ECGreen's Trappin'-Huntin'-Fishin'-Class VI Road Wheelin'-Live Free or Die Tryin Build

I got the LT215/85-r16 Cooper STT Pro tires mounted up on Jeep 5.9 Limited 16x7 rims (7" is the max rated rim width). They are thin but not too thin. Definitely a visual ringer for an oldschool overland rig. The diameter is 30.6" by Cooper's website. I like them a lot, and think they would look even better on a 16x6 steel overland looking rim.

 

Very cool! How bout some old school white steelies? Post a pic when they are on!

 

A little late night run to northern NH yielded these CBI DOM sliders. I think I installed them incorrectly though...

 

I know what I previously wrote, but I can't stop thinking about 255/85r16 tires...maybe 33s after the lift...maybe

 

I'm leaning heavily towards that route. Would have done it on the last set but they were out of stock till about a month ago and I needed tires for the winter. Like my 265/75s but really want 33s more and more

 

I hear ya!

Don't get me wrong, I like my 32s and the wheel just fine. Also, I am just too busy now to take out my 3rd members and get a re-gear. But maxing out my trucks potential with 33s off road would be cool. If they made the STT Pros in 255/85, I would do it sooner.

Now hear this, " I will never go 35s, its too much work!" I hope I don't go back on that statement...lol

 

O if STT pros came in that size I'd be all over that. But yeah the re-gear thing is my hold up. Another couple grand at the same time is kind of painful since I'd toss in lockers to

 

Here r the new sliders...man I need a lift now!

 

Well after a long winter (excuse me, wintah) of no truck modifications, its about time to get ready to do some new mods. I will do the diff breather mod as soon as I get off my ass. After that, I am doing a 887/Dakar lift and a set of pelfreybilt skids (that is unless I change my mind before I order them).

The following is a stream of consciousness rambling kind of deal. Feel free to comment on my ridiculous conclusions.

I have gone back and forth on the lift thing for so long. My first dilemma was height...2 or 3 inches? As for 3 inches, I don't mind buying new UCAs and dealing with solving vibration and needle bearing issues. I would like to get my frame up and away from the rocks a bit more. In addition, 3 inches would give me even better approach and departure angles. And finally, I would have plenty of room for 33s if I would like them in the future.

What's the down side of 3 inches? It may indeed look kinda crappy with my 235s. Now don't get me wrong, I love these freekin' tires! They are killer in deep snow, stick to rocks like glue and comparably affordable. They also make all of my fellow redneck buddies very uncomfortable. They cringe at the sight of them and are truly embarrassed when they out perform their super wide tires with spacers out to next Tuesday. I guess I am just being a vain whinny girl. Even so, I will probably go with the 3 inch lift and take the abuse of my "friends" lol.

The next problem was brand. Now, I had settled on Icons awhile back. However, I was driving down a really crappy class vi road one day at quite a clip and said to myself, "even with e-rated tires at 40psi I don't mind this stock ride!" Why then would I drop 2,000+ on an Icon setup when I can do the OME thing for much less? So, I have let go of the Tacomaworld pressure induced idea of an uber-expensive high speed desert suspension system (especially since I never go over 15 MPH off road here in NH).

So, now I have OME and Dakars on the mind. The Dakars are a must since my stock leafs are already sagging like...well choose your own analogy. Next was which freeking coil should I get? Holly crap what a nightmare. OME should publish a god damn series of academic volumes explaining how these things are supposed to be chosen. After reading every damn post on the OME thread and combing through various build pages (and some discussion with Headstrong offroad) I believe I have come to a solution - although it is a bit of an experiment. I decided to go with the 887s. Now, I have a 2.7 and its an access cab, so we are talking light. I read 4wheelin4banger's build page and he claimed to get 3 inches with the 885s (he also has a 2.7 access cab). After he added relentless fab skids and bumpers, he lost 1/2 an inch and used spacers to make up the difference. Now, my CBI sliders and the pelfreybilt skids will be much heavier than his. My thought is that this weight alone, even without a bumper, will bring me to a little under or right at 3 inches with the 887s on my little 4-banger. This should be possible as the 887s are only 3/8 inch longer. We shall see if my experiment works. Of course, I could be riding around with the nose of my truck pointed to the moon too. Even so, it will look nice as it will further show how small my 235s are...

Sean

 

Sounds like a good plan

 

Excited to see all this happen. I think you are making the right choice with OME stuff. I love the look and function of 235s, check out @ikarus build Im pretty sure he has OME suspension and was running 235 st maxx on his 2.7 access cab build before he swapped out to 255s.

 

Speaking of Ikarus' former 235's, here they are. They're perfect for a 4 cylinder Tacoma; durable as hell but not too heavy. My little single cab does not feel underpowered at all with them.

 

Love your build work boss,

Subscribing to this one!

My truck may just see 235s next year...

 

OME suspension on order! Skids soon to follow..stay tuned

 

Went with the 887s?

I Can't wait to see what the truck looks like with them on!

 

Toys are arriving...

4xinnovations LCA skids and Gas tank skid:



LCA skids so thick and meaty:


LR UCAs:




Dakar leaf packs:



Still waiting on CBI skids and the rest of the OME lift kit. My wallet hurts....lol

 

I'm curious to see how much lift the 887's give you with the 4banger and no bumper. Lookin good!

 

Me too! LOL. I just didn't want to add spacers to 885s, 887s being 5mm longer should fit the bill. If not, I guess I need to buy a bumper...lmao!

 

All my parts have arrived but the CBI skids. Finally decided to go with them, mainly due to fitment issues. I kept looking at other skids and they all would have interfered with the bolt-on sliders. I said to myself, "for once, just once, why don't you take the easy way!" So I did and Wednesday the skids will be here. From there it is prime, paint and install, install , install. Pics to come

 

Skids.....f u rocks you sonz-a-bitches! My paint job is kinda crappy, but they'll be all scratched up soon I hope...lol The lift is coming as soon as I have a big chunk of time free...