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Leveling Kit

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by Finallyhaveatoyota, May 8, 2017.

  1. May 8, 2017 at 5:05 PM
    #1
    Finallyhaveatoyota

    Finallyhaveatoyota [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hello Tacoma Friends. I have a 2011 Tacoma, 4x4, 4 door cab. Currently I am running 265x70xr17 tires and have been looking at adding just a little bit more height. This is not a serious off road vehicle, as much as I wish it were. It is a daily driver and we use it on two tracks all summer for camping. It sees it fair share of mud, dirt and sand, but honestly, the stock height is more than enough. That being said, I want the truck to sit up a little more.

    I have been looking at adding a leveling kit, in short two blocks that sit on top of the strut assembly in the front. Here is my dilemma, and so hoping you all can help.

    I have found some companies saying that the front needs to be raised 2" in order to be level with the back, while others are saying 2.5". And then there are still more offering 3" spacers for the front. Help, I'm lost.

    First off, is this a really bad idea? I hope you say no, but just in case, better to ask now. My mechanic said he likes the front spacers that go on top of the struts but forewarned me that if it changes the alignment severely, more than just a TOE adjustment, I would be in for it because the control arms and bushings tend to not move on an older vehicle, requiring all new control arms, a whole lot of money I don't have nor will the wife be happy with me spending.

    Rough Country, the only one that I could get on the phone, says it is a 2" spacer and that it doesn't change the alignment much at all and that a TOE adjustment would be fine. Okay, so does anyone know if that is true?

    I have measured and remeasured and it sure looks like it is a 2" difference but I am not 100% positive.

    Would it be possible and or wise to use a 3" spacer in the front and add a 1 inch block under the leafs in the back? The leafs are brand new, only a month old, they were factory recalled. I don't like the idea of throwing away good parts that are that new and if a block would work, well I might be interested.

    The idea of having a 3" lift or leveling kit is sort of a dream for me. Let me explain. When I was 18 I bought a brand new Toyota 4x4, wasn't even called a Tacoma yet (1992). I loved it but I also lived in Lake Tahoe in the Mountains. I had 15" rims and everyone I knew had a Toyota with a 3" lift and 33" tires. I have always had that "lift envy" and I don't think buying an actual real lift is in my budget nor do I want to effect the performance or ride of the vehicle that much, as I put over 30k in highway miles on the vehicle each year.

    Any thoughts, ideas, suggestion on all of this? Or is there another way to level the front without using spacers, like longer struts and shocks? I keep reading about Bilistein 5,000 something shocks in all these forums, that seems to be the ticket these days. Just out of curiosity, back in my old days in 1992 the big thing was Rancho 5000 shocks and if you were really cool, Rancho 9000 adjustable. Did Rancho sort of go away? I don't see many forums talk about Rancho anymore?

    After spending countless hours online for the last 10 days trying to solve this problem myself, I have fully come full circle with realizing I now know even less than when I started. So I really could use some advice on how to get a little more height, budget friendly is a must, and not changing the ride terribly. Maybe that is not possible? If so, I will be happy with what I have, but I sure hope someone has got an idea that would match those requirements.

    Thank you in advance, always appreciate the great advice from all of you members.
     
    ChadsPride likes this.
  2. May 8, 2017 at 6:35 PM
    #2
    RigginsTaco

    RigginsTaco Well-Known Member

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    Tbh I didn't want to read all that. Hahaha So I just read the first two paragraphs but get a 2" leveling kit for the front to level it out. I was Rocking 285/70/17s and it was just fine

    And a leveling kit is cheap there's plenty of people selling there's new in box on here for under $150
     
  3. May 8, 2017 at 6:41 PM
    #3
    SilverBullet19

    SilverBullet19 Well-Known Member

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    Other than blocks, Bilstein 5100's are a good option. They are struts with adjustable seats to give lift. They are preset at .85, 1.75 and I forget what else because those two are most commonly used to level. A friend of mine just used them set at .85 because he was afraid of getting the "bro lean" at 1.75. He sits almost level, it looks great, and he said the ride is much smoother.

    A lot of guys on here use those opposed to blocks, I plan to as well. They don't run too expensive, I think something like $175 for the front pair last I checked.
     
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  4. May 8, 2017 at 6:41 PM
    #4
    Pigpen

    Pigpen My truck is never clean

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    2" will put you nose high.

    There's not much love for spacer lifts on here, but to a point, they're not dangerous. You'll get twice the lift of the actual thickness of the spacer. I wouldn't go over 1" - 1/2" spacer thickness.
     
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  5. May 8, 2017 at 6:42 PM
    #5
    baldridge

    baldridge War Eagle!!!!! KN4OYZ

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    2 inch should be fine! When mine was installed they suggested 2.5 and I ended up with a slight reverse rack which I hated. I ended up having to put a 1 inch block in back. It now has a very slight rack back to front. I call that level. The 2 inch would have been perfect!
     
  6. May 8, 2017 at 7:05 PM
    #6
    Justinlhc

    Justinlhc Not looking for a relationship

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    Do not do a 3" spacer.

    2" maximum lift.

    5100's and OME coils is a better option, but costs a little more.

    You'll be fine with spacers(2" max)if that's what your set on.

    I had spaghetti for dinner.
     
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  7. May 8, 2017 at 7:15 PM
    #7
    bigfoote13

    bigfoote13 Well-Known Member

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    2016 Sport suspension 1/2 spacer up front and aal in rear SCS Stealth 6 17 inch wheels Wildpeak AT3 265 70 17
    Two inches is to tall. Get a .75 top plate spacer that gives you 1.5 inches. You can find it on eBay for 45 dollars.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2017
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  8. May 8, 2017 at 7:17 PM
    #8
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Sometimes when I close my eyes, I can't see.

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    Make life easy. Call Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road, tell her your goals, send her you money.

    BTW. Measure the front, measure the rear. Divide the difference by 2, that's how much lift you need in the front to be level.
     
  9. May 8, 2017 at 7:22 PM
    #9
    bigfoote13

    bigfoote13 Well-Known Member

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    #9
  10. May 8, 2017 at 7:22 PM
    #10
    Zanone_taco

    Zanone_taco Tacoma bruhhh

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    Not to be an ass but I have a 2010 tacoma and 2 inches is exactly level. I have a motofab leveling kit on for $45, it is perfectly level and gives me that great look. I can send you pictures and also the ride was slightly stiffer, but not much. Go with a 2 inch spacer and if you don't like it after a few months buy a lift, would only be out 50 dollars!
     
  11. May 9, 2017 at 4:45 AM
    #11
    Finallyhaveatoyota

    Finallyhaveatoyota [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bilstein 5100 Front and Rear. Firestone Riderite Rear Airbags. Aprox. 2.75" front lift, 3" rear. Everything else stock :)
    Wow, again thank you for all the great advice. Never let down by this group. Sorry for the long post, I tend to get a bit long winded at times. :)
     
  12. May 9, 2017 at 4:45 AM
    #12
    Finallyhaveatoyota

    Finallyhaveatoyota [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you very much. I was looking at that brand too. I think I will try the 2" spacer from them as well. I guess the worse case scenario is that if I don't like it, I can remove them.
     
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  13. May 9, 2017 at 4:47 AM
    #13
    Finallyhaveatoyota

    Finallyhaveatoyota [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Good call. I did talk to Marie a while ago but honestly got lost pretty quick on it all. Was just wanting a 3" overall lift but didn't quite grasp what she was saying, not her fault - it's mine. At the time I didn't realize that the front sits lower than the rear. Even now when I look at it, it is pretty similar in height. I have seen other brands where it is really obvious that the rear is much higher. Anyway, thank you for the good advice.
     
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  14. May 9, 2017 at 5:05 AM
    #14
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Sometimes when I close my eyes, I can't see.

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    Even the terms you use are confusing. You say 3" overall, then say you want level. If you lift the rear 3" you have to lift the front more to be level. Or you can just lift the front to be level with the rear as it is.

    Get clear on what you are actually trying to do.

    Now here is the more candid, and unpopular on TW opinion. But I don't care. Don't like plasti dip or the murdered out look either. (Which is just the new name for Knight Rider)

    'Level lifts' are looks only, removing the OE engineered rake, which is there for a purpose.

    If you aren't lifting for a specific functional purpose, ie solving a problem that needs to be solved by a lift, you're just opening the door for other issues.

    Either way, looks or function, only you can decide your goals. And Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road is the one to help you get there. Rather than guessing at parts.
     
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  15. May 9, 2017 at 5:12 AM
    #15
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    I think you answered your own question there. Just leave it be, and enjoy your truck. If you want a beefier look, get a more aggressive tire (not sure what you're running right now)

    If you're set on lifting your truck, here's what I recommend. Bilstein 5100s on all 4 corners, OME 885 coils up front and a 3-leaf progressive add a leaf in the rear. Headstrong sells this as a kit for ~$700, and you will not need new upper or lower control arms. This will lift you ~2.5" in the front and 1.5-2" in the rear. You won't be "level" but in my opinion being level is a bad thing. The second you put something in the bed or haul something, you're nose is pointing to the sky. Rake has it's purpose.
     
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  16. May 9, 2017 at 5:15 AM
    #16
    bigfoote13

    bigfoote13 Well-Known Member

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    I agree completely. You need some rake in these trucks. The lines were designed for rake and not level.
     
  17. May 9, 2017 at 5:43 AM
    #17
    hanrock

    hanrock Well-Known Member

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    Hi also keep in mind what your mechanic has said he is just fore warning you that when you dig into older vehicles you can discover parts that need to be replaced or that get broken taking them apart an added cost to be ready for if you are on a budget. Keep the lift 2" or under for the best results and the least amount alignment issues to deal with and go up one size in tires and you will get the 3" over all you are wanting.
     
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  18. May 9, 2017 at 6:11 AM
    #18
    Stemmy

    Stemmy Certified Wombat Rancher

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    Bilstein 5100s set at 1.75" and 1.5" Wheelers AAL with 265's

     
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  19. May 9, 2017 at 6:13 AM
    #19
    uwu

    uwu Well-Known Member

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    Agreed, bro lean is a weird tacoma fad
     
  20. May 9, 2017 at 6:16 AM
    #20
    ChadsPride

    ChadsPride Tacoma Owner & Enthusiast

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    My hub to Fender measurements are dead even.

    Truck looks like it's got negative rake lol

    Going to add an OME AAL soon
     
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