New to ORTB

[kenneyspeeds]

Hello,

My name is Ken and I have been lurking around for the last month or so learning what I can. I am currently in Fort Worth Tx, but planning a move up to Northeast Oklahoma at the beginning of the year to start a new adventure in our lives. I just picked up a 04 TB (4x4 with 3.42's no G80) about a month ago so I could get rid of my car payments. I will be doing some upgrades once we get relocated, but buying the parts now while I still have money. We will be using the TB to pull a small RV and to explore during our traveling, so just some light off-roading. I just ordered up some parts for a lift. So far I have ordered the BDS 2" lift & Bilsteins for the front. I also ordered up some Z71 springs and BDS shocks for the rear. Will this end up pretty level or do I also need a spacer in the back to make it level? I plan on going to a 265-70-16 tire eventually but the tires on it are brand new so I will save those for later. I plan on starting a build thread with pics once I get to installing everything. Thanks for all of the great info on the site!

[moose1]

welcome. I have heard the Z71's end up 1.5" taller then stock, good luck!

[Cable810]

Welcome!!

[BC backroader]

My '05 EXT gained 2.7" with a combination of Z71 springs and Marks spacer at the rear, so you'll be pretty close to level with just the springs. In my case, I had used Marks 2.5" front lift, so with the springs and spacer in the rear, the truck ended up with the same slightly nose down stance as it had before the lift, just 2.7" taller all around.

[kenneyspeeds]

Thanks, that's what I figured I want to keep it pretty level but if it was slightly higher in the front would be OK but I don't want the nose in air. Any other suggestions? I was thinking about getting used G80 8.0 rear end to put in it since I won't be doing anything too aggressive.

[BC backroader]

If you're going to the trouble of finding a G80 rear end, look for a complete assembly from an EXT model, or the Envoy equivalent, which will give you the larger 8.6 axle, beefier, and bigger brakes, all in one swap.

[Trail X]

The rear brakes on the EXT are the same size, its the front brakes you want from the EXT.

[navigator]

I ran a 2" rough country lift with just the z71 springs in the rear and it seems like the front sat about 1/2" taller than the rear initially, barely noticeable. I added Mark's 1/2" top spacer to the front and the RC 3/4" rear "spacer" and now it sits pretty much level. There might be a slight rake now.

[ErikSS]

How much does the camper weigh? Im thinking 3.42 gears paired with a lift and towing will likely heat up your transmission.

[kenneyspeeds]

I have not purchased the RV yet but I am only looking at trailers that are 18ft-22ft under 3500lbs dry. The gears are part of the reason I am not going big on the tires, but hopefully the 2" lift and the 1/2" from the tire ups the ground clearance enough without stressing the transmission too much. I will probably pick up a transmission cooler to help out with the towing and the EXT brake upgrade is on my radar but I don't think it will work with my 16" wheels. So on the rear end if I find an EXT with a GU6 G80, that will be an 8.6 rear end that bolts right up?

[HARDTRAILZ]

Yes the ext rear will bolt right up.

You will need 17 or 16s with minimal BS to clear the ext front brake upgrade.