Also, I know it is anathema to the forum, but I really just want something that looks a little different. When I go truly offroad it is in a four wheeler (ATV) and my truck just gets me down dirt roads with a trailer in tow--I always break something and they are cheaper and easier to fix.

Any recommendations on tire brand? I am concerned that the 33 inch Toyo Open Country M/T's I already have are too much for the engine, spider gears, etc. I want something a litte aggressive looking, but not that rubs or breaks anything. I can cope with rubbing if necessary (by cutting or adjusting stops), but breaking is no bueno.

 

"His springs sag too, but his shocks are new and it rides like a champ."

Exactly. Keep your stock springs and spend the money on better shocks. For tires, some Michelin LTX MS or AT2 all-terrains and you're set.

 

keeping old saggy springs is the worst idea i have heard.

 

Why? What happens on a vehicle with coil springs that are 13 years old and have seen perhaps 100,000 miles? I mean, exactly how does a vehicle with these kind of springs behave differently than it should?

 

is that a joke? how does a 2 ton truck behave differently with fresh shocks and springs then without?...

well for one you will be lifted. even if you put stock height new springs in they will be higher then 13 year old stock springs. secondly you might actually keep your teeth in your mouth when you hit a bump when you have proper springs and shocks. third you are less likely to have a tire blowout when there is compression and travel for the tire and not the weight of the vehicle on top of a tire that is constantly bottomed out against the suspension. Fourth you will have better control when turning at speed.

 

Using old or inadequate shocks is a bad idea indeed, but the stock springs are not bad and taller stiffer ones will make the handling and ride worse not better. There's nothing wrong with 13 year old springs with low miles, and the $300-400 bucks for new ones are better spent on shocks that work better than the throwaway ones.

 

It's not mileage, mileage doesn't change the fact that there's a 4600 pound vehicle resting on the springs ALL the time.

 

13 yr old truck with 110k miles is going to need to new springs. without them whatever shock you put on is going to have to compensate for an old saggy spring. if i only had $700 to spend on suspension for a truck with that old with a stock setup i would spend $700 for terrafirma springs and shocks rather then $700 on a set of remote reservoir fox shocks and leave the old springs. but you do whatever you want with your truck, thankfully im not the one that has to drive it.

 

And you are a senior member?

 

For posterity, I ordered the 3" lift after speaking with Justin at Lucky8; I will post pictures before and after in about a week when it arrives. Looks like I can install it in about an hour.

Basically, he told me there is alot of confusion related to the difference between actual height of competing lift systems. The RTE 3" lift, for instance, put you at more like 4.5. OME, more like 4". According to Justin, Terrafirm's is an exact 3" lift, and that is why you don't need all of the extra stuff unless you plan to go offroad on a regular basis. So, we will see. He said if I have a problem I can just swap for the 2" lift. Same price (and shocks) anyway.