Lift kit under 1,000$ - Which options do I have?

Well, all that I'm hearing is that I really don't need a lift.

I just bought the K02 265-75R16 on 4wheelparts. I'm hearing a lot about different types of loads, will the shop know how to install them properly?

Thank you

 

4WP does tires?

I would have bought mine at discount tire. Whatever price I can find, they'll match.

 

why do I need to go thru the hassle of negotiating to get the same price? i don't get it. 4WP was 950$, discount tire was 1100$. not worth my time to talk to them to get the 950$ if I'm already getting it from WP

 

I used to be a big fan of Discount Tire. Their selection and service has dropped immensely. Since I was buying a lot of M/C tires online for way less, we started buying car tires from TireRack and Amazon. Better prices and none of that BS Road Hazard Cert negotiations. Much nicer experience overall, but that is just me.

 

I mean, I like 4WP for a lot of things. I'm just not sure if I trust their techs to mount a tire.

 

I bought my last set off Amazon and made the mistake of letting Amazon choose my install place, which wound up being the Sears at the mall that we don't talk about anymore. You know, the mall that you really shouldnt leave your car unattended anywhere within a 10 block radius, it has the 5 shoe stores that are somehow inexplicably still open between the ghost town of closed metal grates and dusty signs of "Coming Soon! and "Pardon our dust!", and also fucking Sears. I had no idea that Sears was still around, let alone that there were still stores with auto-bays. But there it was, a blast from the past, including the gray and brown employee uniforms that were straight out of the 1980's mail order catalogue.


I used to think that you really have to be trying to fuck up a tire job, but I was wrong. They invented ways to fuck up a tire job. They dinged my rims, they slapped weights on there with all the accuracy of my last barroom darts game, and they eyeballed the inflation since the in-line gauge took too much time to read, apparently. Oh, and after all that they had the gall to say that my truck looked out of alignment, let's throw that on the machine real quick for a low price of 80 bucks. Um, no. I grabbed my keys and fled as soon as it was off the stand.

I had to take them to discount the next day and have them re-mount and balance.

 

This and get the Daystar Cradles so you don't have to worry about stretching the bags. You'll easily be able to level the truck with the load. If you need more clearance, larger tires, then consider a lift. I went the other way around with a camper, but happy with both.

 

Yikes! That is epically bad.

A still open Sears has me thinking about the end days of Kmart.


The place that we use is a Pep Boys, but the actual location was a recent acquisition of a small, local chain with the same folks managing it at least. They give me weird looks coming in with Sumitomo ASs for the Subaru and Falkens for the Taco and did ask if the Sumitomos were winter tires.

They were concerned that the Wildpeaks took more weight that they liked to balance and warned me of vibe possibilities. So it has come to be a surprise that they have been smooth for 50k. If there is something that I dislike is out of balance tires and run DynaBeads or Slime in my bike tires for perfect balance.

 

costco sells Ko2 tires...that's the main reason people buy em'... they are cheap.

 

The KO2s I think only come in E rated in that tire size? Is that what you got? To each his own but for your driving style E rated is probably over kill. You will notice the weight as a daily driver. 54 pounds if I remember correctly vs. 37 on the stock tires. Yes E rated has thicker side wall and load rating but it doesn't sound like you need taht unless you are bombing dirt roads at high speeds or going thru rock gardens. I am going with 265/75/16 Falen Wilkpeaks in the SL load rating at 44 pounds.

For your lift, the 5100s sound like your best bet, but they won't help with the sag in the rear with the bed. You need an add a leaf or a full replacement leaf pack. Or air bags as others have mentioned. The leaf pack supports the weight, the shocks dampen the ride.

I have about 250 pounds in the back and I sag on the stock leaf springs.

Unfortunately doing this for under $1k and doing it well will be tough. I would do the 5100s all around and a really good add a leaf. Leaf packs are pricey!

Best of luck let us know what you go with.

 

I agree with you here that stock is more capable than people give it credit for. But, I will also say as a novice offroader, knowing what is and isn't do-able scares the crap out of me. I am getting a 1.5" lift all around and 265/76/16 tires to end up with about ~2" lift. I also added front aluminum skid plate and 1/4" Talons Garage cat shield which also doubles as a skid. I feel like both the lift and skid plates are decent insurance policy of me doing something a little beyond the limits of stock.

With that said, I have considered that I may never need them! First thing I got was rock sliders. After a year I thought it was foolish but on my last outing I misjudged a corner and drivers side hugged the curve and slide up against a rock. Sliders worked like a charm and I could feel the kickout.

 

Just be aware you can get by with shocks , springs , blocks. Only.
A front transfer case , drop kit is a plus, sway bar relocation kit is a plus.
Adding new bump stops is nice. Front and rears.
Please stay from spacers kits if going off roading.
Add-a-lift springs do add more bed support.

Cutting cost and shortcuts? Safety and protecting the lives of people is worth spending a little more!

 

Didn't Discount Tire buy Tire Rack? Or are they keeping them as separate store fronts?

 

Discount tire owns Tire rack since 1921. They are operating as separate business. Google.

 

Yes. They did. I'm waiting to see what changes.

I did notice that the AT tire reviews expanded by about triple compared to 2019 when I was looking. Hard to say of that is very new or just a time thing with the expansion of the Overlanding market.

 

I think tire reviews are next to useless. How many reviewers have tested tires from multiple manufacturers of the same type over an extended period of time? Automobile tires are too expensive and long lasting for the layman to review. Bicycle tires are a bit easier to compare, but still suffer with a low signal to noise ratio.

 

Most of us will read lots of reviews of other drivers , regarding tires brands. I use to work for for a magazine distribution company , and I will read almost every 4x4 magazines, reading the reviews , testing. Seeking information for the best tires, lifts , aftermarket parts, etc.

The one thing I found was pictures of the the 4x4 trucks/suvs, 90% ran BFGs. Muds and A/T’s. Today those pictures were my reviews and the BFGs A/T’s is all I will buy for my 4x4 today.

Yes most of cannot afford to buy and test multiple tires.

 

This only I'd recommend a 3 leaf AAL instead of the single leaf.

Anything more you'll want to do the ECGS bushing replacement and add UCAs.

Hell, do the bushing anyway then never worry about it again.

 

Yeah I did the ECGS bushing when I got the lift and AAL installed, figure might as well get it done and not have to worry about it.

 

For my purpose I wish I install the 1 1/2 inch icon AAL, , May replace with the deaver springs. 6 foot bed, Leer fiberglass camper, and use as a farm truck & for camping ( lots of gear).

Expect to add a lot of aftermarket add-ons, lights, skid plates,floor mats, etc. trying to stay in a budget will be hard? Everyday always something new for the Tacomas.