Lift for looks

did you use the oem coils or aftermarket?

 

5100's:
Both sides are on 4th perch. If my gas tank is full then the truck does lean a tad toward the drives side but below half tank it sits level.

ECGS:
I read too many stories about the driver side axle bearing causing a vibration which will eventually lead to bearing failure. I've seen photos of these failed bearings. The ECGS bushing replaces the driver side OEM axle bearing. Plenty of folks get by without issue, I didn't want to chance it.... and my truck only had 529 miles when I did the mild lift and ECGS.

Here's just one video where the owner didn't do it and wish he had.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwJm68ztnHM&t=2s

I went with the Headstrong progressive AAL. I was drawn to the Headstrong because it doesn't require modifying the factory leaf springs at all. Simple bolt on. I actually wanted a 1.5" front/1.5" rear lift but only got about 1-1/8" in the rear. Other than the slight lack of 1.5" rear lift, I'm very happy with it it. I was very concerned about ride quality and am happy with the results. I left the overload off and these AAL's only added 2 lbs per side when considering that I removed the OL.

The lift does make the truck a little harder for wife and I to get in and out of. I'm 5'7 and wife is 5'5". So I've added some side steps that don't hang below frame but still offer a significant step in addition to door ding protection.... and only weigh 17lbs each.

 

I have decided to go with the HS's also and the lift you got is exactly what I am after. What steps did you get?

 

Check out page 3 on my thread for more details:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2023-mgm-trd-off-road-mildly-modded.787908/

 

OEM factory coil springs. I added that tidbit of info to my post to make it clear for the next person.

 

I’m stuck between the eibach stage 1 or 5100’s. I have 5100’s with ome 881 coils on my 98 Tacoma and I’m not a huge fan of them. They are very stiff compared to the stock struts with the spacer lift that were on it before but I’ve always read the spacer lift is bad so I wanted to get rid of that but many people also say they’ve never had problems with the spacer lift.

 

I have 5100's with stock coils on my 1st gen and they are definitely more stiff/hard than the 5100's on my 3rd gen with stock coils. My understanding is that the coils only provide the ride height and that the stiffness has more to do with valving of the shocks. I preferred the ride of my stock Off Road shocks over the 5100's but the trucks feels much more stable that I prefer the 5100's even with no lift. Maybe the Eibach provides the best of both worlds.

There's always the option of doing no lift and keeping it stock.
In all seriousness, I have an appreciation for stock vehicles and I've seen vids of these trucks doing some amazing things in stock form. I just wanted to do the same lift that the TRD Pro's have.

 

Did you remove overload, leaf?

 

Just about anything UNDER 3" NOT SPACERS.

 

Good question, I did remove the overload which is what they recommend. I was also able to reuse the factory U bolts because there's plenty of threads left. Come to think of it, I may make a 1/2" spacer out of AL (I'm very weight conscience and don't want a steel one). If I add a 1/2" spacer, I may have to buy new U bolts.... will see. Hmm, I've always like the idea of a U bolt flip kit.

 

Didn't you keep the U bolts that came with the AAL set? What concerns about weight do you have especially a couple ounce difference between the AL vs Steel blocks?

 

I ordered the Headstrong Progressive AAL without the U bolts because I was certain that the factory ones would work with the OL removed.

The weight difference between Aluminum and Steel would be several pounds which really isn't a big deal but I used to be into drag racing and that mindset still carries over for me. I'm also using this truck to tow a 3400lb travel trailer. So I have the "Onces = Pounds" mindset.

 

With the bags, I typically keep 5 to 8lbs in them and it sits at 37" (from level ground up to the wheel well). I can air the rear up to over 39".



The Air Lift system has 3 preset air settings. I have them set at 8, 20, and 40. I can air up and down from my phone or the remote in the console. I also have a valve on the back bumper to fill the bags manually.

The last few images are with the bags 'all up'. I never drive like that, I was just showing how high they could go. I've hauled a full cubic yard of 4" river rock in the bed and these bags leveled the truck with 40lbs of air. I usually drive with it level (5-8 lbs of air)

 

Here is the truck with 8lbs in the bags:


Hope this helps. Don't do spacers. You will end up having to align the truck after the spacers. May as well buy 5100s (because you will eventually) and align it once.

 

How are spacers worse than 5100s? They are both just spacers for the stock springs. If you want to increase travel, you'll need to change to a longer shock and a softer spring. It's entirely possible to have a truck that rides BETTER after it is lifted. Unless by "rides better", you mean slalom speed.

 

didnt see if you mentioned it or not, is it a 2WD or 4WD?

spindle lift if its 2WD, but if its 4WD then a set of 5100 billies with OME coils if you want a cheaper, but still better quality than most

 

I think you're cool to level the front with a spacer, but for a full on lift, I agree.

 

that’s what I’m saying. I had the spacer lift on my 98 for like a year before I put the 5100’s on it and it rode just as good if not better than the 5100’s to be honest and I took it off roading on some decent trails in the Sierra Nevada mountains where I live here in northern Nevada. So I’m thinking of doing the rough country 1.5” spacer up front and the icon 1.5” add a leaf in the rear. Should keep the rake and look decent with some different wheels and 265/75/16’s or 17’s.

 

Honestly, I think you would be fine with that. I have an Eibach lift with Icon AALs in the rear now, but I had a spacer to level the front for years and I off roaded it just fine.

 

do you think the rough country 2” spacer and 1.5” add a leaf would make it stink bug? I don’t want it super stink bug but a little. Maybe like 1/2” taller in the rear.