The 4 and 5 inch lifts use lift blocks for the rear

Hello, I’m looking at lifting my 04 tundra sr5 access cab. I don’t really do any off-roading just logging trails and a some different atv trails so I’m not planning on dumping a bunch of money into it. I just want to be able to fit bigger tires and have more clearance. I’m looking at the tuff country lifts (4 or 5”). The only thing I’m worried about is both the 4 and 5 inch lift uses lift blocks for the rear and I’m worried about axle warp. I don’t know if I can get away with it or not. Any advice?

Thanks…

 

Nope. Nothing that hasn't been posted a dozen or more times already.

But good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

If you don’t want to use the blocks you can add more leafs to the leaf pack. I think you can find you can find longer shackles too if you really want to jack it up. I was getting axle wrap when I tried some 2.5 or 3 inch blocks. I ended up using a 1.5 inch block and added a leaf that lifted about 1.5ish inches. No more wrap. I have about 3+ inch lift in the rear. You can add more leafs for more lift.

 

Okay, thanks.

 

When I bought my tuffcountry lift (8 years ago?) the 5" came with the new beefier spindles. The 4" did not. That was my deciding point.
I have had zero issues with it with. But I have no friends with the same off road truck & different list to compare too.

 

Sweet, that’s what I was thinking too. Thanks for the help.

 

Welcome to the tundra forum

 

If doing a bracket lift like that, definitely pay extra for the taller spindles. They make a kit with scary adapters for the upper ball joints, I wouldn't put that on any truck. The taller spindles are good though.

For the rear, shackles won't work on these trucks. You're going to need leaf packs if you don't want axle wrap, or use blocks and look into a traction bar. That may be cheaper, and adding leafs may not get you as high as you need to be.

 

Are you open to a smaller lift? Something like 2-2.5 inches is really easy to do and based on your usage, 4-5 may be kind of overkill

 

Yeah I’m going with the 5” even tho it cost more it’s a more complete kit. I couldn’t find a traction bar that fit my truck so I think I’m going to buy mounting hardware for one and fab something up myself.

 

Yeah I’m might go with something smaller just so I can so I can save money. But I like the looks of the higher lifted truck. I still can’t decide. Either way I want to run 33’s so I can still have good articulation in the rear.

 

If that's what you want go for it! 285's look so good on these trucks.

 

Yeah man

 

Is the old man emu suspension lift any good?

 

I think it's the best bang for the buck! I loved it on my old truck, never tried bilstein but have only heard great things about their 5100 shocks.

 

Yeah I’m debating bilstein or the emu. Thanks for the help!

 

OME is good but they are more geared more towards expeditions and touring. They'll give you 2-2.5" of lift at max. They are great at handling heavy load and are durable shocks but not the most comfortable. I don't think they're the best option for you if you're looking for a 4-5" lift.

 

How about a Combo Lift?
3" body lift and 2" suspension lift.

The huge advantage is the center of gravity is not being raised near as much, so cornering and highway speeds designed curves are cause less lean and of course far less stress on the suspension from the lift changing the dynamics of how all the parts work together to suspend in the first place. Luck deciding.

 

I’ve heard mix things about body lifts but I was thinking that I can still get up but I won’t mess up the angles of the front end components. What are peoples thoughts on the body lift?

 

My neighbor has 33s on a 6" lift and it looks like a big dog with little legs.

 

You sound unsure of what you want, and your needs. I hope that doesn't sound harsh. But asking people on the internet will warrant all types of answers. You'll have the "purists" let's call them, that will say only Toyota shocks, leave it stock, nothing will ride better. The money bags, who'll spend the most amount of money on a lift kit, the fuck it this'll work group, and the fabricators who are able to build completely amazing rigs. There's too many variables.
I think most(?) Of us can agree if you have the money, the 6" RCD is a nice lift kit, if you wanna go high in a kit form.
The 5" tuff country, which I opted for, because money is always depending, I was comfortable with because it gave me a good platform to upgrade and fix things along the way.
And the Bilsteins seems like the most popular option for a 2-2.5" lift.
Or if you want to go high and still be the most useful offroad. SAS it.
I think a budget needs to be formed, and also plans on what you want to do with the truck. If it's a daily driver, IMHO lifts sucks. I've had them on all sorts of gas and diesel trucks, all different kinds. They get tiring. They're cool to look at, but impractical. Climbing into, loading and unloading things out of your truck, if...well..y'know, you use your truck as a truck. Once again. This is just my opinion. I've been fortunate enough to now afford another truck, that's staying stock for a daily, (except for go fast parts, obviously) and the Toyota as a mostly offroad truck. Which I used to daily, and it was fine. For an underpowered, thirsty, lifted truck. But I digress.
1) needs and wants of your truck
2) budget
That should give you a better path

(I've also never had axel wrap in this truck, I don't think they make enough torque, lol. Maybe if I changed gearing?)

 

Yeah I know I sound indecisive (and I am lol) but Im just trying to weigh my decision. It kinda also depends on the construction season this summer if I get the money I will go for something nicer. Im young and I know for the most part any lift above 2.5” is usually impractical but you only live once right.

 

Only impractical depending on YOUR needs.

 

I think fox makes a 2-3" coilover and archive garage can set your rear, email Eric. Nothing you plan on doing needs more than that and you will save money. You can put some nice size tires in there.

 

Ok I will, thanks.

 

I say go for a solid axle front end and convert the rear to independent.

 

I should have started with solid front axle.

 

What the range for price that you could expect doing that?

 

Or I guess I could do my own homework on that lol

 

Way too much and need to be able to fabricate. It would be cool, but not really realistic (fun to dream about)

Here are the options in cost order (excluding bracket lifts because I know nothing about them)

Bilstein on stock coils roughly 1.5 to 2 inch lift, pretty solid offroad and rides nice. Truck should sit level if not, rear add a leaf or 1 inch block (then need new rear shocks). $500-$800

OME, same as above but a stiffer tune on the shock (I loved that it was stiffer and more controlled, ymmv) $700-$1,100

Coilover shocks with reservoirs. Same as above but Fox, Icon or King shocks. Really cool, expensive and overkill unless you do a lot of offroading (nothing wrong with overkill if you have the money). $2,500 - $3,500

Solo mid travel kit, super awesome, expensive. $5,000

Solo long travel kit, really awesome, expensive. $7,000 (probably more) Make a killer offroader

Solid axle swap, the grand daddy of cool, very expensive