Lift on the cheap??

There may be a thread on this already. If there is please link it. I'm new to this site so I'm not all too familiar but.....

If I use 2"coil spacers up front, 1" AAL in the rear and Bilstien 5100's all around, is that an ok set up for a mall crawler and light, trail only, off road Tacoma?

I really have no intention of wheeling this truck much if at all aside from a few fire trails and light camping.

 

Using blocks and 5100s up front is redundant. The 5100s will level it out on the highest setting with a 1" aal.

 

How is the ride with the 5100's maxed out?

I was worried that maxing them out would make the front too stiff?

 

I cant answer that as i dont have experience with it, i have ome coils on my 5100s. Surely someone will come along soon and answer.

What may help fine tune response/advice, what config do you have? Dcsb, dclb, access cab, reg cab, 4x4, prerunner, any other mods?

 

I have a 2015 TRD Sport DCSB 4x4 - I am running 5100's all around with front set on highest setting - after researching I decided to use my stock coils on my 5100's on front since I liked how the truck rode - I am very happy with the ride as it rides a little better than stock - many people run the 1" AAL but I decided to use a 1" block on the rear - I do very little 4 wheeling - I live in the hills at 5000 feet so we get a little snow each winter - hence the 4x4 - the 5100's on the highest setting using stock coils (no settling or break in on the stock coils) gave me 3 1/4" lift on the front (I measured before and after) - my truck sits 1/2" higher in front than rear which I like - I hope this helps you

 

Here is a picture

 

Not comfortable.

 

Agreed. I had 5100s at the second the highest setting and at first I enjoyed the stiffness. No more nose diving when I hit the brakes and the truck cornered flat. However, the stiffness also let's you feel every imperfection int he road and on long trips it was annoying. My 5100s are now at 0 with OME 887 coils for a 3in lift up front and I love it.

 

If i hit bumps or anything with my 5100's the truck shook pretty bad. Almost like they didn't want to absorb any of the impact. Rode like that for a few years and then upgraded to fox 2.5 coilovers and the difference it night and day! Those same bumps, I barely notice them with the fox setup and that's with them maxed out at 3". I want to drop them 2" since I already have 4" of lift from the lift spindles. That should make it ride even better.

 

Thanks folks.

So after reading the responses, here is what I want to do.

Stock coils,
2" spacer block up front
5100 Shocks all around
1" AAL in the back

How does that sound for an inexpensive lift?

I will have a cab high shell on a 2015 Xcab 4x4, V6, TRD,

 

If your already buying new shocks I would spend a little extra money and get ome 884 or 885 coils instead of the spacers. Only around $100 more for the coils from wheelers off-road than the spacer kit and IMO it's well worth the extra money

 

If you like the way your truck rides right now, a simple spacer lift front and back will do fine. Just keep in mind that a 2" spacer in the front will yield about 3" to 3.5" of lift since the strut is mounted to the lower control arm a little more than half way from the pivot point to the wheel.
A rear spacer will get you exactly what you put in. In my opinion, the new shocks are not necessary if you like your current ride.
You may want to add shock extenders to the rear. Toytech sells a set for about $15.

For the occasional 'wheeler', a spacer lift will suit you fine will cost less than $200. Just buy a known brand. Avoid the generic ones on Amazon. Ask me how I know.....

 

You can get a real nice lift with 5100s, OME coils, and an AAL for about $1000 installed, looks great and functions. I have OME 885 coils and a Deaver AAL, rides great.

Edit:
This would be about $450 cheaper if you do the install yourself (which is pretty simple), that was my original plan but I never got around to it, was worth the $450 to me to just have it done.

 

Are you going to keep the 5100s at the lowest setting? I'm kind of in the same boat. I have a set of spacers and 5100s with stock coils. Not sure if want to run the 5100s at the lowest with the spacer or set them to the highest and not use a spacer.

 

This man speaks the truth. Wait and save a few more dollars to do it right.

 

There's actually about 10. A day. Seriously.

So here's a suggestion.

Call Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road. Tell her your goals, let her suggest how to get there. If it costs more than you want, save your money and do it right the first time.

You really won't regret the call.

 

This.

Never go cheap.

Blocks/spacers are not suspension. If anything they will compress suspension and REDUCE travel.

 

How much travel do I need for mall crawling?

 

I emailed her a while ago. She's good people. I just haven't made up my mind yet.

 

As much as the curb height?