1st gen 1 - 1.5" lift?

[jscusmcvet]

A couple months ago I picked up a 2003 Tundra Limited Access Cab. After 25 years or so of mostly jeeps I was looking for something different and we picked up a Northstar MC600 camper. We have had very good service from my wife's 04 Tacoma Prerunner, but we wanted 4wd and something a little bigger for the camper. So far all I have done to the Tundra is add Timbren SES in the rear for helping with the weight of the camper and added a front and engine skid plate from skid row. I have no fantasies about building a rock crawler or anything. Reliability, durability and serviceability is of the utmost importance. I am interested in lifting just a bit, maybe 1 - 1.5"... admittedly for looks. I want to maintain the factory rake, because the rear end sinks exactly 1" with the camper. I have already hit a few trails in the truck and I don't foresee needing much in the way of other offroad modification. Will likely do a front bumper with winch for work around the farm.

From what I have seen it looks like the likely way to go is a spacer up front an add a leaf out back. Just thought I would throw it out to you since this is my first Toyota "build" and my first independent front suspension. Any thoughts would be appreciated.



John

 

[wrenchMonkey_]

Stay away from spacer lifts.

If you want to do it cheap, go for a Bilstein 5100 shock with a dif drop kit. About $250 from Wheelers Offroadnew . I ran that for a few years on the top notch for 1.5in of lift. Its a great combo, and way better than a spacer lift.

If you want to spend a bit more, you can get a good coil over replacement on the cheaper end from ToyTech.

The Timbren SES are great, and a AAL pack should work for the rear. It all depends on your budget.

 

[lhanson]

There are a good amount of 1st gen build threads on here. I would take time to read through them. I would highly advise against spacer lift.

What is your budget?

 

[jscusmcvet]

budget is pretty flexible but I do not want to spend money that is unnecessarily. I don't mind spending money to get things right. I have read your and several other 1st gen build threads. Seems everyone is going for that 2.5 lift, which seems to bring on issues with the CV angles, and boots. Since the performance of my current suspension is satisfactory and I am only looking for that little bit of extra clearance, I wanted to make sure of doing this in a way that does not cause more problems than it is worth.

Thanks guys for your replies.

 

[Kpack]

I had a spacer lift on my '05 Tundra that the previous owner had installed. Stay away from them. The ride on the road wasn't bad, but wheel travel was extremely rough. There was construction going on around me all this summer, and the areas where the asphalt had an inch or so drop due to it being ground off were very rough riding in the truck. The stock coilovers with spacers would shoot downward and slam their lower limits (which was easily reached), jarring the entire truck. From what I understand, spacer lifts limit downward travel.

I just barely installed Icon coilovers in the front with extended droop, and Camburg UCA's. The ride is so much better. This set up may be a little beyond what you are needing/wanting. I didn't really "need" it either, but I sure wanted it. Happy with my choice so far.

I've heard good things about the Bilstein 5100's and is certainly an economical way to go. Depending on what you are using the truck for they may do just fine.

 

[KTempleton]

Spacer lift is the exact definition of doing something that can cause more trouble than it's worth. Sounds like the 5100 would be perfect for you though. You can find them super cheap if you look hard enough As far as experience, I had a camper on my truck for a bit. I would suggest airbags at some point. Mine got a permanent sag after a while then rode nose up when loaded down with moderate weight

 

[Cletus26]

True adjustable coilovers (fox,king,icon etc) will give a very nice ride especially at only 1.5" of lift. It also leaves room for more adjustment up and down as well as ability to combat any side to side lean present.

 

[toyotech]

I know someone selling a set of icons with around 5000miles on them


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[jscusmcvet]

I had a spacer lift on my '05 Tundra that the previous owner had installed. Stay away from them. The ride on the road wasn't bad, but wheel travel was extremely rough. There was construction going on around me all this summer, and the areas where the asphalt had an inch or so drop due to it being ground off were very rough riding in the truck. The stock coilovers with spacers would shoot downward and slam their lower limits (which was easily reached), jarring the entire truck. From what I understand, spacer lifts limit downward travel.

I just barely installed Icon coilovers in the front with extended droop, and Camburg UCA's. The ride is so much better. This set up may be a little beyond what you are needing/wanting. I didn't really "need" it either, but I sure wanted it. Happy with my choice so far.

I've heard good things about the Bilstein 5100's and is certainly an economical way to go. Depending on what you are using the truck for they may do just fine.

Thanks for this explanation - it helps a lot.

 

[karlmagnum]

Another vote for Bilstein truck shocks particularly their 1500 series. They are slightly stiff yet you will experience improvement in handling.

 

[toyotech]

I had 5100 when my truck was fairly stock. No camper or extra weight. After adding more weight to the truck. The 5100 didn't seem to be stiff enough. Not saying to go with the fox 2.5 Coilovers front and fox 2.0 rear but the fox 2.0 rear was an improvement over the 5100s. For the money I would at least do fox 2.0 rear. If you can spend a little more. Look into the fox 2.0 coilovers kit. Or even Kings. You'll be able to keep the factory rake


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[donrafa7]

Just an FYI you'll run into the same issues with travel on the 5100 as with a spacer lift. In terms of geometry they both basically make the shock longer (one at the top the other at the bottom). IF you lift you will likely need UCA, go with SPC or camburg. I would go 5100 over spacer lift though (its what i have installed). If i did it again i would go with longer icons and archive garage flip kit on the rear though