2-inch Lift or no lift

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Joined
Aug 20, 2012
Threads
35
Messages
157
Location
Annapolis
I'm at a cross roads. I have 285 on the truck now and need to replace the springs due to age. Looking for photo's with a 2-inch lift


...via IH8MUD app
 
Bet there might be loads to find when you read the FAQ section here.
My 80 has a 2" OME
IMG_0650.webp
 
2013 Mountain Rendezvous.webp

What Duiser said. I also run 285's. Did just Rancho 9000 shocks first. Improvement noted. Then replaced OEM springs with stock height OME. More improvement. Eventually put front/rear bumpers on, winch, tire carrier, roof rack, yada, yada, yada and did the OME 2-3" lift. It's perfect for the expedition type driving I typically do and wish I'd done it in the first place. That's not saying that I wouldn't kill for a 4" lift running some of the trails in Moab!

Here's mine very weigted down with trailer, wood on roof rack, etc. I do also run Airlift airbags in the rear coil springs to help with the load in addition to the OME heavy springs. Pic is a little deceiving on rear drop. Cruiser is at a slight downhill.
 
OME 2.5" heavy front and rear, with and without trailer. the weight of the trailer only lowers the rear 1/2 ", however its only about 175 to 200lbs of tongue weight. The interior is loaded down with a 1/2" marine grade plywood drawer system. lots of tools, spare parts, extraction equip, fridge freezer etc etc.
IMG_0017_3.webp
IMG_0011_2.webp
IMG_0031_2.webp
For expedition style overlanding the 2.5" is perfect, and more than capable off road. We tackled the knarliest of trails at Evans Creek with only minor body damage.
 
Here's a 2" with 315s, but you can always leave it stock and tuck your balls between your legs :flipoff2:


DSC_2197_zpsd0a85500.jpg
 
i have one of each, but truth be told do not have the 97 with the zero lift on the road yet.
the 2.5" heavies with the softer shocks rides pretty good considering the truck is mostly empty most of the time.
 
IMG_0275.webp


2" iron man lift medium with 295/75/16 nitto
 
CameraZOOM-20140718074217968~2.jpg


2" OME and 315s...very very happy with the ride and the performance.
 
Here is mine. 2"OME heavy front and rear. Man-A-Free 30mm front spacer to level it out. ARB front bumper with 10,500 lbs MileMarker hydraulic winch. 285/75/16 Cooper ST/Maxx tires.
IMG_6480.webp
 
@jwilliams do you have a write up for the MM install?

@NLXTACY Not a technical write up.
It is very straight forward. I had the same winch on my 2000 Land Rover for 11 years, then just transferred it over when I came to my senses and upgraded to the 80.

I bought this unit:
HI 10500 HYDRAULIC WINCH

Ordered this adapter, Toyota Specific:
35-5020-41

You plumb the winch inline between the pump and the steering box. As long as the engine is running, you can use it.
It's not as fast as some of the other electric winches, but you can use it all day and not have to wait for it to cool down. It has gotten me out of every stuck situation I have been in. It's also been great for landscaping projects.
Here is a link to the day we installed it:
Winch Install

We did drill out an elongated hole under the battery box, to pass the two hoses through and make for a very clean installation. The hoses come out below the blinker, and end up right behind the ARB bumper.
Then we located the control plug inside the cab right under the hood and gas release pulls. It turned out very slick if I do say so. You can get in and out of the truck with big boots on and the winch control still plugged in, the control cable doesn't interfere.
You can see the winch control picture in this album: Pictures 12,13,14 I think.
1997 Land Cruiser

Here are some videos of the truck since I have had it lifted.
Only had to use the winch a couple times.
1997 Land Cruiser Youtube clips

Any other questions, feel free to ask.
 
Last edited:
This is my '92 with Ironman 2".

image.webp

It is pictured with 33-10.5x15. Probably the very similar in size to your 285's
 
Until you've tried 6"....

You can't win, you get 35's and 37's don't seem too much bigger.....

A 2" lift is a good height for most people.
:cheers:

Well not in my case. I drove two 80s with 6" and I didn't like it at all. 37s on 4" though...that could possible be in my future down the line. :cheers:
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom