Lifting 2011 PreRunner 2WD DCSB (Daily Driver)

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/maxtrac-spindle-lift-for-2nd-gen-prerunners.203889/unread

Try this

 

I say go for the spindle lift! If you’re patient enough, you can find a great deal on a set and use the rest of the money on new leaf packs and whatever else you would want. If I remember correctly I found my set of maxtrac spindles for $200.

 

Spindles

 

hey all - i've been watching your responses, thanks for everything. Just been slammed with work stuff. I'll reply to everyone when i can tonight.

Meanwhile just watching the thread like...

 

Quick question guys. Maybe I didn't read this correctly ? . When running the lift spindles is it still necessary to run after market UCA ? ALSO With the spindles, do you have to go up 4in.? Can you go say like 3in.?

 

spindle lifts aren’t adjustable. It’s a fixed relocation of the hub in relation to the two control arms. I believe they’re all 4” across the different vendors. You can keep the stock UCAs, as the factory alignment geometry and caster isn’t affected. Aftermarket UCAs are to correct caster, but also provide more clearance from the tire. The method of achieving lift is different than say a spacer, coilover or similar methods of achieving lift by compressing/lowering the shock/spring assembly.

 

I gotcha. Makes sense. Thanks for answering my question!

 

don't necessarily need new UCAs, I'm running bilsteins @ .85 on top the spindles with the stock UCA and it's working out good so far

 

Sweet. Did your tires stick out any further? If I understand it correctly, the tires will stick out 3/4in. With the spindles ?.?.

 

They will. You'll need 17in wheels with a minimum of 4.5 backspace, or go the route I did and just get a wheel spacer

 

Sounds good. That's what I was thinking. Thank you for your response!

 

First off - thanks to everyone who's replied to this thread. I've learned a lot and will continue to post progress on this project as I go.

So thanks to everyone's advice, and continued research I think I have a decent grip on all the ways to achieve lift through suspension, spindles, and spacers/blocks. With that in mind - my goal first and foremost is longevity for my truck, so I've decided to go with a suspension-based lift (shocks/coils/aal) since I'll be replacing some of the core parts of my vehicle with newer, better parts.

Since my budget is a little tight, I'm going to attack my lift in stages.

Step 1: Bilstein 5100's on all 4 corners, keep stock coils, leaf springs, etc. I'll probably set the billies to 1.5" or less, and achieve a small lift/level through the addition of the new shocks. I'm hoping it will be a nice ride, too. This will scratch my lift itch for under 400 bucks, and it will be a solid upgrade to the truck for the long term.

Step 2a: Coil Upgrades. When the budget permits, I'll snag some OME springs (884s, i think. Going to call Headstrong about it). When i put the coils on, i'll adjust the billies to 0" and get the 2" lift from the OME springs.

Step 2b: Leaf Spring Upgrades. To keep the rake (i want a little rake in the back), I'll get AAL kit. Looking at toytec, icon. Not sure yet, but this is probably a month or two out anyways. Suggestions welcomed.

Step 3: Install new UCAs. To get above 3" lift without issues, I'll need to upgrade the UCAs. I'm still looking into those and I found a great thread I'll link below. As of now I'm planning on a balljoint UCA because they're easier to maintain and quieter. Shortlisted are SCP and Dirt King, but I'm still early in research.

Boom - that's how i'm going to get this truck progressively lifted and improved, without dumping 1500 at once. As always - TW has been an amazing resource for ideas/feedback. Below are some threads, videos that helped me a ton:

UCA Choices Explained: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/uca-choices-explained.466092/
Spindles on Prerunners: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/maxtrac-spindle-lift-for-2nd-gen-prerunners.203889/
Spacer Lifts (positive): https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/spacer-lifts-post-them-up.627049/
AWESOME video on Bilstein 5100s: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOCtx6mM-u8

Note on spindles... while I'd like the appearance of the 4" lift, improving my shocks and suspension seemed like the better choice for me. There's also a very faint idea that I may convert to 4x4 in the future, and so I figured why spend $500 twice.

Ordering my bilsteins next week or the following - I'll post pictures of the install!

 

Good on you for doing the homework. I had a very similar setup for the first 4 years of owning my truck. 5100s with 885 springs and a AAL. You’ll be happy!

 

@campfiretaco

Not a bad choice! When I first did my lift, I went with the billies and 885 coils and I thought it was perfect for what I wanted at the time.

 

Sweet! What'd you end up progressing to

 

There's a way to do that?

 

Yeah - search "prerunner 4x4 conversion". Real affordable for 1st gen, 2nd gen is getting there. Several threads with walkthroughs. It's a massive undertaking tho, so like i said it's just a pie in the sky for me.

 

Bilsteins front and back ordered, toytec AAL ordered...