Sonoran Steel 1.2 lift finally installed!!!

[01PArunner]

Well, it was a busy week last week for the 4Runner. In the beginning of the week I had the back glass replaced because a darn rock flew up when I was mowing and shattered the whole back window!! I was not very happy!!!!! But then on Wednesday my luck turned around when my S.S.1.2 lift arrived!:banana: I had the lift installed on friday at a local reputable shop that I do alot of business with. I'm very pleased with my decision to go with this system! It rides so much better than my worn out stock suspension!! Although I was a little disappointed when we tried to mount up my 285 ProComps on stock rims. There was slight rubbing on the A-arms close to full lock. I'm planning on buying some 16"x8" rims so I can run the new tires. Any suggestions? So for the time being I'm running with my worn out P265/70-16s. I hope to have pics up this weekend. Sorry for the long story!

 

[zer0cool]

Glad to hear your lift went well. I actually have a question about the rear window though. Mine seems dead, and for some reason has come off it's rail or something because it sits crooked. Did you replace the new window yourself? If so what's the best way to get in there and see what's wrong?

 

[01PArunner]

Glad to hear your lift went well. I actually have a question about the rear window though. Mine seems dead, and for some reason has come off it's rail or something because it sits crooked. Did you replace the new window yourself? If so what's the best way to get in there and see what's wrong?

I actually had it replaced at a local automotive glass shop since it was a comprehensive insurance claim. Sorry I can't help you out!

 

[2000Black]

sounds like it looks pretty sweet but there no pics!
:worthless

 

[01PArunner]

sounds like it looks pretty sweet but there no pics!
:worthless

Sorry, I know it sounds stupid, but I don't have a digital camera yet! I have to borrow my girlfriend's this weekend.

 

[brian2sun]

I'm planning on buying some 16"x8" rims so I can run the new tires. Any suggestions? So for the time being I'm running with my worn out P265/70-16s. I hope to have pics up this weekend. Sorry for the long story!

8" rims will make the rubbing worse as it will make the tires even wider. You can easily run 285s on your 7" stock wheels if you get wheel spacers. Good bolt-on hubcentric wheels spacers will run about $80-125 shipped. Cheap .25" spacers will work also and wheelersoffroad.com has them for ~$5 + shipping. The cheapies aren't bolt-on, they just go in-between like a washer, but they will work.

The other option (if you don't want to run spacers) is to get new wheels, but the backspacing is the main concern - not the rim width so much. If you want 7" or 8" wheels both will be fine, but you'll need to go with 4" BS. The stock wheels are 4.65" BS so if you get new wheels with 4" BS, the tires will be pushed out .65" and will clear the a-arms. You could get away with 4.25" BS but it's a lot easier to find wheels with 4". Get: 16x7 or 16x8, 4" BS, 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern and you'll be set.

 

[01PArunner]

8" rims will make the rubbing worse as it will make the tires even wider. You can easily run 285s on your 7" stock wheels if you get wheel spacers. Good bolt-on hubcentric wheels spacers will run about $80-125 shipped. Cheap .25" spacers will work also and wheelersoffroad.com has them for ~$5 + shipping. The cheapies aren't bolt-on, they just go in-between like a washer, but they will work.

The other option (if you don't want to run spacers) is to get new wheels, but the backspacing is the main concern - not the rim width so much. If you want 7" or 8" wheels both will be fine, but you'll need to go with 4" BS. The stock wheels are 4.65" BS so if you get new wheels with 4" BS, the tires will be pushed out .65" and will clear the a-arms. You could get away with 4.25" BS but it's a lot easier to find wheels with 4". Get: 16x7 or 16x8, 4" BS, 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern and you'll be set.

Thanks Brian! I'll have to check for sure, but I think it's illegal to run wheel spacers in my state. I was told by Steve at Sonoran Steel earlier, that I could use a 16"x8"rim with 4.5" backspacing but 4" would create more rubbing on the inside of fenders. So I'm not sure what will work!:shrug: My local shop said we could order in a set of rims and test fit them, so I get the proper fitment.

 

[brian2sun]

Thanks Brian! I'll have to check for sure, but I think it's illegal to run wheel spacers in my state. I was told by Steve at Sonoran Steel earlier, that I could use a 16"x8"rim with 4.5" backspacing but 4" would create more rubbing on the inside of fenders. So I'm not sure what will work!:shrug: My local shop said we could order in a set of rims and test fit them, so I get the proper fitment.

Less backspacing = more pushed out. I'm absolutely sure that Steve knows his stuff, but there must be a mistake. If you went with that advice, you will be taking a real chance. 4.5" is essentially the same BS as what you have now. Mix that with a wider wheel and your tire won't be getting any skinnier. Not trying to prove it, I just wouldn't want to see you spend hundreds and end up in the same situation you're in now. If you go with 4", you'll have a little cushion.

 

[01PArunner]

Less backspacing = more pushed out. I'm absolutely sure that Steve knows his stuff, but there must be a mistake. If you went with that advice, you will be taking a real chance. 4.5" is essentially the same BS as what you have now. Mix that with a wider wheel and your tire won't be getting any skinnier. Not trying to prove it, I just wouldn't want to see you spend hundreds and end up in the same situation you're in now. If you go with 4", you'll have a little cushion.

I'm just curious! Are you running wheel spacers with your stock rims? Did you rub any when you ran your 285s with just the 3" susp. lift? Correct me if I'm wrong but a stock 4.625" backspaced wheel with a 1.25" spacer would equal to a new backspacing of 3.375".

 

[brian2sun]

I'm just curious! Are you running wheel spacers with your stock rims? Did you rub any when you ran your 285s with just the 3" susp. lift? Correct me if I'm wrong but a stock 4.625" backspaced wheel with a 1.25" spacer would equal to a new backspacing of 3.375".

I'm not running stock rims or 285s anymore, but when I was, I needed spacers. I had 1"ers in the front so my effective BS was 3.65". I really didn't rub much at all (never on my arms), only at full lock and full compression, but I did pound my pinch welds flat in the wheel wells and I trimmed some of the plastic skirt away. I also removed my mud flaps.

Then I got a 1" body lift and recently went to 255/85s on 16x7s with 4" BS so the taller skinnier tires would stick out as far as my 285s did. I left the spacers on, not because I needed them for a-arm clearance, but because the wider stance helps even out the high COG from my lift.

 

[2000Black]

Sorry, I know it sounds stupid, but I don't have a digital camera yet! I have to borrow my girlfriend's this weekend.

No worries, someone would have said it, i thought i'd be the first. Take some as soon as you get a chance though. Im interested in what it looks like. Oh and hope you figure out the wheel spacing, it sounds CONFUSING

 

[SamSter0077]

:snacker: Pics Please!

 

[jimbob394]

Is a 15x10 wheel too wide? (running the SS 1.2 and a 2" 4crawler BL with 33" tires)

 

[brian2sun]

Is a 15x10 wheel too wide? (running the SS 1.2 and a 2" 4crawler BL with 33" tires)

That depends on what size tire you're going to be mounting on your 15x10s.

 

[jimbob394]

That depends on what size tire you're going to be mounting on your 15x10s.

33 x 12.5 - 15?

 

[brian2sun]

It will work. Optimally you'd probably want an 8-9" wheel for that tire, but 10" will be ok, it'll just make the tire a little wider. Depending on the backspacing of those wheels, you'll probably need wheel spacers in the front with the 12.5" wide tires to keep from rubbing on the UCAs.

 

[jimbob394]

It will work. Optimally you'd probably want an 8-9" wheel for that tire, but 10" will be ok, it'll just make the tire a little wider. Depending on the backspacing of those wheels, you'll probably need wheel spacers in the front with the 12.5" wide tires to keep from rubbing on the UCAs.

Thanks for the help dude, that helps a lot :thanks:

 

[brian2sun]

If you're going to be off roading a lot, you stand more of a chance of loosing a bead when you're aired down with a wide rim like that. I still think it would be fine, but there's less chance of that threat with a skinnier wheel.

 

[jsmithjr732]

Less backspacing = more pushed out. I'm absolutely sure that Steve knows his stuff, but there must be a mistake. If you went with that advice, you will be taking a real chance. 4.5" is essentially the same BS as what you have now. Mix that with a wider wheel and your tire won't be getting any skinnier. Not trying to prove it, I just wouldn't want to see you spend hundreds and end up in the same situation you're in now. If you go with 4", you'll have a little cushion.

I emailed Steve today and he mentioned the same when I asked about backspacing with the 1.2 lift:

5” will rub the upper a-arm and 4” you will have to do a lot of trimming possibly even the metal on the fenders. What you want for the 285/75/16 or the 255/85/16 is a 16” wheel, the stock rim, 7” wide with 4.5” back spacing or a 8” wide rim with 4.5” back spacing.

 

[brian2sun]

I emailed Steve today and he mentioned the same when I asked about backspacing with the 1.2 lift:

5” will rub the upper a-arm and 4” you will have to do a lot of trimming possibly even the metal on the fenders. What you want for the 285/75/16 or the 255/85/16 is a 16” wheel, the stock rim, 7” wide with 4.5” back spacing or a 8” wide rim with 4.5” back spacing.

Since I'm running 255/85/16s, I will confirm that 4" BS is better for that tire. I don't rub (with minor front fender trimming) and I chose 4" BS over (the stock) 4.65" BS to push them out and widen my track so my COG is lower. This setup is better for 255s, no question. Much more stable on and off road.

As for 285/75/16s, I took some quick measurements this morning on my truck and also based off my past experience of running 285s, I've come to the conlusion that both Steve from SS and myself are both correct and not so correct at the same time. Here's what I mean...

If you run 285/75/16s with 4.5" BS on 7 or 8" rims, you will be golden for the rears, but the fronts will be cutting it very close to the UCAs (most likely touching them if you run M/Ts). The difference in BS from stock will be about the width of a penny so tire brands will vary at least that much so unfortunately it is not a definitive answer. Lots of people have confirmed that they must use at least .25" wheel spacers with 4.65 (stock) BS and 285s. The only people I've heard of that run 285s on stock wheels and don't need any wheel spacers are running A/Ts.

If you go with 4" BS, it's the exact opposite as far as tire rubbing goes. You will be golden in the front (you will have about .5" between your front tires and UCAs), but you may rub on the rears now, depending on how much lift you put on. 4" BS may push the rear tires out a little bit too far and they might catch the inside lip of the upper fender (which can be trimmed).

I would say you have 4 choices:
1) 285 M/Ts, 4.5" BS, and just expect to have to run front wheel spacers (mostly depends on tire brand).
2) 285 A/Ts, 4.5" BS, and you might be able to get away without wheel spacers, but you won't know for sure until they're installed.
3) 285 M/Ts or A/T's, 4" BS, probably some rear fender trimming (it will be cutting it close).
4) 255 M/Ts or A/Ts, 4" BS. No issues here. The tires are skinny enough to tuck into all the fender wells without rubbing.

I really like my 255s and I will not be going back to 285s if this makes any difference to you. I think this is the best setup hands down and I've had both to compare. Hope this helps you out.