFG Mud T/A I had (old school tread pattern) Then I noticed a bit of wandering feel it's not to bad takes a min to get used to it. They are bigger, and much softer rubber than the BFG. I hope I get some miles out of them they were not $cheap$.
I had quite a bit of rubbing in the very front fender so had to push the liner forward for the second time, Then cut a few inches out of the bottom front. I'm very close to the body mount and get a small amount of rub on the passenger side. The rear tires are all good. So far I haven't seen anybody try to fit theses with just a FJ coils and bilstein lift (daystar 1.5 rear). But now I do have plans on getting new coils . It's fine for the road and a small amount of off-road but I think it's to close for the bigger stuff.

Love those 5th gen wheels with the dark paint

 

[trailrazer]

Just got some 285/70/17 Goodyear Duratrac's put on.
First thing I noticed was how much quitter they are than the BFG Mud T/A I had (old school tread pattern) Then I noticed a bit of wandering feel it's not to bad takes a min to get used to it. They are bigger, and much softer rubber than the BFG. I hope I get some miles out of them they were not $cheap$.
I had quite a bit of rubbing in the very front fender so had to push the liner forward for the second time, Then cut a few inches out of the bottom front. I'm very close to the body mount and get a small amount of rub on the passenger side. The rear tires are all good. So far I haven't seen anybody try to fit theses with just a FJ coils and bilstein lift (daystar 1.5 rear). But now I do have plans on getting new coils . It's fine for the road and a small amount of off-road but I think it's to close for the bigger stuff.

That looks stellar! I've found several other setups that I like too. It's been about 2 1/2 weeks since I have owned my Runner... this thread is killing me! It's also helped me decide the direction that I'm going.

Over the next month I'll be installing Bilstein 5100's, DS rear spacers, 1.25 wheel spacers and swap out the sway bar bushings. I'm keeping the 17" wheels and trying to decide between the 275 or 285 size tire. I'm staying away from a MT this time. I want to keep decent mileage and the road noise minimal. The Toyo MT's were fine in my Ram, but I want to keep the road wander at a minimum. It gets uncomfortable feeling when towing a trailer.

Based upon what I've read I have boiled it down to the Destination AT's, BFG All Terrain's or the BFG Rugged's. As my finances allow I plan on upgrading to OME coils in the front and rear to gain the full 3" lift. I occassionally hit the back roads to get to my off road motorcycle riding spots and camping. This is my DD so no serious wheeling.

I love this thread and thanks to all that have shared their project builds and other tips. It appears to be a very helpful and positive forum with minimal trash talking. I'll post my pics as I get my mods rolled out. It's just hard to get used to my Runner after owning a Ram. I had a 2005 1/2 ton Quad Cab 4WD with a Hemi. The previous owner had a FabTech 6" lift installed with nice 18" wheels. The bed had Rhino lining and the stereo system was nicely equipped with a custom box and a pair of 10" subs.

However the 9-10 mpg was killing me. My first Runner and I love it!

 

[jbmccul]

That looks stellar! I've found several other setups that I like too. It's been about 2 1/2 weeks since I have owned my Runner... this thread is killing me! It's also helped me decide the direction that I'm going.

Over the next month I'll be installing Bilstein 5100's, DS rear spacers, 1.25 wheel spacers and swap out the sway bar bushings. I'm keeping the 17" wheels and trying to decide between the 275 or 285 size tire. I'm staying away from a MT this time. I want to keep decent mileage and the road noise minimal. The Toyo MT's were fine in my Ram, but I want to keep the road wander at a minimum. It gets uncomfortable feeling when towing a trailer.

Based upon what I've read I have boiled it down to the Destination AT's, BFG All Terrain's or the BFG Rugged's. As my finances allow I plan on upgrading to OME coils in the front and rear to gain the full 3" lift. I occassionally hit the back roads to get to my off road motorcycle riding spots and camping. This is my DD so no serious wheeling.

I love this thread and thanks to all that have shared their project builds and other tips. It appears to be a very helpful and positive forum with minimal trash talking. I'll post my pics as I get my mods rolled out. It's just hard to get used to my Runner after owning a Ram. I had a 2005 1/2 ton Quad Cab 4WD with a Hemi. The previous owner had a FabTech 6" lift installed with nice 18" wheels. The bed had Rhino lining and the stereo system was nicely equipped with a custom box and a pair of 10" subs.

However the 9-10 mpg was killing me. My first Runner and I love it!

I hope when you say BFG Rugged you mean the Rugged Terrain and not the Rugged Trail. The Rugged Fails suck!

 

[trailrazer]

Yep.... I was looking at the Rugged Terrains. They don't make those in a 275 though. I'd probably lean towards the Destinations in that size range. However if I stick with an all terrain then I could probably fit a 285 without MT shoulder lugs rubbing so badly.

 

[blue4run]

That looks stellar! I've found several other setups that I like too. It's been about 2 1/2 weeks since I have owned my Runner... this thread is killing me! It's also helped me decide the direction that I'm going.

Over the next month I'll be installing Bilstein 5100's, DS rear spacers, 1.25 wheel spacers and swap out the sway bar bushings. I'm keeping the 17" wheels and trying to decide between the 275 or 285 size tire. I'm staying away from a MT this time. I want to keep decent mileage and the road noise minimal. The Toyo MT's were fine in my Ram, but I want to keep the road wander at a minimum. It gets uncomfortable feeling when towing a trailer.

Based upon what I've read I have boiled it down to the Destination AT's, BFG All Terrain's or the BFG Rugged's. As my finances allow I plan on upgrading to OME coils in the front and rear to gain the full 3" lift. I occassionally hit the back roads to get to my off road motorcycle riding spots and camping. This is my DD so no serious wheeling.

I love this thread and thanks to all that have shared their project builds and other tips. It appears to be a very helpful and positive forum with minimal trash talking. I'll post my pics as I get my mods rolled out. It's just hard to get used to my Runner after owning a Ram. I had a 2005 1/2 ton Quad Cab 4WD with a Hemi. The previous owner had a FabTech 6" lift installed with nice 18" wheels. The bed had Rhino lining and the stereo system was nicely equipped with a custom box and a pair of 10" subs.

However the 9-10 mpg was killing me. My first Runner and I love it!

Depending on the coils you use the 275's maybe your best bet I am on the edge with the 285's and I got more lift from the FJ coils than expected. I'm sure my suspension was sagging before I started all them mods and I don't have much weight rocking the V6 and no heavy front bumper. I went up about 4 in front and 3 in back. My 255 Mud rubbed just a tinny bit stock. Then adding the 1.25 wheels spacer with FJ rims made the 255's rub badly on the front fenders(no lift), Then with 285's and my lift the front was rubbing so bad I had to cut the plastic just to get home from the tire shop and then cut some more, But it's just plastic and you can't tell unless you really know what to look for. The bigger issues would be the body mounts behind the front tires I'm very close to them but haven't had a problem yet not to say I won't? And a body lift won't help that part.
So get you lift on and do your homework before you go and get bigger tires.eace: