Newbe 87 T4R

[Buck87]

Hi,
I'm a new user and here are some pictures of my recently purchased 87 SR5 4Runner. I've been wanting one for a while and got this with the 22r and 5 speed. couple of questions:
1) Is the roof rack in the photo original?
2) I'm thinking about removing some or all of the lift and going with 31 inch tires. The tires in the attatched pics measure about 28 inches. Does that seem like a good idea?

 

[fourwd1]

The rack does not look original, the 28" tires do.
What makes you think there's a lift kit, and why remove it to install larger 31' tires?

 

[Buck87]

There is a 3-4 inch body lift. Spacers in between the rails and the body. I know that I don't need to remove the lift to get bigger tires but I wonder if I can get by with less lift. I don't plan on doing a lot of rock climbing but I do want to be functional off road. I dont want the truck lifted just for looks: so I am wonering how much lift I really need for functionality.

 

[fourwd1]

OK
You should be able to fit 31's w/o the body lift.

 

[Buck87]

Thanks for the in-put. I love my "new truck" because it is so well engineered. This one is great because I don't think it has been wheeled hard but it did come prescratched and dented so I don't have to worry about keeping it perfect. I don't think that it has been wheeled much because the body lift is preventing the shifter from going into 4w-low. I'm thinking about taking some of the lift out by cutting the spacers. They do not look like they are neoprene so I may want to replace them anyway.

 

[KidVermicious]

You may need some backspacing, or a couple cranks on the torsion bars, to run 31s unlifted. Depends on the tire, and how your suspension is doing. I've got a little sag in my front torsion bars, so I rub a bit if I turn too tight.

Burlier torsion bars and ball joint spacers are in my future.

 

[Buck87]

Thanks for the idea. It seems to me that lift in the suspension does more good for ground clearence than body lift. How is your power and gas milage with the 31's?

 

[KidVermicious]

Thanks for the idea. It seems to me that lift in the suspension does more good for ground clearence than body lift. How is your power and gas milage with the 31's?

Power is disgusting. I have none. It's a nearly stock 22re at 4300 feet trying to turn 31x11.5x15's, for hecks sake.

Lift is not lift. I mean, not in the sense that you're thinking... it's not the lift that gets your underparts away from the rocks, it's the tires. Lift just gives you room to run bigger tires. The biggest difference between "body" and "suspension" lifts is, the second generally gives you more travel, and in terms of rough terrain, articulation is king.

 

[fourwd1]

Thanks for the idea. It seems to me that lift in the suspension does more good for ground clearence than body lift. How is your power and gas milage with the 31's?

You're correct. A body lift has it's uses but does not improve ground clearance.
Since the 80's trucks were available with a factory 31" tire package, fitting them on is not a big problem. They changed the gearing to compensate, but the difference is negligible. If you were changing to 33's you would really notice the difference in power and mpg, but 31's isn't bad.

 

[Buck87]

Great info.

Thanks
Matt

 

[rustbucket]

I have 31" on my 89 with no lift at all( still stock suspension from 1989) and I need new rear leafs due to the rear sagging but can't find any. I want a lift though. Maybe ome.

 

[rustbucket]

I have 31" on my 89 with no lift at all( still stock suspension from 1989) and I need new rear leafs due to the rear sagging but can't find any. I want a lift though. Maybe ome.

31x10.5r15 factory size. Ill get a pic for you in a bit

 

[Nodd]

You could just keep the body lift. Unlike a suspension lift, it doesn't raise the truck's center of gravity all that much. So you keep most of the stock highway handling. It doesn't sound like you plan to do any serious wheeling so articulation, I'm guessing, isn't a big issue. Then again if the body lift is preventing you shifting into 4WL then I'd consider that a bit of a problem. Anyway enjoy your new ride. Best of luck.