1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Tell me about your lift kits

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Beefnbread, Apr 24, 2021.

  1. Apr 25, 2021 at 6:44 PM
    #31
    Wes_heppy

    Wes_heppy Trucks...Dirtbikes... Guns...

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2020
    Member:
    #56456
    Messages:
    158
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Weston
    Vehicle:
    2003 tundra 4x4 4.7
    TC UCA Radflo coilovers Long Tubes LSD
    Some of the best ones include total chaos, Camburg, and solo motorsports
    Some more economical but still good options include freedom off-road, jba, and spc
     
  2. Apr 25, 2021 at 6:45 PM
    #32
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2019
    Member:
    #35797
    Messages:
    4,110
    Gender:
    Male
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM TRD Sport D/C
    Sometimes people just read the question asked and reply without realizing they stumbled into your world. Give the guy a break.
     
  3. Apr 25, 2021 at 6:53 PM
    #33
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2019
    Member:
    #25441
    Messages:
    10,024
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Indiana, Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    05 rollover special
    custom body work, Billies with taco ARB springs, Icon AAL, TRD FJ trail team wheels, 2019 Toyota 86 radio, Blacked out interior, Added factory power everything, heater mirrors, ETC
    If you want to go above a 1.5” lift, I high recommend a set of control arms.

    JBA, camburg, total chaos. Or SPC.
     
  4. Apr 25, 2021 at 6:54 PM
    #34
    Beefnbread

    Beefnbread [OP] Electric Soup

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2021
    Member:
    #61762
    Messages:
    271
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 Tundra 4x4
    I’ll check all of those out. Thanks
     
  5. Apr 25, 2021 at 9:11 PM
    #35
    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw The headlight guy

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2019
    Member:
    #35992
    Messages:
    1,284
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2000 Limited 4x4 AC
    Oh ya, can’t go wrong with name brands. If I didn’t get the deal I did on the JBA’s, I would have gone with freedoms.
     
  6. Apr 26, 2021 at 4:02 AM
    #36
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14878
    Messages:
    15,007
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fred
    ‘Somewhere’... a State of Mind
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 4WD 4.7L AC Silver Metallica
    Hand Protectors
    With the 2000-2003 Access Cabs, the 5100 Bilstien Shock isn’t allowed to be set over the second notch up iirc. That second notch will lift you around 1.5” (again iirc) so you may be able to keep your OEM UCA.

    One of the main reasons I went with Billy Shocks was they are a great value and allowed me to raise the nose a hair (one notch up only) to offset years of settling weight on the front springs. It also kept things simple without having to figure out what works best with what (tons of those threads here).

    Reread your original post about wanting 3” lift. Are you still wanting that? Seems like lots of work with negative consequence. Still unsure of how you plan to use the Truck?
     
    Beefnbread[OP] likes this.
  7. Apr 26, 2021 at 7:10 AM
    #37
    Beefnbread

    Beefnbread [OP] Electric Soup

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2021
    Member:
    #61762
    Messages:
    271
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 Tundra 4x4
    I am aware of the limitations on my Ac 4x4, but I’ve read other threads on here that you can put it on the higher notches without experiencing too many problems.
    Also that’s one of the reasons why I was considering upgrading my UCAs to better compensate the stress on the suspension. Plus I already have a diff drop kit ready to put in when I’ve got everything ready.

    So, theoretically, on 4x4 AC versions, if you put it on the top notch, you would get about 2.09 or 2.10 inches of lift. I think that’s the height I would like it at.

    Currently, I’m running a 2 inch leveling kit spacer on, but I’ve been having regrets knowing in the back of my mind that it could be a lot better with some other parts. I love the way it looks with a 2 inch lift. It’s just I know that getting some bilsteins would create a more comfortable ride.

    Anybody have experience with this? Would adding the leveling kit to the bilsteins on the stock setting be pointless compared to trying to force the last notch?

    4FCD5D37-168B-45B8-8515-36E560B68F00.jpg
     
  8. Apr 26, 2021 at 9:23 AM
    #38
    Cummins3500

    Cummins3500 Never finishes.....

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2020
    Member:
    #40729
    Messages:
    1,066
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Logan
    Vehicle:
    2006 tundra double cab, 2014 Cummins 6-speed manual
    Just be aware on the Upper control arms about a uniball vs ball joint setup. Can’t go wrong with either but another point to consider
     
    Beefnbread[OP] likes this.
  9. Apr 26, 2021 at 1:52 PM
    #39
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14878
    Messages:
    15,007
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fred
    ‘Somewhere’... a State of Mind
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 4WD 4.7L AC Silver Metallica
    Hand Protectors
    Expect harshness in ride quality. We’ve had a few members here disregard the Billy Chart advice and end up with Ragrets so much so they dropped it back down. I’m a Hand Model and even know this.

     
  10. Apr 26, 2021 at 2:39 PM
    #40
    Beefnbread

    Beefnbread [OP] Electric Soup

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2021
    Member:
    #61762
    Messages:
    271
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 Tundra 4x4
    Copy that.
     
  11. Apr 27, 2021 at 11:03 AM
    #41
    cmart007

    cmart007 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2021
    Member:
    #58797
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Charlie
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra Limited
    Toyota headers, K&N intake, Flowmaster 70's
    I recently upgraded from the stock 16" 2002 Tundra rims to stock 17" x 7" tundra rims from a 2004 and had 275x70rx17 Firestone Destination xt's mounted. I installed the Bilstein 5100 front shocks with the clip at position #3 per their instructions. As I'm getting a little rubbing when turned all the way left or right I'd still like to add +- 1" to the front lift.
    Any suggestions??
    It sounds like moving up the clip isn't the right choice
    Thanks for your input
    Charlie
     
  12. Apr 27, 2021 at 11:45 AM
    #42
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2018
    Member:
    #17315
    Messages:
    9,976
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Luis
    All over SoCal
    Vehicle:
    The darkest
    It's really dark
    Was a post deleted here to explain where the OP's arrogant pos activity was? I don't even see a response from the OP to your link. The gif didn't come from the OP... and didn't come from an arrogant pos and it was amusing.

    There isn't much 1st gen to be seen in that sea of 2nd/3rd gen thread. Although we do have threads discussing 1st gen lifts there wasn't much useful info in what you posted. Hes looking for a "what do you have and how do you like it" kind of thing. I don't see any review in there, just pics really.

    I hope I am not being an arrogant pos now.

    @Beefnbread here is a thread to check https://www.tundras.com/threads/how-big-is-yours-measure-up.46186/

    I'm running Fox coilovers, stay the hell away from them on first gen unless you can talk to Fox directly and have them built with Tacoma lower coil mounts. As they are designed they can and will destroy your brake lines, the Tacoma lower mount stops that problem. I also run Camburg upper arms, absolutely no complaints on those. In the rear I run Alcan leaf springs, mine are slightly skinnier than stock at the eyelets which might be a mistake on their part. I stuffed a washer on each bushing to eliminate play and haven't had a problem. I'm around +2" up front and +1.5" out back. I've run other coilovers and ride height in the past but this is where my truck rides "best" without exaggerated wear or impossible alignment numbers. Running 285/75/16 tires on 16x8 wheels with 4.5 backspacing. Once you're sure of what lift you would like you'll want to really consider the wheel and tire combo. Correct backspace/width and tire size is a fairly narrow formula to avoid rubbing.

    20210404_174627.jpg
     
    bmf4069, Lil Steve, RUSTYNUTS and 4 others like this.
  13. Apr 27, 2021 at 1:48 PM
    #43
    alb1k

    alb1k Always Coming From Take Me Down

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2021
    Member:
    #60092
    Messages:
    6,564
    Gender:
    Male
    Left Coast
    Vehicle:
    05 2WD DC w/ attitude
    It's good
    The most superior UCA upgrade and the most expensive is Total Chaos, IMO. And they need Maint, 40-50 highway. After every Baja race. I’m in the 30-40k mile range. They are way better than I need. But so are my tires....

    D160A6BB-C10C-40E0-AB43-EA7C6AD832E1.jpg
     
    AL_TUNDY likes this.
  14. Apr 27, 2021 at 2:15 PM
    #44
    wandering_boy

    wandering_boy Junior Tech Wizard

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #26790
    Messages:
    409
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    California
    Vehicle:
    2005 AC SR5 TRD
    Don't let a kid out smart you.
    I bought the Toytec boss lift kit. Came with bilstien coilovers with eibach springs, their now discontinued remote reservoirs boss shocks, Deaver add a leaf, and a front diff drop. With my metal front bumper and with a Tepui on the back I got 2.5 in in of lift up front and 2 in the back. running stock tire size. It really stiffened the truck up. the thing used to live bump stop to bump stop but now even with the tent way up there the thing fells pretty controlled. Off road the additional flex is obviously nice and even though the front set up is regressive it still provides an ample amount of "cush" when off the beaten path. Only mod I had to make to the kit was for the re locating bracket for the load sensing proportional valve (or some combo of those words), aka that long skinny arm that runs from near your pumpkin to some weird box with lines on it. anyway I just had to drill some holes in for how high i wanted to raise it ( I can add a pick of it if interred). Also the overload bar needs to be removed if you want to run the add a leaf with the stock leaf locating bolt since the ones that come with the leafs don't fit right. overall cost came out to somewhere ~$1800 but If I did it again I would go for their newer Aluma series coilovers.

    61137110869__6F41455F-CB98-4638-AF24-30E708D9B16E.jpg
    61145624737__6B5F090A-81E0-428C-BDD5-1BCD35856C70.jpg
    yummy shock.jpg
     
  15. Apr 27, 2021 at 5:16 PM
    #45
    alb1k

    alb1k Always Coming From Take Me Down

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2021
    Member:
    #60092
    Messages:
    6,564
    Gender:
    Male
    Left Coast
    Vehicle:
    05 2WD DC w/ attitude
    It's good
    Looks like your rear bump stops are doing their job as advertised, excellent. And nice build.
     
    wandering_boy[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Apr 27, 2021 at 5:26 PM
    #46
    wandering_boy

    wandering_boy Junior Tech Wizard

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #26790
    Messages:
    409
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    California
    Vehicle:
    2005 AC SR5 TRD
    Don't let a kid out smart you.
    Well they used to to work all day, now its just when I'm dumb. And Thank you, it still has a ways to go though.
     
    alb1k[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Apr 27, 2021 at 7:34 PM
    #47
    MrAristo

    MrAristo Hounty Bunter

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2020
    Member:
    #40896
    Messages:
    210
    Gender:
    Male
    South FL
    Vehicle:
    ‘01 4X4 Limited TRD
    The OME 3” level kit looks and feels great to me, Toytec AAL also added JBA UCAs. Got some fat 33s with 17” wheels, looking to get 18” soon

    F1C2D7E1-FEE9-4A96-B8E9-4A72B21EA96F.jpg F2EDF6B6-308C-4C1F-8EAC-D7D83182ED69.jpg
     
    Darkness, Glock 40 and wandering_boy like this.
  18. Apr 27, 2021 at 8:33 PM
    #48
    RUSTYNUTS

    RUSTYNUTS Diagnosed: incurable

    Joined:
    May 10, 2020
    Member:
    #46370
    Messages:
    2,044
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rusty
    sOCal
    Vehicle:
    The oldest 1st Gen
    to be continued...
    You did not create conflict
     
    Darkness likes this.
  19. Apr 27, 2021 at 8:51 PM
    #49
    RUSTYNUTS

    RUSTYNUTS Diagnosed: incurable

    Joined:
    May 10, 2020
    Member:
    #46370
    Messages:
    2,044
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rusty
    sOCal
    Vehicle:
    The oldest 1st Gen
    to be continued...
    I’ve got so many questions.
     
  20. Apr 27, 2021 at 9:19 PM
    #50
    alb1k

    alb1k Always Coming From Take Me Down

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2021
    Member:
    #60092
    Messages:
    6,564
    Gender:
    Male
    Left Coast
    Vehicle:
    05 2WD DC w/ attitude
    It's good
    Ha, me too - but need a real test. Speeding round town and banging up curbs it's awesome, though.
     
  21. Apr 27, 2021 at 9:20 PM
    #51
    alb1k

    alb1k Always Coming From Take Me Down

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2021
    Member:
    #60092
    Messages:
    6,564
    Gender:
    Male
    Left Coast
    Vehicle:
    05 2WD DC w/ attitude
    It's good
    Why 18's?
     
  22. Apr 28, 2021 at 10:18 AM
    #52
    2006 Tundra AC

    2006 Tundra AC Slowly upgrading my grandfather's old truck

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2020
    Member:
    #56791
    Messages:
    164
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Cedar Park, Texas
    Vehicle:
    '06 desert sand 4.0 V6
    Alumas, Alcans, TuRD Pro wheels, 285/70/17 Falken
    @MrAristo What measurements from hub to fender are you sitting at with that OME kit and Toytec AAL?
     
  23. May 1, 2021 at 6:50 AM
    #53
    MrAristo

    MrAristo Hounty Bunter

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2020
    Member:
    #40896
    Messages:
    210
    Gender:
    Male
    South FL
    Vehicle:
    ‘01 4X4 Limited TRD
    I love my 17s but they’re stock FJ wheels with a 2” spacer. Want to ditch spacers and get a wider wheel, so was thinking going up to 18s while I’m at it.
     
  24. May 1, 2021 at 6:51 AM
    #54
    MrAristo

    MrAristo Hounty Bunter

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2020
    Member:
    #40896
    Messages:
    210
    Gender:
    Male
    South FL
    Vehicle:
    ‘01 4X4 Limited TRD
    A couple CMs below 3”, but to be frank I’d just say 3. To me it’s the perfect level on these trucks without having to diff drops or anything else altering
     
  25. May 1, 2021 at 8:26 AM
    #55
    alb1k

    alb1k Always Coming From Take Me Down

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2021
    Member:
    #60092
    Messages:
    6,564
    Gender:
    Male
    Left Coast
    Vehicle:
    05 2WD DC w/ attitude
    It's good
    Ah. I went 17X8.5 0 offset. That’s aftermarket from 15mm offset factory.
     
  26. May 1, 2021 at 8:27 AM
    #56
    MrAristo

    MrAristo Hounty Bunter

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2020
    Member:
    #40896
    Messages:
    210
    Gender:
    Male
    South FL
    Vehicle:
    ‘01 4X4 Limited TRD
    I’m debating 18x10 with existing 3” level. What’s your thoughts?
     
  27. May 1, 2021 at 8:27 AM
    #57
    Gmillz85

    Gmillz85 Ski Bum Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2019
    Member:
    #37144
    Messages:
    97
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    greg
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2004 Salsa Red AC 4x4 Pro Edition
    She's a Pro
    I think more specifically he meant WHY 18's?

    Are you planning on running another 33 on the 18s or stepping your tire size down? They make 17s with the proper offset and backspacing for your setup.

    I just come from the other side of the fence. Less rim, moar tire.
     
    lc69hunter, Darkness and Glock 40 like this.
  28. May 1, 2021 at 9:00 AM
    #58
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 I'm here to break shit

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2020
    Member:
    #53606
    Messages:
    735
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Yukon Cornelius
    Way up thar
    Vehicle:
    2000 AC Limited 4X4 4.7L
    Deadpool Edition
    Same here!
     
    Darkness and Gmillz85[QUOTED] like this.
  29. May 1, 2021 at 9:23 AM
    #59
    alb1k

    alb1k Always Coming From Take Me Down

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2021
    Member:
    #60092
    Messages:
    6,564
    Gender:
    Male
    Left Coast
    Vehicle:
    05 2WD DC w/ attitude
    It's good
    I figured out mine using offset and back space online calculators. Also found a site that showed real installs of wheel tire combos, lift details and clearance info. Without digging into that, I could not add anything useful.
     
  30. May 1, 2021 at 10:49 AM
    #60
    AL_TUNDY

    AL_TUNDY New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2019
    Member:
    #37525
    Messages:
    137
    Gender:
    Male
    The Land of Nye
    Vehicle:
    2005 Tundra
    I had fun reading this thread.
    All the CV trouble I'm reading about here that happens after a new lift is installed on a 15+ year old truck probably sitting on the original CVs is not exactly because of the 2"-3" lift. It's because your CVs were already on their way out, and the lift was the little extra push they needed to fail. After lifting a 1st gen for the first time, I'd replace the old CVs, or wait a few days/months until they give out, then replace them. Find the "lifetime" warranty ones.
    I have zero CV issues, and don't have a diff drop. From my years of talking with people and reading countless threads on the topic, diff drops are overrated. The idea is solid, but the execution and effect is less than.
    And not sure exactly on our trucks, probably the same as Tacomas, but... on the Tacoma a "diff drop" spacer drops the front of the diff about an inch. The front of the diff. Then if you ever want to get skid plates, you may have to modify them to work with that diff drop. Then... you also create a sharper angle on the bottom of the diff so if you do ever hit it, the impact may be more direct. Here's a sad, but true story: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/remove-the-differential-drop-on-your-05-tacoma.118545/

    Lastly, I don't know why anyone thinks $80 is too much for an alignment, unless those posts were being sarcastic? The alternative is learning to do it yourself. I eventually had to, my truck gets out of whack all the time after hitting hard trails and the desert out here.

    Currently I'm facing several new drivelline problems, center bearing (just replaced), leaking center diff output shaft, leaking front diff, and a knocking noise in the rear diff. But guess what? CVs are golden.
     
    Darkness and MrAristo like this.

Products Discussed in

To Top