Getting new tires and upgrading suspension - Recommendations?

I am due for new tires and I always wanted to upgrade my suspension. I have an 08 SR5 V6 and would like to align everything just one time.

For the most part, this is a grocery getter so I would be happy with a mild suspension lift and increase in tire size. Add a little aggressiveness, ground clearance and improving the on/off-road ride.

I am looking at either the 3" Toytec Bilstein Lift Kit:
http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/3-Lift-W-Bilstein-5100-Front-Coilovers_p_1198.html#

...or the Full OME Suspension Kit:
http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/OME-full-FJ-4Runner-suspension_p_226.html

Has anyone had any experience with either these kits and can elaborate on the installation and final results?

I currently have stock 265/65r17 tires and would like to upgrade to either 265/70r17 or 275/70r17. Would probably like the "Light Truck" tire with "C" load rating so my new tires are not too heavy - I only have a V6. Any recommendations which size tire will look the best with the new suspension lift (without major rubbing issues).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

ive ridden in a 4th gen with ome and the toytec kit. toytec is a much smoother ride, ome feels stiff in certain conditions. ive got a 3" lift, same size as youre looking at, on 265/70/17 and they are p rated tires, so not heavy at all. a friend of mine had 285/70/17 bfg at's on his v6 4runner and it barely made a difference, pulled a little slower on the highway and lost mpg, but that was it. i barely rub on 265/70/17 and this is what it looks like

 

I have a 2005 SR5 V6 Auto 4WD Runner with Toy Tec 3" Spacers in Front and Toy Tec Coil's in the Back. I have Hankook ATM's P265/70R17's all around and have been happy with the all around performance. I would personally say it is a good way to go. But now, I need to replace the Struts & Shocks and have gone with Bilstein's 5100 Adjustable Series Struts and Shocks, MOOG Front Coil Springs. I am installing them this weekend. The Toy Tec Spacers may need to come out because I may not be able to compress these MOOG 10 Coil Springs down enough to accept the Spacer. Which is OK because the Front Struts by Bilstein are adjustable (4 settings) "Stock"...1"...2"...2.5" by moving a snap ring up or down. If I don't use the Spacers, maybe I can give them to you for a good price! Sorry to write so much...I was able to keep the stock Shocks & Struts with the Lift kit installed, so depending on the mileage yours have on them, you can save some money by not doing this part of the Lift...I have 169,000 miles and drive mostly Highway. Remember that the 70's will give you another Inch of lift (approximately) over the 65's. They only Rub "a little" with the wheel turned all the way (left or right turning). So your getting a 4" Lift which works for me....Hope this helps!

 

Thanks for the replies. Do either of you have or plan on upgrading to the aftermarket UCA's? Toytec offers a discount on UCA's if you purchase a complete suspension kit.

I like the look of your truck Ethan.

 

Thanks! I don't have them now and my alignment is fine and it drives totally fine. It would probably be better with them, but until I lift it higher or have the balljoints start leaking, I'm going to run it as is

 

You really don't need UCA's even at 3" Lift. I have had no problems with the Alignment. I could only imagine how $Expensive$ Total Chaos UCA's are! They are Awful Pretty though!

 

These look similar to total chaos but 1/3 the price. These can't be legit

http://m.ebay.com/itm/2003-2009-4-R...rol-Arm-For-2-4-Lift-/181455995602?nav=SEARCH

 

they're way more legit than you might think

 

Ethan, did you install the eBay uniballs on your truck? What are your thoughts about them? I read thru most of the pages and it seems like a lot of folks bought these but some had to modify them to work.

 

I didn't get them, I originally planned to but never pulled the trigger. There are some minor modifications needed to make them perfect, and most people seem ok with that because they are so inexpensive. Now though I think I'm going to hold out for camburg or total chaos when the time comes, but my alignment is totally fine

 

I might hold off on the UCA's for now since they are so expensive.

Does anyone have any opinion on the General Grabber AT2's in P265/70r17? They are much cheaper then going with BFG's, Goodyear's, or any LT rated tire ($650 vs. $1000 for 5 tires). They have decent reviews and a good warranty (whatever that is worth). Although my 4wd shop recommended I get LT tires for the thicker sidewall, I don't think that is necessary for how little off-roading I do.

 

"P" tires are fine! I have Hankook's and they are tough as nails...P265/70R17's...Keep in mind that those Knobby Kool looking tires will get NOISY AS HELL about halfway or less through their mileage rating. Mine are rated at 50,000 miles and about halfway through, they got noisier and noisier...now at 40,000 they make me crazy driving on the roads. I will be switching back to Firestone Destination AT's although they are a little pricey. I'm sure General makes a good tire. I looked at them, but I'm more interested in the Firestone's since I had them before and TireBuyer has the Best prices on them with FREE delivery to my neighborhood tire installer, plus a code for another $20 OFF! If you like the General's, I would get them...

 

Joe, what do you consider knobby tires?

My only concern is if I upsize from 265/65r17 to 265/70r17, when I do the Toytec/Bilstein lift, will I wish I put 275/70r17 on? If I went that route, I would get the Firedtone Destinations LT "C" load (they dont have P tires in that size)

 

The Generals you are considering are Knobby tires..more for Off-Road than Highway and you said you don't do much off road...neither do I. I read the reviews and know from experience that, that kind of tire will be NOISY after a while. I don't know if you are listening to tunes all the time where this probably wouldn't bother you. If you look at the Destination AT's, you will see that they aren't designed as aggressive as the Generals..but I have experience that they do great off road and in the snow and are QUIET! when I say Knobby, I mean the tread looks the same across the tire "Chunky"...you see the difference with the Destination AT...they are more channeled. And I feel P265's are "Wide" enough! P275's are a little wider, but I'm glad I went to the 70R17's because they are taller than the 65R17's by about an inch and I replaced the 16 inch stock rims with custom's that are 17" and I have the Toy Tec 3" Lift...my truck looks great! But of coarse I'm installimg the Bilstein's because I need new shocks all around and won't be using the Toy Tec Spacer's up front...

 

I've finally finished my lift: 3" Toytec/Bilstein suspension lift, 265/70/r17 General Grabbers AT2

After this, I was unable to get caster in alignment so I installed the Light Racing UCA's.

After alignment, tires slightly rubbed sway bar so I installed 3/4" Bora wheel spacers.

After the wheel spacers, I had mild rubbing and had to trim.

It ended up costing much more than I hoped but now it definitely has a more aggressive stance now. Plus the suspension is a lot more smooth over bumps.

 

Nice truck man. Did you get the ultimate 3" lift kit package? And did you install your self?. I just bought a 06 and i was shopping around and alot of people recommended the toytec.

 

I installed the regular kit (not the ultimate or boss). Tried to go "cheap". I installed it myself and had an offroad shop check out the install when I brought it in for tires and alignment.

 

Ohh ok i was looking at the ultimate lift kit. Im new to off roading so im learning, im trying to get something worth what i pay. How difficult was it to install?

 

It took me most of the weekend but I am a novice. I also needed to borrow a couple tools from AutoZone. If you do your homework before starting it, its not too bad.