Noob with final lift questions before purchase

Another rookie here.
Wow! I just finished reading every single post in a monsterous 38 page thread on lift kits and feel like I have learned so much about lifts, etc. You guys are awesome! Thanks for your insight and willingness to share.
Of course, as with any Noob, I still have a couple questions. I'll offer a little more info to help narrow things down.

I have a 2013 DC PreRunner 2WD.
I am considering the OME 3" lift kit with 885s and Dakar in the rear. I will also get the UCAs to make sure the post lift alignment is on point.

1. Do I need a top plate spacer to get the full 3" up front? Would you recommend a 1/4 or 1/2" spacer? And if so, will the dakar leafs provide enough lift in the rear to level everything? Will using a spacer greatly affect the ride quality (I am 99% on road)?

2. Do I need a driveline spacer for vibrations with a 2WD? Or a differential drop kit to keep CV joint angles as close to stock as possible?

3. I have 17" rims currently. Can I run 285/70/17 tires without wheel spacers? And will adding wheel spacers cause any other issues with CV joints, alignment, etc.?

4. If I run 285/70/17 will I need to trim anything?

5. The trim packer on front driver side is a must for no lean?

6. Having the Dakar in the rear and not carrying loads or bigtime offroad, are longer brake lines required?

7. Are the dakars worth it for my purposes? Or better yet, will choosing the Dakars over the AAL provide better ride?

Thanks again for all your time and input. I am so pumped that I found TW and am excited to get my lift and post pics, etc.

 

1. Yes get the spacer. I got 1/2" to get the full 3". I am running 885s. Won't affect anything really.

2. No diff drop. Yes, carrier bearing drop kit (FK29 is the part number IIRC)

3. Depends on backspacing.

4. Likely yes.

5. Yes.

6. Yes. Highly recommended.

7. New leaf packs are the absolute best option. Don't waste time or money on blocks, AAL or Progressive AAL. Ask me how i know

 

Someone told me that you could get the full 3" with 887 coils and not need the spacer.

 

Correct.

 

Lol it might have been you who told me that.

 

scottalot,

Thanks so much for such a quick response. TW is filled with amazing taco owners who have been so helpful.
Couple of quick add-on questions if you don't mind:
1. Will adding that 1/2" front spacer make for a stiffer than stock ride?
2. Is the carrier bearing instead of diff drop kit because I have a 2WD versus 4WD?
3. Does the wheels with different backspacing essentially do what a wheel spacer would do without causing the bearing stress your referred to?
4. Will having the Dakars in the rear and the 1/2" spacer with OMEs up front level everything out? I don't want to have any rake.

Thanks again for all your time and consideration!!

 

geekhouse23,

Is the carrier bearing kit the best for me because I have 2WD vs 4WD?

 

Burghlar,

Thanks for your response. Could you help me understand the difference between AAL, and progressive AAL? I had only read about AAL and Full leaf replacement.

 

I have 4WD and have it. It is more dependent on how high you lift.

 

Ok, so if I only did a 2" lift for example I might go with the diff drop, but since I want the full 3" it is recommended to go with the carrier bearing kit?

 

Diff drop and carrier bearing kits are totally different things. 2005+ the Diff drop kits are useless and garbage. The carrier bearing drop kit helps with the vibes of the new angles of the driveshaft after the lift was installed.

 

Why not lift spindles since you have a 2wd. To me it makes no sense to steal from your down travel to gain lift if you don't have to. The 4x4ers have to do this unless they do a DB lift, but you have a 2wd. Screw stiff lift coils and minimal down travel, spindles are where its at.

Just saying man, but its your truck.

Spindles get you to 3.5"-4" which is perfect to clear 33s and you get all this lift and keep your UCAs and LCAs nice and leveled out, yep no alignment issues and no need for UCAs.

 

Ah man, now I have a whole lot more to research. hahaha

No worries though I am happy to take my time and find the right lift the first time. I am so grateful for everyone here and their willingness to help. Could I get some good info on lift spindles from the site that you PM'd me?