Lift Or Level... Most Confused

I called a local shop Wilson 4x4, and asked about a 2" front, and 1" rear lift. Person I talked to said the owner would give me a call back.

He called today and was talking about a Rough Country 3" front 2" rear, and a Max Trak 2" front and 1" rear.

I know from reading here that Rough Country wasn't an option, and heard mixed reviews about Max Trak.

I asked him about Bilstein, which I can't remember ever hearing anything negative about, and he said he'd look up something for me and call back.

He said he would do this on the front... I just Googled the part numbers, no clue about this vender.

https://sportcompactwarehouse.com/b...HoswnB9IEykFVB52clL47dfnBSTBS9K07DGe9L34UWW-U

And a pair of these on the back.

https://sportcompactwarehouse.com/bilstein-24-186728-b8-5100-series-46mm-monotube-shock-absorber

He quoted me a price of $2,193 for parts labor and alignment, and to check things out after 500 miles.

I think he said this would just raise the front 1" and leave the back as is?

Sound good or not?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-tacoma-lift-guide.509171/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihErEq6SRrk

 

OMG!

That’s too expensive…

But wait…I’m gonna get TRD Shock Kit for like $700.

Just have to determine labor once parts are in.

 

Nothing wrong with 1" in the front and stock size in the rear. This will level the truck and you wont have the oem Brake dive.

Or you could do 2" in the front with Bilstein 5100, and a 1" block in the rear to give you the same level look. Either way, you will need an alignment.

Sounds like a Craaaaazy price for a 1" lift

 

Bilstein 6112s with standard springs up front plus rear 5100s is over $1k in parts. Now and later alignment guaranteed takes it to $1300 min at that point. Another $100 sales tax would make $1400 min. Now his install labor and shop lift time - $700 and change.

 

I just reread his initial post...yeah, 1" for that price?

I'm doing the TRD Suspension Kit which are the Bilstein Fronts/Rears Shocks for $395; Front Shocks set to 2".

For the Rears, the U-Bolts are pricey at $69.95 X 4 = $278.60

And the 1" Blocks are $11.98 X 2 = $23.96

Total is: $697.56

Delaware has no State Sales Tax which is Great!

I need to talk to the dealership (which I have trusted for 2+yrs) to confirm labor + alignment.

Service Department told me it's a 5hr job @ $209.99/hr which is roughly $1049.95 for labor.

$1,049.95 + $697.56 = $1,747.51 + alignment.

I'll be using my Bonus Check from work to pay for labor so this will be my 1 yr anniversary gift to me!

 

Will messing with the suspension cause any lack of maneuverability, as far as avoiding assholes?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J3FLUVa9Xo&ab_channel=kevin00714

 

That's some nutty people pulling out in front of driver!

The Lift Kits shouldn't affect suspension in a way that would topple your truck, if that's what you're worried about. (I'm sure there will be feedback about that comment)

I'm getting OEM Suspension upgrade and expect the handling to be roughly the same. (Again, there maybe feedback about this comment)

Trucks ride higher than cars so this should be taken into consideration when buying a vehicle.

I try not to go too fast in the slow lane or in lanes where I see one side is clear and another backed up...you know drivers are gonna attempt to pull out.

Driving habits play a serious role in accidents...defensive or aggressive.

I try to stay on the defensive side and anticipate what people are tempted to do.

 

I decided to go ahead and have it done. Dropping it off next Tuesday at 8 and he said it will be ready same day. Bilstein 6112's up front, 5100's in the back, and he's adding 1" blocks to the back. Ending up with 2" front lift, and 1" rear. Told him I was OCD and if the front was a fraction higher than the rear I couldn't live with it. He assured me I'd be happy.

Might look funky with my stock 265/65-17 tires, but I'm gonna drive it at least a few hundred miles to make sure everything is good. If any weird noises, or handling issues come up there will be no way to blame it on new tires.

He said he'd let me know what tire size to get without having to alter anything. I have factory 2018 Sport wheels on it.

 

Glad you are having this done.

Definitely posts pics as I'm getting the same work done on my 2021 Sport that came with 265/65R17s.

 

Why the 6112s up front? I'm trying to make these same decisions. My thoughts were 5100s all the way around.

 

6112's are meant for heavier weight on the front end...like aftermarket heavy bumpers...they also require beefier springs.

At least, that's what I have read.

 

That's just what he suggested...more money for him?

The 6112 kit comes with new springs. This is what he's buying to put on.

https://sportcompactwarehouse.com/b...HoswnB9IEykFVB52clL47dfnBSTBS9K07DGe9L34UWW-U

 

I don't know about that...more money for him?

That's expensive for just the fronts.

It's about your style of driving...those are beefy and for off-road application.

If it's street driving, 5100s all around should be more than enough.

That's what I've read here...so I'm no expert.

 

I would do 5160's in rear. I had 6112/5160's Super happy. I had 2"F 2"R sport wheels and stock tires for 2yrs until going up one size
It looked fine.

 

Would I be able to fit 275-70-17 tires with the mentioned lift? I know I'll have to remove the factory mud flaps, but would I be okay with everything else?

I've heard the Sport wheels I have are at +25 offset from what I've read online.

 

I'll just chime in that is you use yours truck as a truck at all you will regret leveling it. Front to rear lift should mirror each other to maintain rake so your level when loaded. If you haul with a leveled truck you end up squatted and it will drive terrible.
Having said that if you drive around on the road and don't put anything more than groceries in the truck you will never notice it.

 

Every leveled 3rd gen are all sitting nose high now.

I will never ever level a truck again. It's awful and if you put anything in the bed it squats.

 

I've had 700 pounds of rock in it, it was squated but not too bad.