2002 100 build- some questions

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Brettski

Brettski

10 Year
Joined
Dec 13, 2012
Threads
3
Messages
16
Hello all-

I think this is my first post, but I've been lurking for a while. I have a 2002 LC that I had purchased new. It was the only navy blue one in the country that January '02. 120K awesome miles on it so far, but I never bothered to build it up because we bought a Tundra and put a popup on it (an All Terrain Camper if anyone cares). Decided to get rid of the P/U-Camper combo and play with the LC again. So now I'm ready for some serious mods. Here are my questions:

1) Bigger shoes. How much does going from stock P-rated tires to 285 E-rated tires impact mpg, power/acceleration and braking? I'm concerned that adding 15# per wheel will really hurt the power, particularly since I'm in CO and we have a bit less oxygen than most. Remember, the 2002 was pre-VVT and had a 4sp.

2) OME lift. I'm interested in the 1.5 or 2.5" inch. It's still a daily driver and will see some offroad playing around, but really only a handful of desert trips per year. My question is how do the smaller OME lifts impact regular driving? I'm trying to get a sense of how cornering and general handling changes on road. I did a small lift in my Tundra and there was really no change. I suspect the LC will stiffen a bit?

3) I don't even know if this is possible, but I'm wondering if the 4sp auto can be swapped for a 03's 5sp? Will it make a difference? Too expensive to be worth doing? Just wondering, really.

Thanks for your opinions in advance.
 
Forgot to mention I'm building a drawer/sleeping platform system in the back too. I'll post pics when I'm done. My 4wheeling interest is simply exploring the backcountry, mostly UT, CO and NM. I've taken it stock most places, but often needed/wanted a little more clearance. I'm not interested in real serious trails (anything over 3.5), but want the capability to follow most backcountry trails without worrying about clearance. I've traveled all over four corners and think a 2.5" lift (either 1.5+shoes or 2.5 and stock tires) would get me 90%+ the places I've come across.
 
1) I am told there is no problem running 285s on the 2002 LC with no modification to the suspension. I think your truck has plenty of power and brakes to handle the 285s. If you want bigger tires, then 285s are no problem.

2)The OME lift is cool and lots of people on mud have made this modification. no problem running the OME lift on your daily driver.

3) Danger Will Robinson- you cannot swap the 4 speed tranny for a 5 speed tranny without major (cost-prohibitive) changes to the ECU (computer), wiring, and gearing. It would be far cheaper and easier to trade your 2002 for a 2003+, which came with the 5spd, than to attempt retrofit of a the A750 (5spd.) transmission into your truck.

In summary, if you want bigger tires and a modest lift, then go for it. Your truck will be even cooler and the offroad performance will increase a little. It will still handle fine on the highway, and you will be happy.

The 5 speed tranny probably will not work in your truck.

If you are in Colorado, I'd go talk to the guys at Slee, they can hook you up with everything you need regarding the lift kit and tires.

Hope this helps.
 
marshotel said:
1)
3) Danger Will Robinson- you cannot swap the 4 speed tranny for a 5 speed tranny without major (cost-prohibitive) changes to the ECU (computer), wiring, and gearing. It would be far cheaper and easier to trade your 2002 for a 2003+, which came with the 5spd, than to attempt retrofit of a the A750 (5spd.) transmission into your truck.
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That's what I wanted to know. Too bad though- it could really use a 5sp. Moving along...

If you are in Colorado, I'd go talk to the guys at Slee, they can hook you up with everything you need regarding the lift kit and tires.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Yes, I plan to talk with Slee.


Next decision: comfort or medium OME lift? I have no immediate plans for bumpers, but I might. But even bumpers only add a few hundred pounds over stock- that's like a couple of adults in the vehicle. Just how stiff is the medium vs the comfort? I'm ok with a little stiffer ride, but I don't want a pickup-type ride! Thx.
 
FWIW I, living at ~4,500', didn't especially care for the resulting loss of effective torque and out of sync shift points, relative to final gearing, when I installed 33" tires (285/75R16) in my then otherwise stock '99.

My mpg went down; another indicator of losing "efficiency". I had 4.88's and 35's on 'the list'...the negative performance with 33's just made me move the gearing project up sooner.

IMO the 2UZ-FE and 343F has just enough hp, torque and drivetrain efficiency to be marginally acceptable on a stock 100 rig especially if you live a mile up from sea level or more. It doesn't take much in the way of mods to get the teeter-totter moving in the wrong direction ;). The A750F helps and so does the VVT-i...but that's still alot of mass for the relatively little engine to pull around...

In the old days I would never have considered buying a, say 3/4T pickup truck, with a 287 cube motor...

Like most of us have learned...modding is a slippery slope.
 
spressomon said:
FWIW I, living at ~4,500', didn't especially care for the resulting loss of effective torque and out of sync shift points, relative to final gearing, when I installed 33" tires (285/75R16) in my then otherwise stock '99.
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This is what I am afraid of. Seems you and marshotel have different experiences or opinions. Now you two must fight to the death to see who is right :D

negative performance with 33's just made me move the gearing project up sooner.
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I'm not educated about gearing and have no idea what's involved and the benefits/tradeoffs...yet
 
Well...the good news, particularly if you live in Colorado, you might be able to find another 100/470 owner willing to swap their 33's on to your rig for a quick test drive. Worst case if you opt to buy and don't like how 33's change the overall gearing/power transmission you can off them for not much loss. Then go to 35's and 4.88's :D

Ever play dominos? :D
 
Maybe throw 300lbs of weight in the trunk and an action packer on the roof and that'll simulate mpg, acceleration and braking with 33's. :)
 
I know I'm a minority here on mud, but I did the OME 2.5 medium lift with the newer sport shocks and I'm not impressed. I like the lift (not 2.5" on the front, btw), the better feedback and less body roll, but I find the ride to be ****. Don't get me wrong, I like a firmer ride, but the OME transmits every bump and amplifies the interior rattles. With this stiff of a ride you would think it would have great load carrying capability, but not really. The rear will really sag when loaded with ~3-400 lbs. I don't know if the overly stiff ride is a result of springs or shocks, but if I had to do it again I would go a different route. Example- ride in a modern 1/2 ton pickup. Stiff, but nice ride empty and able to haul a **** ton of cargo without too much squat.
 
Yup. Sorry. Three to four hundred. And that's just a guess. But I know in my last pickup I could easily throw 1000 pounds in the rear and it would not sag below level. And the ride empty was quite acceptable. I know the 100 is not a pickup, but I think the ome could be much improved on.
 
spressomon said:
Well...the good news, particularly if you live in Colorado, you might be able to find another 100/470 owner willing to swap their 33's on to your rig for a quick test drive. Worst case if you opt to buy and don't like how 33's change the overall gearing/power transmission you can off them for not much loss. Then go to 35's and 4.88's :D

Ever play dominos? :D
Click to expand...

I have a 2000 in the roaring fork valley (aspen 8000ft) with 33's. I do mostly daily driver and mild passes in the summer for fun (taylor pass etc). I had slee do the 2.5 medium. I'm happy with the ride and handling going to grand junction or Denver on the interstate. I like the more stiff ride on mountain paved passes. Sure it can be a bit bouncy at times with no load but not obscene but I got what I wanted. Would be happy to let anyone take a drive or swap wheels if you're close. No other mods yet just lift/tires.
 
1407driver said:
Yup. Sorry. Three to four hundred. And that's just a guess. But I know in my last pickup I could easily throw 1000 pounds in the rear and it would not sag below level. And the ride empty was quite acceptable. I know the 100 is not a pickup, but I think the ome could be much improved on.
Click to expand...
Leaf springs typically do a better job of carrying heavy loads.
 
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