going bigger (thoughts)

[06blazin]

Being as it's been two years since first lifting my TB, and there has been so many new designs and configurations discovered, i thought I'd put my idea for the second coming of my TB before i finalize it. I just wanted some input from everyone after reading for the past month and trying to compile all the new info together lol. If is all plausible ill ask it be moved or just start build thread.

here goes

front:
Upgrading to 87/88 springs,
Marks lift (not sure which yet),
Of course new HD struts,
Flipped UPC's,
New ball joints,

Rear:
keeping the Z71 + Mark spacers
Bds 5500 shocks
Gotrice Control arms

Ext:
3" body lift
Custom Barton front bumper

wheels tires:
16" black H3's
1.25 spacers
315/75/16 Goodyear Duratracs

I know 315's should be on minimum 8" rim, but I've been lurking on H3 sites and tons of those guys run them no problems as its only 1/2 inch different. Also i have found myself not wheeling it as much since the kid had taken more of my time now that she is getting older, So when i do get the chances to take it out i will have a set of 33's to throw on and go to avoid rubbing and hitting when flexing it. This set up will be my driving and showing set up then just throwing some beaters on for play. (kinda like kyle) So does all this seem plausible?
Any input is appreciated whether pro or con.

[Trail X]

With what you have listed front and rear, you might end up nose-up a bit unless you add some weight up there.

[06blazin]

Hmm, you think? With the 87's, say marks 2.5 design and a front bumper? Would throwing in the skyjacker coils bring the rear up to where it would sit level?
Thinking about that, would flipping the UCA's be needed?

[Hpimichael02]

The h3 rims and a 34.6 tire I don't think will fit, you need a rim with more backspace or offset at leat 35mm that's what mark said to me.

But all in all sounds good

[janesy86]

Hmm, you think? With the 87's, say marks 2.5 design and a front bumper? Would throwing in the skyjacker coils bring the rear up to where it would sit level?
Thinking about that, would flipping the UCA's be needed?

If your using Marks first lift (not the new design, which isn't out yet anyway) just don't use the extra outside the strut spacer w/ the 87's and with a bumper you should end up just a little bit (less than 1/2") lower up front.

Atleast thats how mine sits. And I have exact setup your talking about up front, and in the back just like you stated, I have z71 with Mark's spacer in the back.

Also I think flipping the UCA's would be worth while since your going to overhaul the front. Especially since Kyle had some great looking alignment specs with them flipped. I plan on flipping mine as soon as its not too cold out.

[Mooseknuckle]

I say it saounds like a great plan I would just leave out the extra shim from mark when you do the 87's or 88's when it settles you might be at or just a little higher than when you had the shims in.

[HARDTRAILZ]

I actually have the set-up you listed and it sits level. The only difference is if you have or are planning on having the rad and oil skid, both of which you need more than a lift. That would be the only weight difference. If you want some rake then you can add a secong rear spacer like some have, but I don't have a desire for it now.

I actually wheel the nicest, well formally nicest, wheels I have and play with the junkers. Opposite of what you described. I finally have a set of 35s to try wheeling, but I would not waste money on two sets if you wont wheel both sets of rims. It is a serious pain to swap before heading out wheeling. Never enough time. I just have multiple setups, but will wheel any of them any time.

Also the 35s for show or DD will hurt your gas mileage. The only reason to own 35s would be for the extra GC offroad. I just been playing with setups on the cheap so i dont sink serious coin into 35's and find i can't wheel them. If you plan to wheel 33's only then just run 33's all the time.

[Hpimichael02]

FYI MarkMC gets 8-10 MPG with 35"s

[HARDTRAILZ]

He has heavy wheels. I got that with 35s and 20s but 35s and the alum 15s are lighter then my 33s and 17s so it worked out to about even at 13/14 city and 16 hwy.

[06blazin]

I will have the 32's coming off the truck laying around once i get new ones, and a used set of wheels off say a silverado or even steel ones to throw them on will only be couple bucks. As for gas mileage, yea that sucks but i do have another beater i drive as opposed to always driving the TB. Main reason I wanted the 315's is because the 305/70's say they are only 33.1, and i figure ones inflated and the weight of truck on them they are gonna drop down to equal out to maybe 32.?? I mean do guys think 305/70 would be better all around? I mean at that point i technically could just let them on and go, and most likely i could put off rear control arms right away as they would clear little better the the 35's. Just don't want the huge wheel well gap, but i guess we don't have much of a choice on these lol.

[Hpimichael02]

im on h3 rims on 32" and i have a huge gap .. i will be selling my h3 rims to someone or 4 people if they get together and buy the set.. but just watch out for backspaceing and off set with teh factory rims they tend to tuck the tire close to everything we at Offroadtb hate ..lol

[Rob93]

Seems like a good plan. But if you have the money, switch your rear to just the skyjackers. Spring lift > spacer lift

[06blazin]

I have H3's on now too, just with 265/75/16. And somewhat sagging front end lol.So wheelwell gapp isn't too bad. But i have negative rake at the moment with my rear tiregate off.
I even considered 295/75, (just about 33.5) just the options are limited and i want want little more then a standard all terrain. Hankook makes there Dynapro MT in that size but the have virtually little to no siping for snow and rain.
I have considered the springs either way but i don't wanna go TOO much in the rear and keep a excessive rake. I do agree though spring lift > spring + spacer lift

[Hpimichael02]

haha ima keep my space lift with the skyjacker springs,just gonna extend my brake lines

cant wait to see the progress... you were my motovation to getting the H3 rims...

any want them btw?

[janesy86]

FYI negative rake is when the front is higher than the front.

[06blazin]

FYI negative rake is when the front is higher than the front.

You are correct sir lol, i forgot what i was posting there. (fixed)

I guess wheel well gap isn't to bad lol, the more i look at other lifted trucks they seem to have some now a days.
Example on a Rado of some wheel gap-age

[Hpimichael02]

And that has a similar set up up front Luke we do a weak ass ifs

[06blazin]

Alright think I'm ready to make my finalization's. Looking back over other TB's with 2.5" susp. and 3" body along with roughly 33's, i think thats just gonna be the route i take. Will end up running 305/70/16 duratracs. I looked at Kyle's with the 33's on and DirtyAnton's with 33's, both with similar setup, i think it will be fine with running 305/70 and not look overly small on the truck. This also helping i wouldn't NEED the rear control arms right away can put off a little.
OK lol, so looks like I'm gonna be ordering some new parts with the next 2-3 weeks and tires too! Now if I could just figure out a steering extension lol
Off topic, (kinda) has anyone tried looking up a steering column on gmpartsdirect? it shows s series in the under same category and display as the TB. Years 02 -07

[fishsticks]

FWIW, I had my Hankook MTs siped at the tire place. They work just fine in rain/snow. In mud/dirt, they will dig you out of anything.

I just went out playing today and drove into, through, and out of some slop that was up to my rockers... in 2WD.

[Mooseknuckle]

FWIW, I had my Hankook MTs siped at the tire place. They work just fine in rain/snow. In mud/dirt, they will dig you out of anything.

I just went out playing today and drove into, through, and out of some slop that was up to my rockers... in 2WD.

Nice! I have always liked the Hankook M/T's You can also purchase a kit and sipe the tires yourself. Not too hard to do others on the site have done it. Sounds like a sweet set up that is my route as well!