Opinions on lift before I buy?

I’ve been saving for this since I bought the truck, and I’m pretty new to this stuff so just over thinking everything.

What I have:
Fully stock ’04 2.7l 4x4 that is my daily driver. I live in New England so I usually see a lot of snow in the winter, and would like to do more wheeling in the woods. I don’t haul much weight- just bikes and ski gear, but once or twice a year I’ll throw a load of firewood or some stone in the bed.

What I want:
A better-than-stock suspension that will be comfortable on road but with more off road capability than I currently have. Also would like 33's, but worried it'll kill my fuel economy- I really like getting 21mpg.

The lift:
I’m leaning toward the Toytec Boss coilovers with 550lb coils up front. My leaf springs are shot, so I’m going with an OME dakar pack instead of AAL, and Billie 5125s in the rear. If I set the front to 2.5” will the rear sit pretty level with the Dakar pack?

What else will I need? I’m not sure what the general consensus is on a diff drop. Will I need extended brake lines? Also open to other suggestions for coilovers in the same price range- I don't want something super stiff. Insight and criticism welcome! Thanks fellas.

 

looks pretty good to me except i think its worth the extra amount to a get a rebuildable coilover. actually you can get fox 2.0s for same price.

you are gona loose mpgs and alot of power with the 33s. you can gain some back by regearing.

extended rear brake line is a must if 10"+ travel 5125s

for how inexpensive and easy to install the diff drop is its just aswell to get. It helps but only a little.

 

I'm also wondering, what length 5125s to use with a Dakar pack....

 

With more off-roading, do you think you might consider a plate bumper / winch in the future? If so, you may want to go with the 600 or 650lb springs in the front.

I have a 2000 v6 4x4 and just switched from stock suspension to the BOSS kit in the front with 650lb springs, and it's awesome. Note: I don't yet have my Relentless bumper and winch installed (that's happening in August) but even without them, the 650lb springs don't seem any stiffer to me than stock on the highway, and are way better off road.

Also - on the back, I went with the Toytec AAL, an extended brake line, and some Monroe MA-820 air shocks. I love the ability to add some air when I'm carrying a heavy load (firewood, stone, etc.) and reduce the air when I want a smoother ride (most of the rest of the time). Note here: my factory springs weren't totally shot in the back, but I think that's partially due to the fact that I've had air shocks in the back for much of the life of the truck (Monroe MA-727's fit with stock rear suspension).

Lastly - I did install the diff drop in the front. My thinking there is similar to devinzz1 - it's cheap, easy to install, and is nice semi-insurance to keep things more aligned up front.

 

I was curious about a rebuildable coilover. I can get the Toytec's for about $100 less than the Fox 2.0 before shipping. If others can convince me the Fox would be far superior, I'll do some more research on that end and consider it
And I realize that power/mpgs will be lost with bigger tires, I'm just not sure what to expect. I don't want huge tires, but also don't want the 265/70/16s to look too small. I've seen other trucks lifted 2-3" that look fine with stock tires. Whatever I wind up getting once my grabbers need to be replaced will be a little taller, but on the skinny side. Not a big fan of the wide tire look. Also can't afford to re-gear right away.

And as far as the 5125's go- is that overkill? I haven't been able to determine if the 5100s would work with the dakar pack and front set to 2.5"

Awesome to hear that you like the BOSS kit. If I do wind up putting a plate bumper/winch on, I don't think it would be for a long time- a few years most likely unless I find a nice used bumper on craigslist or something. Also, you have a V6 which I'm assuming is quite a bit heavier up front than my 3rz. That's why I was thinking the 550s would be better for me- maybe I'll split the difference and go with the 600 coils. My truck only has 108k on it, but the suspension is complete garbage right now so I'm excited to put a quality set up on- I also got in on the built right uniball UCA group buy, so I'll have those going in when I do the coilovers.

 

5100s are to short. Youd want 10" 5125s to take advantage of extra travel. You might have to move bumps a bit. The ome shocks are designed to work with that pack if you have any doubts.