What spacers did you use and are you still glad you went this route? Thanks
Westcott Designs Preload Collar Lift (spacer lift) (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter cheddar bob
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I ran spidertrack 1.25 spacers.
To answer you latter question-I went this route because I really liked the way the vehicle rode with the OEM suspension and since it was new, I wanted to get my money's worth out of the OEM suspension before I went to a full coil.
I initially did not want spacers of any kind but could not find a fully forged wheel with the offset I was looking for that beat the BBS Forged wheel in quality and design without paying quite a bit for a set. Although the BBS Forged wheels offset isn't ideal, aesthetically, you can't beat a fully forged BBS wheel.
I'm hoping in the future to find a coil that rides similar to OEM but the Wescott lift was a great inexpensive stopgap.
In the future I would run a 285/70/18 though as the 295/70/18s I'm currently running require front mud flap removal and minor trimming and although Wescott states it fits the 295, I only got the 295 because there were no 285 Nittos in stock for the Ridge Recons and I wanted to try that new tire design to compare to my Ridge Grapplers.
Also I get zero KDSS bar rub with this setup.
It obviously won't match a full coil setup but its a very good 'middle ground' option. Others may disagree but it works for me.
Did you have to use a KDSS relo kit? If not, others that have a full kit say to run the tire size you HAVE TO have KDSS relo to avoid rub.
Thank you for the reply. I am thinking the 285 is the way I want to go. I don’t want to trim or remove anything. I have a pro taco and an older lx450 that we will take off road and this is my wife’s to look more aggressive but will not be off road yet. Heck she don’t even drive it in bad weather LOL. Thanks again for the info.
If you are running spacers with stock wheels you will have to remove flaps and minor trimming pretty much with any tires bigger than stock
I did NOT use a KDSS relocation kit.
cheddar bob
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How do you like your bilstein setup and how close is the ride comfort to stock?
Hello guys. I hate to bump an old threat but want to ask a question to the guys that have gotten this lift set up. I’m a newbie on suspension stuff so forgive me.
I think I like this set up because it’s a middle ground on pricing and keeps the factory ride comfort since my LC is 99.99% on pavement. I hear the BP51 and other lifts make the ride stiff and I’m not interested in hearing my wife nag all day about that.
My question is if I go the 295 tire size would I need to get trimming done if I purchased an aftermarket icon wheels that are 17in ? (Picture attached from westcott YT video ).
Also my LC has 100K mileage now.
I think I like this set up because it’s a middle ground on pricing and keeps the factory ride comfort since my LC is 99.99% on pavement. I hear the BP51 and other lifts make the ride stiff and I’m not interested in hearing my wife nag all day about that.
My question is if I go the 295 tire size would I need to get trimming done if I purchased an aftermarket icon wheels that are 17in ? (Picture attached from westcott YT video ).
Also my LC has 100K mileage now.
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FWIW I have the collars on 275/70 r18 Michelin Defenders w 1.25 spacers and have the slightest rub at full lock in reverse (no mud flaps). Doesn't answer your question per se, but you could enter that into tiresize.com and compare vs yours and get a good idea. My guess is you'll need to do some minor modification. Also, if you're 99% highway are you sure you want to go that big?
What parts pieces did you have to trim? And do you still have rubbing? Thanks
That big regarding tires or lift ? I was hoping to find a 2in front and maybe an inch in the rear lift with some 33-34s. But like with most people wanting to maintain the current comfort level of the SUV or close to it.
One issue I’m having is trying to gauge the look of a lift and tire set up. I’ve never seen a modified land cruiser in person so it’s hard to tell just off YouTube videos and pictures.
Would you mind posting a picture or two of your LC? What you've described is what I've been intending to installing.
275/70 r18 w Westcott 3" in front and 1.5" rear. Driveway is sloped down towards rear of truck. I've read some things on here about the HE having an extra coil or half coil on rears, but I can't confirm that. I do know that my rake was aggressive and with no 3rd row or other weight in the back (as pictured) I am now very close to level. I will happily run these tires, but for highway driving and overall aesthetic the 285/70 would be ideal imo.
Sorry, I meant tires. Solely based on your stated mission profile. You're going to get into speedo issues as you go bigger, too. Full disclosure; I'm not one to take advice from on here haha. Just my personal experience.
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Thanks for the pictures. Looks great!
I'm in the same boat as you, I have a HE without the 3rd row. My back end really sticks up high. I emailed Westcott about their products and asked if a smaller lift was available for the front only. They indicated the following - to achieve more of a front leveling kit you can use our Front Only kit and simply leave out the top shim plate. This will net you around 2" of front lift. 2" of front lift would leave me with about 3/4" of rake, which would be ideal for my mall crawler.
Oh amazing your lift looks great. I’m still trying to figure out tire sizes. So many variables. I said 295 tire size because that’s what they posted on there video. You currently have 275 and you recommend a 285? Why?
Also are you happy with the ride ? And is the front end too high at 3in or you would of preferred an inch shorter in front ? Thanks man.
Being that you have a new ride, I'd suggest installing the OEM front spacers, part # 43136-60020. The are sold a singles, you will need two. You can then decide if that accomplishes your goal and save time, money and headache on mixing and matching add-ons. Poke around the forum via search. Lots of people well-versed have chimed in on this. I feel ya, it can be overwhelming.
For me (and again I'm just basing this on my needs/wants), I bought my 275/70's straight-away thinking I wouldn't get a lift. I live where there are very narrow roads with big granite curbs, and I wanted reinforced sidewalls. The Dunlops are also a poor fit imo. The Westcott collars gave me the ability to level the ride while also lifting me a skosh for beach travel. The 295's will require a bit of trimming, and from your original post it sounded like you don't need the clearance. I'm very happy w the ride, and I have no regrets over the height in front. Can follow up after my trip to PEI next week.
@cheddar bob sorry I never replied, the ride is awesome, I can definitely say firmer and less wobbly, less front/rear sway on accelerating and braking. The experience however is impacted by rear springs selection, this is where you have to do your research aligned to your needs (stock vs built, towing, desired lift.rake etc). I started stock rear with the front at lowest setting, then added OME 2721 which it actually firmed up the rear a bit, less bouncy, but I feel small holes and gaps on the road more… I am currently exploring ICON progressive rear springs…
Had a portion of the Westcott pre-load lift installed this past week. The lower, pre-load, spring perch was installed and provided me with about 2" of lift in the front, the upper spacer was not installed. This is exactly what I was trying to achieve since my HE had a lot of rake from the factory. I still have about 1" of rake. The ride quality feels very similar to factory.
I had Bryce at Timberline Offroad in Fresno, CA do the installation and I'm very pleased with the results.
I had Bryce at Timberline Offroad in Fresno, CA do the installation and I'm very pleased with the results.
