80 series Tire Size\Suspension\Gearing Question

[Bravo1782]

Hi, me again.

I recently received an 80 series landcruiser from a friend of mine and I'm in the process of breathing new life into this beast. I'm looking at replacing the very warn out suspension. For context, here are some of the mods I plan to do:
Front bumper w\winch
Rear Bumper set up for winch, but perhaps not install immediately w\ dual jerry cans and spare tire
Roof Top Tent
Full drawer setup

With all that said, I've been looking at running the OME 2.5 lift (heavy weight kit) with 285/75/16 Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs on the stock wheels. If memory serves me, the stock gearing is 4.10. It's not a huge change in size from the stock tires, so I'm assuming it'll be ok to run it until I can afford a locker(s), but at that point, 4.56 seems like the best\most reasonable choice.

Also, this is going to be my weekend warrior\camping\overlanding rig. Does this seem like a reasonable setup (2.5" lift, heavy kit, 285/75/16 tires with stock gear ratio for now, 4.56 later)?

 

[Bravo1782]

Also, are any sort of driveline modification necessary for the 2.5" lift?

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

I have duratrac 285/75r16 on stock wheels with the TJM 50 mm lift and a 4.56 re-gear. No driveline mods needed on the lift (aside from castor correction) and I think the 2.5 heavies would work great for your setup. I like the duratracs a lot but they get a little wandery on the highway and tire pressure is critical for comfort and control, but they are quiet, the tire wear is good and they seem to have traction everywhere (especially in the snow). As for the re-gear, I did it because I was towing a heavy trailer at altitude and wanted a little extra oomph, if that's not important to you then don't bother with the cost, its a 3% drop in power going to the 285's. Hope that helps.

 

[Bravo1782]

Thanks! This helps a lot, actually! I have duratracs on my DD F-150 now and I love them. I've run all manner of AT tires and these are hands-down my favorite. I figure I'll hold off on the regear until I can afford lockers. I live in Iowa ATM, so not too many mountains to contend with . My F-150 is my primary tow rig, but I've toyed with the idea of an off-road trailer but that's waaaaay off in the future. Thanks for the feedback! Are you running lockers?

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

Thanks! This helps a lot, actually! I have duratracs on my DD F-150 now and I love them. I've run all manner of AT tires and these are hands-down my favorite. I figure I'll hold off on the regear until I can afford lockers. I live in Iowa ATM, so not too many mountains to contend with . My F-150 is my primary tow rig, but I've toyed with the idea of an off-road trailer but that's waaaaay off in the future. Thanks for the feedback! Are you running lockers?

I have the factory E-lockers on mine. If you are flatland and not towing, absolutely do not re-gear. I loved having the bigger tires with the stock ratio when I wasn't towing because it settled down the highway rpms to just right. I got great mileage and it was nice and quite with the overgeared setup. Plus with the reverse pinion front diffs you get a lot more noise from aftermarket gears (something I didn't know until after) so its not worth it unless you need the power like I did. At your elevation and geography it makes sense to not re-gear until you are well past 35 inch tires.

 

[Funner]

IMHO the re-gear would be a waste of money, but I suspect you'll figure that out after you put on the tires.

 

[Bravo1782]

Funner, what setup are you running? Just curious as to what your experience is...I have no idea, I'm new to this. I know on my wrangler I went from stock tires to 33" and it desperately needs new gears, but it seems that going from stock LC tires (~31"s) to 285/75/16 (~33"s) might not make a huge difference in gearing. I was curious as to what other people's miles were on that.

 

[Funner]

I am running old man emu heavies front and back with an ARB bumper and winch plus a dual battery up front. The rear is stock bumper with a freezer and drawer/sleeping platform. My tires are Yokohama Geolander AT 285/75/16. I have run with a loaded roof rack and tons of gear and didn't notice much of a difference.

 

[jtwopark]

I have just done 5.29 gears with my 37's...Would I do it again? YES!

 

[Funner]

I have just done 5.29 gears with my 37's...Would I do it again? YES!

I would want gears with 37" tires too, but with 33" it may be a fools pursuit. Probably better to piss away money on a cold air intake or a cyclone.

 

[lrowe_csp]

I think your original plan is sound. You did not mention what year 80 series you have, so we don't know which motor you are running, but armored up with winch, bumpers, tire/can carriers, roof top tent, drawers, etc, your truck will be heavy and have a lot of wind drag, and even the slightly more powerful 1FZ will be marginal. The 4.56 gears will be perfect for the 33"s with all that weight, and you will have a truck you can take anywhere, and up any grade. Post up pics when you get time.