Ever oversize-tire and lift a truck, vacation/tour/trek it, and regret the mods?

[mason]

I really appreciate the response. Figured I'd get slammed for bringing an "asked and answered" topic up once again, and would have accepted that. It seems, so far, no matter what the mod, in the end the user has no regrets (except for Charlie). This is really helpful, as my tires are just about gone.

If I do (note IF), I'll probably go with the "starter kit" of 2.5 with 285s (only because I think a lift and stock tires would look really odd). Hey, like a friend said, "Looks ain't everything, but they got somethin' to do with it!"

I'll have to work out between medium and heavy, though, as the stiff ride isn't as much a concern as seeing my back end sag with 12 scuba tanks loaded in (yes, they'll fit!).

Don't think I'll start out bigger, in case I don't like it and want to reverse (not likely, but we'll see).

Thanks!
--Eddie

 

[CharlieS]

Hi Eddie,

Maybe I worded it wrong. I don't really regret it. I just don't think I'd do the same thing again if I had to start over. The 80 is awesome with the "standard" mods I've done.

You are doing the right thing by pondering it and doing what is best for your personal needs.

Charlie

 

[powderpig]

Yes that is my mug with the funsky two tone crusier(stock color very rare, I have only seen 2 other trucks running here in the state, besides the banner ad one). That is a 93, the one I had first was a champange 94 with lockers. worked that truck real hard over the years, had to fix a lot and I learned alot. Thanks robbie

 

[zebrabeefj40]

I highly recommend the OME suspension of some sort. Rides way better than stock.

I'd also recommend the ARB bumper, non-winch even, just for the improvement in accident survivability. The stock bumper folds with the mildest of hits. The front sheetmetal is toast after a deer hit in stock form. An ARB bar laughs at most hits that would do severe damage to a stock truck. I have personally watched a deer go down in front of an ARB without leaving a mark on the truck... A couple other friends have hit cars (unintentionally) causing $4-5K in damage to the car with no damage to the Cruisers.

Nick

 

[IdahoDoug]

Eddie,

Go stock with upgraded stock diameter tires for better grip next time you replace them. In this form, you can tackle some serious offroad terrain, yet maintain the excellent stock road manners.

As for your sagging rear when hauling weight. Consider a $90 pair of AirLift rear air springs. I regularly have a 600lb++ rear load when pulling my trailer and am perfectly level. They'll generate up to 1000lbs of lift so a couple dozen tanks won't even be a challenge. The bonus is the 99 percent of the time you're unladen you don't have to suffer an unduly stiff ride such as might happen with a permanent spring change. These go inside your rear coils. I've got 200,000 miles of experience with them and they're the ultimate solution.

DougM

 

[Tools R Us]

My stock suspension was nauseating, wallowed down the road, Dramamine was required for highway travel. OME is a huge improvement.

 

[NorCalDoug]

Some very good advice already posted here.

I'll just add that, IMHO, with a OME 2.5 lift and 285 tires, you'll be able to tackle 95% of anything you'll come across on an expedition-type trip (expedition-type = non-rock-crawling). Add sliders and t-case skid, front and rear aftermarket bumpers, (move our spare out from under) and you're up to 99.44%