Bilstein 5100's with Coil over or Rancho Quicklift?

I just got my 03 Tacoma, and I'm looking to level the front out to clear larger tires.

I'm looking at either the Billy 5100s with the ToyTec coilover kit, or the Rancho Quicklift Leveling Strut kit.

Anybody have opinions about this? I know the Billy option will be about 200 more for the parts, and has adjustable options...but I'm still undecided.

Also- thinking about Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs- 285. What do you all think??

I've got ~89k miles, and looking to throw on the leveling kit and new tires when my current tires wear out at 100k miles. So I have a bit of time to decide

 

Billies

 

Billies with Toytec.

 

Don't go Rancho

 

everyone has said what needs to be said.

 

Thanks for all the input guys! I'm definitely goin Billys. Can't wait for 100k!

Thinking in a while if I still need some extra clearance, toytec aal in the rears.

A shop in Ft. Collins, CO was saying they just about ALWAYS do blocks in the rear. I know aal adds a bit of rigidity, but I think I'll be cool with that.

Anyone have opinions for blocks or aal or even shackles?

 

Someone eles recently posted why blocks suck. Had a broken leaf at the block. Blocks are also not good with axle wrap. Get the aal, adds a good stiffness. I havent heard anything bad about shackles.

 

I have had blocks and they are horrible.

AAL is the best option by FAR other then new packs. Then id go shackles then blocks.

go with an AAL. That shop im guessing does a lot of mall crawlers. If you want better functionality and offroading..go AAL

 

@TrdSurgie, I saw that as well. Also saw that with shackles you have to cut or re-route your exhaust so it doesn't blast the leafs.

@Blackdawg- apparently they are rad at hooking mall rats up with "crawlers" haha.

I'm definitely doing aal.

Now my last question...

Will I have to re-gear my shi* if I lift around 2-3" and get 31's or 32's- hell maybe even 33's.

I guess one more question as well...

Do you think it's necessary for new UCA's in my situation?? I didn't see anything in your build Blackdawg about you getting any...

 

I will be getting some, but not till later with some new LCAs too im going with a LT front end.

UCAs don't benefit us as much with a 3'' lift. Our trucks can still be aligned just fine without them unlike 2nd gens.

It also won't benifit you cause you don't have extended travel shocks. Just Billies which would take full use of the extra travel the UCAs offer.


If you got extended travel Coilovers and UCAs, then you'd have what we call a Mid Travel setup. They are a great way to go really, but the coilovers will run ya anywere from 600-1200 bucks lol

so for you..i would save the money for now until you either want LT or Mid travel set up.


as for the gearing, you don't have to at all for 31s or 32s. Now, for 33s, alot of ppl do. Usually to 4.56s or 4.88s. I am still running stock 4.10 gears on my 33s and don't mind at all. granted its not quite as peppy as before, but i don't even notice anymore. on 33s, you will need a 3'' lift, and be ready to cut and beat your trucks wheel wells in.

a 2-3'' lift with some 32s is a great combo really. not to hard on the mpgs and still makes a very capable truck.

 

Will I be able to do this in stages?

I'm thinking this will be my setup very soon: 32" Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs and the billy's up front set just high enough to keep the stock rear suspension looking level.

But in time when I save up more $$ grab new longer billy's (5125's) for the back as well as the aal. I also plan to extend the front CO's to make it level again.

Will I be able to ride the 32's with my rear suspension stock?

 

yea you should be able to. It'll be tight, but will also depend on how tired the leaf packs themselves are.

but yes, you can do it in stages like that.

 

Sweet- Just graduated from University of Utah and am on a fat budget so I can't just dump 3500+ in at once.. and I REALLY want to get moving on this project!

My rear is still at a good rake- I'll take a pic tmrw when it's light, but I'll add one in a sec that you can kind of tell the difference of height with front and rear wheels to fenders

 

see you have a catback exhaust, any way you can put up a vid of how it sounds?

 

Hell yeah! I'll take it tomorrow and put it up. I LOVE the sound. Nothing better than setting off crappy aftermarket alarms while driving by!

 

@Blackdawg, I had some pics laying around of what it looks like now, but I'll still add a side shot tomorrow.

 

What size tire is that? 265?70?

 

Yeah, I believe they are 265/70/R16 I'll double check tomorrow though.

I really haven't had anything that I couldn't climb or get through yet with the stock setup, but browsing everyone else's trucks makes me really want to piss my truck off.

Your truck is barkin orders, I really like the bumper and light setup you have. How do you like the Mud Terrains?

 

freaking love these tires. My second set, first set was 31x10.5s and they were amazing as well. Do great. Granted i have never had anything other then MTs so idk how they affected my mpgs really and the noise doesn't bother me at all.

They are great tires tho.

and if you did an nice OME lift and got some 275/75s..i think thats a size..damn metric..it would look great and ride amazing.

and thanks man. I love my truck just wait till ya see the rear bumper..

 

i got the quicklifts they did the lift good but if i would have known about TW before i bought them i woulda got billy's instead cause my buddy got them and there smooth compared to mine (hint: jumping truck with Ranchos= no bueno) but they have held up haha uprgrading to fox 2.5 resi's soon!