Lifting 4 lug XT for Toyota truck wheels and mud tires?

[87.5ea82txt]

Ive got an 87.5 xt awd with four lug hubs and coilovers from a 91 fwd xt so it has a little extra height in the back. Ive been toying around the idea of drilling out my hubs and fitting some 14" toyota truck wheels and I believe I saw some 27" mud tires for that size wheel. Since these are a smaller tire im wondering how well would these fit in the cars wheel well with its current height without a whole lot of beating and cutting on the fenderwells? My front struts are shot so my front options are open. Would the 85/86 Loyale adjustable struts fit my front four lug hub setup and how does it compare in length to the xt's when adjusted to it's highest/lowest setting? I figure if I can raise my front struts about 1/2"-1" from where its at now to the level of the taller rear it would be close to the cars original level height when the air struts were in high mode and provide a little extra clearance for the larger tires while not having a too negative effect on the wear of my axles. Ive been reading up on the 2" strut tower spacers and have the tools to make the parts myself but I'm wondering if that necessitates the the spacing of any other drivetrain or steering components and if I will be able to use my front and rear sway bars. Or I could replace the front xt struts with the same struts and flip the top of the rears to lower the rears to be closer to the awd xt rear strut and use the 2" lift for a medium lift and less necessitating the need for modifying other parts. Anybody have any good ideas? I dont plan on getting too crazy with the car offroad, im just looking for some extra clearance and traction for the occasional muddy dirt road or snow drift. Im trying to find a happy medium between the cost and extensiveness of lifting/beating up my car/axle wear/keeping my swaybars when installing the larger wheels and tires.

Edited December 31, 2009 by 87.5ea82txt

[idosubaru]

you could install XT Turbo air struts up front and just fill them manually to the height you want. they sit a good bit higher and even have the 'height control' button so you'll have some "play" with how high you want it. and without all the other parts of the air suspension it should be reliable so long as the strut doesn't leak.

 

or get a front lift block for your struts like i have on my lifted XT6. SJR makes them.

[87.5ea82txt]

So how are you manually filling them up? I guess one could hook up a schrader valve and go about it that way as long as you didn't have to constantly fill them and make adjustments to the pressure.

Edited December 31, 2009 by 87.5ea82txt

[idosubaru]

i'm not filling mine up. mine is an XT6 which came with air suspension so it's all computer controlled.

 

if you fitted XT Turbo air struts - yes you can install little adapters right to the top of the strut with a schrader valve and leave it. they're like your tires, you don't have to constantly fill them up if it's done right. once and done.

[87.5ea82txt]

Nice. I think that would work best for me. I'll just have to see how much I can get a used set for cause those things are not cheap.

I went out and measured from the center of the axle around the wheel well to get an idea how close I was to the fenders. A 27" tire is is a real close squeeze but I think it will work without too much hassle as long as the offset is right. Ill probably have to cut away some material from the front of the rear wheel well. I don't think I"ll have a problem with that as mud collects there anyways.