Which lift is best?

I'm trying to figure out which lift kit/system is best for my truck. I bought an AAL for the rear but that's all I've done. They easily added 3-4" The new leafs make the back very stiff which is kind of a pain but I don't mind too much. It would be nice to not have my butthole pucker on every speed bump though. I'm more concerned about the front. I want a 4ish inch lift in the front and With what I've read I'm thinking 885s with the bilstein 5100s. But I've also read about so many other brands, combos, and problems with those combos that I'm unsure of which direction to go.

P.S. I've got a 98 SR5 v6 and I drive a lot on the road but I'm getting into off-roading as well.

 

You may have done the same thing I did. I installed aal's and it was more lift than I expected and way more stiff than was wanted.
I took the aal's off and have temporarily replaced them with angled blocks. Now I have the same rear lift with stock ride quality. I am ordering the bilstein/eibach fronts now and will replace the rear blocks soon.

 

Yeah that's exactly what happened to me. Are you replacing the rear blocks with a different AAL or a new leaf pack? Also how much lift with the bilstein/eibach give you?

 

I'm planning on getting the toytec ultimate I think it is with coilovers. Then shackles for the back. I don't do any hauling or anything so no point in aals for me. The previous owner put a spacer/block lift and I'm sick of it. So I decided I'm gonna go all out. Whenever I can save a grand for it, ha. Then I'll be getting new leafs too. I'm hoping the coilovers aren't too stiff/rigid since they're gas. But I bet it's gonna feel smooth as butter compared to the current 'butthhole puckering' lift on there now

 

I'm pretty sure 885's are for a second gen. Your choices to be working with are 881, 882 and 883.
Just my opinion, stay away from kits that advertise themselves as being "re-buildable" .
OME is a no regret purchase.

 

So I should just use a new leaf pack for the back? Or can I get away with a new/better AAL? I do some towing.

 

I'm going with the 5100's and oem 881's on the front. From what I read here the rear blocks are hard on rear leafs and cause axle wrap. I haven't experienced the axle wrap yet but I do plan on installing new leafs in the future.

 

A lot of times a good AAL will do the trick, but it kinda sounds like your pack has already been through the ringer, so you may want to consider a complete replacement.

As far as lift height, the most you can do is 3", unless you go to a drop-bracket style lift, Then you can do 4" or 6".

 

Ok so how much loft will the 5100 with 881s give you?

 

Toytec told me the 5100's with ome 881s will give 2.5" of lift.

 

Perfect. Thanks guys. I appreciate the info.

 

With a 2.5 inch lift how much does that affect the angle of the drive shaft? I have a pre runner and would love to do a mild lift but I dont want to make any changes that might affect the tuck in other aspects.

 

Lifting is always going to affect the truck in other places. New angles on ball joints, driveshafts, and brake lines will most certainly result.

Buuuuut with the Bilstein 5100/881 combo you wont get too many vibes or anything like that. I ran those for awhile before I switched to Eibach coils

 

If you get a lift...fur piece of mind, just be sure ya get a shim fur the rear end or an angled lift block for the rear lift. and you'll be golden. Since your a pre runner no worries on the front...