3 inch Terrafirma lift and 265/75r18 installed (pics)
#1
06-17-2015, 10:28 AM
3 inch Terrafirma lift and 265/75r18 installed (pics)
So I finally got around to installing my lift over the weekend that I ordered from Justin over at Lucky8. I didn't want the harsh ride of the HD springs, so instead opted for the 2" MD kit with 1" spring perch spacers. I think it turned out really well and the ride quality is definitely improved (the old shocks wouldn't even decompress).
Tires are 265/75r18 Toyo MT (they measure 32.3"). There isn't a lot of info in the forums on max tire size with a 3" lift, especially if you're running 18's, so let me clear up a few things for the guys contemplating it.
The 265/75r18 IS the largest tire you can fit on the 3" kit unless you start cutting things. There is plenty of vertical room left in the wheel well, but it will hit the back side of the front wells. I had slight rubbing on the factory running boards/mud flaps so I took them off last night and all is well. Unfortunately, you cannot fit any larger of a tire with a 3" kit than you can with the 2" so that last inch is strictly aesthetic, but I think it looks good.
The install took about 6 hours, so plan for a full day. None of it is difficult, but it's a bit of a juggling act between floor jacks, the bottle jack and 2x4's to get enough separation between the frame and the axle to fit the larger springs. I set the axles on jack stands, then lifted the truck with a floor jack enough to get the bottle jack and a small 2x4 scrap between the axle and the bump stop to get the new springs in place.
PICTURES: The first couple are "before" pictures so you can see what it looked like stock with the factory-sized 255/55r18 Terra Grapplers. The one at the gas pump is after the lift with factory tires still on it. Pic at the tire store shows the difference in tire size while we were test-fitting the new size. By sheer coincidence, I ran into my stock twin on my way home and had to take a couple side-by-side shots. The last two are "after" pics - one with the running boards still on and one after I took them off.
I'm still trying to decide whether or not to have the wheels painted black.
Tires are 265/75r18 Toyo MT (they measure 32.3"). There isn't a lot of info in the forums on max tire size with a 3" lift, especially if you're running 18's, so let me clear up a few things for the guys contemplating it.
The 265/75r18 IS the largest tire you can fit on the 3" kit unless you start cutting things. There is plenty of vertical room left in the wheel well, but it will hit the back side of the front wells. I had slight rubbing on the factory running boards/mud flaps so I took them off last night and all is well. Unfortunately, you cannot fit any larger of a tire with a 3" kit than you can with the 2" so that last inch is strictly aesthetic, but I think it looks good.
The install took about 6 hours, so plan for a full day. None of it is difficult, but it's a bit of a juggling act between floor jacks, the bottle jack and 2x4's to get enough separation between the frame and the axle to fit the larger springs. I set the axles on jack stands, then lifted the truck with a floor jack enough to get the bottle jack and a small 2x4 scrap between the axle and the bump stop to get the new springs in place.
PICTURES: The first couple are "before" pictures so you can see what it looked like stock with the factory-sized 255/55r18 Terra Grapplers. The one at the gas pump is after the lift with factory tires still on it. Pic at the tire store shows the difference in tire size while we were test-fitting the new size. By sheer coincidence, I ran into my stock twin on my way home and had to take a couple side-by-side shots. The last two are "after" pics - one with the running boards still on and one after I took them off.
I'm still trying to decide whether or not to have the wheels painted black.
Last edited by LA_Disco2; 06-17-2015 at 10:44 AM.
#2
06-17-2015, 10:31 AM
Oh, and in regards to the tire carrier...
Flipping it upside down to clear larger tires is complete BS. I spent about an hour taking the rear door apart to flip it over and the new tire still does not fit. If I gained 1/2" I'd be surprised. Save yourself some time and just order the relocator bracket for a hundred bucks.
Flipping it upside down to clear larger tires is complete BS. I spent about an hour taking the rear door apart to flip it over and the new tire still does not fit. If I gained 1/2" I'd be surprised. Save yourself some time and just order the relocator bracket for a hundred bucks.
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Jlutty3 (06-08-2023)
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