Best 1" front lift?

Good morning,
Any suggestions on a 1" Front end lift for my 2002 Tacoma ext. cab 4x4 ? I will be getting SCS F-5s rims and new tires in a few weeks so I figured on getting it done before the front end alignment.

 

Cheapest upgrade I could find when replacing my suspension was OME 881s and Bilstein 5100s. Gave me about 1.5". You may get less lift and save a little by just doing the adjustable Bilstein's paired with the stock coils.

 

I agree about the 5100 Bilstein shocks. I kept my stock springs. With the original 5100s (3 position), I used the middle position and the 0.7-1" lift raised the front end up but not quite level. The ride felt good.... not stiff, but more firm. I had those for 10 years and then just replaced them with the newer 5100s that have 4 positions. I went with the 3rd position and my truck is just about level. Here is the link to a place that sells both so you can see the part #s.

 

Good morning Adam,
Thanks for your reply. I recently replaced the Front shocks with Monroe quick struts and in the rear I installed the Bilsteins. I will be getting pirelli all terrain plus tires 265/75/16 which will get the vehicle up a little over 1" higher. The front and rear are about level now I just want 1" in the front and not much more. I still have the oem front coils and the vehicle only has 95k. What if I use the oem coils that I still have and a new set of the Bilstein 5100s what type of height increase do you think I will get? I'm a Senior so I have to be conservative. lol Thanks again Frank

 

Could just get a spacer

 

The *cheapest* would be some hockey pucks (spacers) that you throw on top of the shocks and blocks in the back.

But don't do spacers. They suck.

The 5100's are probably the best bang for your buck. They will provide a good overall improvement in performance, but keep in mind they do tend to get a little stiffer feeling on the road. When I did mine, the ride improved 100%, but my shocks were also worn out, and I don't expect a Cadillac ride from a pickup truck (some people apparently do, lol).

SO, I'll 2nd the 5100s. If you need new shocks anyway, they're a great item. For the rear, you'll need to either do a block lift, an add-a-leaf, or a longer shackle. Again, blocks suck, so don't to those. An add-a-leaf I think are usually 1.5" or more lift. I went the shackle route. I had my stock springs, with the 5100s set on the middle clip in front, and a 1" lift shackle in the rear.

Looked like this:

 

Hi Matt,
Thanks for your reply. As I mentioned above I still have the oem front coils with only 95k. So with the new 5100s I guess I would have have to adjust them to the 4th position to achieve a height increase ? The older 5100 look they would be ideal in the middle position for me. What are these strut spacers? I recently put the monroe quick struts in the truck not that I mind taking them out and selling them on cl. I was just wondering if those spacer work without compromising the ride too much. Thanks again Frank

 

Thanks for the reply. I just want the front up about 1". So those hockey pucks on top will not work at all. I was hoping simple cheap way out as the monroe quick struts are brand new. So far it looks like new Bilstein 5100s. I don't care about a stiffer ride. I think a truck should ride like that. How easy are the 5100s to adjust? Thanks again Frank

 

You can get spacers in like 5-10mm increments, so you can still get just a 1/2" or 1" spacer. Be mindful of the measurements, though. If your (front) spacers measures 1/2", it'll give you about a 1" lift. Rear spacers/block are a 1:1 ratio where a 1" spacer is a 1" lift...

To adjust the 5100's, it's the same as if you are installing a new spring, or assembling them for the first time. You just set the retaining clip in the correct groove on the shock body and assemble the coilover.

You need a coil spring compressor tool to do it. You can rent one from most auto parts stores for free. You have to compress the spring first, then slide it over the shock body and assemble the whole thing, then release the spring compressor.

 

When it was time to replace my 1st Bilstein 5100s, I considered the Monroe quick struts because that was the easiest way to go. No messing with spring compressors or taking the old shock/spring assembly to a shop to have the springs switched over. I did some research on the Monroe's. They seemed to get OK reviews, but the conclusion I came to was they were not going to be the same quality of the OEM springs with the Bilstein shocks (the quality of the springs was my biggest concern). I would have also lost the 1" or so of front end lift the 5100s gave me by going to the Monroes.
As jbrandt described, the height is set by putting a clip/ring at different grooves (3 grooves on the original, 4 grooves on the newer version) on the shock body. You can't just reach in there after you are done and adjust the height up or down. The 1st setting is approximately stock height (when using the stock springs). For the 3 position 5100s, the 2nd slot is 1-1.25" of lift and the 3rd position is about 2.5". They higher the setting, the more compression on your spring so the spring pushes up on the truck more. I thought 2.5" would be too harsh of a ride. So when it was time to replace the older 5100 shocks I chose the 4 position 5100s adn put the clip on the 3rd slot (for about 1.33" of lift). I think the 4th position is 2.5".

I don't have experience with spacers. If you were only going for 1" of lift and used spacers to get it (so you don't have to sell your new Monroe's) it might not be a big deal. Maybe others that have used spacers can talk about the trade-offs.

To me it is worth $40 or $50 to have a shop swap the new shocks onto the stock springs if you go with the 5100s.

 

I think I'll go with the newer Bilstein 5100s with the 4 positions and the 3rd position for about 1.33" of lift would be perfect for me. Yes that is why I went with the monroe quick struts for a easy installation. I might as well do the job right the 2nd time around. When I removed the oem coils I marked them left and right does it matter?nor which plate? Do the stock coils have a top or bottom? It does not matter correct? The truck will look sweet with the new shoes and profile. Thanks again Frank

 

Before with stock springs and worn out stock shocks.



After Bilstein 5100 (on no lift setting) and OME 880 springs.

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The 880s have more than enough lift for me.

 

Your Taco has a great stance! Is it a 02?

 

99 model.

 

Good call on marking L and R on the coils. I had to look at pictures from when I first replaced the original (OEM) shocks to see what color stripes on the springs indicated left or right. I am not positive on top or bottom or the plate. I don't think so, but I am not sure.

 

Thanks for all the feedback on this post! Frank

 

For your purposes, strut spacer. Wont hurt anything and you wont even notice a difference while driving.

You may get a tad over 1" with these , but it would be dumb to take off the monroes for 5100's. They arent that great of a shock. Any stiffness gained from a tiny 1" block will be equal to or even less than the stiffness of a 5100.