3 inch lift confusion on Bilstien 5100 vs OME vs Spacer

Hi, I'm new to all of this. I've been reading and researching to the best of my ability. A little help on clearing up a few questions would be great. I'll write what I want, and what I've learned. please clear up any confusion. I use my truck mainly for a daily driver, but I go hunting so I want off-road capability and I just want it to look great, while maintaining a smooth ride. I'm not opposed to spending more to get the best ride and quality.


I want to lift my Tacoma at least 3 inches. (Toytec ultimate?)
I want the ride quality to IMPROVE. (Avoid spacers and go with coil-overs)
I want minimal to no alignment issues. (Need differential drop, UCA)


I understand that spacers are a rough ride compared to a suspension lift using new shocks like bilstien 5100's, OME's. However, I read that when lifting 3'', the bilstiens only have 1'' of travel left, as if they are preloaded too. Would this be a deficiency in using the bilstien's? I thought the purpose was that they were built for the lift, yet they still don't have much travel.

Any thoughts?

 

I can really only answer about the 5100's. I have them but they are set to 1.75 with the rear leaf tsb which is just an aal that gave about .75 lift in the rear. Sets it about level. Ride is great, almost as smooth as factory. Mine is a Sport, not sure what you have but the Off Road will ride stiffer as I understand due to the progressive coils. It will ride stiffer if you got to the top setting which does pre load the coils even more of course. But even then that is only 2.5, not a 3" lift. And then I've understood you may have clearance issues with the upper control arm.

With that said you can go with 5100's and eibach coils to get lift with a better ride as I understand, but I'm not sure about the specs for lift on that route. Of for the rear you can get different aal's to match the front. Just not sure whats best for ride there.

But if you don't mind spending the dough I've read over and over how people love the oem lift. Which I'm not sure if that is the Toytech?

That's about as much as I can help. I'm sure others will chime in that know more.

 

I have a 3'' readylift on my 2011 double cab off road with 61000 miles 265-75-16 no issues what so ever. It rides same as stock no vibrations and handles great on the road. No issues with alignment.

 

Thanks, I appreciate the info. I believe OME's are different than the Toytec Ultimate lift, because I have seen some vs. threads between the two. I have heard that OME's are less expensive, but may do the same thing?

 

Is the readylift a spacer kit? I have not heard of that one yet. thanks

 

If you want no alignment issues, plan on spending the extra money for new upper control arms too. I installed the full OME kit and light racing UCAs about 2 months ago. Ride is great and alignment went smoothly.

 

X2 on the Upper Control Arms, at that height, alignment will most likely become an issue

 

I also went with OME. Without UCA's I still had no problems with alignment, and the truck drives much better over stock.

Forestry roads, and general off roading is what I use the truck for. I vote OME all the way.

 

I also added 1/4" top plate spacers for about another 1/2" of lift. After reading this forum for a while now, it's really hit or miss. Some folks get lucky and don't need UCAs, some do. Definitely doesn't hurt, can really only help.

 

I also added the top plate spacers. My truck is sitting exactly 3" over stock at the front end. I'd love to get new UCA's, but since I don't actually need them, I just spent my money elsewhere.

 

x2 Same setup with top plates. Rides like a 4x4 Yota should.

OP you won't need the differential drop if your a 2nd gen, it doesn't do anything.

 

thanks, I'll check out the readylift

 

My local off-road specialists at the shop are recommending the full Toytec Ultimate lift with coil-overs, UCA's, full leaf kit, diff drop., and I believe that's it. With this, they say I'll have a "night and day" difference in the way it rides and that I can remove it and use it on another truck if needed. The dilemma I am facing is that my truck has 200K on it! Just bought it from my dad, one-owner, highway driven, never off-roaded, except last hunting season. It is a basic 4x4, 4 dr, not TRD, plain wheels, small wimpy tires. Wondering if I should just do a minimal change due to high mileage by just leveling it, buying stock alloys to clean up the look and put on some nice A/T tires a little bigger than what I have on there, which are P245/75 R16

What do you guys think?

 

do it right once. if you dont want to spend the money on the ultimate kit full ome with a top plate spacer.

 

are ome's basically a spring that is used on whatever current shock is on the truck? so the spring accomplishes the smooth ride, while the spacer accomplishes the lift? As opposed to the toytec ultimate where the coil-over accomplish the lift AND smooth ride without using spacers? thanks

 

OME is a full up suspension kit. They make their own shocks, springs, leafs. The springs will net you about 2.5" of lift depending which spring you go with. The top plate spacers are just to get you up to the full 3". OME claims it's a 2" kit but you should get a little more than that with it. They aren't adjustable like the 5100s though, that's why you need top plates to get more lift but this helps the ride because it doesn't pre-load the springs. Also, I don't think i've seen anyone upgrade their stock springs and not their shocks. Sometimes the other way around though.

Here's the OME kit. And tons of info on it:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/258245-old-man-emu-questions-answers-pictures.html

 

Spacer lifts will allow the spring and strut to bottom out before reaching the bump stops. Eventually, the strut will fail. Imagine how fun that'll be.

OME makes a good lift. IDK what truck you have... Expect 2.5" on a v6 ext cab. Expect 3+" on a 4cyl reg cab.

 

If you can, find someone that has a lift your looking at and go for a ride so you can feel the difference. The OME shocks with 885 coils are definitely firmer than the toytech ultimate lift.

 

thanks for the info, I'll check it out

 

Great idea, I'll start asking around at the shop to see what people are driving.