Lifts and offroading...is it worth it???

I'll try and make this easy for you, as stated, lots of us are running bilstein 5100's set at 2.5, with an add a leaf in the rear, I and many other purchase from wheelersoffroad.com. my lift, which included adjustable 5100's for the front, add a leaf and bilstein 5100 shocks in the rear, came to a total of $440, (I also had steering rack bushings on the same order but that was a different issue)
Install was fairly simple, search and you'll find a writeup of how it goes in no time.

Then most guys are painting the stock wheels black and adding a nice set of bfg all terrains, or some duratracs.

It's gona ride nice, perform very well offroad, and look damn good!

Hopefully this helps you decide what you want to do, I'm sure you will enjoy the truck with a nice moderate lift.

Best of luck!
Pm if you want, or just search and read lots

 

You could wrap a tinsel covered midget around the driveshaft until the rear axle falls off and the burden of proof, legally, would still be on the dealership to prove that your midget caused the defect and not the schmoe at the factory failing to tighten your driveshaft nuts to factory torque specs. Your aftermarket parts are not covered (obviously) but any retained stock parts are still covered by the original warranty unless they can prove the damage or failure is directly related to your modification.

 

i just got back from the AZ desert, doing some deer bowhunting. there was one trail...at the top, i had Verizon cell coverage. typically,we could arrange our hiking to finish off nearby..but not always. i watched modified jeeps go up and down (easy for them. they were showing off to some hotties). some beat up ford expedition would drag body panels around some corners. i had to call my wife, i was tired..so wtf? i drove to the top. bone stock, all season tires. zero issues if i took it easy. i would rub tires against, fenders on occasion.

i live in a huge city, so all season tires make perfect sense for me. i will lift my rig up maybe 3", use the stock 265's as is. my three hardcore hunting trips a year, i think that will be perfect.

my taco, in 4Lo, with the rear locked..was cool to run up that trail. my buddies F150 did alright, but he had tire spin, where i didnt.

 

i have 265 75 16 tires with an ome lift and i think it looks fine and i don't have to worry bout rubbing issues.

 

Im about to get this lift...http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/buy-sell-trade/64887-fs-05-tough-country-3in-lift.html is it worth it??? And what all do I need as far as shocks, Coils and tools...I need an answer asap. thanks.

 

Ok, So it will be ok off road??? I know Coil over is best. But this is too good of a deal to pass up.

 

Thanks man...You've been awesome help.

 

you're gonna make a huge mistake and waste a bunch of money by allowing the dealer to "SELL" you a kit, look around here and find something someone else is running and ask them question then pick ur lift and (if you want) bring it to the shop to install.

You'll end up pay $700 for a shitty spacer lift (huge waste of money) that normally costs ~$250

you're better off not getting a lift vs a sppacer lift

 

In the hands of an experienced driver - a stock truck can go a lot of places.

 

Hmmmm, I was reading about lifts and found I would need longer brake lines??? is this true on a 3" spacer lift??? If so how would you do this.

 

Your not helping any...LOL J/K

 

also says you can use stock shocks, BUt i will only have 1" in down travel...I don't like that.

Damn, I think 5100's are still calling my name.

 

Whatta you worried about? Just get out there and go wheeling without a lift. You're far better off learning a little bit while the truck is still stock.

Why?
#1 - you'll drive more carefully
#2 - you'll learn how the truck reacts
#3 - you'll learn how to choose the right 'line'
#4 - you'll be easier on the throttle
#5 - you're experience will be matched with the truck

The lift & bigger tires are only gonna make your head grow bigger and bigger. You'll be on the trails *thinking* you can tackle everything and you'll probably bust something while trying.

Start small...and work your way up.
Like I said earlier, you'll know when you're ready to step it up.

Unless of course, you're only real reason to have a lift is because it looks cool. Go ahead, admit it!!!

 

Your right...Yes it dose look cool...But your right on the you're experience will be matched with the truck. My truck isn't gonna be no mall crawler...So I guess 5100's and 265's will do it's justice for now.


Ok, I pulled my head outta of my ass. Im gonna do it the right way. 5100's tires and some protection.

 

I think you can do things a lot cheaper, and still achieve some good looks and good perfomance.

Got with 5100's all the way around, eibach 1.6 springs, rear aal, and some new tires. You can do all this for probably 1200-1400, maybe cheaper depends on your tire choices. You would have a good 2" or so lift, and no need to get new uca's. Lost cost, good looks...good performance as well.

 

how does a block in the rear of the truck allow for more clearance under the axle?

also how does a lift in the front (with diff lowering kit) allow for more clearance under the differential?

lifts give more clearance for the body.not for the axles.

tires give more clearance to both the axles and the body.

hope this helps
what kind of lift?
murphy

 

I'm telling you right now.....its too good of a deal because of the rough ride it causes and the damage spacer lifts do to your front coils in the long run.

i hope i can explain this clear enough.

in order to install a spacer lift, you have pull out the coil-over, take off the top plate, compress the spring quite a bit, shove the spacer in, then mount the top plate back on and install back in truck.

basically you are forcing the strut and spring to be compressed more than it wants to. what this does is cause your coil-over to wear out much much quicker to the point where you have to replace them much sooner down the road then you are anticipating.

so what you are doing is spending money twice and creating double the labor.

save the coin....get something a little better quality (doesnt have to be top of the line) do it once and be done.

trust me..i learned the tough way on my 1988 pickup....the cheap way tends to be the more expensive way in the long run...both time and money

 

unless you get extended shocks (ie not 5100s) then you don't need them