Why split the kits between Coachbuilder rear and Westcott front?

Question: Both Coachbuilder and Westcott offer very well reputable lift kit solutions for our Tundras. I happened to go with the CB complete kit myself. But I see many people split the kits and use Westcott Preload collars up front with CB shackles in the rear. What if any, advantages are there? Is it simply a function of cost, where as the piecemeal is cheaper than either complete kits? Or any there perceived performance advantages to this split?

Coachbuilder - Shim above Front spring and shackles in rear
Westcott - Preload collar under front spring and blocks in rear

Thanks!
Mark

 

I’m running the “split” kit and for me it was a couple of factors... I feel I’m getting the best of both worlds by going with the preload collar up front. I’m no engineer but I think the preload collar is a little easier on the front shock than shimming up top alone, the westcott also uses top shims but this is in conjunction with the preload collar as well (or maybe I’m just full of it). As for the rear we all can agree that cb shackles are far superior to the block given in westcotts kit. And lastly The price for these two items still comes out cheaper than the complete cb pro kit. That’s why I went with the split kit.

 

I definitely agree with using shackles in the rear over blocks is the preferred method. I am not so sure on the argument over which is better for the front solution. If CB is using a top shim at a minimal 1/2" thick its hardly enough to bend shocks and includes the larger bumps tops as protection. Since the Westcott kit includes shims as well as the preload collar I'm not seeing a huge advantage since it is shimmed as well. The preload collar reduces some spring travel not sure how that affects ride quality. Sounds price might be the overall deciding factor. Unless I could drive 2 trucks with both kits one after the other to compare. I'll bet they ride very similar and the differences in ride quality if at all are negligible to the driver.

 

Westcott offers more lift in the front.

CB offers better lift in the rear. "Blocks are bad, mkay... ???"

 

Shackles are preferred as they lift the rear, provide a better ride and increase (or would it be decrease) the pinion angle. Blocks can increase axle wrap and keeps the same pinion angle which puts more stress on the u joints. Not that a one inch block is that bad but it is worse the taller the block.

 

I just ordered the Full CoachBulider kit for my 2021 TRD pro and am going to be using the WestCott (Front Only) lift as well. Wanted a little more lift in the front as I added Icon RXT leafs in the back along with my 315/70/17 AT3 tires.

 

Wait a second so you are going to combine the preload collar from westcott with your CB front lift as well? I was literally just thinking about this today and thought it crazy nobody had done it...

 

No one has done it because stacking both top spacers wont work

 

I’ve been running this for a few months now with no issues

you will need to replace your shock bolts with extended bolts

 

You’ve done much more than just longer top-hat bolts to make that combination work decently. How much down travel does that leave you?