So I priced out some lifts + install....worth it?

So I am in the market for a 2-3 inch lift. I priced out some lifts with install and of course the one I like the best came in considerably higher.....trying to decide if its worth the added cost:
Pro Comp and Rough Country both came in at $1,100 installed
Old Man Emu came in at $1,600-$1,700

I like OME the best but not so sure I like it that much more?

 

It depends on it’s intended purpose. Hard off roading or mall crawling. Either way do it right the first time. Will save you money and headaches in the end.

 

I installed a rough country 2" front and 1" rear block for about $120 and 4 hours at home.

 

Depending on where you're located there might be some local members that would love to help on a mod-day for food and beers.

 

What are your intentions? Looks and occasional off road (nothing extreme) or looks and hardcore offroad ( at least 1 time a week)?

 

Depending on your plans for the vehicle. Honestly me personally I’m not dropping almost 40k on a vehicle just to cheap out on suspension parts. I would go OME or Bilsteins all around.

 

It isn’t that big of a price difference so I’d go full suspension lift. However, those $500+ could go towards something else. If you’ll be spending 99% of the time on the road go with rough country or pro comp. If you see yourself spending weekends running trails and what not then go with OME. Don’t let others steer you away from your own opinion on how YOU will use your rig and spend YOUR money.

Just an FYI, I bought 5100’s and a 1” block for the rear for a total of ~$430. Shop installed it for $275 with an alignment. About $700 for eveyrhring. For $1000 I think you could go 5100’s paired with 886 coils in the front and an ad a leaf in the rear for the same price range just FYI.

 

Bear minimum should be lift springs in front and leaf springs in rear. There’s a reason spacers and blocks are cheap. Doesn’t matter what anyone on this site says about them, they are not the correct way to lift a vehicle. Using spacers and blocks is just like those who lower a vehicle by cutting the springs. Yea it’s cheaper but still entirely wrong.

 

Just be honest with yourself.

Anything under 2" and a spacer is totally fine. If your definition of "off-roading" is exploring forestry style roads and fire breaks, a small spacer is totally fine. If you spend 99% of time on the street and just like the aesthetics, a small spacer is fine.

If you want over 3" then new springs and shocks are the way to go. If you bomb off road and utilize your full suspension and bump stops, new springs and shocks are needed. If you plan to disconnect the sway-bar to rock crawl, you'll need new springs and shocks.

 

I’ve been running a block in the rear for over 20k miles and I’ve ran several trails with them and they do absolutely amazing. Superior ride and handles amazing.

 

Small blocks are fine. I ran most of of the trails at Moab with super cheapo blocks and had zero issues.

 

I tend to agree with SgtPuddin on the blocks I am not a fan and this is why I like the OME set up. I had 5100 series Bilstein Adj racing struts on my prior F150 super crew cab and I snapped one in half the day before Christmas just driving to my hunting spot in the Uwharrie....was a huge nightmare b/c I was supposed to drive me and my daughter to IN for Christmas the next day and everything was closed and I couldn't even rent a car b/c everything was sold out...therefore...I don't want to cheap out....Usage would be 3-4 time per year we camp and 3-4 times per year I hunt all in the same location which is the Uwharrie Indian reservation here in the Piedmont of NC....There are also 300 miles of OHV trails in the rez but I have never driven them....just the roads alone within the rez are pretty damn rough....there are masses of Jeeps that hit these trails and a fair amount of Tacomas too...the trails I am told are too tight of full size trucks....A guy from my church took his Raptor up there and said the trails were too tight for him he then spent no joke nearly 3 hours trying to turn around to drive out and I think he pretty much blew up his power steering pump.

 

If you think spacers are crap why did you ask? Sounds like you already know what you want.

 

There is a suspension group but st the moment that will get you good savings. I’m going with Fox but it has icon and really everything major at the moment

 

Ditch the spacer lift. I did this for about a grand. Good luck.

 

And keep an eye out in the market place here. People change parts more then underwear around here.

 

The guy from your church lied. I’ve seen numerous full size trucks on the trails on URE. There is a thread in my sig for a bunch of us who visit regularly.

FYI - look into Eibach and a rear AAL. I have less than $900 in my setup.

 

@Coolbeverage73
This guy knows what’s up ^^^. Don’t be cheap on parts that will affect safety and how your truck drives. If you’re cheap leave it stock

 

I just did this last night and couldn’t be happier. OME 888 springs. Soft ride shocks and 1/4” top plate to make sure is level. It came out awesome IMO

 

You look nose high or is it just me. Maybe you took the pic right after setting her down.