Heavy lift, tires...DONE!

[OLDGOAT]

First of all, thanks to Kevin, aka Boston Mangler, for selling (and installing) his old heavy springs to/for me. And to everyone on the 80's forum for sharing their experiences and giving me inspiration.

The tires are Firestone Destination MT's (285's), because they've received consistently good reviews from every website that I researched, and at $168/tire (Tirerack.com), I think they're a good deal to boot.

I'm looking forward to trying out the new setup up in Big Bear on Father's Day Weekend with the SoCal 80's crowd!

Next up, sliders. I'm leaning towards George's DIY design with the 2x6 box iron for a nice step for the .

 

[clarkrw3]

Congrats!! looks nice, now bling on.

 

[sportbiker929]

looks nice. How tough was the instal?

 

[LX_TREME]

Out of curiosity, Did you get hit in the back? How come the gold emblem in the back the one says AWD Full time on the top hatch not on the bottom rear hatch?

 

[DuManchu]

Looks great, those tires were on my list but I went with a "longer lasting" (better treadwear) tire because I'm poor .

Congrats!

 

[OLDGOAT]

looks nice. How tough was the instal?

Pretty easy, it took us about an hour and a half. Just pull the wheel, unbolt the lower shock mount and sway bar (front) or panhard rod (rear), let down the axle until the spring clears the bump stop, swap in the new spring and bolt it back up.

I still need to do the castor correction bushings, but castor wasn't an issue until I put on the 33's.

Also need to replace the shocks, still running the stockers. Anyone have some OME's they just need to get rid of?

 

[OLDGOAT]

Out of curiosity, Did you get hit in the back? How come the gold emblem in the back the one says AWD Full time on the top hatch not on the bottom rear hatch?

Dunno....but the VIN's all match on the individual parts.

 

[OLDGOAT]

Looks great, those tires were on my list but I went with a "longer lasting" (better treadwear) tire because I'm poor .

Congrats!

Yeah, I'm curious to see what kind of mileage I get out of these. As far as balancing goes, these only took between 1 1/2 to 5 ounces of weight per tire, not bad for MT's, so that UNI-T technology Firestone brags about seems to work keeping the tires round.

 

[NexusD]

Out of curiosity, Did you get hit in the back? How come the gold emblem in the back the one says AWD Full time on the top hatch not on the bottom rear hatch?

I have the same type of LX-450 w/that color combo. my lexus tech book calls it the sport? I was think the same thing LX_treme.

 

[Brentbba]

Can't wait to see it and meet you at Big Bear.

 

[Dr Gonzo]

Looks great! How is the ride quality with the heavy springs and no armor (extra weight) ?

 

[OLDGOAT]

Ride quality is improved but stiff, much firmer than with the stock springs, which I consider to be way too soft. Cornering is much improved, however, with much less side-to-side sway, as well as nose-dive during hard braking. I have the feeling of more control over the vehicle.

When it's loaded down with soil samples and equipment at work, or camping gear on the weekend, it sits level and rides smooth.

I expect the unladen ride to improve a bit when I swap in new longer shocks. 126K miles is alot to ask from oem shocks.

 

[bluto]

Goat, would you say the ride quality is okay for a daily driver part time offroader with wife and kids on board - in other words no complaints from passengers saying its too firm and not comfortable?

 

[OLDGOAT]

Bluto, you described my cruiser's use exactly. This is the vehicle that we drive to the store, weekend outings, dinner, etc., and I have received no complaints from the family regarding ride quality. The only grumbling I hear is from my wife when she's climbing up into the cab, but she did that after I took off the running boards at stock height. I keep telling her that a nice set of sliders will fix that!

 

[Brentbba]

Dan - LOL! I get the same complaint from my wife climbing into the truck. I've got a little more weight with the ARB/Kaymar front/rear and sliders in between, but your overall description of the ride quality with the heavies is dead on. No wallow or dive. Much more crisp than stock.

 

[Skillet]

Nice

 

[mtnspeed]

Nice rig - I have the same

Just put the heavies on the front of mine after dropping on an ARB, winch and lights. I really do not feel like the heavies changed much. It just sits more level now. I am still running mediums in the rear. Love the color combo.

I am currently working on getting a pair of MetalTechs new sliders.... wife complains about the step just the same. I just can bring myself to put the running boards back on.... I think it has thoroughly convinced her we need sliders...

 

[Beowulf]

I still need to do the castor correction bushings, but castor wasn't an issue until I put on the 33's.

The tyres have nothing to do with caster.

-B-

 

[Slomo]

Also need to replace the shocks, still running the stockers. Anyone have some OME's they just need to get rid of?

Dan looks great, can't wait to see it in action in Big Bear. You should check your PM.

 

[lt403]

looks good