New Taco and looking for a lift!

I see a ton of people on here recommend the Bilstein 5100 setup. What's the best setup for a good price. I don't want to spend $1k+ on a 3" lift that I won't off-road much.

I'm looking for a complete setup I can install in a day. I was going to go with a 3" spacer and a 2" block but I have 3" spacers on my F-150 and I've had to replace the wheel bearing 4 times already. So I really want to avoid that route if I can.
I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm looking for a budget 3" lift.

Has anyone had experience with the Rough Country 3" Strut lift with Nitro shocks? $500 seems like a decent price for an actual lift and not a front spacer.

I was going to run 17x9 -12 with a 285 but some have to chop and some don't so I'm thinking of sticking with a 265.

I'm new to the Taco and I know you vets are probably really tired of seeing this question asked but who better than you vets for advice. So many kits out there just don't know what direction to head in.

 

Click this icon in the top right.

Try a search so you don’t get bashed for not at least trying to find an answer before looking. There’s like a bazillion threads on the subject

 

That's what I mean. There are a ton of options when I search.

 

Seeing that you are 4x2, I highly recommend a Spindle Lift; you get to maintain factory geometry without having to cut or chop the frame.

Maxtrac and Camburg are reputable retailers.

They offer 4" and 6.5" configuration. I went with the 6.5" but for your preference, a 4" would do just fine.

With either option, you could fit a 285. I fit a 285 in my 6.5"

This fellow TW user got a 4" spindle done
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L5BzGinIjI

 

I would just do bilstein 5100s. Cheap and the rides good.

 

Have you looked into the Eibach pro kit? About 2.5", installs in about 4 hes, and only $550. SeRh on here. Everyone that haves it seems to love it. Its what im getting.

 

Now 1 bazillion + 1

 

And a bazillion answers like this.

 

What kit would I need? Every Billstein kit I see is $1k+

It was an option. I was considering. I'd like to stick with a 3" but I haven't completely ruled out the 4" Maxtrac.

 

Because 3rd gen. Duuuhhh

 

That’s my truck.
Great lift + tire setup . Would highly recommend it for anyone going for an aggressive stance.

 

No kit. Just bilstein 5100s. (4) of them. Well technically you can do just 2 in the front to get it to level out. Do some research and see what click you would want it on. I kept it at 1.1 so the ride was a little better and leveled it out. Should be around 350-400$

 

Went with the bilstein 5100s all around set on the third notch (1.1") up front, leveled the truck perfectly for me too.

 

So just the bilsteins? with stock springs?

I've been begging 88rotors to do a 17x9 -12 setup and yours is the first I've seen them do. With everything added on what's your mpg look like? Still stock ride quality? Anything you would change? Did you add UCAs??

 

How much lift you want? If you want to just level it, stock springs is fine. If you want a bigger lift, i would go with bilstien 5100s set at 0 with coils and an add a leaf.

 

looking for a 3" lift in the front and 2" in the back. Do you recommend a set of coils that are budget friendly?

 

Look into these. I believe this is a common coil with the 5100s.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-ome-888-coil.432320/page-31


This will be my next purchase and upgrade as-well.

 

Will the 5100 setup require UCAs?


I found the Maxtrac spindle kit on HSOR for 699 but I also found the TuffCountry 4" kit on another site that has spacers and UCAs for 580. I know the Maxtrac kit has been recommended before anyone recommend the TuffCountry?
I'd like to retain as much fuel economy as possible will it differ from 3" to 4"?

 

No, that wouldn’t make much of a difference. I would stick to Maxtrac as they are trusted here with very few (if any) issues. I would not do a suspension lift all the way to 3” or else you run the risk of hurting CVs. You avoid that with the Spindles. I would do a spindle lift with an AAL or leaf pack in the rear. Learn from many of us - do it right the first time
It’s cheaper that way

 

The increased track width has me . I don't know I'll have to do more research and see what fits for me. I'll have to give Marie a call over at HSOR.