versatile lifting from maxtrac, ultra wheel and toyo tires

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TEXT BY JASON MULLIGAN
PHOTOS COURTESY OF STATUS
All-Terrain
Action
VERSATILE LIFTING FROM
MAXTRAC, ULTRA WHEEL
AND TOYO TIRES
MAXTRAC SUSPENSION
877.929.3015
Maxtracsuspension.com
STATUS
777 Riding Club Rd.
Rockwall, TX 75087
972.772.0146
Creatingrollingart.com
here are many different reasons to
modify a truck’s suspension. First and
foremost is for appearance and style.
Other
reasons
may
include
aerodynamics,
handling
and
driveability. When it comes to lifting a truck, the
most common reason is for ground clearance,
which can be accomplished by installing larger
diameter off-road or all-terrain tires that help
with traction and raise the low points of a truck.
Of course, the suspension needs to be lifted to
clear those types of tires, but what do you do
when you want the best of worlds: performance
and driveability both on and off the roads? By
selecting the correct components you can
achieve the versatility that you want.
T
26 MARCH 2013 | STREETTRUCKS
MaxTrac Suspension offers a variety of
lifting and lowering kits and components. The
company’s 6-inch lift kit consists of a 3-inch lift
spindle and 3-inch strut spacer. That’s it for the
front, which makes for a quick installation and
helps maintain a factory ride and correct
steering geometry. The rear consists of
specially fabricated 4-inch lift blocks and
shocks. The lift provides the clearance needed
to fit tires up to 35 inches, for good looks and
off-road performance.
Of course, rolling with a lifted truck on stock
wheels and tires is like having a faux-hawk, so
new ones were needed that blended off-road and
on-road performance and good looks. MaxTrac
recommends a 4.75-inch backspace on the front
SOURCES
TOYO TIRES
800.321.4456
Toyotires.com
ULTRA WHEEL
714.449.7120
Ultrawheel.com
wheels for proper turning radius and clearance,
so we chose Ultra Wheel’s 234/235 Maverick 20 x
9-inch wheel. The wheel is a split five-spoke
design with rugged looks, perfect for an allterrain truck. We went with chrome, but they also
offer black and machined finishes.
Wrapping the wheels are Toyo’s new Open
Country A/T II all-terrain tires size 35 x 12.50. The
tires offer long tread life for great highway use,
and aggressive deep tread and sidewall for better
traction off-road while keeping a smooth and
quiet ride on-road. Toyo also offers a 65,000-mile
warranty. The combination of parts for a midlevel lift ensure comfort and handling on the
highways, while allowing for some travel onto
rugged, off-road terrain. ST
W W W.ST R E E T T R U C K S M AG.C O M
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ALL-TERRAIN ACTION TECH
[01] Here is the MaxTrac Suspension 6-inch lift kit, 20-inch Maverick wheels from Ultra
[02] The lift kit proves that big things come in small sizes. Only a couple of components
Wheel and Toyo A/T II tires.
are installed to achieve the lift and clearance needed.
[03] The first to be installed are the 3-inch lifted spindles, the brakes and hubs need to be transferred over, so they are removed first.
[04] The ABS sensor is removed from the hubs.
[05] With the brakes and hub removed, the spindle is unbolted from the upper and lower
ball joints, as well as the tie rod.
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TECH ALL-TERRAIN ACTION
[07] The new 3-inch lift spindle is bolted up. The spindle lowers
[06] The anti-sway bar is unbolted to make removal of the spindle easier.
the mounting point of the suspension, providing the necessary lift.
[08] A 3-inch strut spacer makes up the other half of the 6-inch lift. The tops of the bolts on the factory strut
[09] The strut spacer is installed and bolted down to the factory
need to be ground down 1/16-inch to clear the top of the spacer for a flush mounting location.
strut, this ensures a factory ride and easy installation.
28 MARCH 2013 | STREETTRUCKS
[10] The strut is
[11] Here is the
reinstalled, but a
pry bar may be
needed to get it
seated properly.
completed front
lift. Having
everything
suspension based
with no drop down
cross member
ensures maximum
ground clearance.
W W W.ST R E E T T R U C K S M AG.C O M
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TECH ALL-TERRAIN ACTION
[12] The factory hub and brakes are reinstalled to finish off the front suspension. The ABS sensor is attached to the new spindle and arm using the provided clamps.
[13] Moving to the rear suspension, the factory shocks are removed and tossed aside.
[14] The factory U-bolts are removed so that the lift blocks can be installed.
[15] You will need to disconnect the ABS line from the frame to create slack.
[16] The 4-inch fabricated steel lift blocks are installed onto the spring perches.
[17] The new
longer U-bolts
secure the lift block
and rearend.
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TECH ALL-TERRAIN ACTION
[18] Longer shocks are needed on the rear; a set of twin tube shocks is provided. The sleeves are pressed in and the shocks are bolted up.
[19]The aggressive sidewall and tread
design helps with traction in dirt, mud and snow
on the Toyo A/T II tires, while offering ride
comfort and keeping road noise at a minimum.
[20] The Maverick wheels from Ultra
Wheel feature a split five-spoke design that
blends off-road styling with a classic look.
32 MARCH 2013 | STREETTRUCKS
[21] The 20 x 9-inch 234/235 Maverick wheels from Ultra Wheel wrapped in 35 x 12.50 Toyo Open Country A/T II tires are bolted up
to finish things off.
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