Lift/Level Recommendations Please... Toytec?

Hello,
I have combed through lots of threads on the lift versus level kits etc. I would like to run by the more knowledgeable folks here about what my needs are and I plan to do, to make sure I'm not making a mistake. So opinions/recommendations please!

I have a 2018 Sr5 that is a daily driver. I drive a lot for work... 25k a year on the truck approx. I do not rock climb or hard core off road etc, but am an avid outdoors-man who spends a lot of time at the hunt camp, camping etc. In its stock configuration I have already smacked the drivers side front step bar step, breaking one of the welds. It happened pulling into hunt camp on the dirt road and slowly rolling over a very small stump. I have bumped it several times since then, in what I would consider very mild off road (off-pavement) driving.

All that is to say.....I would like more clearance without affecting (or as little as possible) ride quality, fuel economy, undue stress on other components etc. I do pull atv's etc occasionally so I think some rake is still needed. So I need a truck that still handles and drives well on pavement everyday with a little more off road capability/clearance. I was thinking Toytec leveling kit. Either the 2.5/1 or a 3/2. ????? Would y'all tend to agree?? If not recommend another rout please??? I'm not sure a full suspension upgrade is warranted, but could be wrong?

Also, any pics of your truck with the mod you are recommending would be awesome!

Thanks

 

Front coilovers ADS, King, Fox or Icon will give you up to 3in lift and clear 35's. Add a longer shackle in the rear with a set of 2.5 shocks to match. A set of 33-35 AT tires and you will have a bulletproof setup that still drives great. IMO anything else is a a waste if money. Buy once cry once - do it right the first time.

 

N2deep. Thanks for the reply. So help a noob understand. Rough numbers it looks like coilovers/shackles are 4 or 5 x the cost of of ToyTec level kit. I assume the total overhaul would be superior for heavy off road use. I am under the impression properly designed level kits were not the “wrong” way just different end goals.you said “ do it right” the first time. Is your aversion to leveling spacers that you feel they are bad for the truck? Or just don’t provide the same level of performance? Again. I am totally new at this. Thanks!

 

I prefer lifting with wood, ...a couple 2x4's and your all set.

 

Toytec boss kit is really great and adjustable, even for what you're looking at too, bilstein 6112s wouldn't be a bad option. They're adjustable too.

 

I’ll get right on that. You recommend regular or treated lumber??

 

Don't know a lot about which Toytec kit you are talking about but I wouldn't do a level kit if you plan to use the truck off-road. Most use some sort of spacer and you will destroy your shocks eventually. I don't care for the design on the Toytec coils - just feel that the top 4 brands do it correctly and they will take a beating without any issues.

 

Thanks. That’s why I’m here. To learn.

 

Whatever you do - DONT do the spacer lift. Otherwise this will happen

 

I had a spacer kit for a year or so before I finally bit the bullet and got a Toytec BOSS kit. (Toytec BOSS cranked to 3” and rear BOSS with resi’s on a 1” block)
This setup has afforded me a 1” rake on my DC ( double cab) which serves me well since I occasionally haul/tow various equipment and don’t get much rear droop depending on the load weight.
I would invest in airbags for the rear if I towed heavier equipment more often, but can’t justify it right now.

Best investment I’ve had on my truck thus far.
I ride my truck very similarly to yours. Aside from trips to my hunting/fishing grounds, My truck is mainly on the highway

I’ve gone through some nice bumpy terrain and inched through some sketchy obstacles, but my BOSS has handled all like a champ. Not to mention the highway ride is MUCH smoother than a spacer lift.

Functionality, aesthetics, and it just makes the truck look so much better!
Can’t beat that!

Even if you don’t go the BOSS route, @Toytec Lifts has plenty of other options that may suit your tastes better.

Good luck bud!

 

If your looking to save a bit then there are other options like OME and Bilsteins 6112 I believe are budget friendly. But I have found in the past people tend to upgrade later and waste money but it all depends on how you use your truck. If its just mild off-roading once in awhile you probably will be fine. But if your the type that you always looking for more performance then get one of the top 4 coilovers so you don't have to do it twice, 3x or even 4x like a lot of folks on here. (including me) I am going on my 6th different front suspension setup - leveling spacers, 5100's, Icon coilovers, King Coilovers, Long Travel with King Coilovers and in the process of changing to 3.0 up front.

 

Thanks for the insight! Excellent to hear from someone with similar uses

 

Honestly, the truck is perfectly capable as it is for what you want to do. It sounds like you just need some better armor. If you're just doing dirt roads, camping/hunting trails, etc I wouldn't overspend on a suspension upgrade. Get yourself a good set of sliders and maybe upgrade to a little larger tire that won't require you to modify anything (read https://www.tundras.com/threads/largest-tire-you-can-run-stock-for-all-generations.9762/ for more info).

 

And for the love of God please get some UCA's if you do Kings, Fox, Icon, OME BP-51, etc. Yes they work without em but why go to the alignment shop 2+ times to get your suspension dialed in and don't shim em....

 

I had a 3/1 readylift spacer lift. I am an outdoorsman like you so I get "offroad" to go camping/fishing/hunting. I do not rock crawl. This setup "worked" for me but i was always very careful about what terrain I was on. I just installed Fox front coilovers and fox rear shocks and I absolutely love my setup. The peace of mind of knowing i can go pretty much anywhere with no worries is great. And the fox setup adjusts and rides fantastic. Like @n2deep says "buy once, cry once" but obviously if you have the funds. I had the funds for fox when i did the spacer but chose to just do the spacer and it essentially it was a waste of money (product and paid for install).

 

Where would you point me to purchase a coil over set up. Sounds like I strongly need to consider..

 

Better not be in TN cuz I'll get cha!

 

You have many options for coilovers (brands, sizes, adjustment options, etc)...i bought my fox's on Amazon after doing plenty of research. Buy wherever you find the best price but all your research should go into what exactly you want/need for your particular setup. I have a topper and a decked system so i have some weight in the back. Got airbags as well which i love and recommend to anyone with extra weight in back.
1. front coilovers (can be adjustable from 0-2", 0-3", or whatever but can also be fixed height at 3" (toytec eibach setup) 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 diameter. Reservoir or no reservoir.
2. rear shocks (do not lift your rear)
3. shackles, block, add-a-leaf (are the typical options for lifting the rear)

 

Honestly it sounds like you need to hop into the Bilstein combo. It can be had for under $1000 already assembled and even cheaper depending on what rear shock you go with. With this setup you can off-road worry free and have a great road ride. Get with Darren at Boss4x4 and he will hook you up these are the two combos everyone goes with.....
Bilstein 6112 front
Bilstein 5160 rear (this has an external reservoir)
or...
Bilstein 5100 rear (these are great too and cheaper)

wit this setup you can choose to have a 2in or close to 3in lift.

When you start getting into Fox, King, and other bigger brands you are looking at 2k plus for all around suspension. If you have the funds go king or fox

 

For all the comments that are anti-spacer lift, why? (Asking, not picking a fight).

With extended front bumpstops, you can keep the stock front struts from being over-compressed and collapsing, no? And you retain stock travel and ride, correct? While I agree a great full replacement is a superior option, what is the downside to a spacer lift with extended front bumps?

 

Totally agree and i did add bump stop spacers. The ride with the spacers wasn't too bad. Off road they did not soak up rocks and bumps like my fox's do (obviously). In my mind, adding that preload put a lot of pressure to the stock suspension and just made me nervous. It was more of a personal/mental thing.

 

UCA's.....Noob here... what does that stand for? Also, when you say shims, Ive seen some coil over kits that comes with shims??? are you opposed to these for the same reasons so many are opposed to leveling spacers???

Thanks

 

In all actuality, you could get this kit and it would do all you need for how you are using your truck:

https://www.boss4x4s.com/07_and_toy...in_5100_3_1_lift_kit_boss_4x4s_shackles_stock


If your truck sits level from side to side now (measure center hub to fender on both sides to see if your driver side sits lower), you could order one extra shim and set the fronts on the middle setting with two shims each side to give you 2.5" total, then set the shackles at the 1" middle setting. I did this and installed Nitto Ridge Grappler 285/70r18's.

 

Upper Control Arm. Here's a general, generic diagram.

 

Thanks for the link. I see this has shims which was mentioned earlier in the thread to avoid? Any idea why?

 

From my limited understanding, you are not supposed to use shims on certain coilovers. On Bilstein 5100's and 6112's you can use up to 2 shims per side.