1985 mini truck suspension

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killer1954

killer1954

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Joined
Feb 4, 2004
Threads
15
Messages
277
Location
Novato, Ca
I just purchased one of these fine trucks. All stock. 22re/5spd. The springs and shocks are all original equipment. They gotta go. I'd like to put a mild lift on this truck. 31" or 33" tires at most. Couple of questions:
What mild lifts are out there for these? I'd like to hear suggestions.
How does the 22re handle these bigger tires? Does it have enough pep to push 33s? Original engine with 209k miles.
Can't lift it too much or the wife and I can't climb into it. I'm not a young man anymore.
 
Hey Bob, I'm riding on 33's with stock 4.10 diff gears. 22RE/5 speed... It's a little slow takin' off from a stop, and heading up hill at high speed is about out of the question, but I am happy with the set up, plus it keeps me out of trouble.... :D
 
If you like the ome on your fj40, I would suggest you go that route again with the mini. They wouldn't be too tall and could clear those 33s.
 
killer1954 said:
How does the 22re handle these bigger tires? Does it have enough pep to push 33s? Original engine with 209k miles.
Click to expand...



And now for something compleatly diferent. ;)



Probably poke'n the bear here.


@ that mileage I'd be more concerend with the state your timing chain guides are in rather the lift and tires that will stress it.


EFI and SFA w/209k what a sweet deal.
 
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killer1954 said:
I just purchased one of these fine trucks. All stock. 22re/5spd. The springs and shocks are all original equipment. They gotta go. I'd like to put a mild lift on this truck. 31" or 33" tires at most. Couple of questions:
What mild lifts are out there for these? I'd like to hear suggestions.
How does the 22re handle these bigger tires? Does it have enough pep to push 33s? Original engine with 209k miles.
Can't lift it too much or the wife and I can't climb into it. I'm not a young man anymore.
Click to expand...


33" In Tires Will Be Fine With Your 22re And Stock Springs. There Might Be Some Minor Rubbing Bot Not Much.

On My First Yota I Had 81 Pickup. I Had A 4" Lift From Tuff Country (Bumpy As s***) with 35x12.50 All Terrian Tires On It. With The Stock 22r With 275,000 Miles, 5speed, Stock Gears. On Average I Could Get Up To Speed Of

80MPH On Flat Ground

Hills- 65-70MPH.

Down Hill, Almost 90MPH

So What I Would Do Is Buy Some 33's See If They Fit, Feel The Differance, See If You Rub When Turning, And Rub On Articulation.

If There Is Rubbing, I Suggest A 2-3" Lift From, Marlin All-pro, Or Trail-gear.
 
Since I'm so new to this vehicle, another newb question. Is the lug pattern the same for these as the FJ40? I've got another set of wheels from the 40 with some crappy tires on them that I could throw on there to at least check for clearance if they're the same.
 
Bolt pattern is the same.
 
Bolt patterns are the same. I'm using 37s that were on my 40 on my 85 Mini now.

I run 37s with a 22r and 4.88s...it's a bit of a stretch IMO, to run this ratio..5.29s would be better.

33s and 4.10s will be fine...go to a 35 and you'll really start noticing the drop in take offs..

2nd the timing chain...
 
I appreciate all the info, folks. The original springs are saggin' quite a bit. I really like the OME setup on the 40, but its a bit pricey for a 2nd vehicle. I want to try my used 33"s before I make any large purchases. I'm still throwing money at my 40, so the mini will get have to do with a little at a time. (I remember my twins asking me if I had some "extra" money once when they were in college. They were shocked to hear that there is no such thing). Twins are why my 40 was stock for the first 26 years of the 31 I've owned it hehehe.
 
oh, since we're talking about swappable wheels, does the mini have any special backspacing requirements like the 40?
 
check ebay for engbldr, get his timing kit with water pump/oil pump/front cover. it's under 200 bucksi i think. also i really like the Downey springs for a stock vehicle. i've had them on 2 85 4runners and i thought they road great. didn't need an adjustable draglink either.

as long as your cruiser wheels are disk brake they should work on the disk front axle on your mini truck. same backspacing requirements.

dave
 
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Thanks guys, you've been a tremendous help.
 
I'll be there, Dave. Thanks!
 
2nd the Downey springs... I have 3" Downeys on my 85 4Runner, used to run 35s and stock drivetrain. Now it has 31s cause the FJ40 got the 35s ;)

The Downey springs are nice and soft yet have not sagged noticeably in the 5 years they've been on the truck. And I've wheeled it a LOT.

Get that timing chain looked at. ASAP. Unless the swap was made to metal chain guides it's a time bomb...

Congrats on a cool find. Got Pics?
 
anybody running OME Dakar 2 1/2" suspension on their mini?
 
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