Pro Comp 6" stage 1 lift long term review

Not sure if anyone is interested, but I thought it might be a good idea to give a long term review of the Pro Comp 6 inch stage 1 review.



Prologue:
My rig is a 2018 Platinum Crewmax. In May of 2019, after a lot of research, I decided on the Pro Comp kit. I had narrowed my choices down to the Zone 5" kit, BDS 7" kit and the Pro Comp kit. I went with the Pro Comp kit as read that these kits tend to keep their alignment better than the others, and 35's would fill the wheel wells better than the 7" kit (I did not want to go with 37" tires). The kit comes with rear shocks and front struts to be mated with the Tundra OEM coils and Pro Comp spacers mounted at the top. Anyway, I was going to do the lift myself (I have done a few suspension lifts on past trucks), but I chickened out due to the cutting required on the frame. Thus, I entrusted the installation my local 4X4 shop.

The installation/alignment was completed in one day. My first impression was a little crushed due to the fact that the front of the truck sat up 3/4 of an inch higher in the front than in the back.



Even my wife was perplexed. Regardless, off I went in my lifted rig. I was very happy with the overall height, and glad I went with a 6" lift as opposed to a 5" or 4.5". However, I was annoyed with the tire squealing that would occur when I turned the wheel way over to the right or left when making a tight turn. I knew that my turn radius would be reduced going in, but the lean of the wheels during tight turns was way more than I knew beforehand. After a week, I also noticed that the tops of the Pro Comp knuckles were rusting:



After speaking with my local 4x4 shop, and with Pro Comp, they all assured me that this was normal and, indeed, friends with other spindle/block lift kits confirmed this.

Anyway, about a year, after the kit installation, one of the rear Pro Comp shocks blew. Not sure how it happened as I have not done any heavy off-roading (Covid prevented this year's off road trip to the Texas Big Bend), other than the beach. A few weeks after the rear shock blew, one of the Pro Comp coilovers blew. Again, no rational explanation as the suspension has never been truly tested off road.



At this time, I went ahead and installed some aftermarket coilovers that were recommended by @jeremyd that are much taller (thus eliminating the Pro Comp spacer) but would actually remove the 3/4" disparity between the front and back of the vehicle which, it successfully accomplished. Yay!



Another side benefit to dropping the front 3/4" is that the wheels now do not camber over (lean) quite as much in tight turns.

And, now for the bad..... When I was installing the replacement coilovers, I noticed that paint was pealing on some of the critical pieces of the lift kit, and rust was appearing; especially on the Pro Comp cross member.





Not sure what to think about the rust as I have yet to speak to Pro Comp about it. I live in Texas, so no salt on roads. The truck has never had salt water touch it, even on the beach. Again, not sure how critical or important this paint pealing/rust issue is yet.

Regardless of that, with the new coil-overs, the handling of the lift is exactly how I wanted it from the get-go.

So, in summary:
GOOD:
- alignment holds well over time
- handling is great with aftermarket coil-overs

BAD:
- Pro Comp supplied shocks/struts are pathetic in the Stage 1 kit
- spacers affect handling in a negative way
- the front will sit up higher than the back with Pro Comp struts
- comprehensive paint pealing and rust occurs within a year's time

If I could do it all over again, would I have gone the same route? Hmmm. Probably not. If not for the rust, I would be content with the current setup.

 

Hey good review! I remember when we talked. But this kit does not appear to be the same as my ProComp 6 inch stage one. I attached a picture of my oem front shock utilizing the ProComp preload spacer and tophat spacer which would definitely explain the front height difference you were experiencing. I hate to do this on your thread, but I attached a picture of the parts that were contained in my Procomp stage one.

 

It's not a problem. The only difference between your Stage 1 and my Stage 1 is I opted for Pro Comp's "Pro Runner" front shock cartridges (read struts) and their "Pro Runner" rear shocks which turned out to be utter garbage. Otherwise, the same. Either way, your suggestion on the coilovers leveled it out perfect and for that, I'm grateful. Are you seeing any rust appearing on your kit?

 

Roger that! I’ll take some pictures when I get home and check for some rust, then I’ll post them.

 

No rust, I'm pretty sure that's because I am in the hot Nevada desert.

 

Lucky you!

 

Can you share what coilovers you replaced the fronts with? I have the same setup as you and have been frustrated with the height difference from front to back as well.

 

https://www.roughcountry.com/premium-n3-lifted-struts-500017.html?find=2019-toyota-tundra-4wd-740155
These kind of prices work good for me because I have 10 other hobbies and seven Grandkids! LMFAO.

 

As @jeremyd stated, they are Rough Country N3 coilovers. $320.00!

And Jeremy, thanks for posting your pics!!!!

 

So, I called Pro Comp tech support and explained the rust situation. I was told to email them a write up and include pics of the peeling paint/rust problem (which I did) and they will get back to me. So, we shall see.

 

I have the pro computer stage 2 and I too had rust right from the get go after installation. So I just cleaned and and sprayed some rustoleum and good to go now. I was pretty frustrated at first bc it happened right away. I’ve had the lift since April and no rust has come back. I have the pro comp coil overs they seem fine for now hope they stay that way.....

 

I have the Pro Comp Stage 1. I bought the truck with the lift already on it, I just ordered King 2.5 to replace the stock strut and rear shocks. They should be here Monday. I wasn't sure of the actual lift height, 6" or 7 ". Mine sat higher in the front. I emailed Pro Comp pics and they said had the 7 inch. I'm still not sure. The Pics on Pro Comp's site show the 6" stage 1 with just the top hat spacers. The 7" shows pics with the topped spacer with a pre load spacer. Mine has both.

I'm in humid as hell Alabama and I don't have any rust on mine either. I'll report back when I get the Kings installed. I'm still trying to decide which UCAs I want.

 

I have a 6" Procomp stage 1 that was installed back in 2013. Almost from the beginning the powder coat started to flake. I just sprayed rustoleum on the bare spots after I cleaned off any rust that may have formed. I do touch ups yearly. Who ever did the powder coating did a piss poor job. Too bad.

 

The coil-overs that come with the Stage 2 kit are much, MUCH more robust than the crap that comes with the Stage 1 kit. In fact, the coil-overs are what differentiates the Stage 2 from the Stage 1. You shouldn't have any problems with those coil-overs.

 

No experience myself with lifts, but those castings weren't fully prepared for paint. The rough spots and sharp edges cause thin spots, and inevitably will wear through and start to rust.

I'd advise anyone looking at a lift to carefully examine the parts before they install and sand smooth any rough or sharp projections/edges, then prime and paint. It will save you headaches in the long run.

 

I'm sure your right, But at this point I'm going on 5 years with this lift. When the front end falls out of this bitch, I'll definitely post pics..Lol
I posted a pic of Magneto man for you..

 

5 years? That’s great!!! Very reassuring

 

That's great news, but to your earlier point, I'm sure that has a lot to do with your location. I don't think that would be true in most locations. Here in MA you'd see rust on those parts within 5 weeks!

 

OK, finally hear back from Pro Comp yesterday. Here is what they said:

"Hello Adam,

I apologize for the inconvenience, after reviewing the photos it seems like the affected areas have minor surface rust. Unfortunately that would not be covered under warranty, the best way to remedy this would be simply to sand down and clean the areas to remove the rust and paint over the affected area.
Thank you,

Martin Saldana
Pro Comp Customer Support Team"

So, I guess I am S.O.L. on any support from Pro Comp. Apparently, I will be spending a day under my truck, sanding and painting. My kit must have been primed and painted on a Friday afternoon.

 

Yup I got word for word the EXACT same response from them. But like I said earlier I did brush it off and spray rustoleum and it’s been fine ever since.

 

I appreciate your response. It reassures me that I need not be to concerned post sand/paint work.

 

Hey guys, I been reading this thread and I have the same exact Pro comp stage 1 lift kit. I bought the truck used and it was already installed. I been having it for close to 4 years now and it’s starting to drive like shit so I was getting ready to replace the struts and shocks. I see that recommendation on the front struts I may go with that one. Are y’all still running the ES9000 pro comp for the rears?

 

I'm not, i put King 2.5s on and swapped my leafs for Alcan. Ride is awesome.

 

I have had a 7 inch pro comp on mine for the last 3 years. I tow my boat with often and taken trips to Baja. No problems. Would do it again in a heartbeat

 

I have a stage 2 pro comp 6" that i've had for 6 years on it. I would love Kings but they are so so back ordered and behind. Ive had my heart set on kings but now i feel im forced to look elsewhere. Anyone with this set up running 2.5 icons?

 

I wouldn't count out ICON or FOX. I have the King 2.5 with resi's and adjusters which are nice but I can't adjust the Coil Overs on the truck which is a hassle.

 

Have you thought about going up to stage 2? Procomp. Also how long was that kit on before you bought it just out of curiosity.

 

I have my stock front coil overs and shocks with the spacers and a set of barely used (10K or less) ES9000 shocks for the Stage one. The front setup actually gave me 7" up front. If anyone's interested.

 

I actually bought the truck with 32k miles on it so I do not believe the lift was very old at all. The previous owner had it installed shortly after purchasing it. At this point I’m going to replace the struts and the shocks I’m just looking for the best option. I’m up to 95k on it now