Cheap But Good Lift?

I'm still in high school with a part time job, so the cash flow into my pocket is not a fortune. I am trying to find a decent lift for a decent price, any ideas or recommendations? What do you think about just the bilstien shocks as a "lift"? I have a double cab short bed prerunner non TRD. I don't plan on doing any major off roading, maybe some dirt trails but nothing extreme.

 

You don't tell us much about your truck or what you're planning on using it for.

Given your basic "decent lift/decent price" some advice I recently wrote on another thread seems about right:

Here's the "Patented bjmoose Keep It Simple Stupid" lift option.

* ARB Old Man emu shocks front/back
* ARB 884 springs in front.
* 2" add-a-leaf spring in back
* 265/75R16 All Terrain tires on factory rims.

Why do I say that?
ARB "Old Man Emu" components are proven to work well by many users and soak up abuse much better than stock components in an off-road environment.
By picking 884 springs instead of 885 springs, you keep the lift closer to 2" than 3" . By keeping the lift closer to 2" you avoid needing replacement upper control arms and can easily align the truck correctly. You also minimize your CV axle shaft angle change.

By only going to 32" diameter tires (265/75R16) you don't need to worry about regearing or speedometer recalibration.

By not going wider than 265 width , you can mount on factory rims without needing wheel spacers. By sticking with factory rims and no wheel spacers, you don't change from the factory offset. By keeping wheel offset unchanged you minimizing the chance of having any problems with unintended engagement of the VSC vehicle stability control system, and minimize the amount of wheelwell trimming you have to do to clear the tires.

Keep. It. Simple.

However, if you want to go more complicated than that - TacomaWorld has an entire suspension subforum to browse for everything from complicated, to INSANELY complicated. ;-)

 

When you say the add a leaf springs is its old man emu ones or any particular brand?

 

The ARB old man emu "add a leaf" D29XL is for insertion into the ARB Dakar leaf pack - don't get that one.

No, I meant a simple 2" add a leaf like this: Mostly - which full-length AAL you choose doesn't matter that much...

But one vendor - I forget who, maybe Rancho?? makes a very short, very thick Add-a-Leaf that goes on the very bottom of the pack and forces an upward bend into the whole pack. That one's reputed to ride terribly.

 

OP- what's your budget?

 

really really cheap go with 1.5" blocks in the back and bilstein 5100 in front set at 2.5"

 

About $600

 

Do you have any personal experience with this lift?

 

Bjmoose thanks for the info I will look into that, do you know how the overall ride is?

 

For a V6 double cab, you should find it just a touch firmer than stock on the street, but MUCH better off road or on potholed roads as the suspension has enough travel and firmness to handle larger bumps while the stock suspension bottoms out and crashes off the bumpstops.

 

I give the 5100 setup plus OME884 my vote of confidence. I haven't put mine on (arrived today), but it looks and feels legit. Plus I've heard nothing but good words about them here. You can get the whole kit for <$600 or have them build your struts for <$700. I let them build my struts. I have a dcsb v6. I hope to post pics in the next 24 hours.

 

Ya please post pictures on this thread as i would love to see what it looks like installed and what settings you put the 5100s at

 

Headstrong Off-Road Bilstein kit:

Billies set to .85, OME 884 coils, Deaver 1.5-2" AAL
Stock 265/65r17 Alloys, no wheel spacers.

Stock: Fronts: 20” Rears: 21.5”

With Lift: Fronts: 23” Rears: 23.5”

I imagine this will settle down over time. How does it ride? FANTASTIC! No shudder in the drive line, no sailing at highway speeds. Before on top, After on bottom:

 

nice i like that it is real simple. if you dont mind me asking how much did that set up cost?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egvP3o2UKM4

For now this is all you need for what you are telling us you are going to do. Watch the video and read the info below. Go to their site for prices. I'm sorry I didn't go with this myself at first. I went with with the OME 884 & shocks with a Add a leaf in the rear witch l'm very satisfied with but when l'm ready to do more I've spent to much on my first lift.
2013 TRD Off Road

 

I have essentially the same lift, except OME 883s (a hair less than 1.5" lift) and the rear TSB springs (about 1.5" lift as well). Also paired these with OME shocks. The ride is great. Slightly stiffer than stock, but I prefer it 1000x... Whole thing cost about $900.

 

prerunner? why not spindles in front and add a leaf in back?

 

I thought about that but, I don't really understand the spindle lift to much, if you have some information on that, I am all ears/