Best lift kit for 2011

Fabtech it basically a showroom suspesion the company primarily did and was know for there "pre runner" spindal kits they only started maligning 4X4 to be more of a convince fit their small % 4X4 Customers. Any serious off reader will tell u to stay away from fabtech other than cosmetic purposes, Go with Billys,TT,PC or Rancho if abything

 

Newbie on lifts. I was reading this forum and looked up ToyTec, which someone had recommended. What I have is a 2011, Double cab. I would like to lift slightly and have way to many questions . Is 3" a huge lift? I was originally thinking 2" but it seems the 3" option is pretty common. All of the listings say "Does not work with 5 Lug." What does that mean? Is that lug nuts on the wheel they are talking about? I found this lift, http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com...with-Bilstein-5100-Front-Coilovers_p_364.html from ToyTec. Any suggestions or recommendations? The rear has two options, 1: Add a leafs or 2: 1 1/2" block kit with Ubolts. Which one do you need or what is that exactly? On another note, my Tacoma is going in two days for all new rear leafs as they were recalled, so would I be replacing these new leafs or do you keep them and just add on?

Tires: I just put new Cooper AT3 265x70xr17 tires on and would like to keep them for awhile and not sure if they would look silly on a 3" lift, why I was thinking a smaller 1.5 or 2" lift might look better. Any advice or links is greatly appreciated. A complete newbie at lifts. Are there any additional parts I need for this size lift (IE: Brake line extenders, etc.)?

Thank you...

 

What's the purpose of the lift? Are going for looks or going to take it off road? If off road, are you looking for desert runs or slower clunky mountain trails? How much weight do you have in the back (ie a topper, a rack, gear, etc.) and the front (ie. bumper, winch?).

Just because 3 inch lifts are common doesn't mean that's what you have to do. You can set your desired ride height on the Bilstein 5100s from 5 preset indexed settings (from 0.6" lift to 2.5")... It seems like people love the Bilstein 5100s. I don't think you can go wrong there. I just installed Bilstein 6112s for the reason that (from everything I've read on TW) the 5100s were only a slightly better upgrade than my TRD OR shocks. If you're looking for performance vs looks, you can easily drop $4000, and plenty more on a set of Kings, ADS, Fox, or Icon. I don't have that kind of money. I got new wheels, tires, suspension (with install at $780 - couldn't get the front to cooperate) for $3660. I went Bilstein 6112 in the front, and Bilstein 5160 (and 3 leaf AAL) in the rear. I wanted something that would provide a good ride while still providing better performance off road than my stock shocks. Taking her to the hills tomorrow if it's not too soggy.

Based on all of my research, spacers and blocks were not for me. Admittedly, I have no experience with blocks or spacers, but from what I've read, they tend to create issues with handling. I think the reason you see 3 inches a lot is because that's about the max you can lift your truck using only suspension and not introducing spacers or blocks.

As for the 5 lug deal... count the number of lug nuts on a wheel. Looks like you have a TRD Sport or OR. If that's the case, you definitely have 6. 5 is uncommon.

Tires - I put on 265/75r16 BFG AT KO2s on my truck before the lift. Before, the tires looked massive. After, the tires look nearly perfect on the truck if not a tiny bit small. I haven't measured the front yet since I just got it installed a couple days ago and there will be some settling. Bilstein 6112 Ride Height Thread. The rear is sitting right at 3 inches (higher than I anticipated).

Check out @HeadStrong Off-Road Marie was a tremendous help when I first started researching. She was patient with me and answered all of my questions. Not to mention, Headstrong has the best prices I was able to find.... even if I were to piece everything together from various vendors.

 

Thank you so much Djcressman, very helpful. The purpose of the lift (I wish I could say I was going to be a hardcore rock crawler, mountain climber ) is for just a little bit more clearance. I live in Northern Michigan and we have a lot of two track trails. My wife, daughter and I love to camp and explore, so this truck (besides being my primary driver for work) is going to be used on the weekends for going camping, etc. Nothing hardcore and is a lift really needed, probably not. I would love just a little bit more clearance, but as you probably have guessed by now, it is primary a lift for looks (embarrassed I just wrote that. - lol) I keep seeing the same thing that you wrote about the Bilstein shocks, that seems to be the ticket. So I don't really need an off road high performance lift but I absolutely do not want to comprise the drive or functionality of the truck and wasn't sure if the less expensive lifts would do that? If I had to spend $4,000 on a lift I would probably pass as this truck will not be used for any real off roading. But if I could add 1.5-2.5" of lift for under $1,000, I would love to do it. Just unsure on all the parts, etc. Sounds like the Bilstein shocks are the way to go, and adding leafs in the rear. I will contact the HeadStrong link that you referenced, thank you for providing that.

Another embarrassment, you are right, it is a 6 lug (Geesh you think I could have just looked at the darn thing, lol). You are also right it is a TRD Sport. I am just starting to understand the difference between the SR5, TRD, and non TRD. When I first bought a Toyota back in 1992 from the dealer, it was a 4 cyl and I don't believe there was even a name for it, just Toyota Truck. I am not sure if they had the SR5 and TRD options back then, etc. So I am doing a bit of catch up on all of this. I do have to say, I sure do love having this truck. I have been wanting one ever since I sold my original Toyota back in 1998. Been driving Subaru's ever since (Great car BTW) but it was time to get back to my roots. Thank you again...

 

Just got back from the mountains. The 6112/5160 combo worked out amazing! Between the tires and the suspension, I had way more confidence on the trail.

Anyways, it does sound like you have a reason for a lift. If you're looking for a budget option, go for Bilstein 5100s. A colleague of mine who builds rock crawlers recommended the 5100s for me.. I decided to upgrade the recommendation. Make sure to keep installation costs in mind. I was blown away at the quotes. I attempted to install myself, but the front didn't cooperate with me. I got the rear installed myself... it was pretty easy. I had help. $780 to install the front with a proper "off-road rig" alignment.

 

What a great looking truck! Love it! Thank you for the recommendation of Headstrong. I contacted them, wrote back right away. Think I have found what will work. I was wondering about the install myself. I have installed struts/coils on a my old car, Stock Honda Element. It wasn't too hard but when reading all about lifts, I have decided to let the pros tackle it. I am looking at adding 2.5" of lift. I am hoping that my new 285x70xr17 tires (less than 3 days on them) will work okay for that small lift? Once those tires wear out I will go bigger. I really like how your truck looks with that lift - really clean. It sounds like the back suspension isn't to bad, add a leaf, etc. The front is my concern as from what Headstrong said, it all depends on the factory wear and tear of the truck and it might sit lower than expected. That is my big concern, I certainly don't want the front higher or lower than the back. Headstrong also said than a 2" or even a 2.5" lift doesn't require new control arms but it certainly helps with alignment. I have decided that I will purchase those with the lift. Sounds like you had a great time in the mountains (Live in Lake Tahoe myself for 12 years, miss the mountains).