I finally got around to doing this. I installed the Sonoran Steel System 7.2 lift and then put on some 16x8 Moto Metal 951s wrapped with 295/75/16 Nitto Terra Grapplers. I freakin love it.

The lift install went fairly well... until I had to remove my rear shocks. Man, what a PITA!!! I ended up just cutting them off with a grinder and cutoff wheel. Everything else went very smoothly. First impressions on how the new suspension handles (after driving for a grand total of ten minutes) is WOW. It isn't harsh at all and it soaks up the bumps and rough stuff way better than the old setup. The Nittos are extremely quiet. I wasn't expecting them to be that way, but it's a big + in my book.

Overall I am just 100% pleased with how everything turned out. Oh, the tires rub the plastic on the front of the running boards, which I know everyone is going to tell me to take off maybe it's time? I actually do like them though, and now that it's a lot higher off the ground the ladies may appreciate them a little. Anyway, less talk and on with the pics (more are on their way):

After the lift, but still with the 265/75/16s on stockers:



And after the new wheels and tires were put on:







Thanks to Mr. Steve Schaefer at Sonoran Steel for designing a great lift and for giving me some pointers

 

nice.... looks way better. so where are the wheelin pics?

jk

 

looks good i like the wheels, looks good to see somebody out there still likes chorme

 

Looks great! Are you selling your stockers?

 

looks good, would be better without the running boards.

 

Dude it looks amazing! I love it man, good choice in the rims, tires look nice and meaty too!

 

Looks Good!

So whats the numbers on the amount of lift?

 

Oh, they are coming... I just barely got everything on today

 

Amen!!! I still don't dig black wheels, and I don't understand why everyone else does...

 

Funny you should ask, I actually am! I'm keeping the tires though. PM me if you're interested

 

looking good bro, your not afraid to wheel with you shiny chrome rims are you.

 

Love the big tires plus they're Nittos which I've been promoting on this board since I got some miles on mine back in '05.

 

what is the width of those rims you got? they look good and i also like the TGs.

looks awesome

 

Looks great, I dig those wheels. Chrome always looks good with white. I second the removal of the runningboards, I think you'll be happy with the results!! Nice choice on tires too.

 

Very well done. Nice taste. I would loose the boards.

 

Looks nice but I bet that mod will cost you at least 3 mpg. I'm thinking of going back to 31" from 32", as I lost 1.5 to 2 mpg.

I figured over the lifetime of the tires, that will add up to $1,000 in fuel costs if gas drops to $3, and around $1500 if it stays at $4. That's more than the cost of tires themselves

 

The wheels are 16x8 with 4.5" backspacing.

Just an update for ya'll, I took off the running boards this morning I'll post a few pics later, just so you can see

 

It will hamper MPGs but I lost 1-2mpg compared to my mom's stock '99 and I drive hard.

I think if MPGs are such a major concern then driving a 4Runner in the first place isn't the best choice. Fortunatly mine only sees about 9k miles a year and next year (or this year) I'll be driving a Civic as DD and the 4Runner's impact on my wallet will be less and I might even go with 285s next.

 

Whats the power loss like with those tires?

I want bigger tiers so bad but just could not accept much power loss at all. lol

 

It's more of a benefit/cost issue. It's a very real $1k for 1" of extra diameter. I don't know if it worth it.

Does anyone here have thinner tires? Like maybe 255 or 245 in 32" or 33"? How's the mileage on those?