Looking for a 3” lift for overlanding purpose

Hello!

Calling around to local shops to see how much a lift would be to get installed.
One shop said they can do a BDS coil over 3” lift for the cost of the parts + around 600$ in labor. Sound fair?
Is a job like this feasible to do on your own in a driveway?

is this a good brand of suspension? Should I go with coil overs for off-road purposes?

 

i've seen some company that does lots of tundras for overlanding purposes and I want to say they went towards toytec. toytec is a pretty good brand. i dont' have any personal experiences with them, but reviews say they're great. i'll have to try to find the youtube video. the guys get it dialed in great according to what kind of overlanding you're doing.

*EDIT*** i believe the company was expedition overland that i had seen them do a few different tundras. check them out to get some tips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3LTElSyTR8

 

Yes, coilovers. No spacers. Probably be a good use of time for you to do some searches on here, check threads related off-road suspension. Find members that drive where/ how you want to, then check their build threads to know what suspension they have. Chances are you’ll end up spending more the first time, but not have to replace everything.

 

Will check them out for sure.

 

BDS is great. Honestly its hard to go wrong as long as you don't get a spacer kit. Comparable setups to what you have would be King 2.5's or Icons. OME makes a great kit that is tried and true and much less expensive too if you're looking to spend less. I'm biased because that's what i run I don't do any high speed offroading though.

$600 for labor for all four corners is pretty good. If you're mechanically inclined and have the tools its pretty easy to put in the coilovers yourself. It took me about 6 hours and that was with taking my time and being a few beers in.

 

If you plan to add a lot of weight, go off-roading and still want a smooth ride on the street, custom tuned shocks would be a great option. A lot of the kits you see online come with shocks that are tuned for a stock vehicle. Adding weight will definitely affect the handling and control. Fox or King would be my suggestion. Leaf springs can be a little tough to choose, upper control arms are pretty straight forward too.

 

Basic question - is there a massive difference between stock suspension to a Coilover lift to a Coilover resivor kit?

 

Search around the forum. There are plenty of options for our trucks. Basically, you get what you pay for. It boils down to your specific needs and price range.

 

Yes very much so. 98% of stock OEM shocks are not serviceable and are mass produced on the cheap for a stock vehicle. They will need to be replaced at a certain point. (most) Coilovers are much higher quality, adjustable, serviceable, tunable for vehicles with aftermarket accessories. These shocks can be adjusted and tuned to perform better for your primary use. Daily driver, towing, off-roading, loaded with 2,000 pound camper etc.... stock shocks wont do that.

 

just my opinion but for overlanding, which usually means some offroad time, i would not look for cheapest to go with (not syaing you are)...i'd save if needed and go for quality build that are adjustable. agree that fox and kings are good coil options. when i'm out and far away from support, the last thing i want are failures. you will get what you pay for when it comes to suspension. if it's just a pavement princess then cheapies all day (but still not for me). 2.5" coils in front for better ride quality than 2.0.

i did the 0-3" fox stage 4 ultimate suspension kit through boss offroad. currently sitting at 4/2.

 

For true overlanding and hauling all your gear with you I would suggest that you look at OME suspensions (old man emu). Rock solid and will stand up to the extra loads you would carry and the off road terrain.

 

I'm eyeing the OME BP-51 kit myself.

 

Overlanding is a wide term now - kind of like sailing. It could mean an inflatable with a bed sheet or a topsail schooner. Describe a bit more what you mean: extended trail use? Fire roads? Vehicle dependant camping?

 

Im trying the Westcott method on my truck. 6112 with his lower clamp and no UCA (at this time)

https://www.instagram.com/jeff.westcott/

 

What is that exactly?

Edit: nvm, I see that it's a spacer lift

 

but not a Top Spacer

 

Not sure it matters where you put a spacer. If you’re gonna play fast off-road, don’t rely on a spacer.