Sonoran Steel Install
- Thread starter spongerx
- Start date
spongerx
Member
I think that the rear springs were held up slightly when I first installed them. I took a drive and they dropped into place. You can't go wrong the this kit. But know that it'll look a little funny without getting bigger tires. I've got a lot of room in the wheel wells with my 265/70's 
If SS is 30 minutes away it might be worth taking a drive and having a chat with the lads up there. :cheers:
If SS is 30 minutes away it might be worth taking a drive and having a chat with the lads up there. :cheers:
I think that the rear springs were held up slightly when I first installed them. I took a drive and they dropped into place. You can't go wrong the this kit. But know that it'll look a little funny without getting bigger tires. I've got a lot of room in the wheel wells with my 265/70's
If SS is 30 minutes away it might be worth taking a drive and having a chat with the lads up there. :cheers:
Yeah, I might head up there this weekend, I emailed them and to see if they have a Military discount. What size tire would be best for this lift?
brian2sun
Elite Member
You only really have 2 choices as far as tires go unless you want to get a body lift, do some more extensive pounding and cutting on your fenders, and get 35s. The 2 choices you have for the 1.2 kit the way it will come are (and this is assuming you have 16" wheels) 285/75R16s (33x11) or 255/85R16s (33.5x10). I have 255s now and like them better than the 285s I had. I think the tall skinnies look perfect on a 3rd gen (they just fit the truck aesthetically IMO) and they are a bit taller so you'll have a little more ground clearance too. I got wheels with .5" less backspacing (4") to push the skinny tires out so my track width stays wide too.
spongerx
Member
Thats what I want to do. Get the kind of rim that will push the tire about an inch or so outside of the wheel well. I'm really not too stoked on the drop of power/mpg with 285s or the 255s so I'm thinking I might just going with a 265/75 and the kind of rims that I described above. When I get closer to purchase I'll probably be asking if anyone has pictures of that rim/lift/tire combo so I can see how it looks.
brian2sun
Elite Member
The lift won't look bad with 265/75s (I forgot to mention that they are a tire option too although kinda small IMO), but IMO that lift looks a lot better with 33s. As a matter of fact, SS has some pics of the 1.2 kit w/ 265s on their site so you can see:
2001-2002 - System 1.2 - $1,274.00 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts
(the 2 pics at the bottom of the silver one)
2001-2002 - System 1.2 - $1,274.00 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts
(the 2 pics at the bottom of the silver one)
I ultimately went with the 265/75s on my SS1.2 to minimize the power and mileage loss. After wheeling a Jeep on 33x12.5x15s for the last 6 years I was worried about loosing the inch of ground clearance but so far it has not been a major issue. The only downside in my mind is that there is a large gap in the rear wheel wells, but if you have a heavy bumper it will help with that.
- Matt
spongerx
Member
I agree that 33s really do fit/look the best. But she's still my daily driver at this point. Maybe when I'm out of college and have a three car garage I'll throw on the 33s and leave it for weekend trips only. :cheers:
sprockmember
New member
It's funny, because I was just talking the dude from SS about ordering some parts (which I did) and he was telling me about the recent influx of calls and orders from Montana. I guess you were one of them!
I have quite a few friends up in Missoula (anyone with a sprock sticker... mostly s13's and ae86's) and my band will be playing a few shows up there soon. We should get together and shoot the shit!
I have quite a few friends up in Missoula (anyone with a sprock sticker... mostly s13's and ae86's) and my band will be playing a few shows up there soon. We should get together and shoot the shit!
spongerx
Member
Sounds good. I've seen a few 2nd gen SAS's around and a couple moded 3rd gens but over all I don't see a whole lot of toyota off-road folk. But they're out there... :hiding:
I did a search on my computer and apparently I don't ever take pictures directly from the side.
Here are a few that are close, if I have a chance I'll drive the 4runner to work tomorrow and take a side picture.Here's one from the cell phone.
- Matt
Spish, thanks. These are 265/75/16 Maxxis Bighorns. My build information is at the following link if you are interested.
2000 Toyota 4Runner (BlankWhitePage)
spongerx, here's a view from the side. I took this yesterday and the truck just happened to be clean for once. As you can see, when the truck is unloaded the rear fender gap is quite a big larger than the front. In most of the other pictures I posted my camping gear is in the rear which brings the height down a bit. This actually works out pretty well since even when loaded I have reasonable clearance under the rear hitch.
- Matt
2000 Toyota 4Runner (BlankWhitePage)
spongerx, here's a view from the side. I took this yesterday and the truck just happened to be clean for once. As you can see, when the truck is unloaded the rear fender gap is quite a big larger than the front. In most of the other pictures I posted my camping gear is in the rear which brings the height down a bit. This actually works out pretty well since even when loaded I have reasonable clearance under the rear hitch.
- Matt
Hi from Tucson,
first time poster in the forum, and just looked thru your post. I'm picking up the SS 1.2 this weekend, and will try to post install picks as you did (on a '97). Looking at installation pics really gives encouragement to first-time lift installers!
Hoping all is well,
J.Y.
first time poster in the forum, and just looked thru your post. I'm picking up the SS 1.2 this weekend, and will try to post install picks as you did (on a '97). Looking at installation pics really gives encouragement to first-time lift installers!
Hoping all is well,
J.Y.
spongerx
Member
Hi J.Y.
I don't have any helpful install picks but the SS kit comes with downloadable step by step install instructions with pictures. I remember it being a pretty straight forward install. There are many folks here who have the kit so I'm sure you'll get lots of help if you run into any snags. Congrats on the lift and have fun on the install. :first:
yeah i was reading sonoran last night(thinking on getting a lift) and they recommend 2.5" in front max 3 in rear. anything more and you kill the truck overtime. if you want it higher they recommend getting a body lift.
I am glad i read there q&a. i almost got spacers since i bought my truck with new stock suspension with 10k on it. i just don't want to trow them out....
thank for the input on your lift.
I managed to install the SS 1.2 kit with hardly a snag! The R side sway bar mount bolts sheared off when attempting to remove them, so I had the extension plate welded on. Other than... you're completely correct: install is very straight forward. Now for the body lift to clear the BFG tires!
Best wishes,
J.S.
Best wishes,
J.S.
