Lift for 1st Gen Fabtech

I know theres like 400 different threads on this but I still haven't found the right answer!

I have a 2003 Tacoma 4x4 V6 5Speed. I've been wanting to lift it for a while now, and been searching around. Iv'e noticed alot of you's have the Fabtech 6in. Is the Fabtech the best lift around? I also noticed the Tuff Country doesn't look too bad either. Also, I noticed most of you have the 33s on the Fabtech, but some have 35's. Will 35's be fine if Im not offroading? And last question, How hard is it to install the Fabtech lift? I saw some long manual on the internet about putting it together and it looks like a pain in the ass.

Oh and I don't really do much off roading. Just pretty much for the looks.

Thanks in advance!!

 

drop bracket lifts are alot of work to do. you have to cut the cross member on the frame.

 

Yeah I figured they were alot of work..Any other way to lift 6in without cutting the cross member?

 

yea sas it ha ha you can have alot more than 6 inches of lift if you'd like. but the only other way is not recomended which would be coil overs and a body lift. but fabtec lifts are crap. especially the drop bracket lifts.

 

I always thought fabtech looked the best and I just heard good stuff about it. I heard of Pro Comp, Tuff Country, and Skyjacker, any of those good? What do you suggest?

 

as far as drop bracket lifts are concerned, on the 1st gen tacos, they are all pretty much the same...

Fabtech is 6", ProComp is 4"...

just realize that once you go that route, its hard to go back to stock since you cut the front crossmember...

with the 6" you can fit 35s but make sure you regear or you will hate life...

also, with the rear, the blocks and/or AAL will suck, so you will want to upgrade to a custom 10 leaf pack with some custom shackles for better travel and articulation...

for the front, you will likely want to upgrade the coilovers to King as the fabtech ones aren't all that...

in essence, be prepared to drop a lot of money to do it up and get a great ride...

at this point, before you get involved in it, ask yourself if the 1st gen is going to be with you long enough to be worth dropping $5,000 in suspension, regearing, wheels, and tires...

 

Thanks for all that info!
Yeah I figured gearing would have to change if I go to 35s. Is there any other lifts made that you don't have to cut the cross member? I will probably have this truck till it is just completely beat. I don't like the 2nd Gen so by that time I will get a Tundra.

 

all the "lift kits" use a drop bracket and that style of lift will require the cutting of the cross member. you can go with a more performance based style of lift (coilovers, UCAs...) and what not but you wont have room for 35's unless you do some cutting and a possible body lift. like mike said to do a DB lift right your looking in the $5,000 range and for that kinda money you can do so much better in terms of suspension parts.

 

Alright. I am still undecided but this info helped alot. Thanks!