I am getting 33" tires which lift to get?

[cryoguy6075]

I am getting 33" tires this weekend and am in the market for a lift. The problem is I won't be able to afford a lift kit until June. Will I get alot of rub with the stock height? And when I do get a lift what is your recommendation? I will have about 3 grand total to spend on my ride so I don't want to throw all of it into the suspension. I will post a youtube video of a walk around to give you guys an idea as to what I am working with. Also I picked this one up for $500.00 so don't bash on her too bad.... Thanks for the help!
1974 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 walkaround - YouTube

 

[TurboDiesel69]

Well, you can get the rough country for around $400, but it isn't good.

Or, you can get two rear Old Man Emu springs for $500, then pay $400 for the fronts, $100 for u-bolts, $128 for bushings, $400 for shocks, and $100 for the steering stabilizer.

You get what you pay for. Might as well just SOA.


Your frame doesn't look all that bad... lots of metal left

 

[cryoguy6075]

Any idea who sels a good SOA kit?

 

[singletrackjunkie]

check out Hell's creek, they are reasonably priced and I'm very happy with mine. I have a 2.5 inch lift and it works nice with 33x10.5's. Search is your friend as there is lots of info on this

 

[skidplate]

I would go with the 33/10.50 tires. With those after market wheels I dont think you'll have rubbing issue with a 2-2.5" lift. Or if money is really tight, go with longer shackels and caster correction shims on the front for light wheeling. My opinion, get the mechanicals in order first off, change all the fluids, give it a tune up, adjust the valves, adress the brakes, etc. I would rather drive a mechanically sound vehicle with a rusty body than a pretty vehicle with iffy mechanicals. Drive it, 'till you decide which way you want to go with it. My .02.

 

[reddingcruiser]

Ruff Stuff has lots pretty good stuff, and an SOA kit if you decide to go that way.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

I can tell you this... if you go 33x12.50 and have stock wheel wells, you'll need 4" springs. And that will barely allow clearance for chains. Barely.

 

[cjgoode]

SOA is way to much lift for 33's and will end up costing as much as SUA lift if not more when you look at the lower end ones. I went with the H*llcreek lift. They get very good reviews here, for the price it sounds like it cannot be beat. I went with 4 inches and almost stock size shackles and will run 33 10.50 once the money for tires comes in.

 

[Sully73FJ40]

There was a guy selling a new hell creek 4 inch kit in the classifieds a week ago. I'm not sure if he sold it but he wanted $500 for everything..

 

[cryoguy6075]

There was a guy selling a new hell creek 4 inch kit in the classifieds a week ago. I'm not sure if he sold it but he wanted $500 for everything..

Where is the classifieds? Link?

 

[mossman40]

Top of this page under "classifieds"..........



Here is the link for Hell Creek Suspensions

http://hellcreeksuspensions.com/


I've got their 2.5 inch lift and am running 33's

 

[Sully73FJ40]

Sorry mate, that was sold just checked. The classifieds are on this site. As for suspension, with much advice from a fellow mudder I pieced mine together. I purchased 4 inch springs, and u-bolts from Hell Creek, picked up a new set of Bilstein shocks from another fellow mudder, greaseable anti inversion stock length shackles and spring pins from SOR. I think the best route when it comes to suspension is to save for however long and buy exactly what you want instead of cutting yourself short and going with a less favorable brand. I am running 33s on mine but the 4 inch gives me room to grow even though I would probably have to install +1 shackles to clear 35s with no rubbing

 

[Sully73FJ40]

Here's a couple pics of mine to give you an idea. 33 inch tires on stock rims. It's a leap to get in...

 

[CruisinMT]

I have a 2 1/2" rancho lift with 1 1/2 " ext shackles and 33x10.5 toyo MT's. I'm used to gravel roads with potholes and washboards. There isn't really a whole lot of difference from stock and far as ride goes. Flexes fine for what I use it for, mostly fire roads, old logging roads and some clay riverside trails and it's my DD too. I say get what you can afford. A long day of wheeling is going to wear on you no matter what springs you're running.

 

[splib]

Awesome pic CruisinMT!

 

[Robert LaDuke]

If you go with 33 x 9.5 you don't have to worry about rubbing with the stock set up. I think anything over a 9.5 width rubs

 

[cryoguy6075]

Thanks for all of the input guys. I did use the search but I got threads from back in 2001. I am probably going to get a 4" spring lift I just need to find the best quality at the right price. From what I have found I will be spending almost 1,000.00 for the lift plus other repairs. the good thing is she runs very strong and everything is in working order.

 

[MicahMan]

Shackles

Hi Have some extended shackles and trimmed some body and I flex 33x10.50s great! I did this while I'm getting the rest of the systems in order. Oil leaks, carb rebuild, alternator, heater, rear bench, and all the other goodies.

Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters has been a wealth of knowlege and has helped me get the truck running great! Next on my list is lift. Same problem as you $$$$ I have ridden in friends cruisers with everything from custom springs, to add aleafs. OME is where its at if your staying sua. Not as smooth as a BMW but fortys never are

 

[Kroozer74]

Hey I just looked through your thread and thought I'd give some of my input!

I have a 76 with a 4" hell for stout lift kit with rough country shocks and it came with some longer shackles.

I dont know how mechanical inclined you are or what you are looking to achieve with your lift (wheeling, looks, just to clear 33's), but heres some of my thoughts

like I listed about I have a 4" lift and run 33x12.50 and have not trimmed or anything and I have no rubbing problems when it is flexed out or turned lock to lock.
I don't know about other lift kits, but the one I bought from what I can remember it was one of the cheaper ones and it rides like s***, I dont know if maybe I need to upgrade shocks, but man does it ride rough.

I plan on it a couple of months taking it off and selling it. I plan to fab up a lift myself out of 63" Chevy leaf springs then do a SOA and that should give me enough lift to clear my tires and a whole lot better ride and flexing performance.

 

[cryoguy6075]

Thanks for the input. I plan on rock crawling in my 40. So ride and flex is more important than looks. I have a 33" spare up front and I don't have any rub issues there, but the rear is my biggest concern. Also, I know I have to replace the rear shackle mounts and reinforce the frame so I can get a inch or two there. And I will steer away from the hell lift. Ome springs are crazy expensive and the stock one don't have enough flex. Does anyone use the safari lift springs from man-a-fre?