Various Lift Questions

[slpymnky]

Hi All.

I am a 4Runner n00b. I have driven sports cars my whole life, so this is my first venture into SUV world. I wanted a 4Runner for a long time, but just now got around to getting one. I got a 2010 Black Trail Edition w/ nav a couple of months ago and I am ready for a lift. I initially was going to wait until September, but why wait?

My first question is: what are peoples' experiences with various tire sizes? I was initially set on 275/70/17, but one of the shops I talked to recommended I go with 285/70/17. Will a 285 spare fit in the spare compartment?

Second question: Goodyear DuraTracs or BFGoodrich All-Terrains?

Third question: I am going to get an OME lift. I got two quotes, both around $2,300 including lift, tires and installation/alignment. Does that seem fair? The installation for the lift is $350-400. I know people say it is easy to do yourself, but I live in SF, have no parking spot and have zero tools, so this isn't really an option.

Thanks in advance for any help and I can't wait to get this lift done.

 

[Johnny Utah]

i've read that a 285 WILL fit down below

 

[Intruder]

My first question is: what are peoples' experiences with various tire sizes? I was initially set on 275/70/17, but one of the shops I talked to recommended I go with 285/70/17. Will a 285 spare fit in the spare compartment?

My 285 Duratrac spare fits.

Second question: Goodyear DuraTracs or BFGoodrich All-Terrains?

I think that has a lot to do with personal preference. I have the Duratracs and I like them so far. The mountain snowflake rating had some bearing on my decision because of where I live though. I know people who swear by the BFGs but I've never run them so couldn't give a comparison. Maybe google for some reviews and comparisons of the two.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Hi All.

I am a 4Runner n00b. I have driven sports cars my whole life, so this is my first venture into SUV world. I wanted a 4Runner for a long time, but just now got around to getting one. I got a 2010 Black Trail Edition w/ nav a couple of months ago and I am ready for a lift. I initially was going to wait until September, but why wait? I agree, and congratulations!

My first question is: what are peoples' experiences with various tire sizes? I was initially set on 275/70/17, but one of the shops I talked to recommended I go with 285/70/17. Will a 285 spare fit in the spare compartment? Yes it will fit.

Second question: Goodyear DuraTracs or BFGoodrich All-Terrains? I agree that it is a preference thing. I love my DuraTracs and will probably buy them again.

Third question: I am going to get an OME lift. I got two quotes, both around $2,300 including lift, tires and installation/alignment. Does that seem fair? The installation for the lift is $350-400. I know people say it is easy to do yourself, but I live in SF, have no parking spot and have zero tools, so this isn't really an option. I had some assistance, or I assisted with installing mine in a garage. But since you don't have that it sounds like you are bitting the bullet and paying for the install. There is a chance if you put it out there that a fellow SF Bay Area guy could help. But I am in the same boat no garage to use and no tools.

Thanks in advance for any help and I can't wait to get this lift done.

Be sure to keep an eye out for when us SF people go for runs. There are two of us 5th Gens and a bunch of other toyotas that get together. Check out toyota120.com as well.

 

[slpymnky]

Be sure to keep an eye out for when us SF people go for runs. There are two of us 5th Gens and a bunch of other toyotas that get together. Check out toyota120.com as well.

Thanks for all of the help! Where do you usually post before going out for runs? Just on the main board?

The DuraTracs definitely look way more aggressive, which I like. I am just concerned about the ride quality since I commute 50 miles a day.

 

[proquip]

If you have Nav then you have KDSS (unless you had an aftermarket Nav unit installed). In hindsight, having installed my own lift on my Trail with KDSS, I would gladly pay someone $350-$400 for the lift installation. That said, you'll want to make sure the shop is familiar with KDSS as the install can be tricky and lots of patience is required (finesse over brute force is the better policy as you don't want to damage the KDSS system).

 

[BigredTEX]

285/70/17's will fit just fine. i personally swear by the BFGs i ran 2 sets on my F-150 i had previously and they were great all around and on the highway as well which would help you. and that price is pretty good.

 

[slpymnky]

If you have Nav then you have KDSS (unless you had an aftermarket Nav unit installed). In hindsight, having installed my own lift on my Trail with KDSS, I would gladly pay someone $350-$400 for the lift installation. That said, you'll want to make sure the shop is familiar with KDSS as the install can be tricky and lots of patience is required (finesse over brute force is the better policy as you don't want to damage the KDSS system).

It has the factory navigation system, so I guess I do have KDSS?

I found the shops off of various Toyota forums. The two shops I have gotten quotes from specialize in Toyotas and seem to be very knowledgeable.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Thanks for all of the help! Where do you usually post before going out for runs? Just on the main board?

The DuraTracs definitely look way more aggressive, which I like. I am just concerned about the ride quality since I commute 50 miles a day.

There is a trip planning section towards the bottom.

And I commute 50 miles one way 5 days a week with my DuraTracs!

 

[slpymnky]

My next debate is whether or not to get the wheels sprayed black. I can't decide if I want to do that and the blacked out emblems and go for the full murdered out look.

 

[Davemon]

My next debate is whether or not to get the wheels sprayed black. I can't decide if I want to do that and the blacked out emblems and go for the full murdered out look.

I personally like a bit of chrome, but the door handles and roof rack have got to go black. I'm waffling on the wheels. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[jnance50]

If you have Nav then you have KDSS (unless you had an aftermarket Nav unit installed). In hindsight, having installed my own lift on my Trail with KDSS, I would gladly pay someone $350-$400 for the lift installation. That said, you'll want to make sure the shop is familiar with KDSS as the install can be tricky and lots of patience is required (finesse over brute force is the better policy as you don't want to damage the KDSS system).

This is not true. I bought a brand new 2012 Trail with Entune Nav and No KDSS. KDSS isn't even offered in this region without special order (or wasn't when I bought mine) - they had 3 Trails, all with Nav, and none of them had it.

The easiest way to tell is crawl under the front, look at the sway bar, and see if there's a rubber boot on the end-links. If so, KDSS, no boot? No KDSS.

 

[jnance50]

My next debate is whether or not to get the wheels sprayed black. I can't decide if I want to do that and the blacked out emblems and go for the full murdered out look.

Alot of people are using the Plasti-dip to coat the wheels and emblems. If you change your mind with the stuff, supposedly it just peels off. If you search, you'll find tons of results on it - it supposed to work fairly well.

 

[desertred]

This is not true. I bought a brand new 2012 Trail with Entune Nav and No KDSS. KDSS isn't even offered in this region without special order (or wasn't when I bought mine) - they had 3 Trails, all with Nav, and none of them had it.

The easiest way to tell is crawl under the front, look at the sway bar, and see if there's a rubber boot on the end-links. If so, KDSS, no boot? No KDSS.

Actually, it likely is. The OP has a 2010 TE. According to my Toyota brochure, the 2010 TE required you to have Nav if you had the KDSS.

 

[proquip]

This is not true. I bought a brand new 2012 Trail with Entune Nav and No KDSS. KDSS isn't even offered in this region without special order (or wasn't when I bought mine) - they had 3 Trails, all with Nav, and none of them had it.

The easiest way to tell is crawl under the front, look at the sway bar, and see if there's a rubber boot on the end-links. If so, KDSS, no boot? No KDSS.

Thanks for the clarification. I haven't kept up with the 2012 configurations, particularly around the Entune Nav option. I should have specified that my statement applies to the 2010 and 2011 model years. Thanks.

 

[proquip]

Actually, it likely is. The OP has a 2010 TE. According to my Toyota brochure, the 2010 TE required you to have Nav if you had the KDSS.

The other way around I think, you had to have KDSS if you wanted the Nav option. There are however a few out there with 2010 or 2011 KDSS-equipped TE's that do not have NAV.

 

[slpymnky]

Ok so I am getting really close to getting my lift.

Has anyone had issues with not being able to fit into parking decks? I feel like I only have a couple of inches clearance in most places and I don't want to run into this issue really.

 

[STLDAVE]

The other way around I think, you had to have KDSS if you wanted the Nav option. There are however a few out there with 2010 or 2011 KDSS-equipped TE's that do not have NAV.

This is correct. My 2011 TE has KDSS but no Nav.

The easiest way to tell is crawl under the front, look at the sway bar, and see if there's a rubber boot on the end-links. If so, KDSS, no boot? No KDSS.

Actually, there are no end links if it has KDSS. With KDSS, the front sway bar connects directly to the lower control arm, which is the easiest way to tell if it has KDSS.

See the picture here for a KDSS model.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/116360-kdss-trail-option-question.html#post1079235

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