Lifted Model Y Owners: Report!

[nicpottier]

I have a Model Y on order and I'm going to be lifting it and adding slightly taller tires (currently thinking 55r18) to deal with snow and fire roads. I ski and mountain bike a lot and both of these are pretty common use cases for me. I've found some brethren on here that have done similar things but I'd love to hear how it's going after lifting. Do you regret the lift? Do you have issues with the taller profile tires with respect to navigation for example due to speedometer error? How bad has your efficiency hit been?

Picture for context on the kind of day I'd love to still be able to do with the Y. My 20 year old manual subaru outback is a champ with snow tires on, hoping the Model Y can take it's place after a lift + tires.

 

[jpy1980]

If you have a MYLR and not performance, you may be able to get by without a lift. See this thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/teslamotors/comments/jc1uzw

I have a performance and want to do the same, but will need rims that will clear the brakes and probably the lift as well. boo =(

 

[nicpottier]

Thanks for the pointer. Mine is indeed a LR so maybe it makes sense to start with the wheel/tire combo and see how that works for me in the snow first, then lift afterwards if it doesn't do the trick. Appreciate the link!

 

[dduffey]

I have a LR with MPP lift kit, no regrets.

Still on stock 19" OEM tires.

 

[PNWLeccy]

I have a LR with MPP lift kit, no regrets.

Still on stock 19" OEM tires.

Did you add their adjustable camber arms that they recommend installing with the lift kit? If not, have you noticed any uneven wear on your tires?

 

[dduffey]

Did you add their adjustable camber arms that they recommend installing with the lift kit? If not, have you noticed any uneven wear on your tires?

Yes, and I also had an alignment done as well.

When I picked it up I did feel like it had a bit more body roll, but I can't notice it anymore since I have adjusted.

 

[joelmsg]

I swapped in 18" aeros and 29" diameter BFG Trail Terrains that have work great. I'm still planning on adding the UPP Dirt and Snow Coilover kit to add an inch or two.

The efficiency hasn't changed much, since I think the smaller/lighter wheels cancel out the effect of the AT tires (and once I put the XL rooftop tent on top, it really wasn't relevant). Just changing the wheels and tires has greatly improved the ride quality but I'm looking forward to the quality of the UPP kit.

 

[nicpottier]

Nice! What profile are those tires? 55 or 60?

 

[joelmsg]

The new tires are 255/55R18

 

[nicpottier]

Nice, thanks! Trying to figure out of 60 profile will fit without a lift!

 

[PNWLeccy]

What size tires would fill out the wheel wells best with OEM gemini wheels? I've seen lots of people using larger size tires for 18" wheels but has anyone upsized their tires for 19" wheels that don't rub?

 

[joelmsg]

My understanding is 29” diameter is the absolute maximum that’ll fit without rubbing. My current tires get extremely close on the rear wall of the front wheel wells, and based on a video of i1Tesla installing bigger tires, that was the spot that he had to do some modifications to make his tires fit.

I don’t think the lift would even make a difference in whether they fit or not. After talking with UPP about the lift kit I’m getting from them they also mentioned any bigger than 55R18 would require modifications around the wheel wells.

 

[nicpottier]

On 18s you can do 60 profile, at least when lifted.

See Post in thread 'MPP Lift Kit Install Instructions, Range Discussion & Driving Impressions' MPP Lift Kit Install Instructions, Range Discussion & Driving Impressions

 

[joelmsg]

That thread seems too long and winding for me to get a full grasp of but I do think going narrower than 255 makes a big difference and might make 60R18 possible.

 

[nicpottier]

No might about it, they are running 245s.

 

[sycotuck]

Looking to go up to 235/60/18 on my Model Y so I can run crossclimate2 at the proper load rating. Can I expect a significant loss in range?

 

[kevinkeenan]

2.5” overall. MPP lift, adjustable camber arms. 245/60-18 tires that are 1.5” larger diameter than stock rubber, so an extra .75”.

 

[nicpottier]

Oh man, thank you @kevinkeenan! This is the exact setup I'm considering and I was wondering whether the 40 offset wheels would work with a 60 profile. No rubbing I take it? How is your efficiency? (hard to measure I realize since the car is traveling farther than it thinks due to the higher radius)

 

[kevinkeenan]

Oh man, thank you @kevinkeenan! This is the exact setup I'm considering and I was wondering whether the 40 offset wheels would work with a 60 profile. No rubbing I take it? How is your efficiency? (hard to measure I realize since the car is traveling farther than it thinks due to the higher radius)

Yes it will be hard to tell. The winter tires will affect it as well as the continued falling temps. I figure my best chance to get an accurate calculation will be to wait until spring when I put the stock wheels back on and the temps are back to where I have a good control group on TeslaFi. I’m going to submit a feature request to them to add a tire size setting.

 

[gr8tdane24]

Some great information here. I just joined here on TMC and took delivery of my Model Y back in November. I have the LR with 20" induction wheels and I only lasted a week before considering some lift and bigger tires with more sidewall. I my other vehicles are a Toyota Tacoma and 1955 Willys Jeep Wagon so I am used to TALL 4x4's. It would be nice if my MY was able to handle at least basic dirt fire roads and deeper snow.

I am going to run the 18x8 Method 502's with Falken Wildpeak AT Trail 255/55r18 tires. I also am on the waitlist for the UP dirt and snow coil overs and adjustable camber arms. I know a couple folks on here have the UP coil over lift on their cars - anyone care to share their opinions?