Savvy me up on lift/tire options

[Bobcat Sig]

Hey all ...

Been lurking here for a while. Bought a remote start off a member a few years ago. Now, I'm seriously considering a new 2012 4Runner to replace my aging and weathered 2001 Land Cruiser.

I've been furiously interwebbing around this section, paying particular attention to the lifted pics thread. Lots of option, it seems. So much so that they appear to be dizzying.

In short, I want to slightly improve both the capabilities of the 4Runner with a small lift and tires. My prototypical ideas are that of Qjake's and RiDE's Zombie Crusher.

What am I looking at for lift options; coil-over? Spacers? UCAs?
And secondly, what tire sizes are acceptable with lift types.

Disclaimer: I realize that with the wheel options available for the 4Runner, the options are many, as are the backspacing and offsets.

You help is much appreciated.

 

[Stifler]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/65893-post-your-lifted-pix-here.html

 

[Bobcat Sig]

I've been furiously interwebbing around this section, paying particular attention to the lifted pics thread. Lots of option, it seems. So much so that they appear to be dizzying.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/65893-post-your-lifted-pix-here.html

All over that.

Perhaps I should clarify; are there threads that I can be pointed towards the delineate how to accomplish certain lifts and/or the pro-cons to coil-overs vs. spacers and other options?

I realize that much of it is contained here, but it's scattered all over and the search function usually returns the phone book. So I'm hoping to tap into the collective here to feed my geek-spec side.

 

[1engineer]

If you follow this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/107831-5th-gen-build-threads.html there are at least 16 different ways to lift, build and equip your 4Runner.

 

[philsey]

Use this structure in Google for best searching results:

site:toyota-4runner.org/5th xxxx xxxx

where xxx is your search criteria.

 

[brockeverly]

Depends on your use. Myself and Intruder have structured our builds around camping and overlanding. Others (I.E. adio3x) have built for rock crawling, while others have built more for look.

I have found my setup to be perfect for my use. Others might not.

Give us an idea of your desired use and I am sure someone would be happy to help.

 

[DannyLlama]

If you follow this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/107831-5th-gen-build-threads.html there are at least 16 different ways to lift, build and equip your 4Runner.

First time I have seen this thread, Should be a sticky!

 

[brockeverly]

First time I have seen this thread, Should be a sticky!

It is :hatsoff:

 

[DannyLlama]

It is :hatsoff:

Don't see it.. My vision might be slipping on me.

ON another thought, you do need a build thread sir

 

[Bobcat Sig]

Depends on your use. Myself and Intruder have structured our builds around camping and overlanding. Others (I.E. adio3x) have built for rock crawling, while others have built more for look.

I have found my setup to be perfect for my use. Others might not.

Give us an idea of your desired use and I am sure someone would be happy to help.

Radness. Thank you.

My use is primarily overland and camping. Not much for rock crawling here in Montana - at least much that I'm interested in. Admittedly, there is a looks component driving this, as well. In stock form, the wheels & tires simply look too small to go with the body.

Initially, I'm sold on the DuraTracs. They get rave reviews from those here in Montana and over at IH8MUD. For Montana, those tires seem about perfect.

Now, I'm mostly curious about the particulars of going with a coil-over/UCA set up vs. spacers. I did try interwebbing a bit around the suspension forums and despite my savvy with vBulletin, specific bits of info eluded me. I see ICON mentioned frequently for coil overs. I also saw OW mentioned, but through teh Googlez, they are now out of business. What can the collective share?

Regarding tire size, it looks like my options in the DuraTrac are 285/70r17 if I maintained the 17" wheel size, which I'd like to do. Is that the case with a lift?

First time I have seen this thread, Should be a sticky!

Is that sarcasm I detect?

 

[brockeverly]

Radness. Thank you.

My use is primarily overland and camping. Not much for rock crawling here in Montana - at least much that I'm interested in. Admittedly, there is a looks component driving this, as well. In stock form, the wheels & tires simply look too small to go with the body.

Initially, I'm sold on the DuraTracs. They get rave reviews from those here in Montana and over at IH8MUD. For Montana, those tires seem about perfect.

Now, I'm mostly curious about the particulars of going with a coil-over/UCA set up vs. spacers. I did try interwebbing a bit around the suspension forums and despite my savvy with vBulletin, specific bits of info eluded me. I see ICON mentioned frequently for coil overs. I also saw OW mentioned, but through teh Googlez, they are now out of business. What can the collective share?

Regarding tire size, it looks like my options in the DuraTrac are 285/70r17 if I maintained the 17" wheel size, which I'd like to do. Is that the case with a lift?


Is that sarcasm I detect?

So, just to be clear, you already have coilovers. You just don't have adjustable coilovers. Do you plan on adding addition weight to the front end later (bumper, winch, etc), or do you feel the need to fine tune ride height? If not, I think you are comparing an apple to an orange and you may be better suited looking at springs vs adjustable coilovers.

My recommendation would be an OME kit. Inexpensive, looks and performs great. ToyTec is a great vendor to purchase through, and offer discounts to t4r members. PM sn0wrunner, he is great at tracking down what the best system would be for your usage. You only need UCA's if you plan on more lift than 3" from what I understand. My specs are in the sig below, no UCA's were needed.

As far as a coil spacer, steer clear. Don't waste the money, you will end up on springs or adjustables later. Ask anyone here with more heavily built trucks, we almost all started on spacers and spent money twice for alignments, etc. Coils/Adjustables will flex better than a spacer, ride better, will not preload, no droop issues. When it comes to a lift, think about it like this. If you are 5'6" with a 6" extension on your shoes you will not maneuver as well as someone who is 6'. You are both the same height, but your geometry is a bit off. They work great to clear bigger tires, but that is about it.

Duratracs, no need to look any further. Best tires out IMO. I have been buried axle deep in mud with my trailer on and they (and Toyota's fantastic 4x4) have not let me down.

 

[limamike]

Radness. Thank you.

My use is primarily overland and camping. Not much for rock crawling here in Montana - at least much that I'm interested in. Admittedly, there is a looks component driving this, as well. In stock form, the wheels & tires simply look too small to go with the body.

Initially, I'm sold on the DuraTracs. They get rave reviews from those here in Montana and over at IH8MUD. For Montana, those tires seem about perfect.

Now, I'm mostly curious about the particulars of going with a coil-over/UCA set up vs. spacers. I did try interwebbing a bit around the suspension forums and despite my savvy with vBulletin, specific bits of info eluded me. I see ICON mentioned frequently for coil overs. I also saw OW mentioned, but through teh Googlez, they are now out of business. What can the collective share?

Regarding tire size, it looks like my options in the DuraTrac are 285/70r17 if I maintained the 17" wheel size, which I'd like to do. Is that the case with a lift?


Is that sarcasm I detect?

You cannot go wrong with ICON. Nothing but good things are posted about their product and customer service (I know the quality of both firsthand). However, you're going to pay for quality with ICON. 4Shorerunner has Bilstein's on his truck, and he's driven trucks with an ICON suspension and he claims the difference is night and day. I love my ICON suspension, and I think it was worth every penny not only for daily driving, but especially for offroading. It's a great setup for rock crawling or even high speed driving through fire breaks and dirt roads.

 

[Bobcat Sig]

So, just to be clear, you already have coilovers. You just don't have adjustable coilovers. Do you plan on adding addition weight to the front end later (bumper, winch, etc), or do you feel the need to fine tune ride height? If not, I think you are comparing an apple to an orange and you may be better suited looking at springs vs adjustable coilovers.

My recommendation would be an OME kit. Inexpensive, looks and performs great. ToyTec is a great vendor to purchase through, and offer discounts to t4r members. PM sn0wrunner, he is great at tracking down what the best system would be for your usage. You only need UCA's if you plan on more lift than 3" from what I understand. My specs are in the sig below, no UCA's were needed.

As far as a coil spacer, steer clear. Don't waste the money, you will end up on springs or adjustables later. Ask anyone here with more heavily built trucks, we almost all started on spacers and spent money twice for alignments, etc. Coils/Adjustables will flex better than a spacer, ride better, will not preload, no droop issues. When it comes to a lift, think about it like this. If you are 5'6" with a 6" extension on your shoes you will not maneuver as well as someone who is 6'. You are both the same height, but your geometry is a bit off. They work great to clear bigger tires, but that is about it.

Duratracs, no need to look any further. Best tires out IMO. I have been buried axle deep in mud with my trailer on and they (and Toyota's fantastic 4x4) have not let me down.

Excellent information. Thank you. I am familiar OME as it was about the only option when wanting to lift your Land Cruiser. I asked about spacers because I saw them mentioned frequently and they were also discussed when I lurked around TTORA when I had my Tacoma.

Initially, I don't anticipate extra weight. Although, a Demello bumper + winch looks pretty rad, but that's a ways off.

You cannot go wrong with ICON. Nothing but good things are posted about their product and customer service (I know the quality of both firsthand). However, you're going to pay for quality with ICON. 4Shorerunner has Bilstein's on his truck, and he's driven trucks with an ICON suspension and he claims the difference is night and day. I love my ICON suspension, and I think it was worth every penny not only for daily driving, but especially for offroading. It's a great setup for rock crawling or even high speed driving through fire breaks and dirt roads.

Also great info, thank you. In terms of ride quality, can you expand on the differences that you mentioned or point me to a thread that discusses this?
I ask because while I would like some performance, I don't want the teeth chattered out of my head. I do a lot of rather rough gravel road driving here in The Big Sky.

 

[limamike]

Excellent information. Thank you. I am familiar OME as it was about the only option when wanting to lift your Land Cruiser. I asked about spacers because I saw them mentioned frequently and they were also discussed when I lurked around TTORA when I had my Tacoma.

Initially, I don't anticipate extra weight. Although, a Demello bumper + winch looks pretty rad, but that's a ways off.


Also great info, thank you. In terms of ride quality, can you expand on the differences that you mentioned or point me to a thread that discusses this?
I ask because while I would like some performance, I don't want the teeth chattered out of my head. I do a lot of rather rough gravel road driving here in The Big Sky.

I'd suggest PMing 4Shorerunner and asking him to expound on the differences. I do know that he's run with myself and Joneseyyy (both Joneseyyy and I have similar ICON setups) and he has, at times, not felt comfortable keeping the same pace as us. He can go everywhere we go and do everything we do, but he mentioned it really being uncomfortable at times where myself and Joneseyyy were flying through the rough stuff. ICONs are very aggressively valved, so it seems the faster you go the smoother the ride you'll have!

 

[BigredTEX]

I've got the OME setup with the stiffest springs. It wasn't my choice since I bought the truck with everything already installed. I haven't installed any other gear yet (bumpers, winch) that would fully utilize the spring stiffness and the ride is pretty choppy. Strongly considering retrofitting the mid-level spring set. Shock damping rate seems to be spot on. That is one plus for OME that you have three options for spring rates, but you don't have the adjustability of the ICON setup. I also have LR UCA's. Adjustable UCA's are a must to get the caster adjustment range you will need.

I've also got 17" XD wheels with 285/70 BFG Mud Terrains. I can't recommend these tires for street use (again, not my choice), but they are great off road. Aired down to 15 psi the ride is very smooth.