Okay... do I really need a lift?

Just get it levelled in the front set at 1.5" with Bilstein 5100's. Big upgrade over your OEM shocks.

 

I started with raising my front with 5100s to level it out, which I needed to after I got the 4th leaf spring installed per the TSB. Later I upgraded my coils to eibachs "performance" coil, and added a 2" block to the rear to match it up. Did that as I bumped my tires up to 285/75r16. And I also upgraded my UCAs to cambergs when I did that. Since then I recently installed icon RXT stage 2 leafs in the rear, with bilstein 5160s. I have bilstein 6112s due in next week. I've done all of this stuff on my own, so the fun to me is really in the learning how and then doing it. I will add though, every single time Ive upgraded something the ride has improved quite noticeably. And I'm always amazed how different the new parts build quality are over the stock components. The truck rides well stock, but it's amazing how much nicer it is with the upgrades. That said - not cheap either. And I've been slowly doing this over 10 years too. Drive your truck for a bit and see how you like it, and if anything feels lacking - address that first.

 

Your right, they look a lot better and I love it. (2"-2.5" lift, Eibach Pro Truck Lift, All Dogs Off-road rear 3-pack add A-Leaf, JBA red upper control arms).

 

Imo, most that do lifts are mainly for looks. These trucks stock will handle more off road driving that one thinks. I was amazed how well my sr5 went in snow over a foot deep, and handled ruts in muddy roads that an average car would be instantly stuck. Imo, a lift really isn't needed unless your planing more serious off roading.

 

OP...... Ask yourself a some basic questions.

Why do you want a lift?
Mall crawler bropoints?
Experience on rough trails?
Appearance?
Will the lift add to resale?
Potential for mechanical problems?
What to do with take off parts?

The answers to these questions may determine YOUR answer.

 

For what it’s worth, this is my plan. ^^^

I started out with the idea that I was gonna put Bilstein shocks all the way around, lift it about 3 inches, etc. etc. … Then suddenly a light bulb went off in my head and I had to asked myself, “are you E’fn insane”! Why deuce did I need to be spending all that money, time and effort To do all these things that not only the truck didn’t need, but I really didn’t need? Not to mention that it is a never ending task because one thing Constantly leads to something else whether it’s due to something breaking or something not working correctly unless you do/add something else to it and so on.

Truck height envy can be a pretty powerful alore to some folks. My blunt advice is, unless your truck is being used for military use, or you are doing some major heavy duty off roading on a regular basis … get over it.

 

1.5” suspension lift front and rear, combined with 265/75/16 tires, gave a total of 2” that genuinely helped eliminate hits to the truck’s undercarriage and other components when traveling Funtreks AZ “moderate” trails.

The stock truck is very capable. If you aren’t hitting obstacles and hearing the clunk/crunch underneath, I’d say there’s no need to lift.

 

Thank you Sir!, you're 100% right.

 

If you are looking for more ground clearance.......then look to the tires.

Lifts do not increase the space in the wheel wells. This is why there is a need to begin chopping cab mounts, chin cuts, hammer pinch welds......etc, so the "big" tires will not rub on the body.

The differential is the closest component to the ground. Only way to increase this ground clearance is to raise the axle.

 

That is BEAUTIFUL!

I'm thinking (after reading the first two pages of replies) I may just increase the tire size (265/70R17) and get new wheels (no lift) after I put miles on these first set of tires (Firestone Destination 265/65R17).

Ed

 

Perfect sumation.

A more aggressive tire and better skid plating will take you farther offroad than most of us want to take a vehicle this expensive.

 

Looks great, mines lifted, locked, fully skidded, and more. They are one hell of a trail toy. Your truck looks great, I love that color.

 

Read nothing; and said yes.

 

Just remember...your not cool unless you have a lift. Looks are everything.

 

Some of us don't lift but add accessories due to need...ok, looks too!

 

I was waiting for somebody to say this. A stock SR5 taco is far more capable off-road than the F150s you’ve been driving. It’s in no way a “low-rider”. So you probably don’t need a lift.

 

I want to lift mine but I have a hard time to justify it. I rarely go on more than a dirt or gravel road to get to a camping or hiking spot.
I spent about 1200 back in 2011 to lift the Liberty CRD I had with OME everything and JBA UCA's only to take it anywhere a little more challenging a handful of times while I owned and I probably would have been OK stock in it. But man did it look taller and meaner than the average mall crawler Jeep Liberty. If looks are important to you then a 2" - 2.5 inch lift is going to be nice for you. So far the stance of my SR5 is fine since I moved up to 265/75R16 tires. That change alone made me want a lift much less.

 

1st thing I did was upsize to a 265/75/16 (similar to 265/70/17) tire. They looked great stuffed in there, and added more ground clearance. Couple of years later, I got the 2" 5100 Lift, and it not only looks better, it still rides like stock. My Taco was more than capable stock, but has improved even more.

My next set of tires will be 33" Pizza cutters.

 

Do what feels right. I recently traded my stock 2018 TRD off road for the truck pictured. I loved my 2018. Then I found this truck on Auto trader and it had everything I wanted to do to mine already done. so, I pulled the trigger. and I love driving it...I also loved my stock truck.