ANOTHER Lift Question: Spacers vs Billies (1st Gen)

I have:

'04 Double Cab 4x4.

I want:

2-3" of lift so I can get me some bigger tires.

I do:

Use truck to haul dogs, people, gym equipment, light hauling, daily driver, etc.

I don't:

Spend my weekends driving through the mountains / hills, climbing over rocks, fording rivers, or doing anything else that may cost me serious $$$ in repairs. I live in the Inland Northwest and I spend 3-4 months every winter doing all the 4x4'ing / Death Racing I need (people around here drive like fucking idiots in the snow - 'specially the North Idaho transplants).

So - what's the best option for 2-3" of lift? Should I grab 4 Billies and an AAL pack or just slap on some spacers and an AAL and call it good?

I'm not too concerned about a somewhat stiffer ride given that I'm used to the stiff as a board, concussion inducing suspension of a '97 Chevy Silverado. Granted, I don't want to go back to wearing a helmet and mouthguard when I drive but still - a slightly stiffer ride ain't all that bad.

 

Yes, billy's and AAL. Plenty of info for both options under SEARCH button.

 

You're right - there is a lot of info and I have sifted through a shitload of it.

But 9/10ths of the time it's "I like this or I like that" vs. "Do this for this technical reason because you'll achieve X, Y, and Z outcome."

I'm a data nut vs an opinion guy. That's all.

 

I went with Readylift leveling spacers in the front and 1" rear blocks in the back for my 04 D-cab. I am running 265/75R16 tires now and have no rubbing. I don't do any hardcore offroading, just occasionally when I hunt on the folk's farm. I haul an ATV or a half ton of rock occasionally with no problems.

I have been happy with it so far. I do have some driveline vibration, and will be adding some 1/4" spacers to drop the carrier bearing this weekend.

 

How big of a tire do you want to run? I have the 5100's up front set to the middle bar (1" of lift?) on a DC Prerunner and I clear the 265/70/17's on 2nd gen Sport wheels. I think they're about 1" taller than the 265/70/16's. With the Prerunner, there's less weight up front, so height is achieved a little easier.

I had the same shocks set up on an 02 Xtracab 4x4 and it didnt lift it nearly as much as it did on the Prerunner. I would set the height at max if you want a noticeable lift on a 4x4. I should also note that I left the same springs on (from the 4x4) on both setups. The springs have 180k miles on them and they hold up fine.

 

31's or 32's - nothing major. Just high enough to put a midget's head square in the bumper vs the grill.

 

You don't even really need a lift to run those tires a 265/75/16 is just under 32" and you can run that stock.

 

Well slap my ass and call me Shirley!

But can I still run over midgets?!?

 

Oh yeah midgets should be a piece of cake just like a speed bump