Lift question?? Please help!!

[Rolltide10]

I have no clue if this is how you measure it or not but i took a tape measurer and measured from the top of my wheel to the flare. And the rear was just over 7 inches from the top of the tire and the front was about 4 and 3/4 inches fro mthe top of the tire. Is this normal and would just putting a 2 inch spacer in the front make much difference?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I have no clue if this is how you measure it or not but i took a tape measurer and measured from the top of my wheel to the flare. And the rear was just over 7 inches from the top of the tire and the front was about 4 and 3/4 inches fro mthe top of the tire. Is this normal and would just putting a 2 inch spacer in the front make much difference?

Most measure from the ground to the fender lip. I like to see from the center of the hubcap to the fender lip as that negates any affect different tires sizes may have on the measurement.

Visually 2" of lift in the front will make a big difference as it'll take out a lot of the rake.

:cheers:

 

[Rolltide10]

you think enough to go up from a 255/50/20 to a 275/50/20 or something along those lines? From the center of my hub in the rear it measures 21" and in the front it measures 18.5". From the ground it measure 35" in the rear and 33" in front.

 

[hoggy]

Both those sizes calculate under 31" diameter so I'd say they'd both work. Maybe the 275 would need wheel spacers but I doubt it.

 

[jlmilligan]

I run 265/75-16 (32") BFG ATs and have no rubbing at all. I put my lift on after the tires. My lift: 4 FJC springs, 2" front spacer (1" spacer thickness). The difference from front to rear is the rear sits about a 1/4" higher. I personally would like to raise the rear about a half inch to get some rack back. I do not tow very often and I usually do not have the back loaded so it isn't worth me pulling the front springs. My opinion would be to raise the front about 1.5". Which would be a .75" spacer. Hope this helps.

 

[Rolltide10]

I'm still confused as to what to buy. If i buy say a 2" Toytec front spacer... Is that tellin me how much it is going to lift or how much material there is?
jlmilligan: Will you post a picture I wanna see what those BFG A/T look like on a runner.

 

[jlmilligan]

I do not know how Toytec promotes there lifts, I would guess that a 2" spacer would give you 2" of lift. I do not think I would dare put a 4" spacer (2" of material) on my T4R. I purchased mine used and I was told that it was a 1" spacer. Which it is, it measures 1". However, It gives me 2" of lift. Most places would tell you the maximum gain. It sounds better and would probably sell better.

As far as the BFG's, I can honestly say my next set of tires will be the same. I have heard they are not as good as others in the rain. That by no means, mean the are not good in rain. With the snow, slush, sleet, and rain we get here in Maine, I feel they are a top notch, complete package tire. I know many people that have gone with other "better rated" tires, just to go back to the BFG. It all depends on what look, ride, and road type you are going for.

These were taken just after the lift.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44362

 

[jlmilligan]

these were taken today, running boards removed.

 

[jlmilligan]

again

 

[Rolltide10]

Thanks. I'm trying to decide between the A/T and Nitto Terra Grapplers. I have 20 inch rims so i'm uncertain of if it will look good or not. I like how FoSheezy's looks with the lower profile nitto. Any thoughts?

 

[jlmilligan]

LT285/55R20/D - That is the only tire BFG has listed that is close to a 265/75/16. It is 32.5" tall compared to mine which are 31.8". With the extra height and width, I would say wheel spacers would probably be needed. Otherwise, go with the Nittos. I would love to see how your rig would look with BFG's.

 

[Rolltide10]

with 20 inch rims it would be a slightly thinner tire right? or does that even matter. I don't want it too big like i said FoSheezy has his nitto's the way i'd like it to look on mine.

 

[jlmilligan]

with 20 inch rims it would be a slightly thinner tire right? or does that even matter. I don't want it too big like i said FoSheezy has his nitto's the way i'd like it to look on mine.

The rim size does matter in how thick the sidewall is. In case there is a question, here is the breakdown on tire sizing.
265/75-16 Obviously the 16 is the rim size. The 265 number is the width in millimeters. The 75 is the sidewall height as a ratio to the width. 75% of 265 is 198.75 millimeters of sidewall height. You can actually figure out the tire height just by know the size. If you go with a 275/55-20, here is your basic size.
275 divided by 25.4 = 10.83 inches wide (converting to inches)
10.83 x .55 = 5.96 inches of sidewall height
5.96 x 2 (2 sidewalls, top and bottom) = 11.92
11.92 + 20" rim = 31.92 of overall height

My tire compared to yours = mine is narrow, yours has 1.9" less sidewall, and they both have the same overall height.

I would definitley raise the front, and then try to get a tire with an overall height of 32" plus or minus. This would fill up the wheel well and still leave room for suspension travel.

 

[hoggy]

I kind of think he meant sidewall height not actual thickness of the sidewall, but your break down is absolutely correct.

 

[jlmilligan]

I kind of think he meant sidewall height not actual thickness of the sidewall, but your break down is absolutely correct.

That is what I figured too. That is why I went into the breakdown. Otherwise I would have went into load ratings and I normally just confuse myself on that one.

 

[Rolltide10]

so what size would you recommend with just lifting the front 2" and will i need wheel spacers or anything?

 

[jlmilligan]

This is what I would probably do with 20's
No Spacers = 265/50-20 (same width and height as stock)
Possible Spacers = 275/55-20 (Little wider, 1" taller, same height as 265/75-16)
With spacers = 285/55-20 (little wider, little taller)
i do not know how wide you can go before you need spacers. I know with the BFG's, I am really close when turning with the 265 width. I think the 275/55-20 Nittos would be a great choice, just not sure if spacers are needed.

 

[hoggy]

I think spacers help with the clearance of the UCA's but it seems to me that they would put the leading outside edge of your tire into the front edge of the fender or at the very least cause one to have to cut out the wheel well and maybe a bit of the fender in front. Looks to me like solving one problem may lead to another. There are a lot of people on this forum who have actually done these mods who can say what's really going to happen. SO far I've only lifted mine so I'm watching closely for replies.

 

[Rolltide10]

do you think a 265/50 would fill the wheel well pretty good? A 275/55/20 has a 31.8 over all diameter on the nitto terra grapplers. That sounds like it would fit to me. What do you think?

 

[jlmilligan]

do you think a 265/50 would fill the wheel well pretty good?

Did you buy a 20" for your spare? A 265/50-20 has the same outer diameter of the stock 265/65-17 or the 265/70-16. If you still have the 17" as your spare, then throw that on after the lift and see how she looks. If you need more tire and have room for more width, then go with the 275/55. The other option is find some one with a stock spare you could use. I believe GM trucks have the same bolt pattern if the are the 2006 and older models.