Suspension/ lift confusion

Couple questions looking for some correct or honest answers. I have a 2006 Double Cab NON-TSB
1) Looked at the ready lift because I don't off road much until I read it produces more downward movement than the shock will allow this being bad. What I am confussed about is why the 5100's don't produce the same effect, can someone explain please.

2) The TRD off road suspension package on gen 2 trucks. What is the difference between the leaf packs and the front coils? I only ask because Tacoma's are popular in my area and a few pass me on the highway and I pass a few and they seem to sit higher. I am trying to figure out why.

Reason I am asking is coil overs are the best way to go, but price is high but you get what you pay for. So I am thinking if the TRD parts are better than the stock stuff I have now, go to junk yard find a good set of rear leafs off a TRD with the TSB done possibly grab the coils and what ever else I find that matches the interior, overhead display maybe to fill the useless garage door opener that I don't use. Looking to maybe do this instead to get everything together set the fronts at about 1.75 find a friend to help replace everything at once and be done with it to save money for new wheels. I really like the Moto metals I think they are called.

Thanks for everyones input in advance.

 

Not really sure what you're asking...but I'll give a a try to explain.

The ReadyLift is a Spacer which mounts outside and above the coil assembly. It's hard to explain why these are bad, but overall....they force the entire suspension travel downward which can be bad on your balljoints & other components that weren't originally designed to handle it.

The 5100 IS part of the coilover assembly. It's the shock/strut inside the coilover assembly. The shock itself is adjustable, which is how you gain LIFT by adjusting the strut.

And as for the leaf springs.... Grabbing a set of TRD Leaf springs and coils from a junkyard really isn't going to gain you any lift. If your leaf springs & coils are 'weak' (from age) and if your lucky enough to find some leaf double cab springs that had the TSB done, you might gain a small amount of lift. Honestly? I don't think its worth it.

If you're looking for a small amount of lift and keep it low budget, get an Add-a-leaf.
If you're looking to keep costs down, do some research on front coil spacers (ones that mount INSIDE the coil assembly) and compare those to the price of 5100s. 5100's are probably much easier to install than coil spacers anyway.

 

not so much cost just don't want to spend $1000 for a lift. you explainded close to what i was questioning. I guess I am having a difficult time nderstanding how the 5100's differ from the they don't have the downward travel. I read the explanation on thier website and got confused more. I know spaers or over the top lifts are very bad. I am probably going to go 5100's all around.
Just not sure about the rear yet because I do use the truck for hauling things on occassion and sometimes yes it will be loaded heavily. Leafs are old and only the 3 leaf pack, thought maybe find used TRD leafs and get AAL for it. Hopefully give me about 1.5-2 " of lift. I am trying to keeps spending down as I need to replace the front rotors because they are warped I believe and on the highway the truck tends to feel like it wants to wonder a bit. Not sure if it would be the alignment is out of spec or front suspension components. Pulled the maintenance history from Toyota's website and don't see any alignment being done. Most likely needs one.
50k miles probably need to have front shocks replaced rears were done when the original owner complained about the rear bottoming out. Stealership never did the TSP and told the guy the would replace the rear shocks free of charge. Truck was out of warranty when this was done to around 38k i beleive it was.
All in all I love the truck and have always wanted one. Deal was so good couldn't pass on it to trade the (waht a piece of crap)Jeep.
Thanks for the info Janster

 

The 5100's are a strut shock - this is what they look like after you put the coils around them.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/gallery/data/500/medium/5100s.jpg

Basically, the 5100's adjust by putting pressure on the coil spring thus giving it more spring rate which gives you lift. The assembly (as pictured) retains the factory suspension travel. Unlike the top plate spacer, which 'moves' the suspension travel downward.

I would get an AAL - they're cheap and you can install it yourself.

Since you have newer shocks in the rear, you don't need 5100's in the rear.
The 5100's for the rear - is just a shock and doesn't have any affect on the lift.

If you can find someone with a TSB leaf pak for a double cab that's cheap and local to you - then you're better off having the extra leafs for support in towing/hauling. But you'll still want to put an AAL in there. The TSB springs only give you about 1" of lift.

I would wait until after you get everything installed to get an alllignment.

Do you plan on buying new (bigger) tires soon (after lifting) ? If yes....then the allignment can wait until after you get new tires.

 

Tires wouldnt be until next year truck came with some cheap steel radial AP tire kinda crapy but they are brand new, burn them off in the winter. Lift first then alignemnt rotors deffinetly sometime soon probably when its time for inspection. I would like to try and save up and order some new wheels and tires and get a package deal, mine are pitted or corroding.