Tundra/LC Lift + First Time Off Roading

[ArmArak]

I finished lifting my 2001 and I think the results are great. For the front I used tundra coilovers. I couldn't find the recommended TRD yellow/blue - yellow/yellow ones, but I managed to find a set from a double cab tundra (orange/orange(pass side) - orange/red(driver side)) at a local junkyard. I was expecting this to cause a very harsh ride, however, this is not the case. The car rides great!

For the rear I found the 8.25 wrap lc80 coils (purple/Green/White(driver side) and double purple/light blue/white(passenger side)). I also bought brand new Tokico struts that were originally used for the lc80.

Unfortunately the rear lifted more than I was expecting (~4.5" - 5") and the front lifted less than expected (~0.5" ~ 1") since I did not have the ideal coilovers. So I had a huuuge rake about 3"-3.5". To solve this I put a 2.5" leveling kit in the front from Fat Bobs Garage. This solved the problem and left just enough rake for the rear to settle (especially after I make a new rear bumper).

For tires I decided to go with TOYO M/T Open Country 255/85/R16. It is a 33.5" tire. It clears fine. IMO these "thin" tires look amazing with the 4Runners proportions.

Today I also went off roading for the first time with my dad, mom, and uncle. My uncle came with his lifted Subaru Crosstrek. We took it pretty easy on the trails for the first time but I definitely will try some of the harder stuff when I get more experience.

Pics are attached! :dance:

Question: When I was on the rocky sections of the trail my steering wheel was knocked around, which was expected. But it was like I could feel every gear in the rack and pinion and the backlash. Is this normal or should I be concerned?

Thanks!!

 

[2TH4IST]

Nice work, I too just finished lifting my runner (more out of need then anything else, constant 300-400lbs in the rear with stuff, plate bumper and f150 fuel tank flat on the conical bump stops). I used OME 891 springs and lc80 kyb gas-a-just shocks. Front were stock coils and b8 5100 bilstines. And 2nd gen 4runner sway bar end links all around.

Question, did you get it aligned after the lift? That may be causing some of your steering jerkyness. Or to much negative castor. To much tire pressure too could cause bouncyness.

Nice looking rig. I too will run the 255/85 tires, I know you just got them but how do you like them? I'm stuck between the toyo mt or the bfg km3.

What trails did you run?

 

[ArmArak]

Nice work, I too just finished lifting my runner (more out of need then anything else, constant 300-400lbs in the rear with stuff, plate bumper and f150 fuel tank flat on the conical bump stops). I used OME 891 springs and lc80 kyb gas-a-just shocks. Front were stock coils and b8 5100 bilstines. And 2nd gen 4runner sway bar end links all around.

Question, did you get it aligned after the lift? That may be causing some of your steering jerkyness. Or to much negative castor. To much tire pressure too could cause bouncyness.

Nice looking rig. I too will run the 255/85 tires, I know you just got them but how do you like them? I'm stuck between the toyo mt or the bfg km3.

What trails did you run?

Cool setup! For end links I used second gen rears in the front and stock fronts in the rear; but I think I will soon switch to second gens all around as I would like the rear ones to be a little longer.

I have not gotten it aligned yet but will do that this week. Ill report back if it fixes the jerkyness off road. I was running 32 psi on the trail. Is this too high?

So far I love the toyos they ride great on and off road and are not too noisy. + they leave a cooler tread pattern in the dirt then the bfgs :lmao:

I was at Rowher Flats in Santa Anita. I did not go all the way through the trail this time. I stopped at stage 3 if you are familiar with it.

 

[2TH4IST]

Awesome, yes the alignment should help. That's good to hear about the toyos. 32 is quite high, I don't even think that it requests it on the door jam tire info. IIRC it's 29 psi. Im running cheap ht tires at the moment and I run them around 20 on trails (they have 0 side wall protection lol) but I'm surprised what they can do lol.

Never been to that area but it looks like a good place. Usually run cleghorn, surgarpine mountain, big bear. Is it a ohv trail system? Will be doing rattlesnake canyon this week and Mojave road soon. Seems you may be close to me lol.

 

[ArmArak]

Awesome, yes the alignment should help. That's good to hear about the toyos. 32 is quite high, I don't even think that it requests it on the door jam tire info. IIRC it's 29 psi. Im running cheap ht tires at the moment and I run them around 20 on trails (they have 0 side wall protection lol) but I'm surprised what they can do lol.

Never been to that area but it looks like a good place. Usually run cleghorn, surgarpine mountain, big bear. Is it a ohv trail system? Will be doing rattlesnake canyon this week and Mojave road soon. Seems you may be close to me lol.

Ya it’s a ohv trail system. There were a lot of paths available and it seemed like some of them got pretty tough.

Yup, if you are local to me I would be down to hit some trails with some more experienced people than me. However my lower ball joints seem to be leaking so I have to replace those soon (maybe this weekend)

 

[2TH4IST]

Yes that would be a blast. Im no where near experienced lol, I just go out and have fun. If it's to crazy I'll pass untill I'm ready. Im more for awesome views, camping and good trails. Im in the Rancho Cucamonga area.

 

[Devbot]

What grille is that? Very badass looking

 

[ArmArak]

What grille is that? Very badass looking

Thank You! I custom made it, here is the thread: Satoshi Grill Mod (2000)

 

[3bears]

Ya it’s a ohv trail system. There were a lot of paths available and it seemed like some of them got pretty tough.

Yup, if you are local to me I would be down to hit some trails with some more experienced people than me. However my lower ball joints seem to be leaking so I have to replace those soon (maybe this weekend)

if you have a LBJ that is leaking or you question its condition....id fix b4 hitting trails again...sadly...the weakest link in our 4runners

 

[3bears]

Thank You! I custom made it, here is the thread: Satoshi Grill Mod (2000)

also thanks for posting your thoughts on the tundra LC coils, as that might be the route I take and good to read first hand reeviews

 

[ArmArak]

Yes that would be a blast. Im no where near experienced lol, I just go out and have fun. If it's to crazy I'll pass untill I'm ready. Im more for awesome views, camping and good trails. Im in the Rancho Cucamonga area.

Ya we are pretty close, I live in the San Fernando Valley. After I fix my LBJ lets hit some trails!

 

[ArmArak]

also thanks for posting your thoughts on the tundra LC coils, as that might be the route I take and good to read first hand reeviews

Ya I think it's great option for sure, especially if you can find the proper TRD tundra coils. (yellow/blue and yellow/yellow).

 

[2TH4IST]

Yes let's do that! I'm heading up to surgarpine mountain tomorrow. Send me a pm when your ready.

 

[phattyduck]

Question: When I was on the rocky sections of the trail my steering wheel was knocked around, which was expected. But it was like I could feel every gear in the rack and pinion and the backlash. Is this normal or should I be concerned?

Thanks!!

If you were getting a knocking sound, it can be from up in the steering column, normally at the collapsible joint, but can also be up at the tilt ball too.

And yeah, your pressures are way to high. 32 is street pressure. Get a pump and drop to at least 20psi, and really you should be going lower. Assuming you will be doing a trail that is worth it to drop pressures (and the 20+ minutes it takes to refill those tires).

-Charlie

 

[ArmArak]

If you were getting a knocking sound, it can be from up in the steering column, normally at the collapsible joint, but can also be up at the tilt ball too.

And yeah, your pressures are way to high. 32 is street pressure. Get a pump and drop to at least 20psi, and really you should be going lower. Assuming you will be doing a trail that is worth it to drop pressures (and the 20+ minutes it takes to refill those tires).

-Charlie

When I was on the rocky part there was a slight knock when the wheel was kicked around. It felt like the gears would settle in its place in the rack and pinion. I have never felt anything strange on the roads, which makes me think that there is nothing abnormal going on. But I can't be too sure yet.

I was running 40 psi on the street and dropped down to 32 psi on the trail. Noted I will go down to around 20 next time. I guess I need a better compressor or maybe even a CO2 tank, because even airing back up from 32 to 40 took ages :rofl:.

 

[phattyduck]

I was running 40 psi on the street and dropped down to 32 psi on the trail. Noted I will go down to around 20 next time. I guess I need a better compressor or maybe even a CO2 tank, because even airing back up from 32 to 40 took ages :rofl:.

You should probably be running 30-35psi on the street - though that is dependent on tire and load.

-Charlie

 

[2TH4IST]

On street, you should be running what your door jam says. If that seems to much run a chalk test. Fill tire to desired psi, paint a chalk stripe across tire, if chalk is left on outside edges lower psi, if center is untouched add psi. And also can tell you if your camber is messed up. Trail psi is by trial and error. It is silly to run over door jam psi on any tire on a 4runner on the street, unless your getting serious sidewall roll.

Just my .02 cents worth or the booz talking lol.

 

[ArmArak]

You should probably be running 30-35psi on the street - though that is dependent on tire and load.

-Charlie

Ya I thought 40 might have been too high, I guess I'll try out the chalk test that was suggested with some lower PSI. Ill try to progressively go down below 25 next time I hit a trail. I still have the stock wheels and I'm using Toyo M/T 255/85R16. What would you say is too low PSI? I don't want to have to try fitting a tire on the wheels when I'm on a trail.

Thanks

 

[phattyduck]

Ya I thought 40 might have been too high, I guess I'll try out the chalk test that was suggested with some lower PSI. Ill try to progressively go down below 25 next time I hit a trail. I still have the stock wheels and I'm using Toyo M/T 255/85R16. What would you say is too low PSI? I don't want to have to try fitting a tire on the wheels when I'm on a trail.

Thanks

You are probably safe down to like 12psi, unless you are really bombing down dirt roads. 20psi is very safe (basically 0 chance of losing a bead). Most on here likely run under 20psi off road, the hardcore guys will be closer to 10psi.

-Charlie