Lift or leveling kit. Please help me decide

I'm in a similar boat as you and I've been doing tons of research lately. I've found Shock Surplus to be a great resource for information and it sounds like the Bilstein 5100 coilovers/shocks kit would be a good fit for you. That way you also get better shocks than factory and don't have to mess with lift spacers and whatnot. I personally would like to level my truck as well but with the Bilstein 6112/5160 kit instead to have a slightly more capable off-road setup as well as run a larger tire (something like a 265/75R16 would work for me, nothing crazy)

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=shock+surplus

Bilstein 5100 set up review: https://youtu.be/prvWfExnRHo

Good luck with your search

 

Your first mod will grow into everspreading cancer that will never be satisfied.

 

He's right you know. Maybe you should start with the glove box organizer and work your way up.

 

Been There - Done That.

 

Ive done small mods so far on my truck. I blacked out the emblems using plasti dip. I put black letters on the tailgate. I added the oval tube step. I added the Lomax Tonneau bed cover. I replaced the OEM grille to the pro grille. Now im looking into the lift and tires part, then tail lights and headlights after. I know it can be addicting but once i get the set up i want, ill be done. Ive been in other addicting hobbies and ive learned how to control myself.

 

Holy shit! You have the bug. It's too late. lol.. I'm right there with you. Years ago it was mustangs, now it's Tacos!

 

Try just putting the wheels and tires on first. Adding a lift or level will not change the size of tire you can fit. You're wanting to put on tires that are about 2" larger than stock so the body of the truck will be an inch higher than it is now just from the tires and might give you the look you're after.

 

The real question should be how much is your budget? How much do you want to spend?

 

Go with some some aggressive -69 offset wheels and low pro mud tires. JK

 

I like my Toytec lift Aluma Series. Lift over level!

 

Whats your budget?

 

Pic’s? I have a 2” leveling with all I am looking at doing.

 

The use of the terms lift and leveling on many forums/groups is a mixed bag. In my mind, and I feel this is what it used to be, leveling is raising the front end to match the back (which gets no lift). A lift raises both front and rear, and often will be more front than rear which results in being 'level'.

 

Unless your having clearance issues offroad leave it stock height and if you carry anything more than groceries don't level it. The stock leaf pack is made of rubber bands and support no weight.

 

Never understood the level look If you ever load the back won’t be level. As long as your happy that’s all that matters

 

Starting to think it is a lift it or leave it thing.

 

That's the smart way to do it. For every inch of front lift you should match the rear. Depending on your current wheel and tire set up you can get a much better look with alot less issues.

 

I had 2 Wranglers for years but needed a truck after I wrecked them whops, I found this is a great choices to go with!

 

Welcome John

I'm like you, where my drive is about 8 kilometres to work, but do enjoy my truck for trail burning (weekend warrior), type of thing. I'll try anything but rock crawling.

Anywho, most members know that the Bilstein 5100 is the best bang for the buck when it comes to comfort and a nice lift without compromise. You could lift the front 1" and leave the rear stock height. This will give you a nice level stance and you lose the front rake.

Or you could lift it 2" up front with a 1" block in the rear. This one is the most common, and still takes it easy on your front end parts (CV, ball joints, etc...) Either way, Bilstein recommends you keep the oem coils up front, and that's what I happily did. I love my ride, and especially on the Highway, I dont have that tipsy feel of a huge lift. I've upsized my tires twice now in the 8 years of ownership, and my Taco hasn't had any front end/suspension issues. Either way, you lose that oem Brake dive that used to suck.

Only thing I haven't done is gone as wide as you want (275), and this is where you may run into rubbing issues, especially if you buy aftermarket rims with different offset. Good luck there...




Good watch....

 

Just remember,what ever you do you can always undo. If you lift you have to do rims and bigger tires or it completely defeats your vision. Pizza cutters ? Maybe. What ever you decide you’re on a very slippery slope, welcome.