Most cost effective Complete lift help, please.

I have searched and googled until my eyes are blurry. A few weeks ago I bought a cheap spacer/shackle lift w/ rough Country rear shocks. I got it for $220. Now, looking at my leaf springs, they are beat, front springs probably are too. So, I could keep this lift and get new leaf spring packs, but then the fronts are still beat. I've looked at Toytec and the Old Man Emu kits, but I'd like to stay under $1000 for a 2.5"-3" lift. But I'd like to end up with 4 new shocks, coils and leaf packs. Can it be done? Help, I'm googled out.
99 4x4 2.7 Ext Cab

Thanks!

 

Welcome to TW, Johnny!

You should be able to do what you want on that budget, especially if you're willing/able to do the work yourself. (I invested about $1K for my setup that yielded about 2.5" of lift.)

Many of us have had good luck with or Leaf Springs, , and or Bilstein 5100 shocks. Another option is a . also has some good stuff, but their kits tend to include AALs rather than full leaf packs.

I recommend you start by reading/reviewing the Tacoma Lift FAQ/Guide and this Suspension Lift Info threads. You should also consult the experts at and/or DownSouth Motorsports. Both offer competitive pricing, great customer service, and TW member discounts.

 

Thanks, I've read those FAQ's. Very helpful. The closest I can get is about $1200-$1300 for a complete system, but I need to keep it under $1000. I might have to piece something together. I'll call some pro's during business hours and see if i can get what I need.

 

If you want to stay under 1000, i would recommend this setup.
Bilstein 5100 shocks front and rear. With or without Eibach coils. In the rear a custom built leaf pack, pieced together from other trucks. I cannot comment on the ride quality, but I have seen other rigs achieve 2.5 or 3" lift in the rear for under 100 bucks this way.
Regardless, you should try to do as much of the work yourself as you can to keep costs down.

 

$1000, with or without labor? That could drastically change what parts you end up getting

 

Without labor. I will handle the knuckle busting myself.
I think I've figured out a combo.
From Toytec:
4 Bilsteins $350
Eibach Springs $150
O.M.E. Leaf pack $410 w/ U bolts and exh reloc.
Diff drop $30
______
$940 + shipping

If I get everything using the cheapest parts I can find I'm at about $725
So for just a little more I have quality parts?
What do you think?
Am I missing anything? (Wheels and tires will have to wait until I pay this chunk off, I have 31"s on stock wheels now)

 

for new full leaf packs, usually cost is 1200-1500.

Check out Allpro leaf packs, then tend to be a bit cheapper and are great packs but usually ride a bit stiffer then OME or dakars or Alcans.


Also don't buy your rear shocks till you have the lift installed, you can drive without shocks for a week till you rears get to you. The reason for this is to measure your flex to buy the right length of rear shock. You do NOT want to short or too long of shocks.

With the Eibachs, you should do the boot slide mod as well.

You will also most likely have some pretty big bro lean with the Eibachs and the OME leafs as those leafs don't give a ton of lift. So get the OME AAL that fits that leaf pack too.


Took me the Wheelers 5pk, Wheelers AAL, and 1.5'' shackles to get a rake stance again.

 

I don't know what you're talking about.
I got a full 3" lift from the Dakars with my shell on.


A 1st gen with Dakars & AAL

 

I went with the Bilsteins all around, you can do 2.5 in the front and I went to a local spring shop to have the rears re-arched and an extra leaf added. The total was about $800 CDN and it rides great.

 

Well, I called Down South and ToyTec today. Both were very freindly, but Down South took the time to work up a kit for me, within my budget including shipping. Basically the same parts I listed before, with all the extra bushings and brackets, and a diff drop and shock boots.
I thought that was a pretty good deal, so I'm going for it.
Thanks for the replies everyone!
Pics as soon as it's on. I can install it, but my mechanic is getting shoulder surgery so I might have to pay for an alingment
Sound like a good deal for under a grand?

 

You can get a complete ome lift for just under $1000 at rocky-road outfitter just click Here and it'll take to the website.