6-inch or 3-inch lift for mountain trails?

I am wanting to raise my truck, and debating between the two lifts. I will be driving it on mountain trails, over small creeks, and uneven terrain. Rock crawling is not for me. Is a 3" lift better and have more ground clearance then a 6" for this use?
From the sound of it, a 6" lift would give more ground clearance, but I read that it needs a drop bracket kit, which takes away from the ground clearance. What is your opinion from those with experience?

I plan on building this with Bilstein 5165's, icon UCA's, longer coilovers, and a new 3" or 6" Alcan leaf pack in the rear. Adding 34" tires, 17" rims, and Glassworks Unlimited fiberglass fenders front and rear to accommodate the tire size.

 

Yes 3" is all you need. Stay away from a DB lift.

 

Don't know why your saying stay away from a DB kit, I have one from BDS Suspension (with fox coils & shocks) and I can tell you my truck drive as good as when he was stock even with my bumper and winch in the front + its didn't kill my CV boots every years.

 

6 inch lift is for Mall cruising only.

 

3"for trails

 

Sorry to burst your bubble. They just are not as good as a 3" lift when it comes to wheelin. I have friends with DB lifts that will tell you the same thing. Great for mall crawling though.

 

SAS FTW !!

 

Yes!!!
And you are the one guy I know with a DB lift that hits the trails hard....

 

Why exactly is a DB not good for trails ? It gives you a much higher crown clearance and with 35's the DB is not lower than a truck with a 3" lift.

 

If I have to explain you wouldn't understand.

 

a 6" with large tires might give you the same diff clearance as a 3", but you have all the added problems of being sky high- along with the problem of having to spend way, way more money to get the same suspension travel with as a mid-travel kit

 

Funny...cause ya' I own both - a 6" DB second gen w/ 35's and my DB clearly has just as much clearance than my 3" with 285's...that loves to kill cv boots / \ Just looking for facts and not people spewing DB myths. If you have a 4wd a DB is the only way you can lift over 3". There nothing wrong with a properly set up DB truck and a DB truck has a lot more crown / high center clearance and much better spindles than OE as well.

Everyone always spews that DB shit and the same people will talk about how awesome a SAS is...and all of a sudden a low hanging SA diff 12" off the ground is a good idea :QuickDraw:

 

the size of tire you can fit on an SAS is limited only by imagination; matched with much stronger axles

 

Problems of being 3" higher...what exactly would those problems be ? Actually I guarantee you that my truck has more travel than your 3" lifted mid travel set up. Compare a lifted leaf pack for a 3" lift vs a 6" lift there is more arch = more travel, I use every inch of the 14" shocks I have in the back.

 

DB parts are weak and bend easy ? Where did that idea come from ? Have you ever cut one of our frames ...they are weak as hell. I have a ton of rock scars on my DB and not a single bend in anything ? Have you ever compared the spindles on a DB kot to your OE spindles that bend like butter ?

 

I'm not even going to counter any of your points because you countered my actual points with an attempted dick ruler

you go have fun with your awesome leafs and your 6" of travel up front


try not to get butthurt when people have a different opinion than you, it's the internet.


OP asked for opinions, you're apparently upset that we're not as awesome as you

 

Well now back to the op question.... I Think you would be ok to go ether way. If your not bashing rocks or hill climbing the extra lift from a DB isn't going to harm you In any way shape or form. Unfortunately when you ask about a DB lift and a mid travel setup in the same thread it always ends up with this crap above. For what your looking to do, you will be good imo no matter which one you pick. Best of luck!

 

All sarcasm aside - I don't think you can compare a Prerunner to a 4wd as there is no front diff in the equation. My wife's 3" lifted 4wd truck with 285's sits the same height in regard to front ground clearance but I have had many many more problems, replaced a CV, replaced boots, replaced needle bearing, diff is on it's way out, alignment is maxed out etc. The 3" truck does not sit anywhere near the center of it's travel and only gets around 7" - 8" of travel bumped because it sits like this / \ with very little droop travel which is every bit as important for grip on trails. The DB truck sits much closer to the center of it's travel and hits 10" of travel bumped ( with unibal UCA and LCA ) and has plenty of clearance for 35's etc.

 

I have to agree.

I have 3" suspension and 1" BL and it is perfect for wheelin