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2011 RW with...leveling kit?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by FredB32, Sep 10, 2019.

  1. Sep 10, 2019 at 3:59 PM
    #1
    FredB32

    FredB32 [OP] New Member

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    Could anyone advise if this appears to be an aftermarket kit or is stock on the Rock Warriors? This is a daily driver for me and not an actual rock/off-road warrior...so I'm more keen on preserving the MPG more than leveling the truck if it makes much of a difference. I purchased it used recently and it has some mods already done.

    69948071_2513047315593155_5324079315963346944_n.jpg
     
  2. Sep 10, 2019 at 4:24 PM
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    Black Wolf

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    Aftermarket
     
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  3. Sep 10, 2019 at 6:09 PM
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    Tundra Fan

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    Spacer lift.
    Looks like they hit the area with a rattlecan too.
     
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  4. Sep 10, 2019 at 7:20 PM
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    FredB32

    FredB32 [OP] New Member

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    The whole underside is coated, but definitely looks like they oversprayed in some areas. What's the consensus on the mpg impact from these things? The suspension looks stock otherwise? I'd look to remove the kit if it'll get me an extra 1 mpg. I'm getting too old to worry about things like that lol

    I pulled some big mud tires off the truck, guessing this is the reason why they added these spacers. Put on some Michelin Defenders last week... Much more comfy. :D
     
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  5. Sep 10, 2019 at 8:44 PM
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    Tundra Fan

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    I don't know if it will improve your MPG at all, but if you are running stock tire setup and don't need the extra lift, it might improve your ride a bit. I'm not positive of that however, someone else will chime in that will probably know better, I just know spacer lifts aren't that good.
    How about a pic of your RW. :)
     
  6. Sep 10, 2019 at 9:00 PM
    #6
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    The defenders should get you some extra mpg's and ride smooth and last forever. Excellent choice in tire. I would take that spacer off, I bet it will smooth your ride out even more. you may even be able to score some new take off OEM bilstein coilovers here in the marketplace for cheap.
    Wouldn't be a bad idea to throw all new shocks on, those front coils and shocks are probably wearing out quicker from that spacer. https://www.tundras.com/threads/fs-...cks-coil-springs-3rd-gen-2007-2019-280.49503/
    I bet you could gain 1 mpg going back down to stock height suspension.
    I have stock platinum suspension on my truck and almost at 40k miles, one of these days I wanna pick up someones trd sport suspension take offs to replace my suspension. Mostly just for looks lol ,I like the red and blue red sport suspension look over my all black or the offroad yellow and blue.
    those defenders should gain you 2 or 3 mpg over mud tires. Did you go with stock size defenders? I went same width but an inch taller and still gained 1 mpg over my stock shitty duelers.
    One question....do you have any lift in the rear? I assume it is a block if the previous owner did indeed do a rear lift, if so, pull that out too.
     
  7. Sep 10, 2019 at 9:37 PM
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    Hbjeff

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    It might be minimal, but going to stock height improves the front wind resistance. Every inch you go up fights aerodynamics
     
  8. Sep 11, 2019 at 7:51 AM
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    FredB32

    FredB32 [OP] New Member

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    I'll have to snap some pics of the rear setup as well, to see if there's any modifications done there. I'm guessing there's a solid chance. This is my second truck (second Tundra) but the previous one I hardly drove as I purchased it just before gas spiked to $4-5/gallon and sold it soon afterwards.

    How difficult a job is this vs. what you'd do on a car? I've done spring/shock upgrades and swaps in the past, and if it's about the same, I'll just plan on doing it on my own.

    The Defenders are really, really nice so far. They're the stock 285/70/17 on the RW rims.
     
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  9. Sep 11, 2019 at 7:58 AM
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    Pudge

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    It looks like a spacer mounted to the top of the coilover so it should be very simple to remove it, no spring compressor needed (I think). Just be sure to get an alignment after.
     
  10. Sep 11, 2019 at 8:35 AM
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    FredB32

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    That would figure...I just got the new tires put in and no alignment needed at the time! :)
     
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  11. Sep 11, 2019 at 10:36 AM
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    FredB32

    FredB32 [OP] New Member

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    So, watching some videos on installing these things, I'm assuming the removal is going to be the reverse? Drop the strut, unbolt the spacer from the top, and reinstall the strut? Would it need to come full off, or can I maybe sneak it off there by just getting the lower section taken apart? I don't have an actual lift, it would be just a jack and stands. Not sure I want to have to remove all the crud like the skid plate, etc. if I can avoid it!
     
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  12. Sep 11, 2019 at 10:53 AM
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    Pudge

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    I think you could remove it without unbolting the lower control arm all the way. Just lower it down swing it out enough to remove the spacers. I have not done this so dont take my word lol, but it seems to me that would work.
     
  13. Sep 11, 2019 at 3:30 PM
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    FredB32

    FredB32 [OP] New Member

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    Here are some pics of the back plus one of the front. Looks like it was all under-coated after having the lift kit installed. There doesn't appear to be a very tall block in the back from what I can see? Bottom of the shocks have seen better days, but they feel solid yet lol

    I don't see anything else that jumps out at me as aftermarket as part of the front lift kit? Most videos I watched had extra pieces to "fix" I'm guessing the geometry of the whole setup. Am I missing something here? Or does it looks like it's simpler a spacer on the front.

    70054673_764112984045975_1076708405155987456_n.jpg
    70439603_501580844029666_525431270902071296_n.jpg
    70330029_768174026967744_7077792412281602048_n.jpg
     
  14. Sep 11, 2019 at 3:36 PM
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    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    It looks like just a simple top plate spacer leveling kit, no lift in the back from what I can tell but those pics are brutal lol.
    Does your truck sit pretty level from front to back? higher in front? Or back?

    To be honest with you, if you're going thru the trouble to remove that spacer, and I think it's a good idea to do so, I would definitely put in some "new" coil overs and rear shocks. There are plenty for sale right here on tubdras.com. they look pretty beat up and run down so now is the time to replace them. Especially since you have to pay for an alignment too.
     
  15. Sep 11, 2019 at 3:41 PM
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    FredB32

    FredB32 [OP] New Member

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    Yeah...hard to get decent pics on my phone with it being overcast and the whole thing is black black black! Let me go get a pic of the whole truck itself and I can grab some quick measurements for the front and rear to see where things are sitting.

    I may just call my shop tomorrow and see what they'd want to do the swap if I can find some new pieces...
     
  16. Sep 11, 2019 at 3:45 PM
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    FredB32

    FredB32 [OP] New Member

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    Didn't bother with a new pic...truck is wedged in between two cars and it would have shown nothing.

    Measured each length from the driveway to the wheel well, center of the front and rear tires: both measure almost spot-on at 39.5%, so it seems pretty darn level!
     
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  17. Sep 11, 2019 at 3:46 PM
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    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    All reasonably priced and fully assembled so no messing with spring compressors. I know you've been sinking money into the truck already but now is the time to replace your aging components before you get an alignment.

    Here's a few sets for sale. You could always go new or aftermarket too. You can also stick with what you have and tell me to stop spending your money too lol

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/2018-trd-offroad-bilstein-shocks-rear-shackles.50993/

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/few-items-off-my-truck.52678/#post-1378838

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/trd...on-from-2017-trd-sport-4x4-w-100-miles.32210/

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/fs-...cks-coil-springs-3rd-gen-2007-2019-280.49503/

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/fs-...d-gen-2007-2019-270-socal.52027/#post-1356713
     
  18. Sep 11, 2019 at 3:48 PM
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    FredB32

    FredB32 [OP] New Member

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    I already have my wife for that! :D

    I'll take a look at all of them. I'd rather spend a little more right now and get it all done at once rather than dink around with it.

    And as I say that, I'm sitting here looking at the front/rear cameras and new Kenwood deck with a 7" screen I need to install yet!
     
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  19. Sep 11, 2019 at 3:58 PM
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    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    For sure. Especially with the cost of an alignment these days. Plus you gotta figure those are original shocks and have a lot of miles on them, I hear spacers can cause premature wear as well and you've for some decent rust going on. Spending 3 or 400 now while you can take your time will be nice compared to rushing to fix something when it breaks.
     
  20. Sep 11, 2019 at 4:07 PM
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    FredB32

    FredB32 [OP] New Member

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    Makes perfect sense. The truck actually only has 104k on it (literally clicked over to 104 on my way home from work tonight).
     
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  21. Sep 11, 2019 at 5:54 PM
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    Tundra Fan

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    If you don't plan on upgrading those front shocks right away, I would definitely get that spacer off of there. They help contribute to that whole lower arm being shoved up inside the shock body.
    Especially with how rusted yours look.
     
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  22. Sep 11, 2019 at 5:56 PM
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    Tundra Fan

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  23. Sep 11, 2019 at 8:00 PM
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    FredB32

    FredB32 [OP] New Member

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    Are 2019 struts/shocks and springs from a 2019 interchangeable? I found a local guy selling some take-offs for $500 for a set.
     
  24. Sep 11, 2019 at 8:07 PM
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    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    They should bolt right up to your 2011
     
  25. Sep 11, 2019 at 8:15 PM
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    FredB32

    FredB32 [OP] New Member

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    $500 a reasonable price, or should I throw an offer out there? Looks like the Bilstein 5100 setup goes for about $400 online (without springs?). Are there other options I should look at for a daily driver with no off-roading in its future?

    ...anyone wanna give me $500 for Christmas? :D
     
  26. Sep 11, 2019 at 8:29 PM
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    Pudge

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    500 is a little high for take offs. Usually they go for 300ish around here, but you will save on shipping. If you're getting both front fully assembled coilovers, and both rear shocks in barely used condition, I would offer 350 and maybe he will bite or counter at 400.
     
  27. Sep 11, 2019 at 8:33 PM
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    FredB32

    FredB32 [OP] New Member

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    upload_2019-9-11_22-32-40.jpg

    These are the ones he has. Guessing there's going to be a limited market around here for them.
     
  28. Sep 11, 2019 at 8:38 PM
    #28
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    Definitely a limited market. Show him 300 cash and say you're taking a risk buying 2019 parts for a 2011 and blah blah...he should be happy to get them out of his garage. Hes just trying to recoup some money from an expensive lift he had put on. I bet ya he will go for 300-400. That's fair for him and cheap for brand new bolt up suspension for you. Between those new tires and new shocks, you'll be riding nice and smooth. Oh by the way.....show us your rock warrior man, lets see some pics of this beast.
    PS you can probably sell those mud tires locally, even 100 bucks is something and some kid will love them for cheap
     
  29. Sep 12, 2019 at 10:13 AM
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    FredB32

    FredB32 [OP] New Member

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    Went pretty much like we expected lol...ofered $300, countered at $400, thinking I'm gonna go ahead and get them. Seems reasonable on both ends.

    I called the shop that does my tires. Estimated $500ish (high end) for all the labor to install them, alignment included. Debating on whether or not I want to do it myself, knowing how much (lack of) free time I have.

    They did offer an estimate if they provided the shocks/struts/parts/etc. themselves (I guess they get pretty good deals) at around $700-800 everything included. They were busy so he didn't have the time to look up all the specific parts and brands that included.

    Other things he mentioned that would likely need replacing or at least consideration (he wasn't too familiar with the truck, we don't get a lot of them around here):

    -sway bar links (said if they're connected, they frequently break when removing the struts)
    -strut bearings

    Could someone confirm if the fronts are actually struts or shocks? They sure look like shocks from what I can tell, as they don't appear to have much to do with the actual body/structure of the truck itself. If they're all shocks, I'm guessing there's a good chance the price comes down, but the estimated labor time it was giving him seemed to indicate struts (~2 hours for the front, a little more than 1 hour for the rears).
     
  30. Sep 12, 2019 at 1:53 PM
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    Pudge

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    The fronts and rears are both shocks, our trucks do not have struts, you're right there. Strut bearings? Never heard of them and as you know, we don't have them lol. Idk about this mechanic haha.

    Install is very easy if you tackle it yourself, only hang up would be rusted nuts and bolts. The rear especially is super easy, maybe an hour job max for both. The fronts can take a little longer, again depending on rust issues.
    I think you do have to disconnect the sway bar end links, but I have not heard of them breaking easily.
    I would consider paying about $100 for both fronts, 200 with alignment but no more than that. Rears are so simple and fronts will be too as long as there is no rust. Its amazing how much longer everything takes, mechanically, working on cars in CT, the winter ruins cars and parts just start fusing together after only a year or so.
     
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