coilover --> LT in the future question

Hi all,

I toyed with the idea of just doing a 3" suspension lift up front, but i know i want to end up with a LT kit in the future (stuck in MD for the next 1.5-2 years, but hopefully after that...). Now I'm thinking that rather than "waste" my money of something that i will necessarily have to replace in a few years, what options would i have to work my way up to an LT kit? That is, is there any option of buying coilovers for the front that I can install with everything else stock to both give a little lift now (2.5" or so), that will be compatible with one of the LT kits that are available? The options that come to mind are Fox, Kings, SAW, and Camburg coilovers. Which, if any, would you recommend for this?

Right now i'm leaning toward possibly the sway-a-way (racerunner) 2.5" front, 2.0" rear kit:
http://www.swayaway.com/VehicleMake_4.php

of course, i'm also interested in say: and

http://downsouthmotorsports.com/i-1...05-2010-toyota-tacoma-4wd-2wd-pre-runner.html

I have no clue if any of those will either just fit on stock with no other mods (and provide any lift), or if any will be compatible with an LT kit. Any help is much appreciated!

cheers,
Ryan

 

Why don't you just go straight to LT and get it over with?

 

would thoroughly enjoy doing that. however, academia paychecks are not exactly conducive to my spending habits. can't drop ~$3k or higher even now, but figure i can afford about 1500 or so. i figure that leaves me with either a 3" kit, or just coilovers. was hoping i could get coilovers that i wouldn't have to replace in a year or two if/when i was able to afford an LT kit.

cheers, and thanks!

 

Well allpro has an optional spacer for their long travel kits that allows the use of a mid travel coil over. With that said, I would just wait for the long travel or go a cheaper route like the old man emu complete lift. Can get the whole kit for around $1,000 and that includes new rear springs, not aal.

 

hmmm, thank you for the response. you hit very much on what i was wondering about with respect to the size of the coilovers. i suppose a spacer may be the only option (i don't want to go down that route)? so those fox's/kings i linked will not fly with any of the LT kits?

thanks yet again!

 

If the coil over would fit an LT truck, it's not going to fit your stock truck, and visa versa. The AP spacer allows you to use a ~6'' coil over (which is appropriate for use on a non-LT truck) in their long travel application.

When I bent up my stock lower control arm and went long travel, I ran the AP spacer for a month or two to allow my checking account to recoup for a bit. It was a good compromise.

My advise - just saved up for the LT and do it right the first time. You'll save money in the long run.

 

Just get a mid travel kit. If you are having an issue with the money for long travel you will eventually come to the conclusion its not worth it/you cant afford it. Long travel is going to be $10,000+ once you do the full set up front and rear with bed cage and engine cage. And you have an issue with $3000? Then there is the upkeep of continuously breaking parts...

 

gotta say i think you're probably right. my last toyota involved a miserable experience with a fabtech uca lift (don't blame me, it was 12 years ago and i was young) and breaking multiple spindles. i ended up getting some custom uca and lca's and some shock hoops built, but it was a pain up until the day i sold her.

i'm now torn between going with something with uca's, or just a coilover setup. way too many options, and read so much that my eyes are starting to bleed.