At a crossroad with the suspension of my 85
 

I have a 1985 4runner that has the 2.5 OME lift. I am running 33x10.5x15 tires. I posted in another thread how the tires are rubbing up against the inner firewall fender and frustrated from hearing the crunching sound and seeing the evidence of rubbing, I decided to get spring relocation plates. I moved the axle forward 3/4 inches with the plates installed and noticed that the steering rod couldn't clear the rear ubolt. So, I took out the plate and added an OME leaf to the pack (now 7 leafs instead of 6). It still won't clear the ubolt. I am even running the OMEU250 ubolts that are flat.

I looked into Hy-steering but the general consensus is this works on vehicles lifted more than 3 inches. Mine is 2.5 inches. Furthermore, I am not a fan of spending $400+ plus the need to modify my vehicle with an 86 or newer steering gear. I also read bad things about the aftermarket drop down drag links. This leaves me frustrated. Am I doomed with not running anything larger than 32 inch tires if I want to stay stock and not rub? Does anyone have experience with a 2.5 inch lifted with center holes to accommodate a forward perch? Any other options?

Thanks everyone,
JARED

What rims are you using?

15x8 inch aluminums. Pretty tall and thin I guess but shouldn't be rubbing. I added a leaf to the front (now 7 leaves) so we'll see if that helps. It seems that the center pin on OME springs is drilled forward by a small amount as well based on how my sway bar links are leaning towards the rear a bit

When do they rub? Is it only off-road - stuffed, or full lock? What's the measurement - center of hub to bottom of fender?

Thanks everyone for the assistance and sorry for the delayed response. I ended up keeping the ARB Add-a-leafs and opted to get the Procomp drag drop steering link. it seems stout enough so I'll see how that goes. I also bought stock Toyota bump stops which are a little higher than my old dried out ones. No rubbing so far but I haven't taken it off-road yet. It is quite a bit higher than I expected for just adding one leaf but I am sure it will settle a bit. Once I take it off-road and max out the suspension I will report back but so far I am pleased. Thanks again!

I have been running that drag link with my OME Dakar suspension on my 85 4runner. It is just fine. I will confess I am now wanting to install a high steer steering upgrade on mine. Mainly because its my DD and I drive a ton of miles. If it was a fun rig mainly for non highway use and more off roading. The steering would not really bother me. You always going to rub a bit on 33x12.5 with that setup. Now if its rubbing at full lock and very slow flat speeds then thats different. You could use a BFH to pound you fender pinch welds a bit. Common rubbing place. But since the rubbing leaves marks its pretty easy to pound out the rubbing spots. Just another way to go about it. Are you running the heavy springs up front then added a leaf?. Or the light/medium spring and added a leaf? I am running the heavies up front as I plan on a heavy bumper and winch.