Another lift question

I know there are tons of people out here asking lift questions and I promise I have done a lot of reading but I'm still not sure what I need to do. This is the first truck I have ever owned and the issue of lifting a vehicle is totally new to me.

I use my 09 TRD Offroad DC Prerunner as a daily driver and I really don't ever go off-roading. I do tow my boat around and put some stuff in the back from time to time but nothing very heavy. What I would like to do is to install a 3" lift and it seems to me that probably the best approach for me is to add 4 5100's. I really like the 17" Moto Metal 951b but I may end up going in another direction.

Here are my questions:

1. I see where most people are doing the AAL in addition to the 5100's that but is that necessary? One thing I would like to avoid is a really rough ride (since I haul the wife and little one around all the time) and I'm concerned that adding a leaf will really make the ride rough.
2. I see were some have used spacers in addition to the 5100's, why is this done/necessary?
3. I like the look of the off road tires that I see on other trucks but I want a tire that will also provide decent tread life along with a quality ride and limited noise. Is there a tire that will look aggressive but not act aggressive?
4. I would like to limit the impact on my MPG's if possible since these things don't exactly sip gas now. While I want to not kill my MPG's it's more important to me to get the look I want than the MPG's I want. How much can I expect to reduce my MPG's?
5. I live on the south side of Houston (actually close to Galveston). Can anyone suggest a good shop to use?

So in the end I want a truck that looks more aggressive but acts civilized, make sense?

Thanks!!!!

 

1. I see where most people are doing the AAL in addition to the 5100's that but is that necessary? One thing I would like to avoid is a really rough ride (since I haul the wife and little one around all the time) and I'm concerned that adding a leaf will really make the ride rough no, you dont have to use an AAL to run the 5100's in the back of the truck. if you want the lift for tire clearance look into an AAL pack wrather than a single AAL http://outlawoffroadstore.com/0/72/223/3485/shop_by_category.html?brand=ICON+Vehicle+Dynamics
2. I see were some have used spacers in addition to the 5100's, why is this done/necessary? spacers are bad. if you are worried about a rough ride then avoid spacers. the 5100's will make the ride more stiff, but still comfortable. the 5100 are adjustable so by themselves they can give you 2.5 inch lift.
3. I like the look of the off road tires that I see on other trucks but I want a tire that will also provide decent tread life along with a quality ride and limited noise. Is there a tire that will look aggressive but not act aggressive? so many tires choices out there. go to tirerack.com put in the size your looking for and they have a wide selection to browse from but i'd buy tires somewhere else cause you can prop find them cheaper. you'll prob want an all terrain tire and there are some aggressive looking ones ou there that you'll prob like.
4. I would like to limit the impact on my MPG's if possible since these things don't exactly sip gas now. While I want to not kill my MPG's it's more important to me to get the look I want than the MPG's I want. How much can I expect to reduce my MPG's? not too many. the main MPG killer will be the bigger tires.
5. I live on the south side of Houston (actually close to Galveston). Can anyone suggest a good shop to use? sorry, cant help you there i live in california

hope, i helped and good luck man

 

Welcome to the board and I hope you find the answers you want!!