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Leveling Question + TRD Sway Bar question

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by ToyotaTundraMike, Jan 4, 2016.

  1. Jan 4, 2016 at 9:55 AM
    #1
    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike [OP] Not A New Member

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    Hey guys, I don't know too much about lifts and leveling, but I would like to level out my 15 Double Cab about 2" in the front. (Don't want the 3/1 because I'm afraid it may look a little too small when I only put 33" tires with it)

    What is the best way to give it the extra 2" up front that I want? I have read that adding some front shocks such as Bilsteins will accomplish this, but would I need to add anything else with them to prevent extra wear on other parts of the truck? I don't do much offroading (only the dirt roads that lead to my hunting lease).

    What would my best option be?

    Also wondering about the TRD Sway bar. I know absolutely nothing about them, but have seen many great reviews. Are they only for 4x4 trucks or can I put it on my 2WD?
     
  2. Jan 4, 2016 at 10:10 AM
    #2
    Nit2wn

    Nit2wn New Member

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    Honestly, I called around for a few weeks at different offroad places before I went back to the dealer. I wanted a level look or just slightly higher in the back. I ended up with a 2.5'' toytec lift in the front end and love it. I just wanted to run a little bigger mud tire on the stock rims.

    12250076_1246017518757790_85682491429647_0970aa9adc84c0ce1cfc833c36da5bc78e97f658.jpg
     
  3. Jan 4, 2016 at 10:46 AM
    #3
    PlatPro

    PlatPro New Member

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    2014 Platinum, TRD Pro Suspension , Truxedo Bed Cover, Vent Shade Rain Guards, Tint match windows,TRD Exhaust, Linex, Custom Dyno Tune, TRD SwayBar, and just started.
    I have the TRD Pro suspension on my Platinum. 275/60R/20 ( 33/10.5/20) fit with no trimming or rub. I could have squeezed 34s but would have needed some modding. I also stayed with the 33 because I often tow 8-9K pounds and didn't want to trash my gear ratio. Leveled out, 33 fill/ fit nice.
     
  4. Jan 4, 2016 at 10:59 AM
    #4
    cfdfireman90

    cfdfireman90 New Member

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    Just did exactly what you are talking about yesterday. I bought a 2" front strut spacer on E-bay for a little over $40. It goes between the strut and the strut mount. Therefore it doesn't add pre-load to the strut and maintains the stock ride quality. See pictures.

    image.jpg
    image.jpg
     
  5. Jan 4, 2016 at 10:59 AM
    #5
    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike [OP] Not A New Member

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    Thanks for the info. Looks good! How does it ride compared to stock? I am wondering if I need one of the coilover kits or if I could just get the Bilstein 5100 front shocks and use my stock coilovers? Would save me around $600, but what benefits would I lose compared to one of the kits?

    Nice, thanks for the info I will be on the lookout for a good deal on craigslist for the TRD suspension. I imagine the dealer is pretty proud of it.
     
  6. Jan 4, 2016 at 11:04 AM
    #6
    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike [OP] Not A New Member

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    Nice, good looking truck! Never thought about doing that, but I kind of want to upgrade the stock shocks either way since some of the dirt roads I go down on the weekends are pretty rough.
     
  7. Jan 4, 2016 at 1:26 PM
    #7
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    Is that a bolt on top spacer lift?

    Bolt on top spacers can explode like a grenade

    upload_2016-1-4_14-25-48.jpg
     
    jlee likes this.
  8. Jan 4, 2016 at 1:39 PM
    #8
    cfdfireman90

    cfdfireman90 New Member

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    I agree with that if you use a spacer that goes between the spring and the top mounting plate of the strut. Which is what looks like happened in the picture. I used one that goes between the top mounting plate of the strut and the strut mount attached to the frame. It is billet aluminum that is machined. What is picured is no more likely to happen with my spacer than without.
     
  9. Jan 4, 2016 at 2:28 PM
    #9
    jlee

    jlee New Member Vendor

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    Oh one or two.
    Oh it is still likely to happen unless you extended your bump stops as well to limit the up travel. As soon as you bottom out that shock that was designed for the stock wheel travel "SNAP" go's the shaft on the bottom. Top plate spacers will still cause a total failure of the shock if the bump stops are not extended.
     
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  10. Jan 5, 2016 at 12:44 AM
    #10
    Nit2wn

    Nit2wn New Member

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    Rides like it did before the lift. If you like the factory ride but want it to sit almost level, I'd recommend it. Toytec is a sponsor here so if you want to do it yourself just buybthe kit, but you will need a front end alignment.
     
  11. Jan 5, 2016 at 6:29 AM
    #11
    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike [OP] Not A New Member

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    Thanks for the info everyone, could I get away with just some shocks (such as bilsteins) with my stock coils or should I definitely buy one of the kits instead such as the ToyTec BOSS or regular ToyTec?
     
  12. Jan 5, 2016 at 6:46 AM
    #12
    TruckLife900

    TruckLife900 I'd rather B hunting

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    save up and do it right... buy once cry once.
     
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  13. Jan 5, 2016 at 6:54 AM
    #13
    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike [OP] Not A New Member

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    I hear ya, might as well. Just seems like a lot of $ for my truck to sit level. Is it recommended to add new UCA's at the same time as one of these coilover kits or can I get away without them if I'm only sitting at 2-2.5" higher than stock?
     
  14. Jan 5, 2016 at 8:27 AM
    #14
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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  15. Jan 5, 2016 at 8:29 AM
    #15
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    I have the Toytec Ultimate Lift kit and @Sean266 has the Boss Lift Kit with new coilovers and rear 1" block. Both are good and ride is probably very similar between the two. Price is a bit higher but gives you the 3/1 lift vs just a ~2" lift in the front.
     
  16. Jan 5, 2016 at 9:31 AM
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    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    I have a 2" block in the rear.
     
  17. Jan 5, 2016 at 9:39 AM
    #17
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    I think you are set higher on your front coilovers. I just got the standard 1" block.
     
  18. Jan 5, 2016 at 10:03 AM
    #18
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    Yep
     
  19. Jan 5, 2016 at 10:33 AM
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    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike [OP] Not A New Member

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    Awesome, thats what I was looking for. May upgrade in the future to the BOSS but for now I just want a level ride and room for 33's to fit comfortably. Thanks for the info guys! Anyone running this setup? Would like to hear some opinions on it vs stock.

    Is there anything I need to add with this setup to prevent extra wear on other parts? Not sure how the extra 2.5 inches up front will effect other components.

    Also how easy is TRD sway bar install?
     
  20. Jan 5, 2016 at 10:34 AM
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    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    I haven't ran that exact setup, but it'll be a better ride than stock from what I've heard and read.
     
  21. Jan 5, 2016 at 11:01 AM
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    Virgils12

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    Camburg Fox factory 2.5" lift Xd monsters with 295/70/18 nitto terra graplerrs Corsa cat back Weather tech liners Wet okole covers

    You will not regret the money spent for this setup. Well worth $100 over any bracket or spacer lift. This will ride and handle better than any of the cheaper alternatives. My buddy has this same setup on his and it works well for the money. As far as the sway bar goes I'm sure it can't be to hard to put on. Only time will tell as I'm looking to putting one on my rig very soon. :anonymous:
     
  22. Jan 6, 2016 at 1:52 PM
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    csuviper

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  23. Jan 7, 2016 at 7:49 AM
    #23
    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike [OP] Not A New Member

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    Nice almost forgot about that. I am thinking of starting with the bilstein kit that you posted, waiting to hear back on details from a local craigslist find. Guy posted a "pro comp 2.5 leveling kit for 07 and up tundra" for less than 100 bucks. Says he bought it an ran it for a while and upgraded to old man emu.
     
  24. Jan 7, 2016 at 8:18 AM
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    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    I dont have any personal experience but from everything I've heard I would not go with this.
     
  25. Jan 7, 2016 at 11:55 AM
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    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike [OP] Not A New Member

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    Okay thanks. Not sure what his kit includes since he quit responding but I will take your word for it and get the bilstein kit until I can upgrade to the boss setup.
     
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