2003 Suspension Kit Advice

Just registered. My 03 T3 Tundra needs suspension again. It is now mostly a hunting/work truck that sees its fair share of 4x4 (nothing extreme). I would like more comfort in the way of travel. Here are three kits im looking at. I have heard that the Toytec system needs more maintenance and yearly service on other sites. I would like to know from anyone running the Boss kit if this is indeed true. First and foremost i want a kit that is strong and requires little maintenance, kind of like a stock set up. What kind of maintenance does adjustable coil overs require? I am strongly thinking of going OME.
Anyway, heres the kits, what would you choose and what have you run?

https://bigcountrycustoms.com/product/boss-suspension-system-for-2000-2006-tundra/

https://bigcountrycustoms.com/product/2-5-inch-ome-lift-kit-for-00-06-tundra/

https://bigcountrycustoms.com/product/ultimate-lift-kit-with-bilstein-shocks-for-tundra/

 

also i dont want to purchase UCA. I should be fine with anyone of these kits right?

 

I would go with OME because they will give you the best ride offroading.
The 5100s are more of a street shock in my experience.
I have heard that the Boss shocks are not good offroading, but its really just your preference.
You would be pushing the limit on UCAs. Really if you go more than 2.5 inches you probably should get some. SPC is a good brand.

 

Also check this thread out. Helpful info there.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/06-limited-dc-terrible-off-road-ride-with-5100s-and-275s.84864/

 

Thanks for the replies. With the OME lift in i would expect after install a front lift height of 2 inches, sound about right? Does that put you into replacing UCAs territory? They are more than i thought.

 

You would probably be fine without UCAs at 2 inches.
Another brand for UCAs is freedom offroad.

 

If you stay at +2" or less your stock upper arms will be fine. Replacing upper and lower ball joints is a good idea, this way you avoid increasingly rapid wear on old joints that are now operating at harder angles. You might even throw in some new outer tie rod ends since you're in there. Inner rod ends don't fail often.

If you do the install yourself, disconnect the sway bar links while the truck is on the ground, bolt them up again when the truck is on the ground and done. Also you'll want to loosen the pivot bolt on the upper arms to relieve the tension. Once the truck is on the ground again you can torque the pivot back down. This will prevent your bushings from binding.

Same thing on lower arms, although most alignment shops will help with that.

If you go OME just pay close attention to which coils and find other first gen Tundras that have used the same. Almost every time I've seen them used they give more lift than advertised, especially on trucks without off road armor. Aside from that OME is a solid choice.

Adjustable coilover maintenance is a hard question, there is no real formula. For a daily driver I would consider a rebuild every 50-70k miles. If there is no oil seeping you can get away with longer and may be able to just have nitrogen recharged. If you drive really hard then shorter intervals may be needed. If you don't drive the truck often and 50k miles takes you 4 years to hit, then you'll probably go more often. Rebuild is just seals, fresh oil, fresh nitrogen. It can cost quite a bit to have done, roughly the same amount as just replacing OME (or similar) shocks. I have run rebuildable coilovers for around 10 years and had them rebuilt twice. Next time around I will buy a nitrogen tank and do it myself (about a $600 investment in tools).

For what you are doing I think you're on the right track to run OME or similar.

 

Those prices are crazy high on that Big Country site.

 

I’m in Canada, that’s why prices are high. If you guys know a place cheaper I’d consider looking.

I believe the OME has the 2885 coils. I believe that’s the right choice if I’m not running a steel bumper right?

 

I put the OME kit on my 2001 access cab with the 2885 coil and got 4 inches of lift. Hub to fender was 24"

 

Holy cow! I guess you weren’t expecting 4 inches? Did you replace UCAs?
Any regrets in OME kit?

 

Definitely wasn't expecting it

Long story, but I ended up selling the OME shocks to a member here and buying the toytec coilovers. In hindsight I wish I had just replaced the 2885 coils with the 2883 or 2884 coils. The toytec shocks are awesome, but a lot more expensive and softer valving. The OME rode stiffer than stock in a good way and were very controlled. The toytec are really soft and smooth, but a bit wallowy. I was going to try 700lb coils on the toytec shocks, but ended up selling the truck to my nephew to buy my current double cab.

Let's just say when I replace the shocks on my current truck it will be the OME kit.