Greetings. Had a good couple days with the 200 so I thought I would share some of it and make a thread for future stuff.
We've had our 2013 200 series for about 8 months now and have enjoyed it thoroughly (owned our 80 series for 11 years now). The 200 has been my wife's daily for the most part. With the exception of some window tint and paint protection film installed locally by Justin's Tint in Murray and some Weathertechs front to rear, it's stock.
Until this week.
The vehicle retained the original rubber. My plan was to lift the rig and install larger tires once the stockers wore down. With 29k on the rig, the tires were getting a little worn and noisy so I set out on the search.
After probably way too much research, I opted for a set of the Method Racing NV wheels (18x9) and a set of 305/65 18 Falken Wildpeak AT3W. I found the 305/65's not to be a common size around here but I wanted a little more "stance" than the typical 285. Yes, this required a little inner front wheel well trimming here and there, but it worked out well in the end and I am very happy with the look of the car.
Before I get too far ahead, I called my friend Kurt @ Cruiser Outfitters and established the lift. Just went with the old reliable and solid Old Man Emu shock and springs/Light Racing UPC's. I also added the OEM Toyota front 200 spacer. All in all, it got me about 2.5" of level lift.
I was really worried about losing the ride quality. Being my wife's daily for the time being, the concern was real. (happy wife=happy life). After picking it up from Kurt yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised how well the suspension felt. When my better half rode it in, she said she didn't feel any change. Perfect.
This morning, I had the wheels and tires installed. All went well other than 4Wheel Parts sending me the wrong size of lug nuts with my wheel order. Of course, the local BIG-O didn't have black lugs in stock, so chrome it is (might change this later). The Method wheels and Falken tires balanced out very well and feel really good driving at any speed. In fact, I took decibel readings (yep, there's and app for that) at 45 and 70 mph with my old (stock) tires and these, and the new tires obtained an average of 4 to 5 decibels lower at both speeds (same road).
The Falken Wilderness AT3W is a newly designed tires this year. After reading all the positive reviews from professionals and the general public, I started researching them some more. Much like the popular BFG KO2, they have an impressive sidewall look. They are a 10 ply tire and Falken also touts the deepest tread in the industry with these tires at 20/32. In my size, they are actually 19/32 vs. the 15/32 of a new KO2.
I was also impressed at the 55,000 warranty, and the fact that they have the gov't UTQG ratings (660, A, and B). Couldn't seem to find any of this info for the BFG's. They are "snowflake" stamped, meaning they meet certain standards for winter driving. I paid about $250 a tire versus the KO2 in the same size at $320 a tire. The only con is that they weigh about 3 lbs more per tire than the KO2 but they are also rated 400 lbs heavier payload then the KO2. As luck would have it, they are on a nationwide back-order now. Thankfully, Amazon pulled though once again for me. They arrived a few days after with my beef jerky order. How nice.
As of this post, I've have the tires for 1 full day. I drove about 100 miles today. Nothing but positive remarks about them this early in the game. They are very quiet and I think they are handsome enough for the 200. I opted to put the raised lettering out when having them mounted.
Later today, I installed some 3M vinyl wrap on parts of the car to complete the look. I actually did my wheel centers with the wrap at first (as you see it) to see if this was the look I wanted. I will paint or powdercoat later (interested in seeing how long the wrap actually lasts on a wheel). I wrapped the front grille surround (black), side chrome strips (gray), & rear emblems and tailgate trim (also gray).
So, with that....here's how she sits. Sorry for the driveway shots, I was excited to grab some pics tonight. Super happy with the outcome. Plans for the future will more than likely be a bumper (ARB or TJM) and winch. Maybe a snorkel. But that's all a bit out for now.
LIFT (Cruiser Outfitters):
-Old Man Emu (OME) 2702 Front Springs
-OME 91005 front struts
-OME 2722 Rear coils
-OME 61029 Rear shocks
-Light Racing/SPC Upper Control Arms
-TOYOTA front strut spacers (#43136-60020)
WHEELS (4Wheel Parts):
-Method Racing NV 18x9, 25mm offset, 6" backspace (31 lbs ea)
TIRES (Amazon):
-Falken Wildpeak AT3W - 305/65 18 (33.6" tall, 19/32 tread depth, 66 lbs ea).
Updated photo as of 8/2016:
We've had our 2013 200 series for about 8 months now and have enjoyed it thoroughly (owned our 80 series for 11 years now). The 200 has been my wife's daily for the most part. With the exception of some window tint and paint protection film installed locally by Justin's Tint in Murray and some Weathertechs front to rear, it's stock.
Until this week.
The vehicle retained the original rubber. My plan was to lift the rig and install larger tires once the stockers wore down. With 29k on the rig, the tires were getting a little worn and noisy so I set out on the search.
After probably way too much research, I opted for a set of the Method Racing NV wheels (18x9) and a set of 305/65 18 Falken Wildpeak AT3W. I found the 305/65's not to be a common size around here but I wanted a little more "stance" than the typical 285. Yes, this required a little inner front wheel well trimming here and there, but it worked out well in the end and I am very happy with the look of the car.
Before I get too far ahead, I called my friend Kurt @ Cruiser Outfitters and established the lift. Just went with the old reliable and solid Old Man Emu shock and springs/Light Racing UPC's. I also added the OEM Toyota front 200 spacer. All in all, it got me about 2.5" of level lift.
I was really worried about losing the ride quality. Being my wife's daily for the time being, the concern was real. (happy wife=happy life). After picking it up from Kurt yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised how well the suspension felt. When my better half rode it in, she said she didn't feel any change. Perfect.
This morning, I had the wheels and tires installed. All went well other than 4Wheel Parts sending me the wrong size of lug nuts with my wheel order. Of course, the local BIG-O didn't have black lugs in stock, so chrome it is (might change this later). The Method wheels and Falken tires balanced out very well and feel really good driving at any speed. In fact, I took decibel readings (yep, there's and app for that) at 45 and 70 mph with my old (stock) tires and these, and the new tires obtained an average of 4 to 5 decibels lower at both speeds (same road).
The Falken Wilderness AT3W is a newly designed tires this year. After reading all the positive reviews from professionals and the general public, I started researching them some more. Much like the popular BFG KO2, they have an impressive sidewall look. They are a 10 ply tire and Falken also touts the deepest tread in the industry with these tires at 20/32. In my size, they are actually 19/32 vs. the 15/32 of a new KO2.
I was also impressed at the 55,000 warranty, and the fact that they have the gov't UTQG ratings (660, A, and B). Couldn't seem to find any of this info for the BFG's. They are "snowflake" stamped, meaning they meet certain standards for winter driving. I paid about $250 a tire versus the KO2 in the same size at $320 a tire. The only con is that they weigh about 3 lbs more per tire than the KO2 but they are also rated 400 lbs heavier payload then the KO2. As luck would have it, they are on a nationwide back-order now. Thankfully, Amazon pulled though once again for me. They arrived a few days after with my beef jerky order. How nice.
As of this post, I've have the tires for 1 full day. I drove about 100 miles today. Nothing but positive remarks about them this early in the game. They are very quiet and I think they are handsome enough for the 200. I opted to put the raised lettering out when having them mounted.
Later today, I installed some 3M vinyl wrap on parts of the car to complete the look. I actually did my wheel centers with the wrap at first (as you see it) to see if this was the look I wanted. I will paint or powdercoat later (interested in seeing how long the wrap actually lasts on a wheel). I wrapped the front grille surround (black), side chrome strips (gray), & rear emblems and tailgate trim (also gray).
So, with that....here's how she sits. Sorry for the driveway shots, I was excited to grab some pics tonight. Super happy with the outcome. Plans for the future will more than likely be a bumper (ARB or TJM) and winch. Maybe a snorkel. But that's all a bit out for now.
LIFT (Cruiser Outfitters):
-Old Man Emu (OME) 2702 Front Springs
-OME 91005 front struts
-OME 2722 Rear coils
-OME 61029 Rear shocks
-Light Racing/SPC Upper Control Arms
-TOYOTA front strut spacers (#43136-60020)
WHEELS (4Wheel Parts):
-Method Racing NV 18x9, 25mm offset, 6" backspace (31 lbs ea)
TIRES (Amazon):
-Falken Wildpeak AT3W - 305/65 18 (33.6" tall, 19/32 tread depth, 66 lbs ea).
Updated photo as of 8/2016:
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