Lift and Tires

[cosmos7]

Been done many times I know, but I've been doing some reading on the forums (including the sticky at the top) and have some questions.

I bought my 01 4WD Sport with 142K almost a year ago, and it's getting time for new tires. I would like to lift a little, so it seems like I should do it at the same time. Trying to figure out which way to go, and how much bigger I can / should go on the tires. The truck spends nearly all of it's time on the road, but we like to do the occasional trail.

Talking with my mechanic (who does lift projects from time to time) he recommended Bilsteins front and back with possible rear spacers to come up 2". He said more than 2 inches typically requires a fair amount more work. This didn't really seem an option mentioned in the sticky? Should I be just looking at a liftkit from Toytech, etc?

Questions:

1. How much more work (parts/labor/etc) is a 3" lift? Also, at what point should I be worrying about redo'ing the CV boots?

2. Current tires are 265/70/16 on stock rims. Say I go up 2"... how much larger of a tire can I go? What about at 3 inches? I'm probably leaning towards pizza cutters over big fatties. Also, how quickly does power drop off as size increases, and at what point should I be thinking about a re-gear?

Thanks for the help.

 

[JohnsD90]

I would do either OME 906's or 890's in the rear which is 2 or 3" lift, and 881's in the front. Completley skip spacers, you have small coils to start with and now they are 10 years old so they will warp and sag and ride like crap with spacers, I would just buy whatever shocks toytec sells with them, and bilstein 5100's in the front if they work with it.

For tires i would go 265/75/R16 with the 2" lift setup as the 285/75's are not the most economical tire to DD, and the tire that i would run is Nitto terra grappler AT's, but many others have their preferences like Goodyear Duratracs, and BFG AT's, but those are the more common AT's people get after they lift. The minor increase in tire size may lower your MPG by 1 or 2, but it shouldnt be noticable.

 

[Gerdo]

I would not go with any spacer lifts. Coil lift only. I would also recommend to go 3". ToyTec has full kits.

Also read my post, #14 http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-ome-lift-kit-does-come-everyhing-needed.html

Post #4 http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/94229-fyi-tire-size-lift-fit.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/94229-fyi-tire-size-lift-fit.html

I'm running 265/75-16 Yokohama AT/S tires (32"). There was a little power loss but not bad. I wheel some craze stuff. I'll be staying with 32"ers.

A 235/85-16 is also a 32" tire.

This is mine sitting at ~3.5" in front and 4" in back on 32" tires.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Ditto to Gerdo and JohnsD90.

I have 2 in front and 2.5 in back (Ironman front, OM 906 in back with procomp ES9000 shocks).

Like what Gerdo said, I wouldn't go over 265/75-16, they just get expensive and hurt gas mileage and power. You can also sometimes find 255/75-16 too.

 

[shiftmx]

I have been through several lifts with several different tires sizes on my 4runner. I found it was easier to run 265s over 285s. Unless you offroad alot, or just got to have 285s, i vote to stick with a mild 2" lift (881/906) and run the 265/75-16. you will be happier with gas mileage, power, and things NOT rubbing. And dont be afraid to run spacers either. The only problem you will have is if your current springs are already worn out then it is probably best just to get new lift springs.

 

[Baja Runner]

I dont see anything wrong with coil spacer lifts. They use the same method of lifting your truck as an adjustable coilover: They preload your coils to increase spring-rate. Coilovers have a preload adjuster, just like you are adding a spacer. OME coils are just a higher spring rate. They don't increase travel... no matter what method you'll get a stiffer ride.

Of course fancy coilovers like Icon, Sway Away, Kings, whatever are nice because they are rebuildable, have a little more travel, and are built well.

 

[Gerdo]

One major problem with spacer lifts is that you use your already worn out coils.
Also the coilovers utilize a longer coil than stock so the ride doesn't suffer. The shorter stock coils can compress till the coils touch.