AAL or Blocks

I am looking into a 3'' lift. Gonna go with toytec spacers up front. Its just what I can afford. No need to tell me I need coil overs or something else that costs 1000 bucks. While I love my truck, I do have other priorities. Not trying to be a jack, just giving info. I need to know if blocks are as good as AAL for the back. I pull a small trailer with 4wheelers now and then. My concern about the AALs is sagging. I dont want my truck to look like its butt is dragging the ground. Level or stock like stance is what I prefer. I do no offroading except maybe dirt roads or light trails once in a blue moon. Nothing my stock suspension couldnt handle. Thanks.

04 Double Cab Prerunner

 

so 3" spacers up front? if so, i'd do 1" block and 2" aal, or maybe 2.5" aal with the block if you want to be sure you won't sag, you might have one helluva rake doing that though

 

Bilstein 5100s up front, add a leaf for the rear. Total is ~$260. Just sayin..

 

aal

 

Yep...you'll be much happier with a aal.

 

Pardon my ignorance. I dont understand the 5100 shocks. How do they raise it? what else do I need for front? sorry again kinda new to susp lifts.

 

5100 you can preload them. So they lift the truck.

On 1st gens there are three settings stock, 1.25 or 2.5

 

x2. 5100's are a great, cost effective way to lift the front of the truck and avoid spacers. Most front shocks for the Tacoma has a fixed bottom coil seat so you only get one ride height from the shocks. The 5100's have settings so you can adjust the ride height from either 0, 1.25" or 2.5" of lift. Setting the coil seat up preloads the coil, giving you lift. It will ride stiffer but 5100's are made to dampen a stiffer coil and do a decent job of it. Lifting this way does not carry all the potential risks associated with using a 3" top plate spacer.

As far as blocks, they can actually cause your leaf pack to wear out quicker because they promote axle wrap. An AAL will eventually sag but not for a while and they'll give you a better ride and support weight better. A block does nothing for towing/hauling.

 

AAL.

 

so 5100s on front with leafs on rear? or could I go 5100 all the way around? Just want the best for what I can afford. What else would I need for install?

 

5100's for the rear will improve the ride but they will not provide any lift. They will dampen the leaf pack with the AAL much better than stock shocks though.

 

firm or soft ride AALs? Any experience with both.

 

I'd only go with the firm ride if hauling and/or towing frequently. If you spend 90% of the time with the bed unloaded, you might not appreciate the ride from a firm AAL. The only AAL I've seen designated as a 'firm' AAL is the one from ProComp or Fabtech (can't remember which). The single AALs from Toytec or Wheelers I don't believe have a choice. I went with the Icon 3 leaf AAL which is a progressive AAL. It's expensive but the ride is great!

 

what about the eibach springs for 3'' up front? Can i keep stock shocks this way? what all is required to install these?

What I am thinking is eibach springs on front and aal in rear??????????
Do I need shocks for rear?

 

If you add height with a larger leaf kit/AAD your stock shock may be too short, you most likely will need to pop for 5100s in the back as well

 

sorry but I cant use stock shocks up front with eibachs? Thought toytec website said u could.

 

5100's all around with new coils with rear AAL or new leaf pack