Researching coilover lifts as a noob truck owner. 5100s vs OME?

Hey guys, lurker turned user. Hopefully I commit no faux pas in my first post. Finally achieved a dream of owning a Taco and picked up my first truck in November. She's a 2014 V6 4x2 PreRunner with an access cab and the TRD Sport option named Diana. I knew when I got her I'd be making modifications down the road. I'm currently in the process of deciding on the first step: new suspension.

Trying to get a little more lift added onto the stock PreRunner height (shooting for 2.5") for a more versatile ride and eventually fit some beefier tires onto new 16" wheels later on (probably thinking some 8" wide Pro Comp series 51s with General Grabber AT2s). For now, sticking with the stock 17" wheels and 265/65 tires. But back to the lifts, I've been researching and eyeballing full kits revolving around Bilstein 5100s for the past week, but I've also just discovered kits revolving around OME components. Basically, I've been racking up ToyTec's view counts on this page here: http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Complete-Lift-Kits_c_294.html

I think I've got it pretty well figured but could use some verification I suppose. I've read a lot of great things about the 5100s but also a couple of things telling me I could do better with the OME kit. First and foremost, I want a good product with good ride. Second, I want a product that will give me the versatility I desire that will work where about half the year I'm doing highway driving, and half the year I'm doing rough dirt road and recreational driving. Third, I want a product that will last and keep me happy for years to come. This is where I start to lean on the side of OME, for whatever reason.

I suppose my first question is what in the hell makes the prices between the ToyTec Ultimate Lift at $1180, the 3" Billy coilover lift at $920, and the Billy adjustable lift kit at $650 so different? Shouldn't the adjustable kit be more? They more or less all seem pretty similar to me; what am I missing?

For the rear in my mind right now, I would be planning on just adding a leaf to the rear. If I manage to save some more money, which now I probably will, I'd change my mind and get a whole new leaf set. Pretty much looking for a quality upgrade that I won't feel the need to upgrade again soon after. Again discovered an OME product: the Dakar leaf pack.

So at this point the OME suspension lift kit is prying its way into my head more and more. Only thing is I'd like to know I'm thinking about this correctly. If you guys would play the role of dojo master for me here, it'd be much appreciated.

IF I went with the OME kit from ToyTec for my particular truck, the options I would select would be 884 springs, no spacers, no diff drop, and either the 2" add-a-leafs or the Dakar leaf set. Does that make sense? That dirt road driving I do is on granite decay and sand, so I'm assuming the stone guards would be a good option to include? I'm into keeping things nice lol. And also, would it be worth the $100 to ToyTec to get the new bushings assembled? No matter what I get, I'd most likely make the purchases on parts myself and take them to a shop for installment.

A couple last questions: would I need to worry about replacing any of the stock brake line equipment or anything else of the sort? And would I be fine without going in for aftermarket UCAs as well? Trying to cover all my bases.

So there it is. Hopefully I'm on the right track. To anyone who even reads all of this, thanks. Sorry for making it so lengthy, just was hoping to state everything clearly. Here's to a great forum!

 

Welcome,

I think either option would work. I started with the OME kit with the AAL, 885's and top plate spacers. It is a nice setup. I originally had the front diff drop, but yanked it after reading here it isn't really a good thing. I also upgraded to an all pro expo rear leaf pack because I have a lot of weight in th back and I didn't have the original lift anymore. I would go with a leaf pack, dakar is good from everything I've read, but there are many options deavers, all pro, boss, ect... a full leaf pack will ride better. I am about to uprgrade to Icon coilovers and upper a-arms w/700lbs springs. The OME was a nice setup, it is beefy and had a good ride on and off road. Can't speak to the bilsteins, but a lot folks seem to like them. I think the only difference in those different Toytec kits is different options of springs and shocks just call them they will explain the differences. Depending on your truck after you lift it, you may need a carrier bearing drop for the drive shaft and or shims on the rear leafs for proper pinion angle depending on if you get vibes or not. There is a thread on here about measuring pre and post lift for drive shaft angles. For upper a arms, if you stay under 2.5" I believe you should be able to maintain proper caster for alignment, but your stock a arms will be the limiting factor for your travel up front. With the OME height is adjusted by coil rate and height, so if you get the 884's you will just have to see where that puts you. There Iis also a big thread on measurements of people lifts for OME so you can get an idea. Hope this helps.

 

Are the plate spacers essential to the lift? All they do is pre load the springs in the front a bit right? I heard that might make the ride a tad on the stiff side?

I don't plan on going over an additional 2.5", so hopefully I should be good when it comes to not needed extra tweaks. But I'll for sure find that thread for reference! Helps a bunch, thanks!!!

 

The 885's give you about 2.5" of lift. With the top plate spacers it gives you the full 3". They are actually a very small spacer lift, but being so small they do t really compromise the ride. A lot of guys I have recently seen are using 887's to get full 3" without the stiffness of the 886. 887 is a longer spring, but same spring rate as 885. 886 is higher spring rate for folks who have plate bumpers winch and skids. OME is not an adjustable coilover so there is no adjusting preload. I am running the 885s and originally I had 3" of lift up front, then I added a bumper and winch and skids, well I lost height. 885s should give you 2.5 without the top spacers. You definitely do not need the spacers, they are just to give an extra 1/2" of lift.