Level: Pre Load Collar Style or just spacer?

I know the leveling question has been asked a million times, but I'm more curious on which "style" than which one or which height, etc. On my 2020 Sierra Elevation with the X31 package I did a 2in spacer on the front and was hard pressed to ever feel a difference in ride quality (maybe because I've never ridden in something with King shocks/a TRD Pro, etc.) but it sat exactly where I wanted it to sit, looked amazing with bigger tires, and gave me the smidge of clearance I was looking for as well.

Anyone tried Westcott style and normal spacer style? Is one technically better than the other? (I know on the sport, which I have, Westcott recommends 2in vs 3in in the front since it sits lower as to not "over" preload")

Last thought, for almost the same price as the Westcott setup I can do 5100s all around I think?

Again, I can figure out brand, lift height, etc, just trying to figure out for anywhere between $40 for a level and the $400 ish for Westcott or struts, what’s the best option? (I assume if I do the struts in front I’d need to do the back too? Or want to?)

Thanks all! Absolutely loving my 3rd gen so far, even more so with the help I've gotten here!

 

I researched this before doing mine, the preload spacers from what I read can give a harsher ride. I debated on the whole starts assembly but just wanted a level. I ended up with 1.75" spacers on front & nothing on rear. It didn't change the ride at all & leveled the truck perfectly. I later added 1/2" in rear just so it wouldn't look squatted if I had anything in the bed.

 

Which 1.75 kit did you use if you don’t mind me asking?

 

Rough country. Then I later added Cornfed 1/2 to rear.
Just depends on what you want out of it. I don't do offroading but just wanted it to ride good & be level.

 

So, I've heard and understood the same, so that begs the question, why would anyone do a pre load collar lift vs just a spacer? I don't offload much if at all, but want the look, and more capable tires for sure, so a full suspension lift seems overkill for me too. From what I can tell, the sport requires a 2in level exactly to be level with the rear, so maybe 1.75 is where I want to go for when it's loaded down as well. My Sierra was a smidge nose high and drove me nuts, lol.

 

Only thing I can think of is some might like a stiffer ride. I've seen some complain the factory ride is too soft. That's my guess.

 

I personally only wanted about a 1" lift front and rear on my Pro so I went with a 1/2" shim up front (providing 1" lift) and a 1" puck in the rear. My Pro had a factory 3/4" rake with about 150lbs in the bed and I wanted to keep the rake the same. This setup did not change the ride whatsoever. You should extend your bump stops slightly with a shim lift and I did so with a 1/4" washer. A preload collar will most likely stiffen up the shock a little however that really depends on the amount of preload the particular collar gives. The preload collar by itself does not require extension of the bump stop which is an advantage over the shim.

 

Normally, the shock is the limiter for droop. A spacer on top of the shock and spring will allow more extension of the suspension at full droop. This can change what suspension part becomes the limit for droop. If the ball joint becomes the part that is now limiting suspension droop it will likely fail prematurely. The bump stop is the part of the suspension that limits compression and will also need a spacer to avoid damaging the shock at full compression.

A pre-load spacer will not cause premature failure of other suspension parts like a top spacer can. However, if the spacer is too tall, the suspension will not have enough down travel before full droop and the ride will suffer.

 

Okay, so preload setup like Westcott (and cornfed?) have the advantage in protecting parts beyond the “lift” by retaining the dimensions of stock suspension, at the trade off of a little less travel and a little stiffer? Seems like a trade off I’d be willing to take then.

Any other companies that do pre load setup that we like than Westcott?

 

https://westcottdesigns.net/product/2022-2025-toyota-tundra-preload-collar-lift-kit-new/

I haven’t seen much on this kit from Cornfed vs the Westcott kit but hold heck is it cheaper.

I could go with pre assembled coil/strut but I don’t think I need it since I won’t off-road a ton so a spacer/level is probably the easiest route?

I guess I lied, any opinions between these 2?

 

Yes, basically, you can find the limits of a preload spacer setup without as high of a risk of complete failure. Both styles of lift will make the truck ride with similar stiffness. Neither a higher spring pre-load or a top hat spacer change the actual spring rate, however, the effective spring rate changes with the angle of the lower control arm.

 

I know both Westcott and Cornfed are well loved by the Toyota community, is thee any reason anyone can see to go with the Westcott at $325 vs Cornfed at $69? They're both 2in, both preload + shim up top. It's not about the money, more so if there's no reason, because if there's not that's almost 1 of my 4 new tires, lol.

Thanks again all!

 

Just took delivery of a 2025 Tundra Blue Print, SR5 Crew Max with TRD off road package. I got nervous & just bailed on my Westcott preload collar 3"/1" lift kit. #35207B (Red Bilstein shocks)I couldn't get past all the negative ride quality reviews and alignment issues. So now back to square one. I just want a little level and lift that doesn't effect the ride that much. Love the truck but coming from the Chevy Trail Boss I just don't like the Tundra stance.