Toyota Guys, recommendations please

YOUNGBLOOD13

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2016
Location
Clayton, NC
Got a 1990 pickup, 22RE doing power train rebuild, regearing, small lift. Who makes a decent lift kit for these? Anybody to avoid?
Aside from freshen up, planning a Cam and header. Any thing else I should consider? I haven't done a Toyota in ages. This is for a kid, all around use, some street some offroad.
Nothing crazy. Thanks
 
What kind of lift are you looking for?
If it is still the stock IFS, you only option is a ball joint spacer, which really does not net you much, and is really intended to give more flex by allowing you to de-torque the torsion bars a little. However most people do the opposite and crank the T-bars + the BJ spacer. This can net you ~2" But in the long run it's hard on steering components (you will find yourself replacing the idler arm bushings).
The alternative is a body lift. IMO a 1" body lift is a nice compromise b/c it doesn't throw much out of alignment or look goofy but allows one to just fit 33"s if you're careful. IMO for light wheeling the BJ spacers w/o cranked Tbars and the 1" body lift is a nice combo.

BJ spacers are sold by SDORI and 1-2 other companies... they are all the same.

The only other option is a so-called "bracket lift" and these are 3-4" and relocate the bottom lower control arms. No improvement in flex, and they are pricy.

re: lift I assume that means bigger tires. What is your goal? you won't fit > 33s w/o either a larger lift or trimming the fenders. If its a 5spd, 4.88 gears is about perfect for 33s. If its an auto - go on to 5.29s, it'll be overgeared but so much better on the road.

If you're doing a header, the LCEngineering units are great. I put mine on 14 years ago and have been happy w/ it ;-).
Another popular thing to do if you're replacing the header is slightly bigger exhaust. 2.25" is about the ideal size. Don't go m=bigger b/c the 22re neds the backpressure. Also, you can swap the AFM w/ one from a Supra that can easily slip an open cone-style intake onto, it has a wider orifice to provide just a little more air to match that bigger exhaust. You can advance the timing just a little for a couple more ponies but not too much.
 
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