My experience: leveling kit vs King shocks

I live in the pacific north west and I use my truck a lot on mountain roads. I like to drive fast when I think it’s safe to do so. My first off road drive in my new tundra platinum with 20” wheels and low profile passenger car tires was surprisingly nice. It absorbed all the pot holes and the truck stayed planted. Yet I knew I couldn’t keep 20” wheels and passenger car tires on a truck used off road. So in one day, I installed 17” Method 313 wheels and 285/70R17 C rated Nitto Ridge Grapplers, and a rough country 2.25”/1.5” leveling kit I picked up for $100. This uses spacers on the front and blocks in the back. The ride off road was crap! At 20PSI, the truck bounced around on the wash board and rattled my teeth on pot holes. This was at 25MPH or less. I just couldn’t go any faster. Also, my rear toe angle was off. I could have loosened the u-bolts and moved it a little, but the alignment shop wouldn’t do that for me.
So, I ordered a true suspension. I ordered the King OEM 2.5” with remote reservoir and adjustable compression damping. I also purchased some Toytec shackles to replace the lift blocks in the back. The coilovers are set to lift the front 2” where they ride the best. On my Platinum which is a bit heavy, my lift came out to 1.75”. The King coilovers were much easier to install than the Rough Country spacers. This is because they use bolts from the top rather than studs, which Is whats on the spacers. The coilovers with spacers installed are very difficult to squeeze back in.
The Toytec shackles were a breeze to install. They did require removal of spare tire for room, and disconnecting the shock lower bolt to allow the springs to drop far enough.
Now for the ride. I find the on road ride to be well damped and the truck leans less around turns thanks to the extra compression damping. This is with the coilover compression setting mid way (15 of 30 clicks), and the rear shocks at 1/3 in (10 of 30 clicks in).
I went back to the same tooth rattling road and set the tires to 20PSI. I could now drive 45MPH where I couldn’t drive 25MPH before. I felt what might have been some possible bottoming on large pot holes. So, I cranked in the compression to 20 turns front, 15 rear. This solved that issue.
I’m really happy with my truck now. I’m sure my wheels, tires, and suspension are a step above the really well equipped TRD PRO with the Fox shocks that aren’t the same as those you buy aftermarket, and at least my shocks are better than the stock shocks on a Ford Raptor. I know the Raptor has superior long travel front control arms and better rear springs, and 35” tires, so I don’t compare there.
I went through the same routine on my 4Runner. First leveling kit, then OME BP-51s. I won’t choose the OME suspension again. The springs were too stiff and could not be replaced. Adjusting the compression was a pain in the ass. ARB provided inaccurate recommendations for softening the suspension they advised me to reduce the preload. This does not soften the suspension, it only lowers the vehicle.
So, in closing, if you want your truck to look like it can go off road, buy a $200 leveling kit. If you want to go off road, buy $3000 shocks and coilovers. If you want to drive like a race truck, buy suspension from a company that equips race trucks. If you can, invest in new rear springs tuned to your load, or possibly buy the overload spring replacement from Deaver springs. Those will definitely improve the ride.