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Leveling vs Suspension

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by BJ's RedBeast, Apr 24, 2009.

  1. Apr 24, 2009 at 5:07 PM
    #1
    BJ's RedBeast

    BJ's RedBeast [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have an 06 Tacoma double cab long bed and I am wanting to put a lift kit on it. But I am having a difficult time deciding on a 2.5" leveling kit or a 3" suspension kit. What are the pros and cons to both? Also which kits would be best for a) the 2.5" leveling kit or b) the 3" suspension kit? Thanks
     
  2. Apr 24, 2009 at 5:09 PM
    #2
    leo08pirate

    leo08pirate Katzo production

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    im planning to getting them from
    http://www.socalsuspensiongarage.com/home.html leveling kit and i think they told me a 3'' leveling kit
     
  3. Apr 24, 2009 at 5:13 PM
    #3
    bajamoon

    bajamoon Well-Known Member

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    depends on what you want to do, looks or offroad, you can get bilstein 5100's, the front you can put to 2.5" lift, the rear stays the same, it will ride much better than a spacer lift and some say better than stock. they are about the cheapest way you can level your truck and give you nice look. set them at 1.5 without tsb and 2.5 with tsb.
     
  4. Apr 24, 2009 at 5:19 PM
    #4
    BJ's RedBeast

    BJ's RedBeast [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Little bit of both. I want something that will look good, but I also want something that is functional on and off road.
     
  5. Apr 24, 2009 at 5:30 PM
    #5
    bajamoon

    bajamoon Well-Known Member

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    if it was me and depends on you budget, no too much money go with bilstein 5100's, if you have money check out toytec or downsouthmotorsports.com and get some coilovers and an aal for the rear. Most people go with 5100's because they give the lift and level out the truck and they are pretty cheap, do a search for bilstein 5100's and check out some pics that people have put up set a different heights. I will see if i can find some pics.
     
  6. Apr 24, 2009 at 5:32 PM
    #6
    bajamoon

    bajamoon Well-Known Member

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  7. Apr 24, 2009 at 5:36 PM
    #7
    Evil Monkey

    Evil Monkey There's an evil monkey in my truck

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    Weathertech front & rear mats, rear suspension TSB, Toytec AAL for TSB, Hi-Lift Jack, Bilstein 5100 & Toytec Adjustable coilovers, Built Right UCAs, KMC XD 795 Hoss Wheels, Definity Dakota MTs 285/75R16, Leer XR, Thule Tracker II & Thule MOAB basket
    Plus, with the bilsteins, they're still usable if you later decide to upgrade the suspension. I paid about $270 for all four shocks. Later I added the Toytec adjustable coilovers, which use the same shock.
     
  8. Apr 24, 2009 at 6:25 PM
    #8
    BJ's RedBeast

    BJ's RedBeast [OP] Well-Known Member

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    What's the website for bilstein shocks? Also what do you guys think of the following kits:

    Tuffcountry 3" suspension
    Roughcountry 3" suspension
    Revtek 3" suspension

    Pros and cons to each if you know and the cost isn't an issue.
     
  9. Apr 24, 2009 at 6:45 PM
    #9
    Evil Monkey

    Evil Monkey There's an evil monkey in my truck

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    Weathertech front & rear mats, rear suspension TSB, Toytec AAL for TSB, Hi-Lift Jack, Bilstein 5100 & Toytec Adjustable coilovers, Built Right UCAs, KMC XD 795 Hoss Wheels, Definity Dakota MTs 285/75R16, Leer XR, Thule Tracker II & Thule MOAB basket
  10. Apr 24, 2009 at 7:09 PM
    #10
    bajamoon

    bajamoon Well-Known Member

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    if cost was not an issue get some coilovers, can get up to 3.5" of lift, rear aal of new leaf pack in the rear. those kits in my opinion production kits, just don't really care for any of them. go coilovers with new upper control arms and you will have a sweet lifted taco.
     
  11. Apr 24, 2009 at 8:00 PM
    #11
    BJ's RedBeast

    BJ's RedBeast [OP] Well-Known Member

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    If I were to go with the Bilstein 5100 would I want to put them on the front and the back or just the front? And if just the front would I need to or want to put anything on the back? The tires I want to get are 285/75R16 BFG KM2 and should they be able to fit with either of the combinations listed above?
     
  12. Apr 24, 2009 at 9:08 PM
    #12
    stikkimikki87

    stikkimikki87 Well-Known Member

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    uhh...everything? lol
    out of the three you posted, none of them are a good buy. The revtek stuff is ok but overpriced. Anything they offer at Toytec will be a good choice, and the more money you spend the better ride quality you will get. However, functionality wise, it will all be about the same. ex. Spacers do just as well as Coilovers offroad in most situations
     
  13. Apr 25, 2009 at 7:13 AM
    #13
    stephbm6

    stephbm6 Well-Known Member

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    I have the Revtek lift with ad a leaf and I'm running 33X12.50R18.
     
  14. Apr 25, 2009 at 7:51 AM
    #14
    BJ's RedBeast

    BJ's RedBeast [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Do you like the Revtek lift with the add a leaf in the rear? Why?
     
  15. Apr 25, 2009 at 7:59 AM
    #15
    stephbm6

    stephbm6 Well-Known Member

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    The lift was already on the truck when I bought it from Mark Miller Toyota (I bought it new in 06) so they put the ad a leaf on. The Revtek lift comes in two versions one has the ad a leaf. Here is the Revtek site - http://www.revtek.com/toyotasusp.asp#426
     
  16. Apr 25, 2009 at 8:21 AM
    #16
    BJ's RedBeast

    BJ's RedBeast [OP] Well-Known Member

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    What are the pros and cons to an add-a-leaf or the blocks in the rear? Which is better and why? Any real life examples of either or neither?
     
  17. Apr 25, 2009 at 8:47 AM
    #17
    TRICOMA

    TRICOMA Tacoma with the TRI package

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    I would go with 5100s if you are looking to get a slight lift and get a much better ride. Spacer lifts I heard are just for show..which means once you get off road...you will regret the purchase and post again asking what to change into. Do it right the first time. If you can afford more...obviously go with a coilover kit from Toytec, King Racing, IVD (Formally Donahoe Racing), Camburg, etc...

    I have 5100s on my 07 Tundra and it was night and day from the stock SR5 shocks. It leveled out the truck as well. Fronts are adjustable too. I believe they are the same for Tacomas. You will spend 200-300 for spacer lifts and can get 5100s for roughly the same price.

    You also have a 4x4...spacer lift would be a waste of money. Remember you have a truck..use it!!!
     
  18. Apr 25, 2009 at 3:13 PM
    #18
    BJ's RedBeast

    BJ's RedBeast [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I really appriciate all the info so far and now looking at some other threads and looking at the different websites that have the different kits I think there is a couple of options and I would like to get anyone's and everyone's opinions on the options.

    Option A:
    - Buy a lift kit like: Tuff country 3" suspension with rear add-a-leaf or a Revtek 3" suspesnion with rear add-a-leaf.

    Option B-1:
    - Buy option A and add new front and rear shocks

    Option B-2:
    - Buy option A with B-1 and add toytec coilovers

    Option C:
    - Buy Bilsteins 5100 adjustable front and rear shocks

    Option D-1:
    - Buy option C plus toytec coilovers

    Option D-2:
    - Buy option C plus a rear add-a-leaf or option D-1 with a rear add-a-leaf

    I know that I said money wasn't really an issue, but looking at some different places there is no way I would want to spend several thousand dollars into a 3" lift.

    Tell me what you guys think would be a good option and why or any other options that I may have overlooked. Thanks again for everyone's opinions and comment ahead of time.
     
  19. Apr 25, 2009 at 4:24 PM
    #19
    BJ's RedBeast

    BJ's RedBeast [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey post some pics so we all get a better idea of what we are all talking about.

    PLEASE :)
     
  20. Apr 25, 2009 at 5:03 PM
    #20
    bajamoon

    bajamoon Well-Known Member

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    here is mine set at 2.5" lift in the front and deaver leaf pack in rear with 2" lift. going to lift the front to 3" when i get off my ass. here is a couple of pics.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     

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