3 & 1 lift vs 3" Level

Is this considered a normal lift gap and also considered a leveled truck, the kind they want to put on mine, 3 n 1 lift

 

Define normal? I'll be honest, as long as you run a 32" tire and don't go over 3" of lift it will look fine and you won't rub things to bad. Other than the flaps, I've seen a lot of problems with rubbing and the flaps on the 3rd gen.

3" in front and 1" in back is pretty standard on the Tacoma. What will you be doing with your truck OP? All pavement or something else.

 

Basically all road and some dirt road once in a while but no heavy off road. I guess by standard I mean without looking like a jethro mobile, the shop guy said the set up he gave me was close to a comparison of a 30" tire. with the set up I posted that 4 wheeler quoted me be close to a 32" set up,

He said I had 2 options, 1 lifting the front only to level it out. 2. do the 3 n 1 and he said the 3 n 1 would be better, I know jack shit about this stuff but does that sone right

Sorry for seeming such a noob but what is the difference of the 2 and which would you recommend if know I don't want to big of a gap, would he do the front level with a 2" or 3" and the 3 N 1 meaning 3" front and 1" rear!

I am just confused and thanks a bunch for your help bro!

 

Here's the pro's of a 2" lift

1. You only have to pay to lift the front so it's cheaper
2. The truck will be closer to stock height which is easier to get into
3. No additional axle wrap (I'm guessing 4wheelparts wants to use lift blocks in the rear )

Here's the pro's of the 3+1 lift

1. The truck will ride higher making it easier to fit a bit more tire
2. The "look" will likely be a bit better

Here's the cons of the 2" lift

1. No lift in rear so no height gain there

Here's the cons of the 3+1 lift

1. Likely a bit of axle wrap (effects how the truck takes off when you apply the gas)
2. Risk of vibes or issues from changing the rear end angles.
   
3. You'll be touching the edge of how high the Tacoma can go up front which could wear out the CV boots a bit faster if you hold onto the truck.
4. Call this 3B but at 3" of lift your alignment will suck with the stock UCA's too.

Anyways I'm off to bed. Personally, if you are sticking around town, I'd just get some 5100's and set them at 1.75" with the stock coils and call it a day for the suspension. Then throw on 32's and you'll be laughing all the way.

 

Yes, your guys' "3 and 1" is 3 inches up front and 1 inches of lift in the rear.

Front leveling kit will only lift the front, and it probably 2 inches.

With 285s or 33" tires you will rub on the inside of the fender. (At least I do with my second gen) not sure what the fender flare looks like on the inside on the 3rd gens.

A leveling kit will be fine for 275s or a 32" tire!

 

this is the 3 n 1 they will do

Sterdog,

You've bee a great help and I am thinking of the 5100's and set them at 1.75", and leave back stock right! Are the tires he suggested cole to a 32" with those rims

If ok, Ide like to talk more when u can bro!

Thanks

 

he suggested these

LT285/70R17, All-Terrain T/A KO2

is this a good tire ad are these higher and wider then the 285 and 33's, again, I'm learning!

 

285/70r17 are about 1.5" thinner than the typical 33x12.5r17 tire. They are also about .3" bigger in diameter. Those are the exact tire size and model I have. Theyve been great tires for me.

With the 3/1 lift you have picture above, you will clear them fine with no rubbing.

For a gap picture with the tires he recommended,
This is my truck with 0" lift on the rear and 1.75" lift in the front. I rub the front fender flares a fair amount, and plan to lift my truck another inch both ends.

 

I would just go with 5100's in the front. I have them and I love them. They leveled my truck perfectly. And they're only at half way. I still have more to go if I wanted to lift the rear more

 

Nice truck,

So is yours lifted and with what, could I do all that with changing my bilstiens in from and rear to adjustable or whats your recommendation and how will you raise yours like you say!

I saw this article

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/1011or-bilstein-5100-leveling-shocks-toyota-tacoma/photo-07.html

would this be better for my truck and a more reliable and safer way then spacers.

Thanks

 

so did you change out yours for the set of 4 - 5100's and are all 4 adjustable, sorry but a little clueless here!

 

Correct. Adjustable bilstein 5100 shocks with either the stock coils set on the highest ring (2.5") or lift springs with the bilstein 5100's on the lowest ring should suit your needs for the 285 bfg's recommended.

I'd recommend these springs if you decide to go that route:

 

I have Fox 2.0 Coilovers, they are similar to the bilsteins, but have threads for more fine tune adjustment, as opposed to 3 preset snap in place rings.

Keep in mind rear shocks won't give you lift, but will increase damping performance.

I plan to get a new spindle to lift my front as I am only 2wd Prerunner, 4wd trucks cannot use them. (I assume you are a 4x4 right)

I am going to get a 1.5" add-a-leaf for the rear to keep the truck mostly level and not too much lean!

 

No, the rear is not adjustable. Like the previous post above me said, rear shocks don't lift. It doesn't matter what brand you buy, a rear shock doesn't lift.

 

You're fine man. Honestly.

5100's are only adjustable for the front.

Grab yourself a set of those and start there. It's by far the easiest way to go.

 

thanks

 

Thanks all for your help,

Appreciate it!

 

Those of you who have lifted your trucks, what kind of price are we looking at?

I am probably just looking to lift the front to level out and run some bigger tires.

Also what kind of gas mileage difference have you seen?

 

I recently went through this dilemma, so I'll tell you what I went with after countless hours of research and decision making. Note that I'm in a 2015 TRD Off-Road.

- Front and rear Bilstein 5100's, with the front at the 1.75" setting.
- Stock coils.
- 265/75R16 BFG KO2's

Looked great, but it was slightly nose high. So I installed some 1" rear blocks. They ended up being about 1.25" actual measurement, so my nose is about .25-.5" lower now haha... But I don't mind it because if I ever have anything in the bed it evens out and my nose isn't pointing to the sky. And I think only I can tell the difference honestly.

I'm happy with how it looks and rides. Anything more up front and I would have to spend $400 on new UCA's to get proper alignment. My gas mileage has decreased about 1-2 MPGs because of the heavier/bigger tires.

I very rarely get off the pavement, except for a mild gravel/dirt road to a local gun range sometimes. It was relatively inexpensive compared to some other options, and leaves me plenty of money for other mods. Highly recommended way to go IMO.

 

The biggest factor in mileage will be the tires.