Budget build thread

So shortly after saying I didn't need to modify my truck to my lovely lady, I purchased a level kit. Going with just the front end 2". This is to prep for my 285/75/16's that will be slapped on next Saturday. Couldn't bring myself to change the shocks out yet. The ride is too nice! Fingers crossed no rubbing.
A local shop can get me Nitto Trail Grapplers mounted and balanced for under 900. So figured what the heck.
As the title suggests, I'm not made of money. Working for the state will do that to ya . So my choices will be centered around performance of the products along with bang for the buck.
I firmly believe you get what ya pay for, so that will be accounted for as well.
Stock photo to start.

 

a muffler will give you a nice sound! i have a flow master 40 i got install for $120 otd and i am constantly complimented on the trucks sound on the road.

 

Any chance you have a YouTube vid? Would like to hear how that sounds.
I think the next purchase will be either a bull bar (Lund or Westin) or LED lights. Have a local shop that does em for super cheap during holidays. The lights that is.

 

no youtube sorry buddy. if you want to text me and ill send u a video i can do that. lights are good! you can do bad ass rock lights/ under carriage lights for $60 from @CaliRaisedLed! they are bad ass and im thinking of getting them next.ditch/hood lights are good. you can get @CBI Offroad Fab brackets and or @CaliRaisedLed lights and brackets for a decent price too! where are you based out of?

 

Nice! I'll check them out. I'm so used to looking a jeep sites it's been like learning to ride a bike again as far as finding the Tacoma centered products.
I'm in Jackson MS. Shockingly, we don't have as many off-road shops as one would assume.

 

Got the leveling kit installed. Really makes the truck getting 2" in the front. 1.5 Spacers from supreme suspensions arrived today as well. Had my lady's name since we share a prime, got a that fun call . So far only about 425$ with the level and alignment + spacers.
Dealership is going to let me slap on some 285/75/16's to see if they rub. Might get lucky.

 

In this pic you have the 2" front spacer in and the 1.5" rear spacer installed? Is that 2" the actual measurement of the front spacer or just the amount of lift?

 

I did just the front. Told the local shop to level it and they chose the height. Just measured and I'm sitting just under 38" from the floor to the bottom of the fender all the way around. I remember mesuaring the front pre-install and it was a little more than 2" lower than the rear that I can recall.
The 1.5" spacers from SS are hub-centric wheel spacers. I'm not changing my rims.

 

Looks like the front is higher, or maybe it's not on level ground. The 1.5 should balance out the look.

Really good look'n truck!

Same rims, I didn't know the stock wheels could hold 285s? I woulda guessed you'd need 8" rims, and I thou the stock rims were 7".

Really inexpensive mod, Blackout the badges, Plasti-Dip, one can will do all of them, $6. The black badges will go good with the fender flares and black front valance.

 

You're correct, my work parking spot is on a slight incline.
And thanks!
I ran the same set up on my JK but sold the jeep pretty quickly. So no way to know from my experience.
Some say that wear may not be even in the middle, but I know plenty that have never had an issue. May cause heat/ wonder issues in old age, but I never keep tires that long. Still debating on if I go the safe bet with 265/75/16. Going to try a set of take off 285's at my shop to see if it rubs this weekend hopefully.

 

The stock rims aren't 17s? I'm gett'n a Sport model and the stock rims are 17s. Just figured the Off Road model would be the same.

 

OR models use 16s so the sidewall size is increased. Sport models are "sporty," and use a larger wheel and lower profile tire because of it.

Also his 1.5" spacer is for the wheels. so far as I can tell - his rear end has no lift and is as it was from the factory, with 2" spacers in the front.

 

Ok, good to know. That's what I thought but wasn't sure. I was also wondering about putting 285s on 7" rims. Or are the OR model rims wider? The Sport models are 7".

 

Both are 7" wide, and can handle 285s (varies by manufacturer suggested wheel width, though). Most aftermarket wheels are wider (16x8, 17x9) than 16x7/17x7 OEM sizes, but they also allow for more variance in tire size and choice.

 

Thanks again. I just got the TRD Matte Black Pro wheels. I went with 265s because I didn't think they could handle th 285s. 17X7s

 

Each manufacturer has a minimum wheel width for each tire/size.. OPs Nitto's are as follows:



You'll see they recommend a 7.5" minimum, but this is mainly because of warranty reasons more than whether or not it's able to be done. Lot of guys run 285s on stock width/stock wheels without problems, even if not the ideal width. Sometimes there's problems with warranty coverage, or a tire shop won't install a tire on a wheel too narrow (or wide), but that's just for liability.. they're just fine on a 7" wheel.

 

OPs truck is gonna look pretty Badass with those 285s!

 

Yup. Just the front got leveled. 1.5 is for the wheels.

 

It's only a 86$ even difference between the 285 and the 265 for nitto trail grapplers. So I just gotta try!

 

About to see if some take off 285/75/16's work with my spacers.
Took some before pics since I decided to run the spacers regardless for the wider stance.