Lifting a Tundra 101

Hello to all

I been thinking about lifting my Tundra for 2 reasons, metal bumper witch I already install and I want bigger tires. I already bought a 3" spacer kit with diff drop and 1" in the rear. But recently I heard some information that with the lift, I will need a front stabilizer bar or else my wheel will shake. I looked at the stabilizer bar in the Tundra and it looks like a decent thickness to me, but im no suspension expert.

Then I thought, if I have to replace the stabilizer bar, I should ditch the spacer kit and just get bigger shocks/struts for the front. And what about upper control arm replacement?

I just wanted to get some opinions from people that has done this kind of job to see what route I will take going forward.

 

Your truck already has a front sway bar and it can be left in place with the spacer lift or lifted coil overs. If you want to tighten up handling and cornering, I suggest you look at the TRD rear sway bar. There is also a TRD front sway bar available, is heavier than what comes on the truck but get the rear first, it really makes a big difference in handling. If you offroad at a moderate level, you may want to skip the rear sway bar to maximize articulation.

You should read the stickies in the suspension forum here. Good info on the different types of lifts, pros/cons. Tons of review of lift setups, pics, etc.

Many stay away from spacer lifts, not going into all the details on that, is in the suspension forum. Lifted coil overs are preferred for better ride, performance. Low end there is 5100s or 6112s, mid range you have eibach, OME, Dobinsons or you can go expensive and get fox or other higher end brands.

As far as upper control arms, they are typically needed for 3 inch lifts, many run them on 2-2.5 inch lifts for better alignment and drivability and adjustment to address tire rubbing.

Bigger tires- you can fit 285/70-18 on stock wheels on a stock truck. 275/70-18 is a little smaller, 33s, but there are more tire choices in that size and they are cheaper. 285,295 sizes will need a couple inches of lift for clearance. Also know that installing larger tires on a Tundra means moving from standard load tires to LT, E load, which will make the ride firmer.

 

“If I do this, then I can do that, but why do that when I can do this instead?” Yup, that’s the typical mindset of nearly every person in this forum who got bitten by the mods bug.

 

Guilty

 

Thank you brother I appreciate the info!

 

Just depends on how you will use the truck? You really gonna off-road it? Or is a daily driver on the highway? Or is it both?

 

Daily driver...but I want it to be capable...not really gonna be off roading in it. I think the main thing is I dont want the lift to cause my steering wheel to shake

 

steering wheel shake on a Tundra is usually related to wheel balance, barring any mechanical issues like worn bearings or suspension components. Tundras are kind finicky about wheel balance, especially with LT tires.

 

Lift won’t cause those issues unless it’s installed wrong or like all lifts over time cause other parts to fail premature. Which I wouldn’t be worrying about. I’d getting a 6112/5150 type set up for what you will be doing. Won’t break the bank but very capable. Get a good alignment. Also I found on my truck I had steering wheel shake issues the past 6 months had the tires balanced multiple times, rotated, inspected the whole truck for any work parts and after all that found my tire pressure was the culprit. I literally lowered the pressure from 35lbs to 32lbs no more shake.