Been a lurker on and off for a couple years finally joined after buying this 89 Toyota 22re pickup from a coworker. It has 224k on it an has a few issues but I think it will be a good platform for a build. I am a complete noob when it comes to 4wd's and off roading. I plan on only taking moderate trials, no rock climbing or hill climbing for me yet anyway. Being that I am a noob I am open to any suggestions and help on this.





So far i've changed the oil, fixed the gas door and removed the tint. Yesterday I bought new CV joints for it and will be installing those hopefully this week. After that I plan on some sort of lift, still don't know what I want to go with. I know I want to run 33x10.5s.

 

Welcome to Yotatech, looks like you got a nice truck to start out with! There's a lot of good info on this site along with a lot of good people willing to share info and help. Look forward to seeing your progress!

 

Nice truck!!you will maybe need ball joint spacers to fit 33s

 

I had a red truck just like that and was one of the first ones I learned on. Yotatech and the people on here have tons of information that can help you and save you alot of time, money and headaches. Some have already blazed the trail for you and can help you get where you want to be with your truck. Try finding threads that are going in the direction you want and get involved in their threads and you will have your truck done before you know it. Welcome to Yotatech and looking forward to your build. You have me missing my old 89 now. Great trucks!!!

 

Thanks for the welcomes. I still havnt installed the cv joints but did pull the wheel off to find it needs upper and lower ball joints and outer tie rods. I have all the parts now so it shouldn't be long til I install. I can't decide if I should get another set of 31s and getting some more experence or getting a lift and some larger tires, 33x12.5s... I don't want a huge lift, maybe 2 inch suspension and 1 inch body or just buying a 4 inch kit out of ease. I've seen a lot of negative reviews about the kits and a lot of people saying don't bother with ifs altogether.

 

Nice looking truck. Welcome!
I'd go toward 31's for starters, you can use the money you saved verses buying 33's toward other mods.

 

33X10.5s are a good size, but there aren't many choices for it on the market.

They will require some hammering and possible cutting to make them fit stock. You could lift the front with Ball joint spacers, add a leaf in the rear, maybe a body lift. There's a million and one options.

 

Maybe I will go the ball spacer route. I don't feel very confident with the local shops aligning it though I will give them a try.

For the rear lift do they make shackles that will achieve a 2 inch lift? From what I've read it'd need to have shackles that are 4 inch longer than stock to get a 2 inch lift. I've been searching online but can't seem to find them.

 

You'll need 4 inch shackles for a 2 inch lift. Not sure if that specific size is made, but have you checked all pro, trail gear, marlin, wabfab, google in general, eBay, jcwhitney?

Other options are add a leaf, block lift (if you're not planning on using your rears to flex, an okay route), new leafs all together, or a ZUK mod. Search ZUK and see if it'll fit your needs.

 

Also, if you have a Firestone near you, sign up for their lifetime alignment program. You pay ~$150 or so, and they will align your truck for the rest of its life at no extra charge. Just don't get a new truck! After a couple alignments, that $150 will pay for itself!

 

I did search google and jcwhitney but wasn't aware of those sites, thanks for posting them I see i'll be ordering from them in the future. Still the lowest I found was 5 inch shackles.

I have heard about the zuk mod before but im not too sure if thats something I want to do. I'm leaning towards the add a leaf that you suggested now. I found some that say they will add 2 inches.

 

Nice truck.Welcome to Yotatech

 

I had 33x12.50 on 1986 toyota 4x4 [ stock] and it was a bad idea. Here is a picture of the tires