OK, I give in. Time for a facelift

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HighMile200

HighMile200

Joined
Mar 10, 2012
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After 3 years and a few more miles on the clock, I am ready to do some bulletproofing for my '08. She has nearly 156K mi and is ready for a slight face lift. Plus, we had an earthquake this week on the New Madrid fault, so time to prepare for the big one;)

My first step was to upgrade to Koni Raid shocks. Waiting to move on Jowett's front springs and/or Arich's front shock spacer discovery to level out the front a bit. Also need to deal with a 20mm lean to the left. I hope to try MSCruiser's method this weekend. Must correct before new tires go on.

Got Slee sliders, DBA rotors and 17" Rock Warrior rims in this week.

Need to decide on tires in 285/70r17 (stock size for RW correct?). I am very interested in BFG KO2s but hoping to get some confirmation of good on-road and wet weather performance before pulling the trigger. I've had good experience with Yokahama Geolander A/T-S. They have worked really well for my needs but they aren't nearly as bulletproof as the KO2s appear to be.

Considering TRD brake pads. Anybody have feedback on those?

I may well do the ARB skid plate(s) once Slee has them ready to go.

I'll update as I go. Any experiences with the KO2s, TRD pads or other pads with DBA rotors will be much appreciated.

1428019088360.jpg
 
I did a tundra rotor and caliper upgrade from Brian Jowett. They're no bigger in diameter just thicker, ie more mass.
The calipers are OEM tundra, rotors are centric slotted, and the pads centric ceramic. Very happy
At first Brian sent me the HD pads but they were really dusty, they worked but could not deal with the dust. The ceramic ones have to be stepped on a little harder but very little dust.
The reason I went with the tundra setup is I cooked my rotors towing my boat and needed new rotors anyway.
Brian can get you what you need.
Sorry no TRD experience.
 
Go with ceramic pads.

As to my theory; do what I said to do, but go even higher than it takes to even things out. I have found that if I evened them out before shutting the valve, it really did help, but wasn't exactly perfect. I then raised the high side with the jack, (which is actually compressing the spring and making it shorter) I raised it higher than level by about an inch or so, and then closed the valve. Using this method, I got what was a 2" difference to go to a 1/4" difference.

Also, if you are going with the Konis and Brians springs, you could probably put the 295/65/18s without any rubbing. I had them on my 200 with a stock lift with very minimal rubbing on the UCAs and front mudflaps.

Also, the K02s are the bee's knees, and will be awesome off road and will have a lot of life, but the Duratracs will be quieter on the pavement. Not saying to get one over the other, but just saying what I have heard and what I have personal experience with.
 
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I love my ko2 tires great manners on the road and off (I don't really mud though so no experience there) franking awesome in the snow and rain
 
KO2 is an excellent tire, as are Nitto Terra Grapplers. I've had KO2s on every vehicle I have ever owned, solid tire and you'll likely get 50-60K+ miles out of them even on a 200. I got 50K+ out of some Terra Grapplers on a 200 also.. KO2 are HORRIBLE in mud, but great other wise. In mud, they just cake up and look like some big chocolate covered donuts that don't shed. I am currently running 285/65/18 Nitto Trail Grappler MTs and they're quite awesome, but noisy ;) Will probably go back to either a Terra Grappler or KO2 next time, but man the MTs sure look mean. :steer:
 
Wooohoo! Another member joins the 35" club!
 
Congrats that's exciting

Think those will clear the outer most edge of the UCA?
 
ZOMBIECRU1S3R said:
KO2 is an excellent tire, as are Nitto Terra Grapplers. I've had KO2s on every vehicle I have ever owned, solid tire and you'll likely get 50-60K+ miles out of them even on a 200. I got 50K+ out of some Terra Grapplers on a 200 also.. KO2 are HORRIBLE in mud, but great other wise. In mud, they just cake up and look like some big chocolate covered donuts that don't shed. I am currently running 285/65/18 Nitto Trail Grappler MTs and they're quite awesome, but noisy ;) Will probably go back to either a Terra Grappler or KO2 next time, but man the MTs sure look mean. :steer:
Click to expand...

KO2s have not been out long. You must have had the BF KOs. Right??
Heard a lot of complaints about the old KOs packing up with snow but not the new ones.
 
arich said:
KO2s have not been out long. You must have had the BF KOs. Right??
Heard a lot of complaints about the old KOs packing up with snow but not the new ones.
Click to expand...
Ooops, that's correct, my bad. Did not have the newest version..
 
Willy beamin said:
Congrats that's exciting

Think those will clear the outer most edge of the UCA?
Click to expand...

They clear, not much room. Service manager "only time there will be an issue with the uca is when you start jumping."

This process has turned in to a much larger project then the dealer had originally expected. To their credit they have been very willing to work with me on this as LC modification is new to them. The continued service from Amory and Christo at Slee is unparalleled. They have assisted the local parts manager and service manager via multiple phone conversations to assure them that what we are attempting to do will work. The dealership panicked yesterday and sent an employee an hour away to get a set of 33" KO2. They called me to let me know and at that time I immediately consulted Slee to assist them, and they were more then willing. The issue was that they had the 200 up on a lift and the suspension was at full droop. This would not allow them to get the 35" on.

I have just returned from the dealership and the 200 is nearly finished. They are trimming the mudflaps and then it should be all good to go.

Pictures coming soon.
 
Looks great!
Big boy toy
 
Wow, looks great!

So why is there an issue with full droop? It makes contact with the UCA when the struts are at full extension? What brand and size lift do you have? I have no rubbing on mine, but the Nittos are going to be slightly thinner than the K02s.
 
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Great, thanks for clarifying.

@mooseknuckles , if you don't mind, make a post in the Tire Size Database thread and give me the info I need to put it in. It'll be nice to have a different tire brand in the mix. Also, in the same post, could you comment on any other rubbing, places you cut in the fenders, driving noise and characteristics, etc.

thanks!
 
Will do MScruiser. I just need to get some miles on them so I can provide data.

Thanks all for the compliments, I am thrilled with how it turned out. Sorry for the thread jack HighMile200. I fully support your decision of a "facelift."
 
So, toyota dealer advised that BFG is running a promotion this month - buy three get one for $1.00. So five in 285/70r17 are $1200 and some change. One more reason... Will order them tomorrow

I will be the guinea pig for DBA rotors with TRD pads. I think Christo Slee has one set of these rotors in stock - for his truck. Sorry man, couldn't wait. I am sure you will give them a much more thorough testing than I.

Thanks for all the feedback!
 
Not sure if you ordered them yet, but according to the tire database, you could fit the 285/75s instead of the 285/70s. FYI.
 
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