Dealer lift

I was at the dealer the other day for my last toyotacare oil change on my 23 tacoma limited 4x4. This dealer does alot of lifts and wheels on their inventory, anyway I got to talking with the accessories manager and asked how much a lift would cost me and he said a 3"/2" lift with UCA's and alignment would cost $1995 out the door, this would be using my existing shocks/struts. They use ReadyLIFT components. Is this a fair deal? One reason I am very interested installing at this dealer is they guarantee no warranty issues on lift kits they install, so if something comes up suspension related they dont blame the A/M lift kit. Will reusing the stock shock/struts keep the same ride or should I really be upgrading these too, I don't want it to ride like a log truck on pavement so any insight is appreciated, also would a 3" lift need a diff drop? Thanks

 

$2k for a spacer lift, no thx, u can do so much better for less.

 

if you are even considering a spacer lift, you should really reconsider your whole perspective on lifting a tacoma. with the info you gave us, you are basically butchering your tacoma. please do some more reading and research.

 

There’s 3 basic ways to lift the truck 3”. 1) put a spacer puck on top of the entire spring strut assembly; 2) put a spacer puck in the assembly on top of the spring; 3) replacement shocks and lift springs. The dealer’s kit sounds like 1 or 2 and they’re charging you 2k for a sub $50.00 spacer kit.

 

I did check out the prices of the ReadyLIFT they use on extreme terrain and the kit was $389 and the upper control arms where $550, so basically the dealer was charging 1k labor. I've seen the $50 ebay lifts, none with UCA tho

 

Here's the thing though. If the dealer installs it there is no fight or argument when an issues comes along. They installed it and your warranty is in tact. Some might say it's not worth the extra money and that's fine. You have to decide if it's worth it to you. I had my lift and wheels/33" tires done at the dealer when I bought the truck new. I checked pricing on what they were installing and I could had a private shop do the same for about $600 less than the dealer. To me, it was worth the extra money to not have any finger pointing or hassle by the dealer when/if a problem came along.

 

here...

https://hotshotoffroad.com/collecti...its/products/6112-5160-0-2-lift-kit-16-tacoma

add in icon rxt's

https://hotshotoffroad.com/collecti...tacoma-multi-rate-rxt-leaf-pack-w-add-in-leaf

and jba uca's

https://jbaoffroad.com/jba-hd-high-...a-05-plus-4runner-03-plus-fj-cruisers-07-plus

 

I though a good portion of lifted tacos were using spacer lifts, im not sold on them or anything but what are the negatives besides the obvious like articulation, with new UCA's they seem viable

 

All depends on your intentions. Spacers can be "fine" but if you wheel hard enough you won't get the full travel. You'll also need to extend the bump stops so it doesn't compress all the way internally since you're moving the shock down with the spacer. The shock can fold at the bottom eye if it compress internally before hitting the bump stop.

 

Spacer lifts ride harsh.

 

You'd be money ahead skipping the spacer lift (been there/done that) and spending some extra money on quality. The truck will ride/handle way better and with less stress on everything else. Personally, i think getting a whole suspension system/components from one manufacturer that's been designed/engineered to work together is the way to go. Also, stay around 2-2.5" of lift... your cv's will thank you.
I had the dealership do a 3" spacer/aal after purchase back in 07. The cv boot ribs were hitting even with a diff drop. Replaced the spacers for 2"... a couple ribs were close enough to leave the diff drop in. Drop is still in with present 2" lift (Icon stage 8.)... been in for 17 years with zero issues. I've removed the DD a few times and always end up reinstalling. Some of the cv ribs hit without... with the DD they don't. Original boots still look like new. Just my experience.

 

Not true for two reasons.

I have seen dealers void warranty when it was their own accessories that did the damage. "Dealer installed" is still every bit as aftermarket as neighbor billy that will install it for a six-pack. If they tell you otherwise, well, you know the old punchline about salesmen and "when their lips are moving."

Second, aftermarket parts only void the part of the warranty they are directly attached to. I.E, suspension lifts mean you can no longer claim factory warranty on suspension defects. Hopefully the aftermarket parts have a stout warranty of their own. Most good shocks do.

 

That's a lot of $ for budget parts on a lift for looks.

As far as the whole warranty thing, be sure, in writing, that it's Toyota recognized at any dealer, and not just at the installing dealer.

Dealers often offer nice sounding warranties, exclusive to them, with lots of small print..

 

If the dealership really wants to stand behind what they do ask them if they'll be replacing the driver side cv needle bearing with a ecgs bushing. My dealership does it on every new truck they lift before selling... avoids problems down the road.

 

I hear you but I have a couple of points. My dealer gave me paperwork regarding the items installed and it verifies that they will honor the warranty for all parts they installed. I think my main point is that you can always fight them voiding the warranty claim but it's a lot easier if they installed the parts. I would think that it varies from dealer to dealer. I have heard a LOT of bad dealer storing on here.

 

Whatever you decide OP, no you probably don’t need a diff drop.. unless you are talking brackets maybe..

https://youtu.be/47aat1tc6zw

 

The dealer package included a diff drop, swaybar spacers, upper control arms, and alignment installed with oem warranty intact for $1995, i was enticed b/c the price didn't seem that bad considering the same ReadyLIFT kits where running about $900 online just for the kit and UCAs. TBH tho I will probably end up installing a full kit w/new struts/shocks, leafs & install myself, I just liked the idea of not adding to my project list with a turn key dealer install.