ravencr

So I bought this 1997 4runner off ebay, and the tires are new Dunlap Grandtrek AT21's, and they've got 8K miles on them right now, and they thoroughly suck. So, I rotate them not once but twice, and they still are horrible. So, I go to Sears, because te sell Dunlap and Bridgestone to see if I can get a credit for the tires. After having them check the thread depth, they determine I'm still within the manufacturers replacement warranty for uniformity. How sweet is that! Then they tell me that I'm getting a credit for $460, so with the unlimited tire rotation and balance, tax, mounted, and stem replacement, it's only going to cost me $279.83 out the door for the 285/75R16 Revos!

Nothing special just a great way for me to get a new set of tires for cheap, so I can now lift my truck because I have enough money for the lift, but I didn't have enough for both the lift and tires!

All I can say is that I'm extremely happy about the way Sears treated me. Oh, yeah, they are matching tire racks price too!!!!

Chris

MTL_4runner

Sahweet!........Lucky Dog

ravencr

Now I've got to quickly find out what lift stuff I'm going to do! Too much to do!

Chris

Mad Chemist

Chris,

Just a warning about 285's you will most certainly get some rubbing, and the get-up-and-go ability of the truck is going to drop when trying to turn those bigger tires. I just went to 285's myself. Bottom line, if you're not much into off-roading, I would stick with 265's (70 or 75's). I love the new look of mine, especially for offroading, but its had its tradeoffs.

ravencr

I'm looking forward to it to say the least. I love to off-road, and plan on doing it more and more, as I get my 4runner equipped fo the trails. My next challenge is to select the perfect lift! It's the hardest thing for me at this point.

Chris

Mad Chemist

I hear you. I wrangled with it for the longest time, but went with OME's and SAWs. SAWs are about the only way to go for the front, specifically if you think you might throw an ARB or TJM bumper on the front. My rig went from stock to this in the last 6 months:

ravencr

Which OME setup did you run in the rear? You're still rubbing? Where at?

Chris

Mad Chemist

OME 891 HD springs, comfort shocks. Rubbing in front when wheels are turned on inner wheel well. Rubbing in back when offoroading on both rear mudflaps and opposite side piece of trim. The panhard bracket is supposed to alleviate some of that, just haven't had a chance to get it welded on yet.

ravencr

David, when you switched to the 891's and comfort shocks how would you describe the ride in comparison to stock? Do you have a aftermarket bumper?

Chris

Mad Chemist

I have a TJM in the front. I have a cargo box in the rear with a bunch of gear. The extra weight helps to smooth out the ride a bit. I would consider it to be overall stiffer than the stock ride. However, I like being able to load up the back without any sagging whatsoever.

ravencr

Thanks man! What's your net lift you achieved in the rear empty?

Chris

Bob_98SR5

Ditto to what Mad Chemist said.

While I only went up a size from 265/70/16 to 265/75/16 (31's to 32's), one of the trade offs has been a loss of acceleration (not bad) and loss in mpg (from avg 19 to 16.5 mpg). so if you go up to 285s w/o regearing, expect the worst.

Bob

Mad Chemist

Well, I never measured it completely empty, but with the stiffer springs, and assuming no sag, I was right at 3" inches of lift in the rear.

ravencr

Thanks man! That's been the consensus so far from what I've read. I like the fact that it doesn't sag while loaded all that much, but I don't want a ride similar to the way I had when I had the PP springs. I'm thinking about either the downeys or OME mediums for the rear with the firm OMEN86 shocks, mastercraft 18" limiting straps, and panhard drop bracket. I just can't really decide between the OME890's and downeys yet. Still have some reading to do!

Thanks,

Chris

Mad Chemist

If I had to do it again, I might go with the mediums, but not likely. I think the Downey's start to sag faster than the OMEs, you might want to check on that. I would not worry about putting limiting straps on. Extending the e-bracket and brakelines are on the my list, but very far down the list. I did a very challenging trail this past weekend, and at max flex (had one rear tire 2' off the ground, and completely stuffed the other, there wasn't any issues. With just 3" of lift, I wouldn't worry too much about limiting straps. I would install diff spacers for sure, and definitely the panhard bracket.

ravencr

Well, the 285's are in, and now I'm just waiting for my lift stuff. I can't wait to get it all in.

Chris