[1973Guppie]

If I were to put an OME lift on a 96fzj780, 2.5 inch, 850/863 springs, would 33 inch bfg all terrains fit? Also, would one really need to regear with 33 inch all terrains? I am considering keeping the lift lower as this is the family hauler and the bump up to 4 inch and 35's is going to be much more costly. Also, will a 2.5 inch lift and 33's require any hassling with the driveshafts? I am assuming no as it is a minimal lift anyhow. I plan to do the simple caster correction bushings.

thx, Noah

[AKcruiserfreak]

Noah, Check out the FAQ on lifts and you will find many answers to your questions.
No you do not nead to re-gear for 33's.
Yes, 33's will fit with or without a lift.
Most do not have driveshaft issues unless the u-joints are already worn out.

Have a good one.

TK

[1973Guppie]

I have read the faq's but wanted to get personal opinions on this setup. I am thinking that an 80 with 33's and a 2.5 inch lift armored can run the rubicon and other trails just fine. I did the rubicon 2x with one locker and 33 inch mud's / 2.5 inch lift in a 40, just curious how the 80 will handle it. It just seems to get expensive when you step up to 35's and a 4 inch lift.

[desiboy98]

im running 35" w/out a lift! I do have a 2.5 inch heavy OME lift in plans

Originally Posted by 1973Guppie

If I were to put an OME lift on a 96fzj780, 2.5 inch, 850/863 springs, would 33 inch bfg all terrains fit? Also, would one really need to regear with 33 inch all terrains? I am considering keeping the lift lower as this is the family hauler and the bump up to 4 inch and 35's is going to be much more costly. Also, will a 2.5 inch lift and 33's require any hassling with the driveshafts? I am assuming no as it is a minimal lift anyhow. I plan to do the simple caster correction bushings.

thx, Noah

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

Stick with the 33's and OME 2.5" lift if it's a family vehicle. 35's are great for clearance but if cost is an issue, as it is for me..., I am completely happy with my OME 2.5" lift and BFG 33's. You will sit well higher than anything else on the road, have plenty of ground clearance all without changing alot of parts out like you would with a 4" + lift.

[PACNW96]

My 80 is the family hauler as well and the OME 2.5" lift and 33's work very well together. You shouldn't have to do anything with the driveshaft, or gearing... just install caster correction. I recommended using Slee's bushings to give you a little more caster on the 2.5" heavy lift.

[1973Guppie]

thx guys, the reason this has come to mind is that I am painting the 40 right now and I was going to sell it to fund the build on the 80, but with the cruiser market in the dumps, and with what I want to do with the truck, not sure it makes sense. I have welder and am fairly good at using it and am thinking that besides the front bumper (will get any arb) I can make the skidplate and rocker bars. Traded a TC for a complete rear 4x4 bumper kit. Plus, not sure it makes sense to put major $$ into this old of a vehicle, I know they run forevor but......

The truck is already locked and with 33's and armor, i think I should be able to run the rubicon and other fairly hard trails OK. Anyone on here run the rubicon in their 80 with 33's and a 2.5 inch lift?

thx for the opinions / comments, I know this is a random thread and this stuff has been discussed before so thx for the bandwith, just babbling I guess,

Noah

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

Originally Posted by PACNW96

My 80 is the family hauler as well and the OME 2.5" lift and 33's work very well together. You shouldn't have to do anything with the driveshaft, or gearing... just install caster correction. I recommended using Slee's bushings to give you a little more caster on the 2.5" heavy lift.

X2

[1973Guppie]

slee bushings are the same as the OME stuff, correct? cruiser outfitters has a complete kit, so will probably go that route.....plus, I have a shop press!

[UCBerzerkeley]

Uhh no, slee bushings are slee bushings, OME are OME bushings. The OME are designed to correct for less than 3 degrees while the slee blues do 3. The blues are sold directly by slee

Edit - also, I swear, desiboy, 1/2 of your posts must be you posting that pic of your stock truck on 35s lol!

[PACNW96]

Originally Posted by 1973Guppie

slee bushings are the same as the OME stuff, correct? cruiser outfitters has a complete kit, so will probably go that route.....plus, I have a shop press!

Slees give you 3* of caster while OME yellows give you only 2*. You will find that the Slees have a better chance of getting you into spec with the 2.5" lift. Especially if this rig is the family hauler you want it stable...get the Slee bushings.

[1973Guppie]

Originally Posted by PACNW96

Slees give you 3* of caster while OME yellows give you only 2*. You will find that the Slees have a better chance of getting you into spec with the 2.5" lift. Especially if this rig is the family hauler you want it stable...get the Slee bushings.

hmm, ok, good to know......

[iptman]

OME 850/860 with 255/85/16 BFG KM2's (33.5") and 1 1/4 inch spacers.







Don't go with the AT's, you'll just end up going with MT's eventually. The KM2's ride great on the road and are obviously better off road than the AT's. Also, the 255/85's are significantly cheaper than the 285/75's (33") of the same tire.

[VCCruzr]

I recently installed the 850/860 set up with the OME castor bushings......still feels light in the front end and wanders so I am going to replace the OME's with Slee's blues.

[PACNW96]

Originally Posted by VCCruzr

I recently installed the 850/860 set up with the OME castor bushings......still feels light in the front end and wanders so I am going to replace the OME's with Slee's blues.

Good call...that extra degree will make a difference. I have the same lift as you with the Slee bushings and the rig feels firmly planted.

[retrofive]

x2, I installed Slee's knowing I would be at the bottom of spec based on getting the #'s from a alignment shop, and contemplated for awhile going to plates to put myself at the high end of spec. Seeing how I'm not in any position for sometime to upgrade my 2.5" med OME susp.(super light setup) decided with the Slee Blue's for now. The OME bushings just would not cut it based on research on the numbers in front of me.

[landcruising]

Originally Posted by VCCruzr

I recently installed the 850/860 set up with the OME castor bushings......still feels light in the front end and wanders so I am going to replace the OME's with Slee's blues.

Same here, a small amount of wander compared to stock with the OME bushings. I however took slees advice and got the OME since i planned to get a winch sooner and have yet to install one. I can say I also have 850-860 set up and even with the IPOR rear bumper and swing out and only the shortbus in front I have 1/4 to 1/2 inch lower front end. I did not not want the stink bug so I went with the mediums 860 in back. I can say it levels out when towing my pop up but it only ways 1700 lbs with maybe a 200 lb hitch weight. I would imagine I will loose another 1/2 inch up front with a winch and may need spring spacers.

I have really close to what you have and are looking at, 285/75/16 that measure to about 32 1/2 inches so feel free to call me if you you would like to check it out. I would like to have went with the FOR 3" or Slee 4" but money and availibility was a factor. I couldn't even afford decent mud tires and am using Pep boys hancook knock offs that I ended up getting for half the price of BFG's. They seem to be working OK so far but haven't had them in too crazy of a spot.

My goal would also be to run the rubicon some day and have read on here somewere that an 80 with 33's ran it.

[1973Guppie]

thx for all the comments, landcruising, pm'd you.....

nice pics of ur trucks btw.

I have seen many videos of the fjcruisers out on the rubicon with AT tires and about 2.5 inches of lift, so I think it can be done just fine, especially when you are with a group, like during the rubithon.

[tblume]

yup; mediums and 255/85's here, no issues, no CC bushings yet, no problem, no drama.

I can't remember but I think the picture was taken pre-lift too.

[douglashuft]

285's and ome mediums are not ideal for the con but are workable. The po of my truck did the con with 285's way back when 80's on the con was almost unheard of. I have wheeled sections of it with the same setup. If i did not have a prior obligation I would be participating in this years rubithon with my truck (with 285's and ome mediums). I would like a slightly bigger lift and 315's but am on a budget and have a hard time justifying the lift, tires, gears and rear bumper to store the spare. btw, with stock gears and 285's my truck tows a 3,000 lb popup, hauls 3 rows worth of kids (with spare underneath) with no problems at all. I have some pictures in my rotw in my sig line.

[sleeoffroad]

I think the issue with the Con is when you do it. Sometimes it is stacked with rocks after events and it is easy. We ran it late last year for the Marlin event on a buggy with 42's and I thought, man taking a 80 through here would be a pita, even on 35's. 2.5" lift on 33's is doable, but it is a lot of work.

[1973Guppie]

doug, nice truck, looking at it now

thanks for the comments.....

[douglashuft]

Thanks, it is just a very basic cruiser with a little bling (in the form of bedliner). Just to be clearer, the 285's will do just about everything I need them for without opening up the can of worms involved with 35's (So why not go 37's in that case). On the Rubicon trail, 285's on an 80 feel like 31's did on my mini. 33's were better on my mini for the con and I am sure 35's would work better for the 80 but are not absolutely necessary.

[jvazquez53]

Originally Posted by desiboy98

im running 35" w/out a lift! I do have a 2.5 inch heavy OME lift in plans

Do the tires rub when you turn to either side?