Offroad-Express

I'm getting new tires - keen to go to 33s, I've got a fairly standard 88 hilux currently on 30s (some sort of ROH chrome rims with -21mm offset), with the exception of an extra leaf all round, and 4.88 ratio diffs. I think the extra leaf is giving me some lift perhaps, but I think the last guy put them in to counter sag since he was carting a fair load with tools most of the time.

Have just been doing a bit of measuring to see if they're likely to fit and my initial calculations suggest "mostly".

I drove the right rear up a 400mm ramp to squash the front left down and put it on a hard lock each way. Worst case appears to be where the mudflaps screw on to the rear of the guard. In that scenario it's probably 35-45mm clearance, but my current tyres only measure 720mm/28.3" diameter on the corners and 190mm/7.5" width across the tread. I'm a bit concerned that if the 33's are ~32" and even close to the 12.5" width they suggest then I'm going to be in a bit of trouble here.

What's the usual solution here? If I went for a 2" suspension lift would I then be sweet? Should I be reducing my offset (seems like the wrong answer)? Are 33/12.5/15 KL71s 12.5" across the tread, or at the widest of the bulge or even at all? Unfortunately everywhere seems to have to order them in so I can't easily measure them first. If I did go for a lift, how much is that going to set me back (assume I could do it all myself as it seems to be a case of simply swapping the springs and shocks) and would it need to be certed?

my 85 hilux with no lift but good std height springs use to rub just on the bottom of drivers guard with 33/12.5. i have just moved my diff forward 35mm and that has solved all my trouble but there are many ways around it

might see if the tyre place can call there warehouse and get an proper measurement of the the tread width and diameter. I think I'll get away with it except on serious spring compression and a decent turn, so I might jsut get them on and then work out what I need to do, but any advice is welcome.

I thought about a body lift, but I'm sure that would need a cert and don't see that it's going to gain anything besides the tyre clearance. I'd prefer to do it in suspension in the hopes of a slightly better ride and articulation, but can't really figure out how much that is going to cost. A quick look on sites in NZ suggested ~$1700 for all springs + shocks, but look a lot cheaper than this in every other country - to the extent that you could probably still save a ton having it shipped, but then again I don't really know one brand from another. Also not sure if I'd need to mod the diff or steering column in some way

might see if the tyre place can call there warehouse and get an proper measurement of the the tread width and diameter. I think I'll get away with it except on serious spring compression and a decent turn, so I might jsut get them on and then work out what I need to do, but any advice is welcome.

I thought about a body lift, but I'm sure that would need a cert and don't see that it's going to gain anything besides the tyre clearance. I'd prefer to do it in suspension in the hopes of a slightly better ride and articulation, but can't really figure out how much that is going to cost. A quick look on sites in NZ suggested ~$1700 for all springs + shocks, but look a lot cheaper than this in every other country - to the extent that you could probably still save a ton having it shipped, but then again I don't really know one brand from another. Also not sure if I'd need to mod the diff or steering column in some way

oops - Internets went dicky for a sec and I accidentally reposted somehow

ToyRover: what rims were you running? I'm thinking that given my rims are only 15x8 I might stick to either 31s or 32s and save myself a ton of pain until I can afford to jack up the suspension and get new rims etc.

Given that my current tyres seem to be ~29" max diameter, I should see a bit of a difference even with the 31s. The other advantage is the tyres will be way cheaper!

with a 2 inch lift you will fit kl71 33's on 15 x 8 rims (cruiser offset) you will have a bit of rubbing at the back of your front gaurds when it twists up off road but you will still get this with a 2 inch sus and a 2 inch body. Only way to stop it is moving the diff forward. Most people only bother when goin bigger than 33's.
I ran 33 kl's in my d/cab with a 2 inch sus lift and then added a body lift still had a small amount of rub but if you flatten the seam at the back of the inner gaurd it won't matter. Wasn't until i went to 36's that i moved diff forward.
Sorry I cant measure the 33's I sold them

Thanks heaps for that - Maybe I will try the 33s then. Am I right in saying 2" suspension lift will set me back around $1700? Might go with a body lift if so, just to get me by until I have more cash

na shop around, I have always managed to do a basic 2 inch lift for about 600-700. Have a look what shocks your truck has in it, you will prob find they have been replaced at some point and are already long enough for a 2 inch lift.

Any ideas as to where I should look. The best price I've spotted so far is $780 for just the springs (4wdstuff.co.nz). I'll try and drop my struts out some time and see what they extend to. Anything else I need? Was thinking I might use extended shackles to get a bit more out of it, which appear to cost ~$400 for front and rear including bushes. Will need to replace ubolts and bushes anyway.

Not sure where else to look - the guy down at motortech reckoned it was going to be >$2k to do a lift, and not sure where you look for this sort of thing

4wdstuff was steve... that is a very long story but as far as I know the business is no longer selling gear its just online for reference. I have seen the same maxitrac springs go from anywhere from 250-500 for a set of 2 (eg 250-500 an end).
Keep shopping around and keep an eye on trademe

What part of the country are you in.

I'm in Auckland - but try not to hold that against me. Might give ripco a call to check their prices - think they carry maxitrac stuff

I got Maxitrac gear. 2" Lift. Springs, shocks, shackles, u-bolts, bushes, all the stuff you need for 1200 from Dace at Appco. PM him for more info. (his username is Dace lol)

im running 15x8 with cruiser off set one thing i hate is guard rub, and i would only do a body lift if there was no other choise as theres no real advantages to it , eg no more travel.

Cheers. Have messaged Dace about springs etc. What's involved in the diff shift? By the looks it'd be lengthen steering, shorten mount arm, but do you shift the shackle mounts or what? Big money?

Wondering if 32" tyres might alleviate some of the problems and save me a little cash towards the rest, but will I regret it later on?

Have only taken it out a few times so far and have had to keep it onroad for a while since while I got the front seals etc sorted, but am keen as hell to get back out and have some real fun with it. I wouldn't be rushing this so much were it not for the fact that I desparately need new tyres, and I don't see the point in getting 30s when from the couple of times I've been out, I can definately see the advantage of going bigger.