Tires, Lift and Winch - Need some advice

[pdXDisco97]

I need some suspension advice.

My tires were long overdue for replacement, I found a used set of 235/85 r16 AT tires for a temporary solve until I can purchase a set of BFG's. We got them installed, but now there's some serious rubbing going on. My rear suspension has been sagging, so I knew that might be the case. The driver's side rear fender metal bent and broke a bit last night.

A few years back, I purchased a set of Bilstein (B46-0243&53) shocks and the matched springs from a truck, that was supposedly lifted 2", they've been sitting in my garage since. The set was already removed when I bought them, so I wasn't really sure how to verify the height. I got one rear spring/shock replaced last night, but it only lifted the truck by about an inch, not quite what I was hoping for.

A few questions:
1. Should I cut my losses and find a smaller set of tires that don't rub? 235/75?
2. Do shocks/springs provide the lift? Or is done with spacers only?
3. Any other considerations on a lift? I'm getting tired of the rabbit hole, I'd like to get it back on the road soon.
4. Do I need to trim my fenders?

Thanks!

 

[DiscoPhoto]

Springs and spacers provide lift, not shocks, not LED light bars(probably just shocked a bunch of people with that last one)

You're probably better off camel cutting and getting a new spring/shock combo. Those bilsteins are likely stock height, you'll want +2 shocks as well.

 

[p m]

Search for Cheap Bastard lift - you can use your rear springs in the front, and run some OME 2764 or 2781s in the rear. Also, in the discoweb.org Tech section there's KVT's article on rear fender relocation (you can run the 235/85s without cutting if you want to).
Speaking of shocks - these Bilsteins will work fine. Longer shocks (a) may have longer compressed length, so they may bottom out, (b) may require longer brake lines, and (c) may lead to rear springs popping out of their seats.

 

[pdXDisco97]

Thanks, guys. Sounds like a couple of quick modifications might do the trick. I have to admit, I like the stock height, but didn't know if I needed to increase clearance for the tires. Also, good news on the Bilsteins.

I forgot to mention (hence the thread title) that I'm going to be adding a Warn XD9000i on the front, so I'm a bit concerned about the added weight to the front. Any concerns?

 

[p m]

You can always add a little height using trim packers.

 

[Tugela]

Also you can gain small increments of lift with spring isolators. On the rears you can install them both bottom and top of the springs. Only the bottoms on the front, but there is also the option of swapping in D2 shock towers which have isolators built in (not sure if that adds lift, though it will make for a quieter and smoother ride).

 

[pdXDisco97]

That's a sweet idea! A bit of lift would be nice but maybe instead of 2", the Trim Packers would do the job...

 

[pdXDisco97]

@Disco Photo,

I'm pretty sure my LED lights add lift, I thought that was one of the features.

 

[discostew]

@Disco Photo,

I'm pretty sure my LED lights add lift, I thought that was one of the features.

I agree 100% . My truck got lifted another inch when I put my light bars on .

Before you start lifting make sure you have a U joint at the rear diff . If its the rubber rotoflex deal you will want to switch out to a u joint . The rotoflex coupler will cause a vibration.

 

[discostew]

You could check out the Expedition Exchange website and they have great descriptions of the old man emo springs . I think you could figure out what spring you need by reading those descriptions .

 

[Devildog01]

You may want to pm discomike your number. He can walk you through your best lift options.

 

[ubuntu]

Ask the guy who made plywood spacers, or used spruce 2x4s for a rear bumper.