best lift for an 85 runner

[gravitymike]

hey guys, i am about to buy an 85 runner. i have been looking for a solid axle for some time and finally came across one. anyway. i want to put a nice lift on it and fit a decetn size tire, maybe 5" and 35's. but i want to go as big as i can w/o driveshaft work and regearing. what kind fo lift would you guys recommend. skyjacker makes a 5". and i was planning on doing a 2" body as well. could i do 36's w/o regearing. it is a 22re 4 cyl.

[hillbilyfire14]

you could do 36's without regearing, but you will have to sacrifice some power. I have 33's and the is a decent sized power loss.

[DeadlyPeace]

With a 5" lift you might need to lengthen your drivelines. You may have enough to to just drive around w/o lengthening it, but do any wheeling and the driveline could slip apart.

As far as tire to lift to gears need. Here's what is usually recommended.

33" / 3" lift / 4.88 gears
34" / 5" lift / 4.88 or 5.29 gears
35" / 5" lift / 5.29 gears
36+" / 5"+ lift / 5.29 gears

Hope this helps.

[fourwd1]

With 36's you will have NO power unless you regear to 5.29's.

With 5" of lift you WILL have driveline issues.

With 5" of lift you WILL need cross-over steering.

With 5" of suspension and 2" of BL your COG will be way high.

A 5" lift (other than AP's or AOR's) will have a harsh ride.

[gravitymike]

well i want this thing to be as daily drivable as it gets but for offroad fun on the weekend. all the sites i have seen say nothing about driveline issues @ 5". who is ar or arp?

[gravitymike]

how much would regearing run me, on an avg guestamate

[fourwd1]

AP = All Pro Offroad
AOR = Advanced Offroad Research

Both are among the Toyota specialty vendors, Both sell very good, very flexy lift springs.

At 5" of suspension lift your DS's will need lengthening, and you will get vibes that will need to be addressed.
You will also need x-over steering.

If you want your truck as a good DD you should re-think your plan a little, it's a little too extreme to be "as daily driveable as it gets".

Lots of lift and big tires are not necessarily required for a competent offroad vehicle (unless you just want to do mud pits). You can build a very good trail rig with a moderate lift and tires AND still be quite streetable (because of the smaller lift and tires).

Regearing at a competent shop:

gears: ~$200 x 2
master bearing/install set: ~$100 x 2
labor**: ~$70/hr x 2 hr x 2

** labor - based on YOU pulling the 3rds and carrying them in (cleaned)

[gravitymike]

so you think a 4" lift and 35's would do ok

[fourwd1]

To me, 35s are too big for a DD, but that's just my opinion. Lots of people do it, BUT there is a noticeable loss of power and MPG that goes along with it (unless you regear). Also that's an expensive tire to be wearing out on the road.

I ran my p/u as a DD for years w/4.10s and 33s and the loss of power w/33s you can live with. (Later I dropped in the Buick 3.8 and that problem went away.)

I would never consider using my Runner on 36s as a DD even though it's geared w/5.29s. The waste of expensive rubber is just one reason, stopping, handling, etc. just make it untenable as a daily commuter.

From my experience a small lift (3-4") and 33's makes a good combo for a DD/offroader. Good economy and handling, yet capable offroad.

It also makes a good platform to build a very competent trail rig that will still be an excellent DD.

[gravitymike]

thanks for all your help. i just talked to all pro and they seemed to know thier stuff. the guys i talked to said that the xtreme lift they have is suitable for on and offroad....and can clear 35's. i dont mind spending the loot i just dont want to have to do it twice. in about a year, i am going to get an f250 for the daily and the runner is going to become a full time rig. i didnt ask but does all pro carry the gears?

[fourwd1]

Don't know, check their site.
Or get them through the shop that you have do the work.