2.5"-3" Lift Kit Recommendations

Hello - New member here. I have a 2018 Tundra DC in black, TRD Off Road model. In the summer I like to take some rocky 4x4 roads to secluded lakes to go fishing. My current stock set up can make the roads, but it gets a little dicey. This spring I am adding a camper to the back of the truck (500LBS) and I think it's time for a bit of lift and 35" tires.

My goal is to add 35" tires to the truck without doing a "body chop". In watching some YouTube videos and reading through the various threads on here it looks like if I keep the offset between 0-12 on the wheels, and keep the tires less than 12.5" wide, I can fit 35"s on my Tundra without a body chop.

So I have been researching lift kits on this site, on YouTube, and the internet in general. I was drawn to the Icon Stage 3 lift kits as they seem to be well reviewed, except here on this forum where people seem to have had issues with them. I then moved onto the BP-51 kits, but those seem to have some sort of leaking issue. The Foxes seem a bit too expensive seeing I want to get a kit, including rear leaf springs. My budget is around $4,000 for the lift kit, although I would prefer to pay much less! I read about ToyTek but I don't see a 2.5"-3" lift kit on their site? Are there any other options that I am missing that might be good options?

Lastly, I am not a mechanic and I will be paying someone to add the lift kit and install the new wheels/tires. I would prefer not have a complicated lift kit that requires very much maintenance as whatever needs to be adjusted will need to be done at a shop. I noticed a lot of the kits have small reservoirs attached for dampening. I like the idea of this but am a bit worried about adjustments/leaks/complications.

Thank you in advance. I did do a search for all the terms I listed above, and read them, but am still looking for someone more experienced to give a recommendation.

 

I’m looking at the Toytec’s as well. I spoke with David at Coachbuilder (Ekstrom Design) and I told him I was looking at the Toytec Aluma coilovers and adding the shackles on the rear. Also to help with the loads I may move I have added the Firestone Riderite airbags. If I decide to install it all myself, I should come in just under or at $3K. I did catch some sales though.

After install I should get the 2.5-3” in front and close to 2” in the rear for a close to level look.

 

That's sounds like a pretty good setup at a nice price point. This is probably a stupid question, but are the shackles different than adding leaf springs? It looks like those lift the truck but keep the existing leaf springs?

 

Yes, they replace the factory shackles on the OEM leafs. I’m no expert by any means and I’m sure others here could provide more info. I currently run the ReadyLift SST 4/2 but want to get rid of front spacers and rear blocks. The shackles and coilovers should provide for a better ride. I also don’t do extreme off-roading but do track through the farm and pastures on occasion.

 

Dave was who I used for advise...I got the toytec coilover and shims he recommended. He even powdercoated UCA's for me and I got the 3 inch shackles in back. To get the stance just right I had to add a leaf in back. Dave is great....