leveling kit help

So I read for hours all over the forums and cant find exactly what i am looking for. I just got a 2012 4 cyl 5 sp access cab. I am looking to get a leveling kit for it. I dont want to off road it, i dont want to change the tire size or anything i am just looking for my daily driver so sit a little higher in the front and drive and perform as close to stock as possible. I see leveling kits that are 2 in 2.5 and even 2.25. If they are supposed to level out the front shouldnt there be one size that is even with the rear? Who makes the best leveling kit? And lastly (sorry i know this is long) does anyone have pictures of a 4 cyl access cab with stock everything just a leveling kit? thanks

 

I have a 2002, its quite a bit of difference, but i have a 2" leveling kit, and it leveled it. the block that is put in is actually only 1" think but you achieve the 2" but to me i like the front end to set higher than the rear, so if i was you i would get a 2.5" just to be safe, plus the newer models are different than the older on this kinda stuff, and mine was also t-6 billet aluminum. i bought off of ebay for $65 and it took about 3 hours to install.

 

im with you on the leveling and all i studied for days trying to find the right sizes and pictures and everything. there is no clear answers. or clear pictures, plus every lift/level has a different stance on every truck. but i think you would be happy with a 2.5" leveling kit.

 

Why not a spacer fan? and thanks for the welcome

 

Put a jack under one side of the truck and raise the front until it is the height you want and measure it from the ground to the wheel well skirt centered over the center of the wheel. Compare with the height before jacking. That is how much lift you need. You are probably looking at 2 to 2.5 inches. A 1 inch spacer on top of your strut should do the trick.

 

Most people on here dont like spacers because they are not a true "hard core" lift that cost 2k. They also say they break easily under load like wheeling which I can understand and could see happening. I personally prefer a spacer kit for my use because I dont do any extreem wheeling or crawling and I like to keep as much of my truck a "factory" as possible. I do very mild off roading here in florida where the only real rocks have been shipped in and everything here is basically flat. So for my purposes a spacer lift is ideal.

BTW im also a cheap ass so $300 sounds much better to me than 2k or even $1500.

 

Thats a great idea for figuring out what size leveling kit i want thanks i never would have thought of that lol. Just curious why is it a 1 in. spacer provides for a 2 in or so overall height difference?

 

I agree and i dont plan on doing any wheeling...not to mention im a cheap ass too. So you have a spacer lift? if so which one did you go with?

 

I would recommend 5100s over spacers.

 

Toytec is the lift I would purchase. No I dont have my lift only because its on the bottom of my list of priorities right now. I was going to buy it las week and just got a serious case of the cheapassness and felt convicted for spending $400 on a lift and spacers so I could go and spend another $1500 on bigger tires and rims. I had to re shuffle my priorities a bit. BUT I have a bunch of friends that do seriously insane wheeling with spacer kits and they never seem to have any problems.

Sorry for the long answer

 

Why? alot of people say go with those but they also say it changes the stock ride which i do not want to do...the price difference is not an issue just to me simple is always better and these seem more involved than a simple spacer

 

so the 5100's still have a stock ride feel when the are set at 2 or 2.5 lift?

 

that video was very helpfull thanks...so is there anything else needed with the 5100 or just buy the fronts and install them? no other necessary parts or upgrades that must piggy back the shocks?

 

OP, as long as you keep the shocks in the 1.75 slot you will be good to go. I have heard some concerns of having issues with control arms hitting the coils and issues with alignment if you exceed this setting and go up into the 2.5 slot. I can't attest to this as I have mine in the 1.75 slot but it is definitely something to consider. Did this install to my truck a month ago and if leveled is what you want, level is what you'll get. Pretty easy install.

For some install advice, I would recommend finding a shop that can swap your coil springs out for you and mount them to your Bilsteins. Everything else is pretty easy to do. Search around on here for install info. Good luck and ask questions.

 

have you ever tried the 2.5 slot? and at 1.75 does your sit level or close but a little lower?

 

5100s

 

I will definitely read your build thread in hopes of learning a better way.

 

For me 1.75 was level. If you want to test your lift height, either measure the height of the front fender in comparison to the rear fender and see what you need for lift, or place a jack under the front and jack it up to 1.75 inches and see if its level. Then try 2.5 if you need more. Each truck is a little different.

 

Installed 5100 last week on my 2012 dcsb set at 1.75 the truck is perfectly level 37" ground to fender front and rear. I think the truck rides better than stock. It is slightly stiffer in the front but the rear shocks ride smother than factory and I like that.

 

I just ordered my 5100's last night. I had the TSB done last month and planning to lift the front. I dont have money for new coils right now. Anyone have an opinion if 1.75 vs 0.85 gives a better ride? 1.75 will bring the front just about level but if the ride is so much better at .85 I would rather have that. Anyone have any opinions?