So, time for my first MOD - lift & tires?

[mirciulie]

Guys,
Y'all have to be patience with me and help a brother out.
I never looked into lifting my truck, due to the fact that it was brand new and I didn't wanna mess with it at all. THat, plus the money factor, since all my money are going to Toyota right now...
But lattely I realized that the OEM tires that I have are wearing out too fast. I have less then 30k on them and they look tired . SO I shoped arround and I found that I like the BFG A/T ones. But a light went on up there: why not get a bigger tire, like a 285/75/R16, instead of the 265 ones. I'm paying a bit more probably, but it would be the best time to do it. THe problem is tha I'll get rubbing issues (thanx guys for all your posts..). THen I need a lift wich means more money, and also more education for me.
With all that said here's my plan:
1. Getting a 2-3" lift in the front with the AAL in the back. THat will solve a long issue that I have. Getting the back stiffer so I can load it up more before starts to squat.
I found something like that on ebay, it's a 2 3/4" on the front with AAL and a DIfferential Drop down spacer ( do I need that?)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW
2. Get the big BFGs 285/75/R16 or something simillar and get them on my stock tires, since that's all I can afford.
3. COnvice the wife that this was really need it, since my truck was to soft in the back
4. Get out there and see some OFF road action ( not too crazy, still don't own the truck yet)

So, do you guys think I'll need something else besides all the above?

Also, wanna know if there are any safety concern regarding a lift like the one above or simillar. IS this going to void my warranty?
How about the gas milleage? I heard people saying they're losing when getting bigger tires. Is that true? IF so, how bad?

THanx a bunch for taking your time and giving a newbie a help, AGAIN.

[Imdone]

If you lift a 4x4 more than 2" you will need to drop the front diff. If you have a 4x2 you don't need to worry about it.

ProComp has a good name in lifts. I don't know about that spacer lift, but most spacers that go inside the coil pack equate to a harsh ride. spacers that go outside can over droop and cause damage over time. I don't know which one this is.

I have 285s and I lost about 3-4 mpg.

P.S. I will have a diff drop and cornfed 2" spacer after next weekend and will be looking to get rid of it, thanks to a company called RCD!!!

[mirciulie]

THanks IMDONE.

I thought more about doing this lift thing, and gave it up. I realized that it will cost my $$, and the only benefit will be the look of it. And the gas milleage part I don't like either. I talked with some other folks, and that seems to be a concern. That's like a 15% drop in gas milleage. If I wanna take my truck offroad, I'll need more than 2". Probably 5-6. So, I'll be buying the 265/15/R16 for mine, and add some airbags in the back to help me with the heavy loads.

I do like the BFG A/T tires, and found them with 160 a piece installed. I hope that's a good deal. I will get them siped too. But I'll try to get some more out of my stock tires first, so I'll do the swap in the summer probably.

Thanx a bunch for you quick answer. That was helpfull, specialy the Mpg thing.

Have a good one out there.

[REDEYE6]

I ran BFG AT/KO on my 4runner and wet, dry and snow traction was never a problem. A guy at work has 65k on his and he told me the wet traction isn't as good as when they were new but is still better than the stock tires on his wifes trail blazer.(I think they're goodyear).
My $.02
Vince

[Imdone]

Originally Posted by mirciulie

THanks IMDONE.

I thought more about doing this lift thing, and gave it up. I realized that it will cost my $$, and the only benefit will be the look of it. And the gas milleage part I don't like either. I talked with some other folks, and that seems to be a concern. That's like a 15% drop in gas milleage. If I wanna take my truck offroad, I'll need more than 2". Probably 5-6. So, I'll be buying the 265/15/R16 for mine, and add some airbags in the back to help me with the heavy loads.

I do like the BFG A/T tires, and found them with 160 a piece installed. I hope that's a good deal. I will get them siped too. But I'll try to get some more out of my stock tires first, so I'll do the swap in the summer probably.

Thanx a bunch for you quick answer. That was helpfull, specialy the Mpg thing.

Have a good one out there.

If at a later time you want to get into the lift thing, then do it right, a 2.5" lift will provide some extra ground clearance that will help. If you don't want to get into the 5-6" game then an adjustable coilover setup with the diff drop and some Camburg or Total Chaos upper control arms and 33" tires will do really good off-road.

If you are concerned about the gas mileage, get a set of 4.10 or (if you can find them) 4.30 or even 4.56 gears and you will not be off in your mileage.

This whole set up can run around $2k - $4k depending on what you get and what you want to do. The gears will be an easy grand with install, the coilovers are around $600 - $950 depending on the set and you will have some more cash in tires and the Upper Control Arms will cost either $500 - $650 for a set.

For the cost this is actually a really good off-road setup and you don't have to take it to the level that I am going and others have already gone.

Good luck.

[mirciulie]

I will have them siped, and that should give a lot more better traction in the rain (wich we get plenty here in Oregon/winter only ).
Thanx Imdone. I wasn't planning to do any serios OFFROADING yet. Maybe a couple years from now. I'm glad to hear that you can afford to do it. THis is my daily driver, and can't afford to beat it up . I will keep in mind your suggestions for latter use. BTW, next weekend I will get my first Offroad experience. I'm going to the beach, on sanddunes for 2 days with some guys, and wi'll get my truck on sand, probably just mild action. I will do 4 wheeling for the first time in my life for the rest of the day. That should be a lot of fun .

Also, I read some other treads here and some people say that the Bridgstone REVOs are better than the BFGs in cold weather. I don't get nearly as much snow/ice like the guys on the eastcoast or Canada, so I'll stay with the BFGs (simillar price, but better looking/perfoming tire). I just gotta run this stock rubbers in the ground, and the figure out a source for the new ones

Thanx all.

[Agent WD-40]

Originally Posted by Imdone

I have 285s and I lost about 3-4 mpg.

Is that including the differences those tires will make in the odometer reading? That seems like a big drop.

[Diego]

Are you sure you really want to go to all that trouble just to be able to fit 33" tires? If you just go up to a 75 series tire like 265 75 16 you will almost be there at a 32 inch size with NO lift needed. If it is to be a daily driver and mileage is an issue you might want to reconsider, even if you regear the diffs you will still use more gas because of the extra rolling resistance of the wider tires. The BFG A/Ts would be my LAST choice if you require good winter performance, my Revos are great for winter and may not last as long as BFG A/Ts but I'll trade that for superior winter traction anyday. IMO as hard as the Tundras are on gas already and considering the price of gas, lift kits and big tires are too much of a compromise for a daily driver. I just went with the 75 series Revos to give me a little extra height over stock and even at that I notice a slight decrease in fuel mileage and power due to the slightly taller tire and that's enough of a compromise for me but to each their own To me it just does not seem to be worth it unless a person was planning to go larger than 33" tires.

[Imdone]

Originally Posted by Agent WD-40

Is that including the differences those tires will make in the odometer reading? That seems like a big drop.

I did go wider with a 285/70/17 versus a 16" version. I can't remember if I had my headers on first or not. I can say that right now with all the mods on my truck in my sig I am about 3-4 mpg lower than I was stock.

[JAW]

Originally Posted by Diego

Are you sure you really want to go to all that trouble just to be able to fit 33" tires? If you just go up to a 75 series tire like 265 75 16 you will almost be there at a 32 inch size with NO lift needed. If it is to be a daily driver and mileage is an issue you might want to reconsider, even if you regear the diffs you will still use more gas because of the extra rolling resistance of the wider tires. The BFG A/Ts would be my LAST choice if you require good winter performance, my Revos are great for winter and may not last as long as BFG A/Ts but I'll trade that for superior winter traction anyday. IMO as hard as the Tundras are on gas already and considering the price of gas, lift kits and big tires are too much of a compromise for a daily driver. I just went with the 75 series Revos to give me a little extra height over stock and even at that I notice a slight decrease in fuel mileage and power due to the slightly taller tire and that's enough of a compromise for me but to each their own To me it just does not seem to be worth it unless a person was planning to go larger than 33" tires.

I agree that it is hardly worth all the trouble and cost to go to the 33" tire which is only a half inch more clearance than the largest size you can fit with no modifications. I did install a 2 inch lift and AAL in preperation for 285/75/16 (33") but after that I changed my mind and went with the 265/75/16 BFG AT. The only positive other than that 1/2" more clearance is looks and I got over that quick when I started looking at all the negatives and costs.
Although we can fit on our stock rims a 255/85/16 if you can find a tire in that size to suit your needs. Might try that next.

[Diego]

Yes the lift does make the truck look good. But for me, I don't see the point. As far as I know the Tundra already has the most ground clearance of any factory truck and is a very capable off road vehicle in it's stock form and going to a 265 75 series or little narrower tire in 85 series will give a little extra height with no extra cost and little to no compromise and still look good. One thing I notice when I see a new Dodge Ram or Ford F150 on the street for example is that they are a bit taller than the Tundra but that is just because the body itself is just that much taller but the Tundra actually has MORE ground clearance and that's all that counts, at least for me anyway.

[JAW]

Originally Posted by Diego

Yes the lift does make the truck look good. But for me, I don't see the point. As far as I know the Tundra already has the most ground clearance of any factory truck and is a very capable off road vehicle in it's stock form and going to a 265 75 series or little narrower tire in 85 series will give a little extra height with no extra cost and little to no compromise and still look good. One thing I notice when I see a new Dodge Ram or Ford F150 on the street for example is that they are a bit taller than the Tundra but that is just because the body itself is just that much taller but the Tundra actually has MORE ground clearance and that's all that counts, at least for me anyway.

Again I agree - Ground clearance is what counts. And those slightly "taller" Dodges and Fords owners with slightly less ground clrearance might feel better with a higher sitting truck but that body height on those trucks is everything about looks and nothing about practability. More wind resistance, less stability, less access to parkades and if they do add a larger tire they are that much higher in total height. At least us Tundra owners can add a little ground clearance and still come in shorter than Dodge or Ford off road stock packages - thats a plus, not a negative. When I see those trucks and feel a little jealous about the overall height look (I admit I am petty and to me looks are somewhat important too) I take comfort in that I have more ground clearance, more height clearance, better performance in icy or windy or off road conditions.

[mirciulie]

SO, the time has come and I bought a set of Revos. 265/70 R16. I got a decent price on them, and also the rebate. I didn't put them on yet since I had to order. Plus I will take my baby on sand this coming weekend, so I will try to kill the Rugged Craps. I will deflate as much as I can so I can stay on top of the sand. Never done that before, but I think this is the best time to do it . And yeah, I will get some pics too and post them here.

Also, I will siped them too. I think the guy at the shop said 7$ for piece. I hope that will not damage the tire. Any advice from you guys on that?

[student's tundra]

Originally Posted by mirciulie

Guys,
Y'all have to be patience with me and help a brother out.
I never looked into lifting my truck, due to the fact that it was brand new and I didn't wanna mess with it at all. THat, plus the money factor, since all my money are going to Toyota right now...
But lattely I realized that the OEM tires that I have are wearing out too fast. I have less then 30k on them and they look tired . SO I shoped arround and I found that I like the BFG A/T ones. But a light went on up there: why not get a bigger tire, like a 285/75/R16, instead of the 265 ones. I'm paying a bit more probably, but it would be the best time to do it. THe problem is tha I'll get rubbing issues (thanx guys for all your posts..). THen I need a lift wich means more money, and also more education for me.
With all that said here's my plan:
1. Getting a 2-3" lift in the front with the AAL in the back. THat will solve a long issue that I have. Getting the back stiffer so I can load it up more before starts to squat.
I found something like that on ebay, it's a 2 3/4" on the front with AAL and a DIfferential Drop down spacer ( do I need that?)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW
2. Get the big BFGs 285/75/R16 or something simillar and get them on my stock tires, since that's all I can afford.
3. COnvice the wife that this was really need it, since my truck was to soft in the back
4. Get out there and see some OFF road action ( not too crazy, still don't own the truck yet)

So, do you guys think I'll need something else besides all the above?

Also, wanna know if there are any safety concern regarding a lift like the one above or simillar. IS this going to void my warranty?
How about the gas milleage? I heard people saying they're losing when getting bigger tires. Is that true? IF so, how bad?

THanx a bunch for taking your time and giving a newbie a help, AGAIN.

Hey Guy
I cant relate to some of your issues on lifting your truck as it looks as if we got all trucks about the same time. I went with a 2.5 inch Revtek lift. That is with a spacer up front and 1 inch add a leafs out back. I believe I paid a bit under $500 for the lift installed. It is not the most extreme offroad lift but it is affordable and for what I do it is enough...hence 2wd Tundra. It did however fix the problem I was having with the front end sagging (all stock trucks). After about 21,000 miles on my BFG Rugged Crap I installed the lift and Goodyear ATS 285x75x16 on 16x8 Ivan Stewarts. Not that I couldnt have put them on the factory wheels. But I like the look and got a good deal with the addition of selling my stock wheels I got out for about $500. So with lift, new wheels and tires installed I spent about $1600 not too bad for a nice looking truck. I was also worried about the gas mileage. Before the lift I was getting 14-15mpg as I drive a lot of city driving and now with the lift I am consistently gettting 14mpg. If you shop around and are patient you get save some bucks.