Increasing ground clearance

I have a 2011 platinum tundra and would like to increase ground clearance by a couple of inches for hunting. I’m not a serious off road guy.I’m thinking leveling kit vs lift kit Any suggestions would b appreciated . I have 20” alloy wheels with 275/55r20 tires

 

Welcome - I suggest one of the options from Bilstein (5100 or 6112) and consider those the best value for adding some height.

Here are a couple threads to look at -

https://www.tundras.com/threads/6112-vs-5100-bilistin.64433/

https://www.tundras.com/threads/6112-5100-set-up-prices-install-questions-need-some-advice.65779/

https://www.tundras.com/threads/ride-quality-q-6112-vs-5100.42149/

If the terrain requires more ground clearance its probably a good idea to consider upgrading to LT tires as well.

 

Taller tires = more ground clearance. Consider 275/65/20

 

Would I need a lift or leveling kit to accommodate the 275/65/20 tire

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/largest-tire-you-can-run-stock-for-all-generations.9762/

 

I have a 3/2 on an SR5 and cleared 275/65/20's no problem. It also lifted the truck 1". So I guess I have like a 4/3 lift now lol

 

When you refer to 3/2 are you referring to a leveling kit or lift kit and what brand did use? Wondering if u could post a pic and brand tire. Thanks in advance

 

3/2 refers to the lift in front and rear, in inches

So a 3/2 is 3" front lift and 2" rear

 

OP, you can lift several ways. In my opinion, it’s best to do a coilover lift (lift using shocks) and NOT a block. But the reason to lift is to fit larger tires. And that’s really the way you get clearance... the height of the rubber that lifts the lowest points of your truck ... axles, diff... up above the ground. Any other “lift” that makes your truck body look higher but doesn’t raise those lowest components isn’t really a lift as you describe you want, because it doesn’t provide additional clearance.

 

Taller tires = Increased ground clearance.

 

I’d like to change my tire size from 275/55/20 to 275/65/20 or 285/65/20 I’m also interested in a lift kit ie: bilstein 6112 front and 5160 rear . My question is why 5160 on rear and weather there may be a better set up.need the truck for hunting and hauling my 23 ft boat

 

Yes, you can always get better. But for what you’re planning, 6112 on front and 5160 on rear should be fine.

 

I have another question, will I be able to use my stock tundra 20” wheels and would it be better to go with the 6112 all around instead of 5160 on rear not sure which is the best combo

 

Yep, you should always be able to use stock wheels.

So. I don’t usually refer people to businesses I have not personally used, BUT... I suggest you call Toytec. They’re pretty embedded in this forum, so there’s been a ton of positive recommendations for them over the years— but I think it’s a good bet that, especially if you say you’re a forum member looking for help, they’ll guide you on a set-up to suit your planned use. You can ask us, and we’ll all answer based on what we installed on our own trucks. They’ll— according to a zillion posts I’ve read over the years— give you options based on what you say you want to do vs. what you want to pay.

You get their advice for free; you can buy from them or not— but you’ll probably learn a lot letting ‘em spec out some options, and asking all the questions you think of, along the way.

 

im no suspension guru, just a guy who has been doing a little bit of digging and searching to expand my own knowledge, but i remember reading somewhere or seeing in a video that they only make 6112's for the front and currently don't have 6112's for the rear. who knows maybe it was an old post or video and maybe they have, but that's just from what i remember. gl with your build

 

The Bilstein 5160 is only a rear shock. It has a reservoir of fluid that helps on longer off roaring sessions like washboard type roads. If you are not on those types of roads you do not need the 5160. They make the same exact shock for cheaper without the reservoir.

You can also contact boss 4x4. They have the Bilstein 6112s and rear shocks as a package with everything you need for an easy instal process.

 

“Ground Clearance” is kind of a misnomer when referring to trucks. It’s measured from the lowest point under the truck which is the rear differential. Since a loft doesn’t raise the rear diff and only larger tires can, than that’s the only way to get ground clearance. For all intents and purposes just a lift raises the truck creating more space underneath except the rear diff, including the frame, exhaust, body panels, etc...
the 6112 is a shock/spring package. Since there are no springs in the back there is. I such thing as a rear 6112 package. The 5160 has a reservoir to hold more oil and keep the shock cooler during prolonged or repetitive damping, which reduces fade of the shock. Very nice for washboard roads and towing. Worth the extra coin in my opinion, especially since the 6112/5160 option is considered a budget system. The 5160 without the reservoir is called a 5100 and is also a good option. If your worried about “bottoming out” a good set of skids may be well worth the investment as the factory “engine skid plate” is just thin sheet metal and the “gas tank skid plate” is plastic.
I have a 3/2 lift and the truck is able to do everything I want it to without hitting underneath. I added 275/70/r18 (which amounts to a little over half inch of “ground clearance” at the diff. I found the real weak point of clearance was my tow hitch, which is now 2” higher with my lift.