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I installed 2" spacers, have 285/65R20s and have noticed my front-end feels "loose." Is this an issue that's resolved if I go with the Bilstein 5100 adjustable kit? If I had to guess I'm probably at a 1/2" rake from back to front.
Thanks in advance.
I did Bilsteins at the highest lift setting, there's nothing loose about it at all. Firmed up the front considerably, mostly for the better. Truck is almost level, probably 1/2" higher in rear, which is fine.
A good source for tire specs is tirerack.com. They carry most of the major brands. For example, if you want to know the overall diameter of say the OEM Hankooks used on the FX4 package just go to tirerack.com and do a search by tire size, in this case 275/55/20. Then scroll through the results until you find Hankook Dynapro ATM and pic "Specs". Looking at the chart shows the Overall Diam. = 32.1".
Where can I get information on how to do a chalk line test? I have never heard of it before, but sounds interesting.
I did a search and came up with this. Makes perfect since!
This method of checking tire pressure, called the chalk test, demonstrates if your tire is bulging from too much pressure or if it is slightly concave from a lack of pressure
Instructions
Fill the tires to a good starting pressure. If you are unsure what pressure to start with then subtract 10 percent from the manufacturer's maximum inflation pressure on the side of the tire. If, for example, the maximum is 40 psi, then 10 percent of 40 is 4. Subtract the 10 percent value from the maximum psi value. So, 40 - 4 = 36. Use 36 psi in your tires. You could also use the following calculation for the starting pressure.
Weight of vehicle / (Manufacturers weight rating x 4)) x Manufacturers inflation pressure at weight rating
Drive to a flat area. This can be your driveway or the street in front of your house. Just make sure there aren't a lot of cracks, bumps or pot holes in the ground.
Using chalk, draw a thick, straight line across the width of the tire.
Use Test Variance 1 or Test Variance 2 for the completion of the instructions.
Test Variance 1
Drive the truck forward at least one-full truck length.
Inspect the chalk on the ground. A tire with the proper air pressure should press the chalk line evenly across the ground. This means you'll see the entire chalk line imprinted on the ground. If your tire is over-inflated, you'll only see a small portion of line in the center. If you're tire is underinflated, you'll see only the sides of the lines since the middle of the tire is not making contact with the ground.
Adjust your tire's air pressure according to the chalk test results and try again until you get the chalk line to press evenly across the ground.
Test Variance 2
Drive the truck to the end of the street and back or around the block.
Inspect the chalk on the tire. A tire with the proper air pressure will show the chalk evenly worn across the tire. If your tire is over-inflated, the center of the line will be worn more than the edges. If you're tire is underinflated, the outer edges of the line will be worn more than the center.
Adjust your tire's air pressure according to the chalk test results and try again until you get the chalk line to evenly wear across the tire.
Over-Inflated = More wear on the center of the tire = center of chalk line visible on ground = chalk line worn more in center
Under-Inflated = More wear on the outer edges of the tire = outer edges of chalk line visible on ground = chalk line worn more on outer edges
Maybe already posted (if so, please let me know), but looking to do Bilstein 5100 on all 4 corners, 2.5" coilover adjustable lift front, 3" tapered rear blocks (2016 screw lariat, black. Three questions, what are the biggest tires I can fit without spacers on 20" factory rims? Second, I am looking to do toyo open country with M/T, R/T or A/T - any strong recommendations on tire type / size without rub? Lastly, anyone else running something similar w/ good results? Thank you all in advance.
Maybe already posted (if so, please let me know), but looking to do Bilstein 5100 on all 4 corners, 2.5" coilover adjustable lift front, 3" tapered rear blocks (2016 screw lariat, black. Three questions, what are the biggest tires I can fit without spacers on 20" factory rims? Second, I am looking to do toyo open country with M/T, R/T or A/T - any strong recommendations on tire type / size without rub? Lastly, anyone else running something similar w/ good results? Thank you all in advance.
Couple of things...
1. Bilstein 5100 lift struts max out at 2.1 inches of lift
2. At what cost are you willing to pay? Usually 285/65r20 (roughly 34") is the tallest/widest tire you see with that sort of lift without rubbing and/or modifying crash bars. That being said, there is a performance and ride cost to be had for that size tire due to it being E rated and weighing in at more than 60 lbs. Also, I don't believe Toyo makes that size. It all comes down to what you want out of the truck. The largest P-rated tires are Nitto Terra Grappler 275/65r20 (34x11) and Nitto also makes a pretty lightweight 305/55r20 (33x12.4) ridge grappler (51.5 lbs) and terra grappler. (50.5 lbs).
1. Bilstein 5100 lift struts max out at 2.1 inches of lift
2. At what cost are you willing to pay? Usually 285/65r20 (roughly 34") is the tallest/widest tire you see with that sort of lift without rubbing and/or modifying crash bars. That being said, there is a performance and ride cost to be had for that size tire due to it being E rated and weighing in at more than 60 lbs. Also, I don't believe Toyo makes that size. It all comes down to what you want out of the truck. The largest P-rated tires are Nitto Terra Grappler 275/65r20 (34x11) and Nitto also makes a pretty lightweight 305/55r20 (33x12.4) ridge grappler (51.5 lbs) and terra grappler. (50.5 lbs).
So maybe go with the 2.1" and go with the Nitto Terra or Ridge to avoid further mods to the underside of the truck? I am certainly not looking to negatively impact the handling and ride - in fact quite the opposite, looking for a more aggressive look / stance with increased handling while still maintaining a nice ride on highway... thoughts?
Sounds like you might like BoozeDaily's truck with the OEM wheels. I think it is a great looking truck.
Originally Posted by Late Randall
So maybe go with the 2.1" and go with the Nitto Terra or Ridge to avoid further mods to the underside of the truck? I am certainly not looking to negatively impact the handling and ride - in fact quite the opposite, looking for a more aggressive look / stance with increased handling while still maintaining a nice ride on highway... thoughts?
Halolifts boss coilovers set at 2.75" (out of the box) and halolifts block (.75" net). Looked great but there was too much preload on the springs and the height was noticeable in the steering. Also tossed on a set of ICON UCA's.
Current:
Halolifts boss coilovers set at 2.48" and halolifts block (.75" net). Rides much much much better. Feels like it did with the spacer lift in terms of steering (close to factory in feel) but much more firmer. Curvy roads are a blast.
Tires are 275/70/18 Cooper AT3 XLT's. I've run 8 different sets of BFG's over the years on this truck / Tacoma / Jeep's and will never go back to the A/T series. The KO2's sucked IMO compared to previous generations. Love the BFG M/T's (all variations) but have zero need now as my truck is a daily driver (38k miles in less than two years). I had run a set of the Cooper ST Maxx and AT3 on my Tacoma and really liked both sets. the ST Maxx's are IMO the best off road tire available - but since I do not wheel this truck it's overkill. So I saw a new AT3 with better sidewalls was out and dropped my KO'2s.
Was going to go with the 295's but I think the 5.0 / gearing does well with the 275's and power loss is minimal. I'd rather scoot down the interstate with no issue than have a 1" bigger tire. It was a hard choice and there are days I wish I got 295's but I'm very pleased as it sits.
Hopefully the pics help someone as others posted on here helped me.
