Found this website...

I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here, but I just ran across this website https://www.1stgenoffroad.com/. They've got some good options for suspension, which is what I was looking for. Also some neat accessories not only for my 1st gen Tundra, but also for my 5th gen 4Runner.

 

Good luck. I tried buying from him before and he wouldn't return my calls.

 

That's exactly why I posted. To see if there were any negative experiences. Thanks.

 

Other people ordered from him and reported positive feedback. I just couldn't get him to call me back even though I could see he was posting on Instagram. I'm not sure if he just doesn't like talking on the phone or what.

 

Generally speaking, people have had good experiences. Josh has helped quite a few people here get stuff. But he also seems to be more familiar with and/or experienced with double cabs, and I'd take some of his opinions on results with a grain of salt when it comes to access cab or regular cabs.

Pricing is on-point. FGV did have a bad experience. At least one other person had a case of likely getting the wrong spring pre-loaded into their struts which gave too much lift. I think that fits within the confines of "Overall a solid reputation" though. There's always going to be one or two bad cases here or there with any vendor.

I've recommended them once or twice. But I'd be sure to run whatever you plan to buy through the crowd here BEFORE you make the purchase to understand what actual results you'll be getting.

 

Thanks. I'm a little ways out from purchasing. I'm trying to prioritize needs and wants. I noticed yesterday that the bushings on the front struts are cracked and starting to rot. Pretty sure they're original. I'm looking for leveling with a 2"-3" lift. No blocks on the rear, springs only. Also at a price point that's not stratospheric. Good ride quality, yet off road capable. That's why some of the "packages" were attractive. Like this ->https://www.1stgenoffroad.com/store/p720/3/1Level/Lift2000-2006Tundra.html#/.

 

i had a positive experience with his website. I order 2 years ago when he was very active on youtube

 

OME is going to overlift you. DO NOT be this guy, unless you want to rip out brand new suspension and install a different one like he did. OME kits are made for double cabs/Sequoias. Again -> This is where we know more than others for access/regular cab, this forum and its members have the direct experience and misfortune of believing what vendors are hawking without realizing the AC/RC platform is different from DC/Sequoia.

Second.... you need to understand something. Leveling is 1.25" - 1.5", realistically. Also, 2" is a pretty significant lift. 3" is a substantial lift. Realistically, 1" of lift in the front is going to be what many people consider "level", though you'll have a slight rake, it will be nearly imperceptible because of how Toyota engineered the wheel arches on these trucks.

On your access cab, consider it's 4WD, assuming no armor up front, OME 2883 is should get you to what most people would call barely raked forward, just shy of "leveled', with no rear lift required. OME 2884 spring should get you truly leveled, probably with no rear lift required. 2885 should have you with a little reverse rake, assuming no armor, and will benefit from 1" rear lift. If you tow or pull, I wouldn't use blocks, and would cautiously recommend Icon's

$190 add-a-leaf kit for 1999-2021 toyota tundra - 21.5" short AAL set with isolator pads and square bend u-bolts

add-a-leaf kit 51100 which will net you ~ 0.5" - 0.75" in the rear, but at the loss of your overload spring, so not ideal for hauling, towing.

Now if you want leveled-lift, that's another story entirely. I am level-lifted in my V8/4WD AC. My specs are on the next line ↓↓ along with pics if you want to see what a 2" lift with 3 tire upsize (1.6" extra tire, 32.2") will get you. Is that what you're looking for?

 

Josh answered the phone when I called him last month. He walked me through some choices, he informed me of lead times, and got the correct items to me. I was very pleased overall with how my son’s truck turned out. I went 2885 spring with a 1” block in the rear.

 

Yeah, 2885 for the win!

 

I definitely like how your truck looks. Obviously I have some decisions to make. I want to maintain towing ability, so I'm thinking ATS leafs for the rear. How much lift does the ATS leaf pack add? As far as the front goes, if I went with 5100 and 2885, do you think that combo would appear level without sacrificing towing capability?

 

What you see is ~2" coilover up front and ~2" from the ATS HD springs out back.

I use approximates/tilde on that because clearly I'm sitting quite level, and I had the typical factory rake prior.

 

I've emailed twice with a response.,..ymmv

 

Where's your springs?

 

Somewhere in the trash or stuck under a toolbox in the shop. Rotors and pads were replaced about a month after.

 

Just wanted to add and say that I've had great experiences with Josh as well. I bought a Dobinsons kit and he was super helpful in picking out what I wanted, and my buddy bought an OME kit for his truck and had the same positive experience. His suspension prices are very competitive, I think the cheapest for some parts, and it ships fast and free. IMO, and I should state that I'm a cheap bastard, I think a lot of the other stuff is a bit pricey. Not that the prices aren't great for the items they are, but not a lot of options for us poors on his site. I don't blame him for only selling higher-quality stuff, cheap overseas garbage can cause headaches for resellers, but *some* medium-quality items would be good to see.

I don't have anything of substance to add to the technical discussion here, the big kids got it handled

 

OK, here is what I ended up doing. For now... Bought and installed Bilstein 5100s all the way around. Because of the adjustable spring perch, I can use my stock coils, bring the front up to level(ish) with the rear, and have greatly improved ride quality, without a ton of expense. Again, for now. When I want to go further, the 5100s will allow me to change springs as necessary, both front and rear, to lift, add bumpers, or beef up towing abilities. The ride and handling have been immensely improved. Pretty sure the shocks that were on there were OE twenty years ago. Zero rebound left in any of them! Anyway, thanks for your advice. It gives me something to refer to in the future.

 

Myself and my bro and law have placed multiple orders through FGO, zero issues on our end. Happy customers, I even sport their T-Shirt.

They were also able to source rear ARB springs for the girlfriend’s Sequoia that at the time I couldn’t find anywhere.

I’ve never called and talked to them.