Upgrades finished???

I think I am finished with upgrades. Have Toytec Ultimate at 2.5", running boards, Weather Guard window shields and bug shield, SSO Hybrid bumper with Smittybilt 10,000# winch and Arcadia flip license bracket, Toyo Open Country 265-70-17 tires on stock rims.

 

Good luck, I have found out that you are never finished.....

 

If I were to guess, bigger tires are next, then roof basket.

 

No bigger tires. If I had wanted them I would have done so when I put on the Toyo's. 285's are 1" bigger which results in a lift of only 1/2". Don't want to deal with the loss of MPG, change is speedometer, rubbing issues, etc. for 1/2".

Roof basket could be a consideration, but I don't camp in in it and the things I carry, camera equipment and lights, guns, etc., I don't want in a roof basket. Thuele might be a consideration though.

Bill

 

I also am having a hard time justifying the extra fuel cost and the other factors with going with bigger tires. The black wheel set on my signature is begging to be used.

How's highway driving after the toyo lift? My stock suspension wanders a little.

 

No issues with the 285's rubbing ?

 

While I respect your service, I'd dump the front plate. If you actually use the truck off road, and use the winch, that plate and your $150 bracket are going bye bye after one outing. The Cascadia is designed to sit up higher on the bumper - the SSO hybrid bumpers place the winch pretty low.

Incidentally, 285s in C range really don't cause MPG issues. They also put the speedo exactly accurate - if you compare it with stock tires to GPS, it's actually off by a small amount. Lastly, measured fuel economy with large tires is slightly better than computed because the odometer is uncorrected. When all that is factored in, going up a size in tires is pretty much a wash. I would absolutely get larger tires with a 2.5" lift - otherwise, what was the point of the lift?

 

I have used the winch twice so far with no issues. The plate flips up pretty high and I'd have to really be pulling up to hit it. If I do I'll just loose it.

The point of the lift was to increase approach and departure angles and the lift accomplished that. I also gained a little over 2" from ground to front skid plate. I really don't see how 1/2" more lift that 285's will give would be that much advantage, but I could change my mind.

 

Fair enough!

 

Just a heads up bigger tires aren't usually justified for the lift you get from them. Also to the others reading this it isn't 100% technically correct but it's the right idea. A bigger tire adds more momentum and rolling power while off-roading. It makes it easier to roll over bumps because proportionally your diameter of tire is bigger compared to the bump, and although it seems like a small change going to a 285 and getting that 1 inch gain, it actually makes a huge difference in your off-road capability. But I'm not one to call someone out on their opinion, your rig looks so awesome and I love that bumper. P.S. thank you for your service!

 

Well done... nice rig.!