07 Prerunner lift vs leveling kit on a SERIOUS budget

OK, son here's the deal. I'm not what you would call "Mechanically Inclined" and I just bought my son an 07 Prerunner w/59k miles and the original factory 245 tires (yes, they're bald).

My son being a red blooded American male wants rims/tires&lift which I'm fine with (33's on my Landcruiser so I get it) but he's paying for the rims/lift/install.

Economically it looks like a leveling kit (he's thinking 3"F/2-2.5"R) is much easier to install and significantly cheaper and I'm hoping the board here can give me advice/guidance/help on what work best:

- On a serious budget
- What's the absolute easiest to install should we try it ourselves or with help
- If we go w/something in the 3/2 range and 265--285 size tires do we have to add brake line extensions?
- Considering the bullet above will the lift affect anything else other than the speedo?
- Anything I might not be thinking about (lots, I know) you can share?

Many thanks!!!!!!

 

Maxtrac spindles. 4" of lift and you keep your suspension where it's at. AAL in the rear. Spindles come with extended brake lines.

 

'Serious budget' is very subjective. What is your limit?

 

5100's in all 4 corners (as at 59k miles you are gonna need shocks)

Fronts set at 1.75 in of lift

Rear AAL for 1.5in of lift.

This keeps some rake and better load handling.

If you want much more lift than that in the front you are looking at new UCA's or cus prerunner spindle drop.

 

He's trying to clear 33's though.

Offset of the wheels is critical depending on which way you go here. Don't order wheels until you know how you're going to lift it.

 

2007 PreRunner. Front-5100s w/ OME 884 coils. Rear- AAL currently with Rancho shocks (will get Billies later). Tires- 255/86/16 (a little less than 33").
No extended brake lines, though they are planned in the future.

 

What he said. It's hard to make suggestions without knowing budget.

 

http://www.tacomahq.com/66/tacoma-leveling-lift-kit/
First read all that ^^^^^

-The cheapest thing will be blocks or spacers on the front and rear. They have kits that are around $100-$200 it will lift it and can be put on with basic tools, but come at a cost to your suspension and other issues. I'd never do it and I'd punch my friends in the back of the head if they used blocks.
-The best thing buying used parts, but it will be hard unless you know exactly what parts you are looking for and what to inspect when looking at pictures or in person.
-I think the best cheapest thing would be Bilstein 5100s front struts, Bilstein 5100s rear shocks and an AAL in the rear, but you will need to get your stock springs out and compressed into the 5100s struts unless you have spring compressers(they are sketchy. I've used them and it can be done at home though). For an extra $134 Wheeler's Off Road can assemble it so everything will be bolt on. Contact @YotaDan here or email them on their website I'm sure they can put something together for you or give you a quote.

 

Sorry I didn't provide the budget. He has $1,200 total for wheels/lift/labor and I guess shocks now that's I've read the responses.

I have no clue what AAL is and am trying to do this w/as much bolt on/ease of install/minimal modification as humanly possible.

 

AAL - (Add A Leaf)
If he wants wheels and tires that will probably be around $1,200.
If he just wants wheels that would be around $600-$700 and my 35" tires were $75 to get 4 mounted and balanced.
My friends Frontier we put Bilstein 5100s on the front swapped out the springs our self and put an AAL in the rear. That was around $350, but we did the labor our self and just kept the rear shock stock. I don't know how much a shop would charge for labor.