Hi, so I've been perusing these forums for a few years now planning to mod my truck once it was near paid off. Lots of great posters in this community! That time is coming up and I have a couple questions. First off I'm prekeying it with OEM '01 4x4 keys. Do I need to replace the shocks as well? Read that it will drive like a bobble head and/or the shocks will prevent the 1.5'' and mild crank to get her leveled out with the rear. Also read that it will make it stock 98-08. Next up is the '09 PA 3" BL from summit with the manny extension. Info wise there is a TON I've found here on that particular lift =) I'm pretty sure it will have enough blocks for the bed. Last is the tires. Will my stock 16x7 wheels have enough backspace for 285/75/16s? I know I should get 15'' wheels but I'm not planning on it. Thanks for the help!

 

Yes those rims will work just fine for 285s. Your stock rims are 16x7 and it may cause a little uneven wear on the tires but not bad.

Im guessing you wont need to replace the shocks but compare the specs on 01-07 shocks compared to your 09. If need be get some 01-07 shocks.

 

So I have recieved my torsion keys and after telling some of my small town buds said I should put a block above my shock to lift but I doubt it since I can't seem to find any info on this. And all of the shops I've called hinted at the BL potentially costing a lot to install (not doing it myself, work everyday and no second auto)... Prolly Just gonna level her out now and put the same size rubber on.

 

Don't listen to your buddies. This is a torsion bar system. They sound like they are referring to a coil spacer. T-bars don't have that.
What you plan to do is all I did at first. Search for some of my older posts. I didn't go with a 285, I only went with a 265/75 (31.5") on a stock 16" rim.

I'm not running that anymore as I did a coilover swap. Im still at the same height though. I was happy with the height of my tbar twist with the 31's. I also agree with beard, you're gonna need the slightly longer shock otherwise they will wear out quicker since they are not in the propper operating zone.

 

you do NOT add a shock spacer or use longer shocks. Doing so will cause your cv's to bind when it droops out all the way. 98-11 all use the same length front shocks

i dont know how much clearance the stock shocks have while at full bump but another issue of longer/spaced out shocks is that they may bottom out before the bump stops. I know some aftermarket prekey manufacturers offer a spacer but they are wrong.. same goes for the toyota diff drop kits. they throw out the CV to control arm geometry.

 

I plan on doing a prekey swap on my 08 4x4. Any input on whether to go with the longer shocks or not?