why are leveling kits so bad ?

Hey guys, new kids on the block here and I could use some help building my new truck.

So, just bought a 2012 TRD double cab and Im debating wether I should go with a leveling kit or buy new shocks.I will be transferring my 6 months olds Toyo M/T 285/75R16 on it which should give me a bit more "cush" than the shitty stock tires...

Before you guys say "not another cheap lift questions" Ive search the forum and couldnt find a good answer to this : why are leveling so bad?

In short, the truck will spend 80% on its life on paved roads and the rest on gravel roads.All Im looking for here is to make the truck look a bit less stock and hopefuly meaner a bit

Now I get that for serious off roading the shocks are FAR better but for "look" purposes, why are the block so bad for the ride?I have to admit some of the gravel roads around here are punched with severals potholes but from my understanding even the 5100's wouldn't make a different floating on top @ high speed...Am I right ?

If I decide to go with the shocks, what should I go with if Im only hoping to make the truck look better ? Could I just go Bilstein 5100 up front? Same coil and keep the rear stock?Im not too sure why most Bilstein 5100 kits out there comes with the rear shock with zero adjustably...??Why bother if doesnt give you any lift ?

Also , I had the dealer agreed to install the leveling kit @ no cost, ( said it should be a 2 hr job) but if I were to choose to install new shocks up front , Id probably need to pay the extra time, is it a lot more labor to install shocks ?
Again, Im new here, sorry if my questions seems silly.

Thanks!

 

If you use blocks and hardly off road you'll be fine, but why not go with 5100s ? The price difference is miniscule and you'll be far happier. On another note if you want to leave the ear stock and only lift the front you'll have a hell of a time cramming the 285s in the wheel wells.

 

If your gunna do pavement most of the time spacers are fine bits a rough ride on and off road but if your on the street a lot like I said its fine

 

IMO, use 5100s all around, front at 2.5, use a 1/2" or 2" AAL for the rear & align. If alignment #s are off use aftermarket UCAs.

 

5100s all around from DownSouth motorsports = $300
Rear aal $75 or better progressive AAL from someone like Wheelers = $150
so you can pay around $450 for better quality and great ride or. . .
I'm assuming block kit = about 3 hundo or more for crappy ride and low quality.
Spend the extra couple of bucks, even if it is a street warrior why not have a nice ride and ability later on if you ever wanna haul some dirt bikes or lumber or do some wheeling.
That's my. 02

 

If you can afford a brand new pickup I think you could afford to put a real lift on. The way I look at is you have an awesome truck, why complement it with a shitty high school freshmen block lift. Do yourself a favor wait a while save up some extra coin and buy yourself a high quality lift to complement your high quality truck. My .02

 

I was intially going to do just the front with 5100s because I needed the clearance for bigger tires. I ended up doing all four (stock coils) and I'm damn glad I did. Even on-road it makes a big difference in ride quality especially in cornering. With all four and the rear spring TSB, it makes hitting deep cracks in the pavement a little harsh with no load, but I'll live with that because the pros far outweigh that one small item IMO.

 

My truck is mostly on the street but I still refused to use blocks or spacers.

And just leveling it out you're going to have fun fitting 285's. Even with a 3" lift trimming needs to be done.

 

Doesn't ride as nice. Loads of people run em though and seem happy.

 

http://www.camburg.com/toyota/00-06-tundra/read-before-buy-spacer-lift/

 

Been running front leveling spacers with the rear TSB for a while now and no problems. I've also noticed no difference in the ride at all. Whatever works for you...

 

I'm in the same boat, my truck rides the same as it did before, and yes, I do 90% of my driving ON road. Also, the spacer kit cost me a total of $75 out of my pocket and they are easy as hell to install, TSB was free other than they had my truck for half a day. No comparison in price to doing 5100's all around..

 

Touche, I thought they were much more spendy

 

Nah they're cheap & gives more clearance for bigger tires but I'd spend a bit more for better quality. OME 884, 885, or 886 = $150, AAL = 75, DIY install, much better than spacer/block setup.

 

It's a big boat. Im on deck 3. 99% on road.

 

thanks guys, some got info there. Im most worried about crapping out my ride but it sounds like I'd be fine with the blocks...

Sure it may be a new truck but Im also buying a canopy, wheels, tires and like all of us I have other bills to pay ...if I could save a few hundos and use them somewhere else it wouldnt hurt.

 

Bob, whatre your billys set to? 1.75?

 

derp

 

Pretty much sums it up. No way to argue with that

 

Yep. Wanted to bring the front up a bit, but not make the rear any higher than the TSB did. Have overhead clearance issues to deal with.