Help spend my money!

So I have spent the last several days going thru any and all posts here but still cannot gather some info. I am about to pull the plug on a lift and wheel / tire setup. I refuse to do spacers after researching here. I am very new to all these numbers so I apologize.

Im torn between 285/70/r17s or 255/80/r17s and 255/75r17s.

Here is my dilemma. I have a local shop quoting about 4 grand for a toytec 2-3 lift including an add a leaf and uca's. That includes labor. Believe its the 2.5 kit.

285s seem sweet but not sure I want to deal with possibly re gearing, cutting etc etc.

255/80s I really like the look and hear they are lighter than the 285s and might be able to get away with no cmc and re gear. I like the look with a 4 runner trd wheel but thinking with a 1 inch spacer too just to give them a little more aggressive look.

Cons to these are they only come in e load and hear they ride hard and heavy. I do not tow etc so don't necessarily need e rated. Given that I imagine some 285s could be lighter?

255/75. This could be the ticket but have read that they only look decent with say a 1 inch lift and will look goofy with a say 2.5 inch lift. On a plus side I can find load c tires for these.

Yes id love to keep my gas mileage at around 16mpg. I understand some might laugh but figured advice here on these could help.

What is some of your thoughts on these three? I know there isnt alot of love for 255s but thought a skinnier tire would be lighter and I can kick them out a bit.

Also if I rolled with the 255/75s what is the best way to go with just a 1.5inch lift? I know bilsteins are adjutable but hear they ride like crap adjusted up? Any coilovers and ad a leafs for just 1.5" as i havent found much.

Thanks everyone

 

go big now, don't be afraid of a little chop action, or you will have to redo it all later like I'm doing right now.

 

255/75r17 KO2s in C-load with 2.25” lift front, 2” rear. Tires chosen for their ultra light weight.


More info in update part of thread here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/selecting-a-mild-lift-trd-baja-tx-pro-icon-aal.385619/

 

Part of me is leaning this way. I guess my fear is dropping 6800 bucks on the lift, wheels, tires then telling my wife I need to regear for 2500 more bucks lol. Yes I know its just money but dang.

And part of me wonders is just a 1.5 to 2 inch lift will look nice with the smaller tires. Idk

 

If the price is throwing you off, you don't need a super sick lift. 5100s all around and an AAL is a huge improvement and is pretty cheap.

 

That kind of $ for a lift that isn't King/ADS/Fox is insanity to me. Installing isn't that hard, I'm a moron and I did mine just fine. Maybe find some locals willing to help. 255s have been great for me

 

Yes I felt the same way looking it up online. I put 5100s on my kids 2012 taco years back so im thinking I can do it. I think I even rented a spring compressor but this time id order a lift with a new coil installed on it. What size 255s do you have? 75s or 80s? And what size lift?

 

The fronts are literally 5 nuts each, the backs are 2, the leafs are the hardest part. Just get them pre assembled. I was on 255/80/17, and I have no clue anymore how much lift, 2-3" ish. Most important part is finding an alignment shop that can get you 3-3.5° caster and it'll look great no matter how much lift you end up with

 

Thanks a bunch. Can I ask what you get fuel wise since they are all e rated etc. Im thinking either st maxx or k02s is what id do. And lastly does it feel like you need to re gear to 4.88s?

 

I'm not even remotely close to stock, full front bumper/winch/steel skids, custom steel platform in the bed, canopy, rtt. Ran KO2s when I first got the truck, switched to St Maxx, they aren't even in the same league. The coopers are a way better tire. I'm probably around 14mpg accounting for how off my speedo is, but I've never gotten good mileage with this truck. Yes I'm regearing, but I also just got some 34s too

 

Sweet setup! Thanks sir

 

I appreciate that write up! I might look into this and you tube some videos to do myself. Quick question, what is your fuel milage with the 75s?

 

Mine is a high power supercharged 2nd gen, running a 2.6 SC pulley and extensive power mods. So it is really apples to oranges vs stock 3rd gen. But it averaged in the high teens and could hit 20 on the highway with conservative driving. Problem is with that kind of power you don’t drive conservative. My tire choice was as much for mpg effeminacy as it was for high performance.