Leveling kits bad?

hey guys... I've been looking around the web and on this site...

Today I went to 4wheel parts to look at getting new ties and a leveling kit installed...

I have a camper shell and will use the truck as my primary driver... but I also love close to the mojave and many other amazing places where after just visiting I felt like the truck needed some better tires and a little more hight... not dogging it just to get through rutted our roads over some rocks and whatnot...

4wheel parts... They said theycould do it for around $1800 for everything... bfg 265 Ko2s ands Pro comp leveling kit...

but then I started to watch videos on line that say it can ruin many parts in your truck...

I was only going to lift the front end to get the bumper up and fit 32" maybe 33" bfg ko2s on there... and in anticipation of getting a new bumper... to boot I also have a camper shell...

But now I'm concerned that I might be setting up my 2008 4x4 for ruin...

As an aside... I bought this truck because my 94 4.slow 4runner that I bought with 33"s and a lift installed already burned the tranny at around 175000... and then the rebuilt only lasted slightly longer than the warranty... now I suspect it could be because of the lift...

So before I go lifting the front end and ruining my truck I thought I would ask you guys...

Thank you!

 

it will wear out the front end faster, not sure about the tranny

 

Thanks muisejt...
May just got with 265/70r16 KO2s... don't see how knowingly contributing to excessive wear is a good thing...

Sorta bummed... but after my last one went out... I want this truck for 10-15 more years...

 

Not anymore than any other lift out there. Every lift has its drawbacks, but for every "worn out/broken suspension" you can find me, I'll find you a thousand people who have tens of thousands of miles with absolutely zero issues.

Even without a lift your balljoints and bushings will wear out eventually.

 

You don't need a lift to fit bigger tires. If you can't fit them stock they won't fit lifted. The only way to fit larger tires is to hammer/ cut ( unless we're talking DB lifts which it doesn't sound like you are considering.... Which is a good thing.) A better option would be Bilstein 5100 shocks with eibach or ome coils. At the very least a multi leaf progressive aal in the back, of not full replacement leaf pack since you have a shell. Don't do a block, they are garbage.

 

$1800 damn! Ripoff

 

That's with tires though. Parts, tires, labor, alignment.

 

4WP is always the highest priced as that is what you get with a big box store.

 

It's a leveling kit bro. It literally can be done in your garage in 45 minutes.

 

I have a leveling kit in my garage collecting dust right now that I will sell you for $25. Save some $

 

In my garage, yes. Not everybody has the ability or even a garage, tools etc.

I'm just saying the tires alone are what, $1000? Alignment is $100. It all adds up and people don't work for free. You can't take your truck to a shop and expect shit to get gone for what a guy could do it for in his garage.

 

I understand man. But $700 for a leveling kit is outrageous. But y'all do what you want.
Get with some locals on here and learn how to do it and make some new friends.
I'm just trying to help keep someone from getting fleeced.

 

It's not $700 for a leveling kit.

It's probably $100 for the leveling kit and labor for mounting, balancing, alignment, installation, etc. It's a shop. They charge people money to install parts and they usually provide a warranty.

 

What kind is it?

I also have another question off topic... sorta... but my 08 is a 4x4 but nowhere says trd at all... they did/do make standard 4x4s correct?

This board is awesome thank y'all!

 

Yes, you can have a non-TRD 4wd.
There is also an SR5.

What "level kit" are you looking at? Is it just the front or front AND rear?

 

Just the front... I'm not looking to dog it out and only am looking into it because on a trail last weekend I had to avoid a slight drop/rut and sorta gave my passenger side some nice sierra pin stripes... I do not want to over compromise the stock parts... just a little more clearance.

Pro comp is the kit... 4wparts suggested a 2" spacer and 33 bfg... I need practical functionality... the looks are an after though.

I bought the truck cause it was 4x4 and sr5 but fairly basic with low miles... so I felt confident I was getting a good platform.

 

Thank you!

 

You can lift your truck properly with new springs,tires,etc for $1800 if you shop around.

 

Call Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road and tell her your goals.

Find an independent shop to install the parts if you can't do it.

 

Thank you so much for the recommendation @Clearwater Bill