Just another lift thread

Hello Toyota family,

I'm new to the group though I've been lurking and reading for weeks now. I've learned a lot from reading threads and still have few questions that I couldn't find answers to so my apologies if this ends up being a long post.
I bought a 2012 Sequoia a few months ago with the intent to make it an Overland rig. She is completely stock with about 260k on the clock. Mechanically the truck is sound. No leaks, fluids look and smell as they should, trans it tight no electrical issues and even the carpets and seats are in surprisingly good shape. The springs and shocks definitely felt worn out but the plan was to lift with new so I pulled the trigger.
I live on the eastern side on the U.S., not the coast so no beaches or extreme rock crawling. I do have service roads and mountains that I'd like to explore. There are some places to go to have a more extreme adventure but i don't see me doing those. I've learned, through the threads, that the Sequoia, with Toyota's TRAC system, is more than capable with good ground clearance. It seems that the weight, center of gravity and sheer size of our vehicles keep them from the more challenging trails. At least that what I'm getting from the reading.
With that in mind, What I'm wanting to do is take an already very capable vehicle and enhance it it a bit. Less of a pavement princess and more of a dedicated camping rig. I will be taking everything out of the interior and building it out to be a camper inside. I like the rooftop tent solution but I want to keep the center of gravity as low as possible while leaving the real estate for gear and supplies.
I am concerned about the overall height so when considering a lift I thought about just using the biggest tire I could without a lift vs a bigger tire with a small lift. I do need all new springs and shocks so I decided to go with a small lift and slightly larger tires. As far as the over all look of the rig, I want the wheel wells to be full, think HMMWV H1 Hummer. I've seen some really nice rigs that are pulling this off well with minimum lifts.

Okay, build list and questions
suspension:
A) Dobinsons 1.75" IMS Lift (black/purple)--- 1st choice but WOW its expensive (wont get done this year)
B) Dobinsons 1.75" Lift Kit (yellow/teal) ---- 2nd choice this year, maybe
The last option is what I came up with to save some money and give me a good platform to upgrade to a complete dobinsons suspension. I know this isn't the best option but it leaves money for wheels and tires and I can always upgrade the shocks and front springs later.
C) Dobinsons C59-477 1.75″ Rear Coils
Bilstein B8 5100 Rear Shock
Bilstein 2G 5100 Front Shock
Will use stock front spring for the Bilstein
Tires:
I've been looking at a few different tire sizes and I've settled on 275 70/18. I like the 285s and 295s but after reading about the weight differences and gas mileage I figure the 275s are a good compromise.
My brand of choice is
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T
LT275/70R18 (Load E)
These tires are getting some really good reviews and for my use case I feel they would work best. I'm really liking what the hybrid A/Ts are offering.
Wheels:
Okay, now for the elephant in the room LOL
There are some really nice wheels on the market but there is no way I want to spend that kind of money on wheels to take off road, if i can help it. If I'm going for the "stuffed" wheel well/military look anyway why not go for steel wheels? I mean the Black Rhino Armory Matte Desert Sand Wheels are the cats meow but, again, too pricey right now. If I look in this area I can get rims for 100 - 200 per wheel, much better though I'm having trouble finding an 18x9 for the Sequoia.
All this being said, I've decided on the lift and tires but I'm confused about the wheels and Upper Control Arms.
1st Do I even need new UCAs with 1.75" of lift? If so, what do you think about the SPA UCAs? I'm looking at them as well as the Dobinsins.
2nd What offset do i need for the wheels? I've read that our trucks are +60 stock. For the new wheel and tire size, a +60 should keep the stock profile (not poking out past the fenders) and a +30 to +35 will stick out about an 1" to an 1 1/4". I'm not planning on flexing the suspension to its max all the time but what if i need to? I like the more aggressive look of poking out about an inch but will the tires hit the fenders or will they slide up behind the fenders when compressed? Also, will a +30 - +35 be enough to keep an 18x9 wheel wrapped with 275 70/18 Mickey Thompsons from hitting the springs and/or UCAs?

Thank you for taking the time to look at my post and any help you may provide, I look forward to hearing from you~

 

Ok, well, after looking almost all day I have found that cheap rims are not going to be possible LOL I did find a rim that I'm interested in and isn't too expensive. I found the Fittipaldi FT100SB Wheels | Satin Black | 18x9 18mm | 5x150 for 246.00 each. The 18mm offset will push the tire out a bit further but unless its too much strain on the hub I'm ok with that. After revisiting tires I'm set on the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T LT275/70R18 (Load E) I don't think I can beat it for the price.

Anyway, just wanted to give an update. Thanks for looking~

 

1) No I don’t think you need new UCAs unless you go with >2” of lift.
2) Factory +60mm wheels are fine for factory UCAs. When you go with a higher lift that requires aftermarket UCAs—that’s when clearance with your +60mm wheels becomes a problem. But even then, you could just get some wheel spacers.

 

Thank you for the reply, that will help not having to get them. Im trying to figure out the offset and tire size, what do you think about 18x9 +18mm with 275/70R18. Will they stick out too far (hitting the fender when compressing)? I'm thinking the +18 will definitely keep them away from the UAC,spring and shock.

 

Here's my 275/70/18's on 18x9 +18 rims

My lift is Bilstein 6112's up front set at the first notch which is about 2.1" and Dobinson 1.75" springs and their standard yellow shocks (I want the IMS!)
I did not do UCA's and have been just fine.




This is with the 6112's set at the 2nd notch but the downhill of my driveway makes it look okay, but it was just a little high so I set it to the 1st notch.

 

Also considering 6112’s. So what does it look like now at the first notch and 2.1”?

 

That looks really nice and level. Thanks for the pic!

 

Thanks man!

 

Hello and thanks for the reply! Your rig looks amazing Sorry for the late response, I just haven't been able to sign on. There have been some changes that wont allow for me to do exactly what I was wanting to do. Im now looking at Kenda Klever RTs (275/70R18) on Vision Tactical Satin Black 18x9.5 -18. I'm really hoping I can do this on stock suspension. If not, I was looking at LT265/65R18 tires instead. Did you try your tires before the lift? did they fit? The Visions are a -18 and on Tiresize.com they look like they wont come out toward the fender as much as yours, do you have an idea about the -18s. Thanks again for the help~

 

Eewww, -18’s would stick out another 1.42” from what mine are up above….. I don’t think you want that. Go to Tiresize.com and play with the wheel offset calculator to compare different setups. Stock offset is +60.

 

OMG, thank you, that is not at all what I am wanting. Ill check it out and ill post back soon with an update and pics. Thanks again~

 

Is this with the 295/70/r18's? And is the front still on the first notch 2.1?

Looks great just what I'm looking for. Just picked up a sequoia and it needs this look.

Is this all I would need? And did you put in the drop down differential kit?

Front
Bilstein 6112's front about $900?
Rear
Dobinson 1.75 rear springs and yellow shocks
About $1,000 if I'm looking at it right?


295/70/r18 18x9 wheel and +18 offset

 

Thanks! Yes 295/70/18 and yes to 1st notch. No diff drop.

 

Eibach 2.0 set at full height, 2.75 inch with the Tandem OffRoad rear spacers set to 2 inch.

295 70 18's with 25mm offset Methods.

For another option.

 

Did u make a decision?
I am eyeballing the Rhino Armory 18” in Gun Metal Black with 35”s