Do I "Need" a 3" Lift?

Well I never wanted a 3" lift, that's just what all the shops I contacted about the install told me was required to fit -38 ET wheels with 285s. It's hard to say what lift I want vs what I need before seeing the wheels/tires on the vehicle. But I suppose 2"/1" is the way to go. I can get there with either the Eibach Fox replacement springs w/fixed height (2.4" front, 1" rear) or coilovers with 1" rear springs. And then I can set the front to whatever height I want.

If I go that route, trying to decide between Fox or DirtKing/Elka.

 

Ah I gotcha.
As @Thatbassguy stated in post #2 you don't need a lift to fit tires. Lifting might hide the need for trimming until you flex out the suspension.
But fitting large tires properly comes down to trimming.

With that said, do you want a lift? Because you certainly don't need it to fit large tires

 

Wants & Needs are often confused on this site. I tell myself all the time that I NEED the newest-prettiest-shiniest-coolest mod or accessories that comes out (and if you have a new one to tell me about, keep it to yourself - my wallet will thank you later), but I actually want them. I probably only NEED about 2% of the shit that I've slapped onto my truck.

 

No, I don't want a lift. Unless I see the new wheels/tires on and I'm like yeah... it'll look better with a subtle lift. I suppose I could go that route first. Just put the new wheels/tires on the stock suspension, do a body mount chop, and trim what needs trimming. Drive that around for a minute and see if I like it and then decide if I want/need new coilovers/springs.

 

Sounds like a great plan!

Make sure you get you BMC done by a reputable shop who work on Toyotas often.

If you don't have one in mind I'm sure if you post about asking for a good shop in your area you'll get pointed in the right direction. Posting this because if a shop is telling you that you NEED a 3" lift to fit big tires that could be a red flag.

My first BMC was a dumpster fire. Needless to say I will not be returning to that shop.

It was later redone by a shop that specialized in Yotas.
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I have a pic from my 20 AG Pro with stock size tire and SCS wheels if you need to see it.

 

I'm in the SF Bay Area. Shops I've talked to and/or I'm considering are Stellar Built, Klean Ridez (yeah, I know the name is janky lol), and Milogen Fabrication. Stellar seems to have a good reputation (but they're the ones telling me I need a 3" lift for -38 wheels). SCS recommended Milogen. And some nice rigs I've seen with aggressive setups were done at Klean Ridez. I spoke to them and they seemed good on the phone at least. They sent me photos of the BMC their fabricator does and it looked good, but I'm no expert.

 

Side note, @FourT6and2 , are you a Tool fan, by chance?

 

I think I've seen the photo in another thread, but post it up again! And it's on stock suspension as well?

 

Hell yeah

 

Not a fan of the fake bead lock wheel but gave it a try. That’s why I always favored the F5’s and Gen5’s.
I went thru stages. Removed the Pro roof rack and added the black rails and then removed them and did smooth top with Eibach springs and 285’s with SCS wheels F5’s.

 

I was wondering if the username was a reference, or just a coincidence.

 

If you have your heart set on big tires, consider a Jeep.

 

I'm curious what you consider big tires.