Lifting -slightly??

i have a 2004 4WD 4 dr. That I just got...fixing it back up...the tires and rims are shot and the shocks feel so also...getting ready to replace...I ride on the road 99.99% of the time and want to keep it mostly stock....I am going to most likely find a set of new take offs for the tires and rims....but the truck seems like it sits low...I would like to raise it a couple of inches.....was getting ready to buy the bilstien 5100s for front and rear....also was going to get new springs for front....but after measuring the distance from the middle of the hub to the fender on front and rear, I found that the rear was only 1/2" higher than front. So how do I raise the rear without braking bank and keep the ride good?
Btw....I have read and re-read numerous threads on here and get more confused each time, as I know very little about this....
Also would just getting a set of 17" rims (currently 16") help and maybe go up to 275 or 285 tires?

 

This pic of truck

 

Blocks for the rear maybe? And I don't think getting new rims will help, if u have 16s now and rear is 1/2" higher than front, putting on 17s would probably give u the same number lol getting larger tires/wheels do not lift the suspension..

 

What do you mean by blocks?

 

Search up rear block lift. TBH from my understanding (I am no mechanic whatsoever) I'm pretty sure u could add the 5100 billies for front and rears and still achieve stock height. Most trucks naturally come with the rears slightly so lifted stock just to compensate any heavy cargo in bed or towing (from my understanding). That being said even if u put in 5100s and still have the rear higher than the front (ever so slightly) driving it that way is somewhat normal. Guys who don't like the rear higher than the fronts use "leveling kits" to achieve close to same height for the front and rear. But to me I'd rather have the rear slightly higher just because when you do tow something or have heavy cargo in bed, your truck doesn't sag as much. Everyone has their preferences and is entitled to back up what they feel is best for their own use

 

Im a newbie here on TW so hopefully some vets can chime in and even correct me on your thread

 

Since my rear is only a 1/2" higher than the front though, what I am hearing is that I would have to use blocks to raise the rear so I could then adjust up the front with the 5100's?
Do blocks affect the ride?

 

K wait wait wait. I just re read your first message..first off why would you want to raise only the rear?

 

I don't.....at first I was planning on just buying the bilstein coilover kit which would raise my front a couple of inches and I thought level the truck. But after measuring and seeing that the rear is only a 1/2" higher than the front, that would then make the front higher than the rear (approx. 1 1/2 " higher). So I am assuming now I have to raise the whole truck equally, which would mean blocks in rear if I do the front coilover.?

 

Also saw a Rough Country lift kit which raises 2.5". Does anyone have experience with it ? Does it compare to the 5100's? It is only $249, but is it a get what you pay for deal?

 

Okay I think if I'm not mistaken the coilover bilsteins is a 3" lift (for the fronts) ? Considering you want to keep your truck at a stock height u should just buy the struts and use your existing shocks for the front. Best thing you could do is buy the struts, buy a new leaf pack etc to keep it stock. If u also look into it, they have full kits available online just do some window shopping and pretty much look at different kits they could provide. Are u planning on buying one thing at a time or a whole kit?

 

Try a site like toy tech, put in your truck info, select what u want to change out and it'll tell/show u want u need/want

 

Some requirements may help others help you. How much lift do you want, price you wanna spend, ride you want etc

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-i-might-should-have-bought-bilsteins.513091/