1st gen budget lift?

Hello,

Looking to put a 1.5-2inch lift on my 97, and im trying to find the best way to do so without spending over 300$ on a rough country lift kit or something.

I've been looking at MaxTrac rear shackles for my truck that have an adjustable lift with them, they seem to have good reviews on them, and i think they would be a good option for someone like me with a budget.

For the front thou, should i add a leveling block that has an extra inch more than the back? because i know that on my truck the front suspension height is 1 inch lower then the back.

If anyone is running MaxTrac's on their truck, or did a budget lift, please feel free to post and give me some ideas, or how its working for you so far.

 

Most people here would probably say Bilstein 5100s up front rather than getting a spacer lift kit and then probably blocks in the back.

 

AAL's in the back, 5100's all round.

 

IMO don't go cheap. You could regret it in the long run. This doesn't mean you have to spend a pretty penny. Don't use blocks or spacers it can stiffen your ride. Stick to coil overs. As mentioned 5100's and coils such as Ebiach are a common setup for the front.

 

What about in the back? Is their any downsides to running adjustable shackles in the rear?

 

Firstly, do NOT get anything rough country. They are cheapest lifts for a reason. They are crap.

There is a HUGE difference between a "budget" lift, and a "cheap" lift. Most are going to tell you that the 5100 setup is by far the best bang for your buck "budget" lift. You get a lift, AND a distinct improvement in performance. Hockey pucks and spacers are just crap, IMO.

Get yourself a set of 5100's, front and rear. You can re-use your stock coils, and lift it using the different clip settings on the shock body of the 5100s. Then, for the rear get either a longer shackle or an add-a-leaf. The longer shackle won't affect your spring stiffness whereas the add-a-leaf will.

Also, when you move the clip settings on the 5100's (front) it DOES make the spring effectively stiffer. You are increasing the preload of the spring, making it stiffer. That said, when I had this very setup (5100's f/r with a shackle), I feel as though my ride actually IMPROVED because setting the clip higher seemed to offset my worn out coils. That and the better damping of the new shocks vastly improved the ride.

Even if you JUST get the 5100's and a shackle for the rear, you're looking at ~$400.

 

That's a pretty tight budget. Getting OE replacement suspension might put you at that mark, let alone a lift.
Taking advice from other forum members, It's not usually better to go cheaper. Bilstein 4k or 5k + AAL in the back. is the "budget" recommendation IMO

 

What type of shackles do you use on yours? I’d assume eBay shackles are probably not the best option. Is their any way I can weld my own shackles up? I have my 2F certification, and I’m also really good at MIG. I use my buddy’s shop and he has everything you could ever need. I was also looking at other shocks on rockauto, and I saw there is a few other alternatives to the bilstens, but I think the most price effective thing would be using a shackles in the back that’s adjustable and some adjustable front shocks.

 

Search the market place in here and Craig's list for a set someone took off their truck.

 

Alright! Thanks for not being an asshole like someone else! Appreciate it!

 

You would assume correctly. I generally stay away from anything auto parts related on Ebay unless you know *exactly* what you're doing and who the seller is.

There's no welding needed on most shackles. They are just plates with holes at each end. Some of the really long ones have a box welded between them, but you shouldn't need that for a relatively stock suspension. I don't remember exactly which shackles I got, but I got them, and my 5100's from downsouthmotorsports (a vendor here). I didn't get adjustable ones, either. Mine are 5.25" long, eye to eye, and that gave me about 1" of lift, iirc... The shackle and the middle clip on the 5100s (mind you, my springs are all pretty much worn out, lol) gave me a pretty level ride.

If you are going to lift it and/or do some off-roading with it, just get the 5100's. Rock Auto is a great place to buy some parts, but IMO nothing related to suspension, especially if you're going for "not stock" (like lifting it).

 

I’ve heard good things about KYB’s or Rancho suspension. They have a few options for both the companies for adjustable shocks, and I need new rear
shocks as it is anyways. I know Bilstens are a good shock company, but there just so pricey for someone like me

 

Just out of curiosity, why is everyone so against small spacers up front? Mine has been lifted with spacers for a long time, one of these days I will get bilstens but spacers and shackle lifts have served me well. Of course I don't off road too often. The ride doesn't seem any worse then old-ish oem

 

I think it’s because of just the ride quality in general, It may not seem like much of a difference because you haven’t experienced newer suspension before. My ex had a lift kit with a leaf spring block in the back and the spring spacers up front, and it didn’t ride that bad at all off-road. I’m not sure otherwise thou

 

FWIW I've run

$94 MaxTrac 716920 2" Rear Lift Shackle for Toyota Tacoma

MaxTrac 716920 shackles on the back of my Tacoma set at 1.5"... haven't had an issue with them in ~3 years and off-road moderately.

 

Alright! I’ll take that into consideration! Thanks!

 

Someone sell me their lift lol

 

Please don’t get off topic, look in the 3rd gen marketplace

 

I’ll check right now. Also, I’ve got a fab project coming along, I hope to see you giving me feedback once I post. It’s gonna be awesome!

 

But i have a 1st gen