The next major upgrade is a suspension lift. The stock ride height is fine for pavement, but forest access roads to trailheads and snow-covered mountain roads would benefit from more clearance.
Requirements
- 2-3 inches of lift — Enough for larger tires and better approach/departure angles without making it feel like a monster truck on the highway
- Ride quality — These trucks are daily drivers too, so I don’t want a stiff off-road setup that beats me up on the freeway
- Springs + shocks — Full spring replacement (not spacers) for a proper lift that maintains good suspension geometry
What I’m Looking At
- OME (Old Man Emu) heavy-duty springs and Nitrocharger Sport shocks — the go-to setup for 80 Series. Proven, well-documented, and designed for loaded trucks
- All-terrain tires in 285/75R16 or 33" equivalent once the lift is in — need something that handles highway miles and packed snow
- Extended brake lines — Required with a lift to prevent the lines from stretching at full droop
Planning to have this done before next winter season.