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Cheap easy lift?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by DustinSK, Aug 20, 2011.

  1. Aug 20, 2011 at 3:52 PM
    #1
    DustinSK

    DustinSK [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Im sure there is a thread somewhere but at the moment I dont have the time to look. Just wondering if there was a relatively cheap do it yourself lift to put on your tacoma without bringing it to a shop. I have a 02 prerunner xtra cab 2wd and was looking for the cheapest way to add 3-4 inches?
     
  2. Aug 20, 2011 at 3:57 PM
    #2
    tacomarotto

    tacomarotto "Change is inevitable, but growth is optional."

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    top strut spacer. (not a coil spacer)

    blocks in the rear.

    good luck with that setup. it sucks
     
  3. Aug 20, 2011 at 4:09 PM
    #3
    DustinSK

    DustinSK [OP] Well-Known Member

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    hah so basically any cheap lift sucks.. What would I be looking at if I went to a shop for a 4inch lift? Is it worth it when I have 135,xxx miles?
     
  4. Aug 20, 2011 at 4:23 PM
    #4
    MacGyvR

    MacGyvR Well-Known Member

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    Assuming your shocks are okay, you'd need to buy a new set of coil springs for the front, and a new leaf pack for the back. IIRC new coils are around $180 and a new leaf pack is +$500.

    My suspension is shot, so I'm looking at lifting too.
     
  5. Aug 20, 2011 at 4:26 PM
    #5
    magixfinger

    magixfinger Well-Known Member

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    Tail gate mod | shorty antena mod | K&N drop in filter
    cheap lift ended up paying more in the long run buddy
     
  6. Aug 20, 2011 at 7:08 PM
    #6
    DustinSK

    DustinSK [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Alright well say new coils and a leaf pack and bought some quality stuff. If I did research and had some buddies over you think an amateur could get it done?
     
  7. Aug 20, 2011 at 7:15 PM
    #7
    tacomalex

    tacomalex Well-Known Member

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    I've put about 1,200 into my lift and it rides better than it did stock.

    I got new coilovers and uca's up front, an add a leaf, new shocks and extended brake lines in the rear.

    I also put it on myself. There's write ups on here on how to do everything I did and I just followed those. Just bag and label everything you take off and take your time, it's actually pretty fun IMO.
     
  8. Aug 20, 2011 at 7:31 PM
    #8
    MacGyvR

    MacGyvR Well-Known Member

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    Having never done it, I couldn't tell you. Search around TW and try to get a feel for the amount of work and time that will be required.
     
  9. Aug 21, 2011 at 12:29 AM
    #9
    G scott04

    G scott04 ...

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    Yeah go with an OME set up, they are affordable and give a good ride,

    and its definitely doable yourself! just pay the fee for them to put the coils on new shocks, or have a shop do it, I did it with the autozone rental
    but I won't do it again, and then yeah its real simple to put the coilover in,

    just have somebody put their weight on the lca to
    push it down
     
  10. Aug 21, 2011 at 12:37 AM
    #10
    Blackdawg

    Blackdawg Dr. Frankenstein

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    ALL OF THEM!...Then some more.
    haha cheap and suck..ALWAYS go together my friend lol


    Yes its worth it. Putting new fresh parts on and old beat down suspension...ALWAYS better haha Can't ever go wrong with replacing everything with good quality parts.
     
  11. Aug 21, 2011 at 1:40 AM
    #11
    tacomarotto

    tacomarotto "Change is inevitable, but growth is optional."

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    yea OP,

    take this guys word for man. he just got a brand new setup that is legit.

    new leaf packs. coils. and shocks.

    boom.
     
  12. Aug 21, 2011 at 12:10 PM
    #12
    DustinSK

    DustinSK [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Alright thanks everyone. Ill do some more research and look in to it some more. Thanks guys.
     
  13. Aug 21, 2011 at 12:57 PM
    #13
    Warhorseforever

    Warhorseforever Will The Thrill

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  14. Aug 21, 2011 at 1:05 PM
    #14
    DustinSK

    DustinSK [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks guys. Do any of you have, well actually Im sure you do, have a 2.5inch lift on your truck that I could see? Im interested in lifting my truck primarily just for looks not really off road performance, after all I have a 2wd anyway. I just want to see how noticeable a 2.5 inch lift would be
     
  15. Aug 21, 2011 at 1:10 PM
    #15
    Warhorseforever

    Warhorseforever Will The Thrill

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    If you have a jack and stands you could lift the truck on a level surface to the height you want it to put a jack stand on it the repeat for all four corners measure it with a measuring tape for height, and find one you like. :thumbsup:
     
  16. Aug 21, 2011 at 1:23 PM
    #16
    feltsphoto

    feltsphoto Well-Known Member

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    As of now... completely stock, but hopefully not for long
    How's about this set up? New coils in front and add a leaf in the back. With your mileage I doubt this works for your worn out Leafs, but that's what I was planning on doing to mine. I have a 2010 TRD OR 4DR with 19k miles. Was hoping this will work and I plan to get 5100 all around at a later date... Thoughts?
     
  17. Aug 21, 2011 at 1:38 PM
    #17
    Denim Dan

    Denim Dan Confusion

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    Also remember if you get bigger tires, ride height will be brought from those aswell. Not alot but it does make a difference in look.
     
  18. Aug 21, 2011 at 2:15 PM
    #18
    DustinSK

    DustinSK [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Dang thanks for all the help guys! Okay so feltsphoto for that setup, that has everything included correct? That I would need to do the lift, except for the tools obviously.

    And warhorse I would do that but quick amateur question. Higher the lift the more expensive? Or am I being dumb. Because I was originally thinking 4-5 inch lift but all Im seeing is 2.5 to 3 inch lifts..

    And I already have 31in tires but if I lift next time I need tires Id upgrade to what 33s probably.
     
  19. Aug 21, 2011 at 2:33 PM
    #19
    Denim Dan

    Denim Dan Confusion

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    The reason for seeing the 2.5-3 inch lifts is because after 3" your going to have to go drop bracket lift. Also 31's are about 2 inches taller than stock so that's an extra 2 inches in just the tire making it taller. Correct me if I'm wrong anyone. Don't want to throw out bad info. It's just my thought
     
  20. Aug 21, 2011 at 6:23 PM
    #20
    Warhorseforever

    Warhorseforever Will The Thrill

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    Bigger doesn't mean pricer by much. You are 2wd so no front diff drop or anything like that needed. Higher than 3 would mean new uca which is a good idea anyway but not needed, also drop brackets for rear springs which is the easiest thing to do in a lift.

    The only way you could be dumb is to not ask question's I havent been on this website but 3 months, and have realized that the people on here know what they are talking about and aren't trying to sell you the most expensive pos thing they can, they want what's best for you, your truck, and your budget.
     

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