Question on 2-2.5” lift

Im a total newb when it comes to suspension. Ive got a 2021 sr5. Wanting to lift the front 2-2.5 inches and maybe an inch in the rear and put some 285/70R17 or 285/75R17’s on. Digging thro the forum and different websites reading about the cons of leveling kits then seeing various lift kits ranging from cheap to super expensive im getting confused as to what would be a good setup to go with. Just want to keep the factory ride quality and not use something thats gonna end up wearing out or messing up any factory suspension stuff, and keep at least a little of the factory rake. Any suggestions?

 

check into Bilstein 5100's or 6112 shocks. Better than factory ride at that setting imo.

 

skip the cheap spacer lifts. 5100s or 6112s are popular and lower cost. Eibach Pro truck setup is about a grand, assembled adjustable coilovers and rear shocks, nice stuff, I run it. Toytec will also have some decent offerings from 1000-2000, depending. All Ive listed are good components not too costly and are an upgrade from the stock stuff.

Check out the stickies in the suspension forum, guide to different types of lift is the thread that will be helpful to you.

 

Will check those out. Thanks man. Would i need to upgrade UCA’s when doing a 2-2.5” lift?

 

The OEM UCA's are good for the Bilsteins. Toytec Alumas for example will need aftermarket UCA's.

 

at 2 inches not needed. Optional at 2.5, but using them at 2.5 will give better alignment. Is a must for aproaching 3 inch lift to get alignment right.

oh and as far as rear lift, lift shackles are better than blocks or add a leaf as far as ride. But block and lift shackles can cause the leafs to wear/sag prematurely.

If you use the truck to tow and haul, look at RAS (activesuspension.com). It helps support the weak factory leafs, addresses sag, no negative impact on ride and gives about an inch of lift in the rear. If you do lift the rear, any method, you usually will need a carrier bearing drop to address vibration at takeoff.

 

I may not lift the rear then. I know a 285/70 would fit fine. May lift front like 1.75-2. I just wanted to keep a little factory rake.

 

Really depends on what your goals are. If you touch the suspension at all it will ride rougher. 35s at a 285 width and stock tire will fit with no lift usually (some minor fender plastic massaging likely). Keeping the stock UCAs and doing a minor lift in the front with Bilsteins + minor coach builder lift in the back would be pretty close to smooth stock suspension and 34/35s would look right too. You would then eliminating added maintenance like UCAs with Uniballs/etc. down the road or special leaf springs/blocks. If your goals are to support a super heavy bumper/winch or camper in the rear for overlanding that would be different (then I'd say go Old Man Emu, Dobinsons, etc.).

 

No overlanding or winch/bumper. Just wanting a 33-34 inch tire and a slight bit of lift in the front. But not wanting to cause any issue with uca’s or mess up any factory components

 

I too for a few years have been wanting a less than 2 inch front lift.
I’ve had a 2019 Tundra since late 2018. I put toytec leveling spacers within a week or so of buying the truck. I recently upgraded the suspension and replaced the stock shocks and coils with Fox 2.5 non-resi coilovers. The rears got Fox 2.5 Remote Resi with DSC adjusters.
The shop that the installed the fronts left them as they came out of the box which is around 2 to 2.25 inches of lift. They said they would settle after 1,000 miles and drop about .25-.5 inches. It’s been 1,000 miles and they’ve settled no more than 1/8 inch. I’ll probably take it in to a local shop and ask them to set the lift to about 1.75. I want to maintain a slight rake, maybe .25 inches. Right now it seems I’m taller in the front by about .25 inches. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but the .5 inch difference seems to bug me.
By the way, I’ll be putting on 285/70/17 tires in two weeks. I’ll post some pictures. Maybe seeing my setup and look will help you decide on how to go about yours.

 

Best bang for the buck, fully adjustable on the truck for height would be Eibach Pro Truck suspension. Fully assembled coilovers and rear shocks. Front come set at 2 inch lift, but are adjustable (threaded so easily adjusted when installed) from 0-2.75 lift. The setup will run you about a grand.

 

Yea do post some pics if u dont mind thats the tire size im considering if i go with 17’s

 

I got the 285/70/17’s on the Tundra today. I didn’t get the truck until after dark so I didn’t get a chance to take a picture. I’ll post some pictures tomorrow.
First impression, visually, tires look too small, and wheels do too. Black wheels don’t look like what I was expecting either. So far I don’t like how the two blacks clash.
Also, the black wheels don’t look great on the truck’s white paint. Again, these were my first impressions. I can be really critical.

I only drove eight miles, from the shop to my house. The drive was great. Right now our roads are icy and slick. The traction is great. No issues, no slipping tonight vs slipping and the LSD kicking in throughout the morning drive to the shop.

Tomorrow I’ll have more time to either get used to the wheel and tire configuration or to completely regret the size choice.

 

Here’s a quick iPhone picture in daylight. I can post more up later. Today I feel better about the setup. Maybe at night the low light didn’t help my first impression. I think I can live with this wheel and tire config.

 

I think that looks perfect!

 

I dig it man. Definitely better than what i got goin on at the moment.

 

Is that a better option than the bilstein 6112/5160 that i see mentioned alot?

 

Hope you don’t mind, I’m gonna butt in. Better is subjective and impossible to quantify or qualify. Every brand is going to feel and perform differently. Every brand and setup is going to have different costs too. If lower budget makes you lean towards a certain setup, then just get spacers, used ones. If spending big reassures you that your purchase was the better choice, then you can quickly spend $3,000 on a moderate 1-2.5” lift.

I have friends that say they can’t tell the ride difference between stock vs stock with front spacers. On the other hand, supposedly I can. There’s people that say they don’t feel any difference in my stock ride vs. my aftermarket Fox 2.5 setup on all fours.
My opinion is to stretch your budget, spend wisely but don’t go cheap. I’ve lifted several vehicles and looking back, I would avoid starting out with a cheaper setup that I would later regret and ultimately take out to put a higher grade setup. Spend once cry once. I guess what I’m trying to say is get Fox 2.5 coilovers or King 2.5 coilovers haha. The likelihood of you regretting a Fox or King setup is very low.

Lastly, to your original desire of leaving some of the factory rake on your truck, I went through that on my setup.
I initially had a 2 inch spacer setup. I always thought that went a little beyond leveling. When I bought the Fox setup, the shop that installed it left it too high. One month later I adjusted the coilovers. My front is now at 23 3/8” from center of hub to fender. My rear is 23 13/16”. So basically I’m a little under 1.5 inches of lift but my rear is also a little lower than some people’s 24” measurement. My rear has drooped slightly, maybe because of my tonneau cover, or maybe because the truck is four years old and the leafs are simply sagging a little, or a combination of both. I can see a slight rake, not much. And that’s more or less the angle I was looking to get. I thought I’d share that with you for when you decide how much rake you end up staying with.

 

Fwiw, I didn't see the cab configuration mentioned. Your lift results will fluctuate a bit depending on your cab size/weight. That said, If you have the budget, and plan to keep it for a long time, do it right the first time, you will save in the long run. Factory leaf springs are junk, might as well get your rear lift with custom springs and bump stops to match. Beware it's a bit spendy once you enter the pit!

 

What about the Eibach pro truck suspension mentioned a few posts above? I dont do much offroading at all but i do want a smooth ride and quality setup that isnt gonna wear out factory components,etc. Or would u still suggest just going with the Kings?

 

I don’t have experience with aftermarket Eibach. My wife’s little Volvo has sweet Eibach springs but they’re stock, and obviously that’s not a Tundra. I don’t do too much offroading either but I do tow and I can certainly appreciate an upgraded suspension in city and highway driving. I know a lot of guys and shops use Eibach when replacing springs. What I would suggest is that you do an adjustable coilover that has a 0 to 2.5 inch lift range because you’re wanting to preserve some rake. Even if you lifted the rear in the future, a 2.5 lift would be fine. Then look into digressive versus progressive valving. Once you wrap your head on digressive versus progressive, it’s just a matter of how much you’re willing to spend. Then the list is much smaller.

 

What exactly is the issue with going with spacers made by say, Rough Country just to bring the front up level without touching the rear?

How easy is it to adjust those Bilstein shocks after install if change is desired??