2014 ready for some upgrades now, suspension, rims, tires

I have been doing a fair amount of research on the upgrades and need input. This is what I am leaning towards now:

1. Suspension- Icon Stage 3 lift kit with tubular UCA. $2644.00. Looking to get a 3 inch height and better quality ride. This appears to be a reasonable solution.

2. Rims- Fuel Hostage 18x9 with -12 and 4.5 BS http://4wheelonline.com/Fuel_D531_Hostage_Matte_Black.217826.0 I am also considering Fuel Boost. I like the styling and finish of the Fuel Wheels.

3. Tires- This gets tough. I want an aggressive tread pattern for aesthetics, but don't want too much hit to MPG. Leaning towards Nitto Grapplers G2 in the 285/65/18 size. The other tire is BF Goodrich AT KO2.

I do a fair amount of driving with this vehicle, greater than 20000 miles per year. I also need to occasionally go through sugar sand to meet with customers. Aesthetics is important. Ride quality is up there. Want something that is durable, least problematic. We keep our vehicles so this will be with me for 10-15 years. Thoughts, suggestions?

I am at 24000 with the truck and fairly confident that most of the issues have been worked out. The rims and tires are junk so I want to do this sooner rather than later.

 

If you're worried about MPG with your tires, maybe rethink the size of the wheels you're planning on getting. 18" wheels along with a lift will decrease mileage easily.

 

Thanks for the response Justin. Right now I get close to 22 MPG consistently. My last tank was 21.73 to be exact. So with the new setup I anticipate the move to about 19+ MPG. This is where it gets tough since the 18 inch wheels give a little better look plus you can get the tire size to work. Tough decisions.

 

Stick with the 17 inch rims or 16 inch rims and go with 265/75r16 or 265/70r17 bigger tire size than stock and still looks fine with 3 inch lift

 

Have you considered Duratracs? I just got some and so far have no complaints. My mileage was at about 21-22 mpg when I was stock, now with 3" lift and 285/75/16 Duratracs I'm seeing about 18. They look mean as hell and have solid reviews. I wouldn't expect to stay at 19 mpgs with 18s and 285s...I guess I could be wrong though.

 

^ Agree. What are exact specs slades?

 

Love that website you found your rims on, just bought a setup from there I went fuel assault rims 18" on a 35" atturo trail blade mt tire. Had the atturos before and absolutely LOVED them. incredible wear life. To help out your thread I don't know what you think of that toytec boss lift but I was into it. Gonna do a BDS 6" now

 

Icons are great, Def go with a 16" or 17" wheel... Gives better tire options for down the road.. Plus it will give your rim a little extra space between wheel and ground when airing down on that sandy stuff, you can't go wrong with those bfg's...

 

Slade still considering that size wheel, however, I don't know if it may appear a little small. I keep going back and forth on that. If I remember the 70/17 is about 32 inch. The 285 is 32.7.

Vandal the Duratracs are a consideration. I just like the looks of the Nitto, but I like the Duratracs too. I think maybe the Nitto sidewalls is what is swaying me. The BFG KO2 still unsure of that tire.

Bohlaah I agree about that site they have lots of goodies and they are not far from me. I considered driving over there, however, it may increase the chance of impulse buy. My first choice was the Toytec Boss lift, but I am not sure of the long term durability. So you are going with a 6" lift now? That lift is sweet!

 

Are you 2wd?

 

^^^ what he said. youll also save a bit on the tires as well.

As for ride with the coilover, depending on the preload it could be a tad bit stiffer, really stiff if set at 3 inches. only way to get a nice ride and lift is to do a spindle/coilover set up with c/o at little to no preload or go coilover / long travel but that would be overkill for a street queen

for the same cost you might want to consider, maxtrac spindle bundle from headstrong, substitute the bilstiens for the icons and set the preload at zero. plus with the bundle youll get a new full leaf pack which will help with axle wrap since you'll be modifying the drive shaft angle

stage 3 comes with the uca but with a spindle lift, you wont need it unless you adjust the c/o over 2.5 inches (maxtrac yields about 3.75 not a true 4) which would give an overall lift around 6 inches.

Thats just me .02. hope this helps

 

Yeah if you have 2wd consider the maxtrac they perform extremely well and with the icons as the other member stated you can adjust the ride quality more.

 

Alright did a little checking. If I go with a 17 inch rim it has to be a 17x9 due to the offset and backspacing for the Fuel Rims (-12 and 4.5). That leaves me with the choice of BFG KO2 at 285/70/17 only. I will need to check the other choices that was recommended as well as the Nittos for tire fitment.

Jorge considered that too with the spindle. The coilover will be set at 3. I am a little concerned with the Billies due to the weeping issues I read about. I was originally going to use those with the factory springs, then checked into the Ultimate Lift and read the warranty. I then decided Boss, now I am at Icon. AAaaaaaaaaaa this stuff is tough!

This is a Prerunner. I don't use 4x enough. Used it in the 80's and 90's with my Toyota 4x4. If I was to go 4x I would buy a designated vehicle for it. Right now I enjoy water sports rather than dirt sports. The bikinis are a plus too.

 

So the spindles would reduce the tension on the suspension, in theory?

 

Its the dirt king long travel front end with pretty much exactly 2.5 inches lift in front and 3 inches wider on each side aND 2 inches in the rear with some Billy 5100 and the icon AAL and some 265/75r16 duratracs

 

Checked Nitto Terra Grappler G2 the tire is a 265/70/17 and will work with the 17x9 rim 31.65 diameter, $170.00. The stock Dunlops are 30.5. At 13/32 tread depth seems pretty cheesy to me. I think BFG's are 15/32. If I go with the Terra Grappler with the 17x9 rim I can only run the 285/70/17 which puts me at 32.65 diameter, $223.00

The Wrangler Duratracs are 265/70/17 $214.00 with black sidewalls. The sidewalls look nice. The tread depth is 17/32. Nice meaty tire.

I think the Nitto G2 is going away from consideration with the 13/32 depth tread. Brutal decisions.

 

Always a pain in the ass took me 6 months of research and planning to finally decide what I wanted

 

I agree Slade I am at that time frame. Just when I think I figured it out it gets changed. Sooner or later decision needs to be made and do it. I am real close.

 

Take your time figure out exactly what you want I changed my mind about 10 to 20 times before coming up with the perfect set up and I love it

 

yes. when you start adjusting the coil overs, the stiffer the ride gets. at 3 and depending on the tire you go with, the ride could be considerably stiff.

Like i said, if you want a nice ride and lift, go spindle with c/o or LT.