tire and lift dilemma ($300 starting budget for lift )

3199 Views 36 Replies 13 Participants Last post by marmot, May 4, 2009

tonynunesq

Discussion Starter · Apr 23, 2009

Hello people,

I have a 09 trd off road DC. i have my BFG original tires almost sold for about $300 and they have 4000 miles.

Now, my problem is that i can not decided wether to go for 235 or 255 BF G KM2. The main reason i am avoiding the 255 is because the $$$ on the lift. However, I do like more the looks of the 255 and the ride hight too.

i guess my question is what is the cheapest lift (around $300 to $500 )i can get in my truck using my original trd OR suspension (please give different options and what are the pros and cons)? and also have in mind that i will not like to cut any thing for tire fitment and off course i do not want rubbing issues.

In the contrary, if i buy the 235 i will save around $20 per tire comparing with the 255 and also the lift. This is my biggest push towards the 235 and also because the 235 apparently do better MPG (i have a 6sp and i do not get better than 17 mpg)

Please help me decide,,, (i wish i could get the 255 for te same price of the 235 and have the same mpg but the world is not perfect :sosad

thanks

1 - 20 of 37 Posts

oakleyTRD

· #2 · Apr 23, 2009 (Edited)

your truck comes stock with 265 width tires i wouldnt go any narrower than 255 with a DC. 235s are a really bad idea IMHO

get a daystar spacer kit from wheelers off road, and you will have $$ left over,

http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/05uptacodstrlift.htm

I had one before the C/Os and to be entirely honest it wasnt that bad

tonynunesq

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 24, 2009

Thanks oakleyTRD, that set up is way cheaper than the toytec OME 885 springs with AAL. Now, which lift will ride better? i know adding a AAl on the back and spacers on the front will stiffen my truck but will the 885 on the front be less stiffer than the original ones on my truck?

meteoraman2514

· #4 · Apr 24, 2009

spacer lift will ride a little more rough than getting 885's. as for tires, IMO, you should prob jump up to 285's because running stock tirs with a lift looks kinda weird. so prepare to lose even more gas mileage. i was getting about 20mpg before my lift, after the lift and bigger tires i get about 16mpg driving conservatively!

tonynunesq

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 24, 2009

now, if i lift my truck will i void my warranty?

oakleyTRD

· #6 · Apr 24, 2009

meteoraman2514 said:
spacer lift will ride a little more rough than getting 885's. as for tires, IMO, you should prob jump up to 285's because running stock tirs with a lift looks kinda weird. so prepare to lose even more gas mileage. i was getting about 20mpg before my lift, after the lift and bigger tires i get about 16mpg driving conservatively!

my spacer kit wasn't that bad on the road. i agree with bigger tires but he could still stay with a 265 width tire since its only a 2.5" lift kit.

tonynunesq said:
now, if i lift my truck will i void my warranty?

check into the magnuson moss act

tonynunesq

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 24, 2009

thanks guys

ycart1201

· #8 · Apr 24, 2009

check the classifieds here and craigslist and see if you can p/u a used lift for cheap. people are always upgrading from spacers.

Nathan
ycart1201

yosh2000

· #9 · Apr 24, 2009 (Edited)

have you thought about the adjustable bilstein 5100 lift? you can pick up 4 brand new shocks, w/ the front being adjustable to 2.5", for just under $300 from sonny at downsouthmotorsports.com.... i have this lift and love it!

plus you could sell your OEM TRD suspension for nearly the same price if you find just the right person on CL or ebay!!

tonynunesq

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 24, 2009

i like the 5100, but i think i will need a spacer on the front to get 3" lift and an AAL on the back any ways. NO? at the end i will spend $600 instead of $300 by using toytec 3"lift right?

thanks

jbjones85

· #11 · Apr 24, 2009

what size are you looking at??? 255/??/16. I got a set of 255/75/17's BFG MT's from discount tire direct for 370 to my door and a set of Bilstein 5100's for $280 to my door so a total of $650 for tires and lift.

tonynunesq

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 25, 2009

i want 255 /85/r16 km2 they are around $188 each one

yosh2000

· #13 · Apr 25, 2009

tonynunesq said:
i like the 5100, but i think i will need a spacer on the front to get 3" lift and an AAL on the back any ways. NO? at the end i will spend $600 instead of $300 by using toytec 3"lift right?

thanks

a full 3" will yield you nearly no downtravel (see rough ride). if you want to level out the truck, just do the bils up front and be done w/ it. plus, once you get a full 3", you have to start worrying about upper control arms to get your alignment back to spec (see uneven tire wear). an aal will get you back to the oem rake stance.

hope that helps...i did the bils and love the ride!

tonynunesq

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 25, 2009

So, if i go with the 5100 at 2.5" and km2 255/85r16 it will not rub ? and would i have to trim anything?

Thanks

dktaco

· #15 · Apr 25, 2009

tonynunesq said:
So, if i go with the 5100 at 2.5" and km2 255/85r16 it will not rub ? and would i have to trim anything?

Thanks

First question is why are you going with such a small tire? Get the 5100's, AAL, and get something 265/75/16 or bigger. :thumbsup:

tonynunesq

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 25, 2009

dktaco said:
First question is why are you going with such a small tire? Get the 5100's, AAL, and get something 265/75/16 or bigger. :thumbsup:

The 255 /85r16 are 33.07" tall and about .40" thinner than 265/75. The 255 are about $30 cheaper per tire and i like saving $120 for the tires. However, if i go for the 5100 and AAL at 2.5" i think i will go for the 265/75 just to eliminate rubbing issues.

yosh2000

· #17 · Apr 25, 2009

tonynunesq said:
So, if i go with the 5100 at 2.5" and km2 255/85r16 it will not rub ? and would i have to trim anything?

Thanks

im am not certain, i have not run this size, nor have a read many guys running this size. i do know that wheel backspacing has an affect as well. also, many times if you just cruzing around the malls w/ your lift and tires, you'll be good, but if you seriously offroading and flexing the suspension, you will rub even w/ a full 3" and 265s....so its really all relative....

i know thats not much help, but gives you some things to search around the forums for and a guide to what to look for....

honestly, if your really worried about rubbing, and your looking to spend little money, i'de go w/ the bils and 265s and call it a day. shoot, im running the bils at 2.5" and 245s, it really doesnt look that bad...heres a pic of the bils at 2.5" and the 245s...

See less See more

BabyBlue

· #18 · Apr 26, 2009

yosh2000 said:
im am not certain, i have not run this size, nor have a read many guys running this size. i do know that wheel backspacing has an affect as well. also, many times if you just cruzing around the malls w/ your lift and tires, you'll be good, but if you seriously offroading and flexing the suspension, you will rub even w/ a full 3" and 265s....so its really all relative....

i know thats not much help, but gives you some things to search around the forums for and a guide to what to look for....

honestly, if your really worried about rubbing, and your looking to spend little money, i'de go w/ the bils and 265s and call it a day. shoot, im running the bils at 2.5" and 245s, it really doesnt look that bad...heres a pic of the bils at 2.5" and the 245s...

Do you have the 5100's adjusted to the highest setting and is there any lift in the back?

yosh2000

· #19 · Apr 26, 2009

BabyBlue said:
Do you have the 5100's adjusted to the highest setting and is there any lift in the back?

yea, 2.5" in the front, w/ no lift in the rear. cant remember if i have the tsb leafs in this pic or not, sorry. but no matter if i have the old or tsb leafs, no rear lift at all.

dktaco

· #20 · Apr 26, 2009

tonynunesq said:
The 255 /85r16 are 33.07" tall and about .40" thinner than 265/75. The 255 are about $30 cheaper per tire and i like saving $120 for the tires. However, if i go for the 5100 and AAL at 2.5" i think i will go for the 265/75 just to eliminate rubbing issues.

Nice beef...but too skinny IMO! By the by...255/85/16 = 33.1. 265/75/16 = 31.7 (not as big height wise but definitely wider and looks better).

You should go for the 265/75 or bigger hands down. These guys are good http://www.onlinetires.com got my Toyo Open Country's for cheap. I did will call since I live close! :thumbsup:

1 - 20 of 37 Posts

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