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4 Inch Lift vs. 3/1 Level

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by Tiger Tundra, Mar 13, 2016.

  1. Mar 13, 2016 at 7:03 AM
    #1
    Tiger Tundra

    Tiger Tundra [OP] New Member

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    Hello all,

    I'm trying to work ahead on some suspension and tire upgrades. My truck only has 15k miles on the stock tires but I'm trying to research ahead of time so that I will be ready when the time comes to change tires. What I'm looking for is three things:
    1. Slight lift
    2. Level
    3. Tires that will fill the well and sit flush with or just outside of fender flares.

    I've got a 2015 TSS off road 4x4 and would like to keep the 20 in wheels that came on it if possible. What would be the best route to achieve above goals?
     
  2. Mar 13, 2016 at 1:21 PM
    #2
    bobeast

    bobeast really old member

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    Hollister, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 DC
    - Bull Bar - LED Bunny Burners - AMP retractable running boards - Headlight leveling retrofit - P3 Brake Controller - 60% rear seat delete - relocation of Sub to rear wall - Bilstein 5100 x4, top setting with 2 shims per side - Coach builder +2 rear shackles w/carrier bearing drop - Firestone Air bags - on-board compressor with auto-leveling - Dual Undercover Swing Boxes. - P285/65/R20 (34.6") BFG TA KO2's - TRD Front skid plate - Pop & Lock Tailgate lock - Remote Tailgate mod - LED Headlights - Nav Bypass - iPhone integration - Serius/XM retrofit - 25% front tint - Bizon electric tonneau cover - Power folding tow mirror upgrade - 2010+ leveling Headlight mod - Auto-fold mirror mod. - one-touch lane changer mod - Flash to open garage opener mod - Rigid H/L fog light upgrade - Pushbutton / Remote start mod.
    I can't speak to the question of "best" as I've only tried one setup. I have the 3/1 Rough Country spacer kit (with Diff Drop). Shoes are 285/65 R20 KO2's. I'm mostly happy with this setup, but I'm thinking of putting a stiffer sway-bar on the front from a Sequoia and a TRD rear sway bar. I have more body roll than I would like.

    General consensus seems to be to stay away from spacer lifts if you are going over 3" and/or you intend to do any moderate to serious off-roading.
     
    TexMedic likes this.
  3. Mar 13, 2016 at 1:49 PM
    #3
    chphilo

    chphilo Tundra addict

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    There have been several reports of failure of front struts due to leveling spacers (some of these were from simply going over a pot hole). Then again, there are some members who have been using spacers for years without an issue. General consensus. however, seems to be that spacers make the truck less capable (on and off road) than stock. (People get them for looks)

    If you want to use stock wheels and have the tires to poke out beyond fender flares (I am assuming pocket style ones), you will need some wheel spacers. If you make them poke out too much, you will have rubbing problems (which limits the size of the tires you could install), unless you are willing do some serious cutting.
     
  4. Mar 13, 2016 at 3:40 PM
    #4
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Some Mods :) See build thread for details
    For lift I highly recommend going with a new coilover lift. This can be achieved with a Bilstein 5100 front shock that has set adjustments to give lift. This will level the truck ~2" up front.
    Or go with a fully adjustable coilover like the Toytec Ultimate or Boss kit for a 3" front and 1" rear lift. I run the Ultimate kit and like it a lot. No issues.

    Your wheels have +60 offset. You need to be around +20 to get to flush with the fender with 11.5-12.5" wide tires. For this you will need 1.25" wheel spacers. Spidertrax and Bora are the top brands. I run Spidertrax without issues.
     
  5. Aug 27, 2019 at 6:44 AM
    #5
    dtrain

    dtrain New Member

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    Thanks guys that was really helpful! I have the same goal to keep stock wheels but gain a slight lift.

    If I do the 3&1 , do I need to make any adjustments such as the shocks or just add 3&1 then I’m done?
     
  6. Aug 27, 2019 at 12:14 PM
    #6
    LT75

    LT75 Seasoned Pro

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    No mods yet
    You would need spacers or new coilovers in the front to achieve that. Then either an add a leaf, shackles or block in back.
     
  7. Aug 27, 2019 at 1:18 PM
    #7
    Wiscdave

    Wiscdave New Member

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    Old ride 13 RW BA budget, 3/2 lift JL W7
    4 inch and cut the cross member..all these guys pushing the 3/1 will be replacing cv joints and Steering stabilizers in 80k...
     
  8. Aug 27, 2019 at 1:30 PM
    #8
    LT75

    LT75 Seasoned Pro

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    No mods yet
    How do you figure? Mine were fine on my other truck with a diff drop.
     
  9. Aug 27, 2019 at 1:56 PM
    #9
    BeachyTundra

    BeachyTundra New Member

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    Brandon
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    Revive this threadddd, I am trying to research options for 4" lifts. I'm currently 5100's up front with top settings, but I feel like I want 4" & 35's....
     
  10. Aug 27, 2019 at 2:34 PM
    #10
    DexterL

    DexterL New Member

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    Hmmm thats a bunch of BS. Lets see-
    07 bilstein 3/1 with 146k, no issues
    14 3/1 spacer lift for 70k, no issues
    14 3/1 icon coilovers- 27k, no issues
    16 3/1 icon coilovers- 95k no issues

    All of these were beat on off road and towed with daily
     
  11. Aug 27, 2019 at 2:47 PM
    #11
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    White 2015 Tundra DC SR5 TRD 4x4 5.7L, White 2003 Sequoia 2WD
    TRD Pro suspension, +2 Coachbuilder shackles, 2015 TRD Pro headlights, 20% ceramic tinted windows, clear ceramic tinted front windshield, aFe drop in pro s dry air filter, TRD airflow accelerator, TRD oil fill cap, TRD 18 psi radiator cap, BDX Bullydog tuner, Weathertech floor mats front and rear, rear seat fold down mod, DNA hard trifold tonneau cover, Linex with uv protection, TRD rear swaybar, TRD center caps, TRD Pro grille insert with color matching surround and bulge, TRD PRO headlights, aluminum oil filter canister, Real truck tailgate seal, Pop-n-lock tailgate lock actuator, rear diff breather relocate, RCI front skid plate. 275/70 R18 BFG KO2s
    You can fit 35s on stock suspension with the right amount of trimming and wheel offset. Most likely you’ll need a body mount chop and remove the mudflaps as well as pushing in the wheel well liner in front.
     
    Bigboitundra and Inquiringone like this.
  12. Aug 27, 2019 at 4:50 PM
    #12
    BeachyTundra

    BeachyTundra New Member

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    It's not so much solely the 35s I'm after, but rather the stance of say a 4/2 on 35s, along with some better suspension than my current 5100s
     
    15whtrd[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Sep 4, 2019 at 7:54 AM
    #13
    BeachyTundra

    BeachyTundra New Member

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    bump....Does anybody know of any quality 4" kits??
     
  14. Sep 4, 2019 at 9:27 AM
    #14
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    Still rolling stock baby....
    Old man emu with the 612 springs and toytec adjustable shackles
     
    BeachyTundra likes this.
  15. Sep 4, 2019 at 9:36 AM
    #15
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADER,RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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    The 956, TEXAS
    None yet
    Fabtec has a 4" kit, with different options
     
    BeachyTundra[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Sep 4, 2019 at 9:58 AM
    #16
    BeachyTundra

    BeachyTundra New Member

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    I did some looking, and it looks like the OME with 612 has an estimated lift height of 60mm, which is about 2.5". Not sure how I'd get to 4" from there, as I already am at 2.5" up front.

    It looks like the fabtech is a spindle lift, which I don't know a whole lot about. The price point of their kits are appealing, however I worry that I might be happier spending a little bit more money for some higher-end parts. I'm not sure I can get to 4" without a spindle lift though?
     
  17. Sep 4, 2019 at 10:05 AM
    #17
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    Still rolling stock baby....
    I got at least 3 inches on the set I put on my truck
    It’s more than I was expected

    554F17B6-E455-40BB-9283-E0A423204C5E.jpg 5D1DBF7C-D85C-40BD-88B0-553D411F7BFD.jpg
     
  18. Sep 4, 2019 at 10:08 AM
    #18
    Skey44

    Skey44 GreenvilleOverland

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    Lift, tires, wheels, roof rack
    If you’re gonna use and abuse I second old man emu, new rear leafs also get you load bearing help if you’re using your truck. If you’re just looking for looks leave it stock.
    I’m stock and accomplish a lot of truck activities, this thing is robust as is. It really depends on why you’re lifting your vehicle.
    With the ome I think people are going 34x11 in a metric size without bmc, but keeping an eye on wheel offset and AT not MT tires.
    Here’s the tire size calculator for your obsessive pleasure. Also keep in mind the availability of your size, just in case, and if you can fit a full size spare in the oem location.
     
  19. Sep 4, 2019 at 10:10 AM
    #19
    Skey44

    Skey44 GreenvilleOverland

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    RLHOK, looks sick! What size tires are those? Wheels and offset?
     
    RLHULK likes this.
  20. Sep 4, 2019 at 10:10 AM
    #20
    Skey44

    Skey44 GreenvilleOverland

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    Looks like we are on the same page lol
     
    RLHULK likes this.
  21. Sep 4, 2019 at 10:19 AM
    #21
    BeachyTundra

    BeachyTundra New Member

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    Nice looking truck indeed.

    I'm currently running Bilstein 5100's on the top setting up front. Ultimately, it's kind of a mixed bag of performance and looks. I ride dirt bikes, so sometimes getting to the trail the truck takes a decent beating, and we've also got some dunes out here that I wouldn't mind exploring in the truck. However, I don't know how realistic I'm being with the amount of off-roading I tell myself I'll do, especially in my very first new $40k truck..
     
    Bigboitundra likes this.
  22. Sep 4, 2019 at 5:51 PM
    #22
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    Still rolling stock baby....
    The wheels are the TSS 20 inch. I think the offset is +50 not 100% sure. Tires are 275/55/R20.
     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2019
  23. Sep 5, 2019 at 2:25 PM
    #23
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    Oklahoma, Toyota seat trim durability tester
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    Still rolling stock baby....
    Here’s another shot

    E13F24FB-F29E-490A-937D-9F445B7DB0FA.jpg
     
    Bigboitundra and Ely010606 like this.
  24. Oct 3, 2019 at 7:28 PM
    #24
    r1-superstar

    r1-superstar Kailua Boy

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    Same here. I'm going to look for 6112s assembled for a good price around the holidays. Although Darren at Boss 4x4 has them for $729 right now..Hmmmmmm
     
  25. Oct 19, 2019 at 11:36 AM
    #25
    PlatinumXing1985

    PlatinumXing1985 New Member

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    how is the ride with your old man emu? what size tires?
     
  26. Oct 19, 2019 at 2:02 PM
    #26
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    Still rolling stock baby....
    Rides great, highway is very smooth and takes dips, bumps and what nots with ease. Seriously very satisfied. Tires are what comes on a TSS package 275/55/R20.
     

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