Modds

[Idealconcepts]

Noob here and I trying to do some research ahead of time before I do decide to do this or not. I still need to take care of my Power Steering Pump leak and A/C Radiator issue. But I have an 89 4wd v6 5spd truck with 31X10.5X15 inch tires (AT tires I believe) on Toyota rims (they aren’t the stock ones I think they came off of a +90’s 4 runner) and 184K, had since Oct of 2004. The back end is sagging, like all the other stock Toyota trucks I see out there. What I want to look at doing is a 3 inch suspension lift, possibly go with 33X12.5X15 inch MT tires (am considering going with 32’s or 31’s as long as they are MT’s) on some black rims, and lastly replace the exhaust possibly with a Flowmaster. I have not determined what brand or what type I want to do but first make sure I have a good idea of what I need to do then decide on what to go with if decide to do anything. This truck is my commuter truck (my Integra got too much attention being stock yellow and worried about parking it any where, even at work), mainly driver surface streets to work about 10 miles each way, and want to give it a more aggressive look with bigger tires and higher wider. I don’t really plan on going wheeling, but could change my mind the more I get into my truck. My questions are:

1. Should I wait to get my exhaust after I do the suspension so they don’t have to redo the new exhaust system after getting my suspension installed?
2. When do I need to get my truck re-geared? When I get a suspension lift? When I get taller/wider tires (taller only or wider only or both)? Or both suspension lifts and larger tires? And I am assuming both the from and rear correct? Also what is the stock gearing for an 89 V6?
3. What type of mileage (or range of mileage), as in how long will the tire last before I need to replace them, can I get out of MT tires in general compared to AT tires?
4. What drop in mpg, or range, will I see if I go over to MT tires that are slightly larger?
5. What rim size do I need for 33X12.5X15 - 15x7 or 15x8? or 32X11.5X15 - 15x7 or 15x8? Will I need spacers for either size tires?
6. Have I missed anything else I will need to do?

Thanks for any info you guys can provide.

[GregoryM]

Ideal, you mention your concern about "too much attention" to your Integra, if that is the case, will bigger tires and nice rims discourage potential "admirers"??? My old SR5 is outwardly stock and ordinary but, I enjoy the "anonymity", LOL. Now I like a little noteriety too so, I have other vehicles for that.
Re. your specific questons:
1. Probably not a problem before or after. It's up to you.
2. Both ring and pinions must be changed together if decide to go that route. The speedometer will need to be corrected too, if you care. Don't know what is stock.
3. Tire mileage is pure conjecture, though, the mud type tires will probably wear faster than the "all terrain" types.
4. Bigger tire = higher fuel consumption.
5. 15x8 minimum, 15x10 better. (Are you rulling out other rim sizes?)
BTW, if your springs are getting tired, they can be re-arched fairly inexpensively. Look for a spring shop in the yellow pages. No big deal.

[Idealconcepts]

Thanks GregoryM. I was getting too much negative attention i.e. Ca Highway Patrol, people reviving their engines and wanting to race me, motorcycles, got annoying. Now I just want to run over the idiots. I guess I’m going for each end of the stick, low great cornering decent acceleration car that I can easily get tickets without even trying, and a nice high truck that I can hit curbs with out damaging the paint and look down at all the lowered cars, like mine.

With Q2: I need to change both ring and pinions (this is re-gearing right?) if I do both a suspension lift and a go with a larger tire? What if I just go with a suspension lift and a 31X10.5X15 MT tire would I still need to re-gear my truck? And guesses or range of cost to re-gear the front and rear end?

With Q5: not really rulling out other rim sizes just trying to keep cost down and from what I understand typically smaller rims are typically cheaper.

Is it possible to re-arch my springs, do the add a leaf thing to get 3 inches in the back and just change the shocks and springs in the front?

Thanks again.

[GregoryM]

I have run (currently sitting in the garage) 31/1050R-15 BFG Mud Terrains on Centerline 15x8.5 rims with my stock geared and non-lifted '81 SR5 and the only negatives were: Increased rolling resistance (longer braking distances too). Increased fuel consumption. Increased tire noise. Harsher ride on/off road. I have no idea what the cost of swapping R&P's is running these days but, it is significant because it is time consumming and shop time is expensive. Add to that parts and/or upgrades, it gets spendy. The raising of the suspension is pretty much as you have outlined though, I'm not certain if it is absolutely mandatory to get those tires on your truck.

[Idealconcepts]

Thanks GregoryM, more info to digest and figure out exactly what I want to do. Your right the tires aren't probably necessary, just a want.

[GregoryM]

What I meant to say was, those tires will probably fit OK without an additional lift assuming the stock suspension is in good condition. I had no problems on my truck which is totally stock except for the shock absorbers.

[black93DX]

With a 3-inch lift, you could get 32 MT's on there easy. But you said it was your commuter truck and you don't plan on doing any wheeling. You should probably just get and aggressive AT tire that will give you a combination of good looks and good mpg(i.e. BFG AT, Bridgestone Dueler AT, Pro Comp AT, etc.). There is no rhyme or reason to have a mud tire if you're not gonna use it. Its a waste. Especially on a smaller truck. Get some wider rims with good backspacing if you want a god stance. Honestly, you could get a good look out of 31 or 32's with no lift with the right rim.

Get your flowmaster routed whenever you have to money. The lift won't change anything.

[00Yoda]

your original post leads me to believe that you are already running the 31" tires......the 3" lift will have no effect on performance whatsoever, no need to regear if you don't increase the tire size. If you want a lift check out www.wheelersoffroad.com the have a whole host of different options. I have their replacement springs with an extra leaf and 1.5" lift, gives the truck a cool forward rake instead of sagging

[Idealconcepts]

GergoryM- that good to hear you had no problems, reassures me that my truck should be ok.

blackDX93- That is what I am trying to decide, MT or AT, I don't need the the MT but like the look but if I can find aggressive looking AT then it should work out better for communting.

00Yoda- Yes I have 31x10.5x15 (is that a stock size for 89's) and thanks for the link, I will check it out.

After I did a lift and if I went with a 31x11.5(or 12.5)x15 would I need to do regear since it is a wider tire? Also would it matter if the tire was MT or AT.

If I went with a 32x11.5x15 could I get away with out a regear? how badly would it affect my truck?

[BoilerBronco]

The only reason to change the gears are for the taller tires - Tire width has nothing to do with a need to re-gear, neither does a suspension lift.
In going from 31x10.5x15 to 32x11.5x15 your drivetrain (and lift) will only "see" half an inch - Barley noticeable. Personally, I wouldn't even think about a gear change for a street truck unless you go bigger than 33" tires.

[Idealconcepts]

Thanks BoilerBronco, thats what I was trying to determine, when to do a gear change, which you said only for a taller tire. I don't plan on going larger than 33" tires (would like MT but AT is more logical) and wanted to find out if I needed do a gear change. I would like to get a 3 inch lift with 33"s (or 32's) and seems like this will be possible without new gears, I will still need to do some more research on backspacing. Any other comments on this is welcome and greatly appreciated.

Can someone give me an explanation, 6th grade level, on backspacing possibly a picture or link to a normal rim and one with backspacing? (I am assuming it is space, that is built into the rim, to help reduce the chances of your tires/rims from rubbing on anything on the truck). Also what is the minimum backspacing I would need to go with?

[fadetoblack72]

What about if you wanted to mount 32 inch tires and go off roading? Any reason for a lift or a regear?

[00Yoda]

Backspacing is nothing more than the distance from midline of the wheel to the the mounting surface, IE the flat plat that contacts the drum or rotor when bolted on.. Different backspacing is like moving the wheel in or out with respect to the axle of the truck. Usually wider to get a better stance/handling properties

[Idealconcepts]

Thanks OOYoda what you explained was pretty much what I was thinking. How available are rims with backspacing, I guess what I am asking is, am I going to have a difficult time or limited selection of rims that have backspacing? Also is there an increased cost (how much would you estimate 10%, 20%, 50%) for rims with backspacing? What are the typical increments for back spacing, does it go half inch or inch?

[Idealconcepts]

Ok, sorry about the Noob question, I talked to my co-worker who knows a little about a lot of things, and told me basically all rims have a backspacing. So need to bother answering this question, I'll just need to figure out later what backspacing I will need once I get the lift and figure out what size tire I want to go with.