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1998 SR5 4x4:_________3 or 6 inch lift?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by gatrapper, Sep 6, 2011.

  1. Sep 6, 2011 at 1:12 PM
    #1
    gatrapper

    gatrapper [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey Y'all,

    Got a completely stock 1998 SR5 4x4. Im guessing after 13 years the truck probably needs new shocks, coils, and leafs. The truck is a daily driver that I use for college commuting 4 days a week. The other 3 days Im driving all over the woods, swamps, etc working and hunting. I plan on getting another Tacoma once out of college and keeping this one for my hunting rig.

    I keep looking at everyones builds and I am jealous. I see some trucks that look awesome with a 3 inch, yet others look great with a 6 inch lift.

    I know 0 about all this stuff and as I stated in previous posts I am gradually learning.

    What are y'alls thoughts on the lift? Also who would you recommend or what would you recommend for a lift?

    I have been looking at the EMU lift 2 inch lift kits, but still uncertain on the coils. I plan on putting an after market bumper and winch on at somepoint, just don't know the time frame of when.

    Do they make specific 6 inch kits or do I have to combine 2 kits to make it?

    Sorry for the long winded post and thanks for the help.

    downsized_0820111254_239c2155e0fd3eb367f7908523393f50b797c311.jpg

    downsized_0825111042_6210b71e8178b99bbb2ea164f3ac193cd5e99d93.jpg
     
  2. Sep 6, 2011 at 1:16 PM
    #2
    mxnborder

    mxnborder Well-Known Member

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    DR coilovers AAl 285 kelly safaris lightbar/skidplate need more!
    6" lifts are separate from the 2" lift kits

    6" lifts use a drop bracket that lowers the whole bottom of the suspension i guess you could say, so it doesn't really give you that much more clearance directly under your truck cuz the drop bracket is where the stock height is, although the bigger tires lift you up some.

    a 2 or 3" lift kit give you the clearance directly under the truck and you can fit some 33" tires giving you another inch or so of clearance. These kits are also cheaper cuz you can get a new set of coils like the EMU kit you mentioned or put a spacer on top or new coilovers which is the best option in my opinion.
     
  3. Sep 6, 2011 at 1:17 PM
    #3
    hudhawk

    hudhawk #texasforever

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    Rust, lots of rust
    Go 3". id say go with the OME complete kit with 883 coils
     
    98_3RZ_NIC likes this.
  4. Sep 6, 2011 at 1:18 PM
    #4
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

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    ^^^
    This.

    How much wheeling do you plan to do, and how much are you willing to spend?

    IMHO, I like 3" lifts on 1st gens and 6"+ on 2nd gens.
     
  5. Sep 6, 2011 at 1:21 PM
    #5
    mxnborder

    mxnborder Well-Known Member

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  6. Sep 6, 2011 at 1:24 PM
    #6
    mxnborder

    mxnborder Well-Known Member

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    DR coilovers AAl 285 kelly safaris lightbar/skidplate need more!
    here is a drop bracket 6" lift as it looks under the truck - you can see it basically puts the bottom of the suspension down lower which doesnt really give you much offroad advantage other than bigger tires and less high-centering, but many things can hit the DB lift
    [​IMG]
     
  7. Sep 6, 2011 at 1:31 PM
    #7
    gatrapper

    gatrapper [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I want functionality more than looks. I have no problem spending the money to get a great product, thats why I have been looking at the EMU kit.

    Im not climbing mountains and sand dunes, but I am going through swamps, ponds, rivers, over rocky terrain, fields, etc.

    Just want to have something that is going to last and not be complete crap.

    There are two EMU kits Im looking at:
    http://www.autoanything.com/suspens...px?green=e81fb231-2917-4441-a7ed-f4aab45ef653

    http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/77A5935A3754851.aspx?kc=ffsku

    What one is the better of the two? Also is there another place that might be cheaper than Autoanything?
     
  8. Sep 6, 2011 at 1:37 PM
    #8
    mxnborder

    mxnborder Well-Known Member

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    DR coilovers AAl 285 kelly safaris lightbar/skidplate need more!

    I think those are both great if its in your price range, remember when you do this you'll probly want some new bigger tires and maybe rims so there is another 1200-1500. If you aren't going too extreme i would get some new coilovers or some bilstein 5100s in front and maybe an add a leaf in rear or try to find a cheaper used leafpack for the rear
     
  9. Sep 6, 2011 at 1:40 PM
    #9
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

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    The best functionality and performance you're going to get with a 3" is going to come from high end coilovers paired with a new leaf pack and longer rear shocks.

    If it's within your price range, check out kings or fox coilovers
     
  10. Sep 6, 2011 at 1:55 PM
    #10
    gatrapper

    gatrapper [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So just get new coilovers and leafs?
     
  11. Sep 6, 2011 at 1:58 PM
    #11
    tacomazach

    tacomazach Well-Known Member

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    You'll want shocks as well. Also probably need a longer rear brake line and relocate your bpv with a cheap little bracket.
     
  12. Sep 6, 2011 at 1:58 PM
    #12
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

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    The VERY BEST setup for 3"=

    Coilovers w/ new UCAs to keep stock alignment specs (UCA optional)
    New leaf pack w/ longer shocks. (resi shocks are the most popular)

    some wheels and tires and armor and your truck will go anywhere:D
     
  13. Sep 6, 2011 at 2:02 PM
    #13
    gatrapper

    gatrapper [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Y'all have any links to this stuff? I am so lost lol.
     
  14. Sep 6, 2011 at 2:04 PM
    #14
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

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    fox extended travel remote resivoir coilovers, 14" eibach 600lb coils, All Pro tubular chromoly 1" uniball upper control arms, All Pro expedition leaf packs, 10" bilstein 5150 piggyback reservoir shocks 265/75r16 Goodyear wrangler MT/R kevlars wrapped around 16" Helo 791 gloss black, Mini H1 retrofits with 6000k bulbs, 18" magnaflow w/custom exhaust reroute various decals, Sockmonkey retro hood stripes
  15. Sep 6, 2011 at 2:05 PM
    #15
    gatrapper

    gatrapper [OP] Well-Known Member

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    What are UCAs?
     
  16. Sep 6, 2011 at 2:05 PM
    #16
    mxnborder

    mxnborder Well-Known Member

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    DR coilovers AAl 285 kelly safaris lightbar/skidplate need more!
  17. Sep 6, 2011 at 2:06 PM
    #17
    mxnborder

    mxnborder Well-Known Member

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    DR coilovers AAl 285 kelly safaris lightbar/skidplate need more!
    the upper control arms: not really needed but nice, they are the bottom link i posted.. . i have never heard of anyone ruining their stock ones so you would probably be fine with stock there. .
     
  18. Sep 6, 2011 at 2:07 PM
    #18
    tacomazach

    tacomazach Well-Known Member

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    mine is just small stuff to help with braking after lift.

    bpv bracket: bajataco has a nice write up about it on his website.:
    http://www.bajataco.com/Brakes3.html

    longer brake lines you can find at all-pro offroad or many other places. but here's a link.
     
  19. Sep 6, 2011 at 2:09 PM
    #19
    mxnborder

    mxnborder Well-Known Member

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    do this guys stuff or get some coilovers if u got the cashh
     
  20. Sep 6, 2011 at 2:10 PM
    #20
    gatrapper

    gatrapper [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So y'all would recommend Bilistein 5100s for the front and rear?

    Are those good or just best bang for the buck? Any quality difference between them and Fox, King, or EMU?
     

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