Rancho Lift vs Billstein Lift?

In the next few weeks im going to be ordering a 3" lift kit, I've done a lot of research and pricing for different kits and was fairly decided on the Rancho Lift with the RS9000 shocks. Ive read great things and everyone says they ride great. I ruled out the Toytec kit with the Bilstein 5100 shocks because after shipping/import charges (to Canada), the kit would be crazy expensive. However recently I found the kit through a local supplier who can get me the kit for the same price as the Rancho kit. So now it begs the question, which one should I get?

Heard great things about Rancho in terms of durability/ride quality, but the included rear suspension is lift blocks/u bolts. Which isnt as good as AAF (or so ive been told)

Heard great things about the Bilsteins as well but also read some things about people wearing out the shocks prematurely. However the kit comes with AAF which is better for the rear suspension (Probably better in the long run too over the rear lift blocks?)

Anyone want to share their opinions on either of these lifts? If you could get them both for the same price which would you go with?

Kits im talking about are below

$1,594 Rancho 2.5" Primary Lift Kit with RS9000XL Shocks - RS66901R9

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Suspensi...tl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_pDetail_productSpecs

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com...with-Bilstein-5100-Front-Coilovers_p_364.html

 

Bilstiens with AAL > rancho + blocks , allday

 

This X1000

 

Any issues with alignment/camber? One of the main reasons I was looking at the ranchos was the addition of the UCA's, to help fix any issues the shocks would cause

 

I'd wanna see those uca's up close before I thought about buying them. Then I'd probably go with the other kit anyways. Rancho is not a highly respected name on these boards fwiw.

 

I think I'd rather have the Bilstein setup without UCA's than the Roncho lift with the questionable UCA's and I'm not even a bilstein fan boy.

 

You lost me at:"Rancho"

 

Who did you find in Canada that could get you to toyotec? I'm in Victoria and can't find anyone who can get them

 

The Billy by a long shot. I could never trust the craftsmenship or quality of the Rancho.

 

I'm definitely on board with everyone else, Bilstein without question.

 

another vote for the bilstein's

 

Bilsteins got my vote here; Recently we just replaced a friend of mines lift kit on this Jeep. He had Rancho shocks with less than 10k miles on them; all blown already. Replaced with all Bilstein 5100's and so far they ride much better.

 

I live in Toronto and called CT Motor Sports out of brampton and they can apparently order the kits and everything in. Got quoted around $1200 CDN for the kit with billstein shocks listed in my first post

 

Any comments about OME? Supplier can order OME suspension parts from toytec as well and I know OME has much better reviews then Rancho. Was looking at

90021 Shocks
885 Coils
Toytec AAF

Is the front diff drop in the kits really necessary? My tacoma is 4x4. Are getting front top plate spacers to get the full 3" lift a bad idea?

So now its between the bilstein 5100 kit and the OME kit (Or possibly mixing them up?)

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/OME-TAK--OME-Tacoma-Suspension-lift-kit_p_231.html#

Going to be ordering the kit this weekend dependent on the conclusion I come to here..

 

Save the Rancho for the budget built '64 Chevelle with the 235.

I'd call Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road. I know the import mess might not make them your vendor of choice. But they have such a good customer service rep I bet she might be able to refer you to someone in your area.

You could always come across the border and go home with installed hardware too........... don't think customs will be peeking under your truck will they?

 

OP...for what it's worth, I have the Rancho lift on my 13DCSB and I like the adjustable ride. The kit in my opinion (I am a mechanic) is of very good quality, Easy install as well. I have had the lift on the truck for a year now and have no complaints. I am in the process of adding OME Dakars soon, they are sitting in my garage, i'm waiting for good weather so I can climb underneath to install them. The blocks in the rear that come with the kit are ok, they do the job, but decided to bite the bullet and get the dakars. good luck to you...

 

Are the ome dakars really worth 4x-5x the price of the toytec AAF? Was looking at those too, but if I add the ome leafs my kit is going to be over 2000 which doesnt make sense to me for a first lift

 

Buy once cry once the Dakars are a onetime purchase likely to last you the life of the vehicle, whereas the stock pack with an add a left will likely need upgrading/replacement at some point.

 

Oh really?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dakar-springs-worn-out.484945/

 

I agree with @IronPeak ...I did the AAL and didn't like the ride, I skimped out in sooooo many ways when doing my first lift (and this is my first lift). I should have did it right the first time, I would have spent less in the long run. I love the Rancho lift, (that I would not change) and I know I'm going to like the Dakars even more. One suggestion to you without coming across rood, for your wallets sake, if you can't afford to do it right, or do it the way you really want, then wait until you have the cash to do it. It's less painless in the long run, your wallet won't suffer as bad (throwing $$$out the window)