Lift and tire/wheel decision (kinda long sorry)

[Stevemcnash]

Hey all, after getting a nice promotion at work, and with a hefty tax rebate coming my way I've decided it's time to lift the FJ. I'm thinking of shelling out about $2k but I'm in need of some opinions.
I've narrowed it down my modding to the following.

1. Need new tires... looking at 285/70/17 BFG AT
2. Really want TRD wheels... thus changing the tires to 285/70/16

The tires are probably gonna cost $850-900 for set of five. and the wheels are another $650ish. Now I can sell my stock rims and tires, (only have 5k on them, with no scratches or nicks) to help offset some of that cost... but obviously not all of it.

So then comes the lift options..
Originally I wanted the Icon/Donahoe Stage 1 lift with Total Chaos UCAs. Although I don't wheel that hard... I like knowing my cruiser is more capable then I might use it for. But that comes at a price.. lift is $1,500 and the UCAs another $675

My other choice was the sway-a-way hybrid kit from MetelTech, but again still looking at over $1k for the lift plus the UCAs.

Now despite not being my first choice I'm leaning towards the OME lift w/ the Total Chaos UCAs total is just over $1k. And then I still have some cash left over for my wheels and tires.

Now that all that's out there.. what are your guys thoughts? Should I ditch the TRD wheels? Should I keep saving and pick up a coilover lift vs the OME?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Brock]

all are good choices you are reviewing...in my opinion. I can only tell you what I got and why...

1. I ran BFG AT for many years....hell since college 25 years ago Ihave run BFG or Wranglers. My last vehicle I could not find the size I wanted and needed so went with Nitto Terra Grapplers. They were not yet popular and half the cost of the BFG. I figured that if they lasted it was great...if not then not much lost. I was pleasantly suprised on their quietness on highway, wet weather traction on road, and their great all around offroad ability. They are a little more aggressive than BFG in my opinion but self clean very well and are much better for mud and snow than BFG if you find yourself in the occasional puddle or two. LOL If you are only a sand, rock and road guy.......both will work but might like BFG. Also the Nitto have extremely tough sidewalls...are 8 ply tires so can take more abuse on trail from sharp rocks or errant railroad spikes (yeah i took one in a brand new set of BFGs two days after buying them ) Nittos are a bit heavier weight wize...but wear great as well with 40-50k possible in my opinion easily. So on my FJ I went with the 295x70x17 tires...20 bucks cheaper than 285s. I got all 5 for around $500 with a trade of my new Duelers that came on my ride. They perform even better on my FJ than they did on my Dodge 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel 4x4...mostly I think to the extreme weight of the front of Cummins in Dodge. So what was good is GREAT now in my opinion. I would also check out the new Kumho MT tire...think is is like 171 or 173...plus the Hankook MT. The Nitto MT is TOO purpose built and would need replacing every year in my opinion so while I love the Terra Grappler I would stay away from Mud Grappler unless your vehicle stays offroad 75% of the time or more.

2. Lifts....I looked at 5 or 6 different ones...some were great looking with great reviews but were a bit more overbuilt than I needed as I dont do 1000 mile races through Baja or climb boulders the size of my home. RoughCountry, OME, ToyTec and others that offer a combination of shocks, coils and sometimes adapters were in my next tier to review. I would read a few reviews...and then go and check some more. One name that kept coming back for not only quality but their ability to be installed without other major mods to your vehicle were the OME coils/shocks. I ended up buying my OME coils from ToyTeck with one of their kits. I got the Medium coils for front and Medium coils for rear...but I kept my front struts and rear shocks and did not upgrade them as well. Mostly to save a little money and from speaking with multiple people with the amount and type of offroad I do ....all told me I would be fine, including people at Toy Tec. They said I would likely lose a little rear tire travel in my suspension cuz my oem shocks are shorter and would not allow them to travel as much as if I had OME shocks and struts. But I plan on replacing them next year with the good shocks. I would consider better upper control arms, rear trailing arms, and an E-Lock Guard as well such as INCHWORM or ALLPRO.

All in all...I got the full 3" TOYTEC OME lift that includes two billet brackets that replace the front coilover mounts that hold the coils and struts together. They are thicker so it makes the front a full 3" lift rather than 2.5" as with factory setup and other OME setups. Just personal preference. This lift with these tires and I have not been required to do the body chop modification...even with some severe downhill and compression of suspension...so far no rubbing...so that is another bonus of this setup. Plus they look good togher.

So I pretty much have 5 tires mounted on my alloy wheels...with ful 3" OME lift from ToyTec...and installation and spent total about $1200. If I had to buy Nitto myself without trading my Bridgestone Duelers it would have been about $1650 total for tires, lift installation, alignment...mounting, balancing, etc.

Good luck....I would love to run some more aggressive tires but with my daily driver needs and hiking, camping, hunting, etc on weekends...could not justify the loss of mpg...and quicker wear rate.

Good luck and hope this helps.

Nitto with NO LIFT

Nitto with ToyTec 3" OME LIFT

Out playing with Nitto and lift

BudBuilt Rock Sliders--you will want these next...trust me

 

[Tools R Us]

I agree on the Nitto's, also ran many sets of BFG's and got a set of Nitto's for the 80 ~4 years ago. Very happy with them and wont be running BFG's anymore, IMHO the Nitto's have them beat in all categories, a better tire all around.

 

[Stevemcnash]

Good call on thinking about other tires. Definitly a good way to save some coin on the total project. If I'm planing on getting a front bumper and winch later down the line, would I be better off with the Coilovers so I could have the ride nice for the stock bumper... and then change it down the road when I put more weight up front?

Thanks for all the feedback, please keep it coming.

 

[Brock]

they are all coil overs up front for the FJ....only difference really is which spring you get...LIGHT, MEDIUM, HEAVY....or what is now by some called SUPER HEAVY.

I got Medium up front and in rear. I plan on using the Lucrum winch mount and bumper with wing eliminators and a hoop. Only adds a little weight over stock...mostly weight of winch plus a bit more for steel bumper insert. I tow a little and will be carrying some weight in rear when camping or hunting as well so got the medium back there as well.

If I was going to put a ARB, WARN, or one of the large all steel front bumper I might start with HEAVY or get them later and have them installed to prevent front from sagging.

That is why I kept my stock struts and and shocks and only replaced the front coil overs and rear coil springs.....when I decide for sure what front end I will use...if the front sags under breaking or appears sluggish I will go to heavy...if not then will keep what I have.

Best is to know all this and do it at same time. LOL I could not so I am gambling that the mediums will be just right.

I think the ToyTec site actually breaks down the comparison to stock setups....and the light setup is still better in ride and load bearing than stock.