Get Whitey

Hello,

I recently purchased a white stock 2001 access cab 4wd Tundra (pictured below). I want to learn how to wrench on it. The other tundra is it’s twin trucker.

 

for a budget 2-3" level/lift kit you're looking at Bilstein 5100s, Old Man Emu(OME), or Eibachs. they're pretty much all the same, but I'm leaning towards Eibachs or OMEs personally since the Billys are limited to 1" rear lift, whereas Eibachs for to 1.5". Can't remember what the OME rears do.

with 2-3" of lift, you're just fine with stock UCAs. no need to go aftermarket unless your OEM ones are shot.

 

Trimming is pretty easy so I wouldn't worry a lot about that. With your projected 2-3" lift you're going to want to stay at a 33" tire or below I believe.

I would be a diff drop bracket if going 2" or above. You can get away with it at 2-2.5" I think, but those brackets are so cheap you might as well do it to help with the angles you mentioned.

I just bought the eibachs since I did not want to reuse my stock coils. Have not installed yet.

If I were you I would get under it and check everything real good. Check your sway bar and all bushings, all ball joints like tie rod end/Upper ball joint/lower ball joint, your center carrier bearing on your axle, basically just a lot of the stuff that gets worn on these trucks.

I'm a big believer in fixing these things before they can cause more damage, and before I spend money on 'fun' but not necessity mods.

Have fun with the truck and ask away and all questions during your build!

 

OME rears designed for 2.5" in combination with the DAKAR leaf pacs, otherwise you can go with AAL and or shackles level the rear or retain a rake.

 

I like it! the only thing I'd suggest is going with a progressive AAL rather than that linear one. it'll just ride a bit better in the rear.

 

That's a good choice. I almost went that route.

 

I would go with the ICON expansion pack over the Toy-Tech. Just my .02

 

Parts List (working)

Shocks- bilstein 5100’s (DONE)
Springs- OEM
Sway Bar- ADDCO 2181 1’ or Hellwig 7700?
Rear Leafs- Shackleton or Hellwig 1910 or HD
Wheels- 4Runner snowflakes
Tires- BFG ko2’s 275/70/17
UCA- SPC or JBA (ball joint, not Uni-ball)
Other- CVA’s, etc?

 

If you want to stay cheap just check Craigslist for wheels. There should be a lot,of options if you search 4runner and Tacoma.

 

Like the old school looking wheels on the right Tundy... anyone know what they are?

 

Close, but that’s not them. The ones in the photo taper outward & have “2 pc” bolts around entire circumference. Ivan Stewart wheels taper inward. The ones in photo remind me of American Racing wheels.

 

Look to be extremely similar or exactly like these American racing wheels...

https://www.americanracing.com/product/wheels/ar23/?attribute_pa_finish=machined

I've always like those wheels on 80s-90s toyota 4wd trucks for some reason. The 1st gen tundra would pull them off good as well imo.

 

5100’s Front (3rd Notch) & Rear.

 

Talk me into or out of this tire:
Falken Wildpeak AT3W LT275/70R17 Tire

 

I’ve heard good reviews. @trailbikerider has them and seemed to approve.

 

The Hellwig 7700 is awesome! You’ll see.

As far as rear leafs, @Surf_spear_Mex used a certain brand and there is another brand I’ve recco’d before. Both USA Made with USA Steel.

 

@MNtundra the falkens are great tires with a tuff look to them and perform well...until you get around 30-40k miles. When they wear down they make a loud swarm of bees type road noise. I've had 2 become unbalanced 2 different times. I'm wearing them til summer is over but they are annoying at this point. So for the fair price point they work excellent just not a high mileage performer imo.

I just installed the ATS HD springs yesterday. I'd really be thinking about leaf pack options over aal or helpers. My oem's were pretty tired and loose. The ride quality on the little trip I've taken with the new ones is a 10 out of 10. Firm but not bouncy. Works great with the 5100's. I got 2 1/4 lift on the rear so they worked in that aspect as well.

Also I have almost zero body roll now in correlation with new front sway bushings and suspensionmaxx sway links. It feels like a Porsche in the corners errr sorta but close enough lol

 

Yup! This is my 3rd set between my 4Runner and my Tundra. Awesome tire.