2020 Tundra SR5 4x4 to level or not

Hey everyone,

Newbie question I am sure. I got my Tundra 4x4 last week and have some questions.

I attached a photo for reference.

I was gonna do a leveling kit (bilstien 5100) on this truck and then when the new tires wear down I would upgrade to 33in tires.

Standing back and looking at the truck it is pretty level. So my question is should I save the 650.00 to level it and do something else with that money?

My "off roading" is really just camping and driving on dirt roads. This is more for athestics and the few times a year my wife and I want to go explore our local desert or Mountains. I would like some good ground clearance, but not looking to lift the truck alo . Maybe 2 to 3 inches max.

 

I say go ahead with the leveling kit, but it’s your truck.

 

Just leave it and go enjoy the truck, cause once you start modding, you wont want to stop.

 

Its a sickness

 

Level it. You won't regret it

 

What's the benefit of doing so

 

It looks much better if you level it, gives it a more aggressive stance. If you’re going to put 33’s on it, it may be required, but I’m no expert.

 

Well said

 

Level it . 650 is a drop in the bucket for what the truck is worth. If your looking for it to look good, it's a cheap way to make it look semi lifted.

 

I'd level it now. Paying to level it and get the new tires at the same time is a hefty chunk of change. This way spreads it out.

 

So that you can see what your truck would look like, here is a before and after pict of mine with the first lift. This is with 5100's set at the middle setting with a coachbuilder shim on each side (2" of lift) and the stock tires and wheels:

 

There is a reason they are not level from the factory.

 

I'm guessing if you level it and then add 2 yards of soil, you'll be drooping back there.

It's all for show from what I know...which isn't much.

 

You shouldn't come here asking for financial advice..

My opinion is that you should just lift it and buy wheels and tires now. You're going to do it anyway, and if you do it now you can get a good price for your barely used take offs.

 

Yeah, I think it really depends on how you use the truck. Hauling and towing, don't level. Off-road or just a daily driver, go for it.

 

Mine is for hauling, towing, city driving, bringing home supplies and materials. I'm keeping stock for the time being

 

You know, not to go all off topic but....

Your pics bring out a significant detail I've noticed.

Modern trucks, ours at least, are no longer all symmetrical, or some word that escapes me atm...... I feel like older trucks like 90s and older had the same size front end, cab, and bed.

When I look in my side mirrors, I can see that me bed is narrower then my cab.

And your pics clearly show how the front end rises higher up the windshield (or appears to anyway) then the door window sills. Also you can see how optically it makes the truck "appear" to be leveled.

It most certainly is not level when stock and empty. They have 2.5in, or is it 2.75in rake? Meaning the back is 2.5in higher than the front.

This is by design, for towing, or a load in the bed. The design is such that if you don't exceed the payload or tow weight limit, when at the max, your truck will only become leveled, not ass sagging.


When you do level them, it makes the big front end stand out imho. Kinda like a big Ole T-Rex head lol.

My truck is lifted, but I'm still not sure how I feel about it.

OP, I can give you only one peice of advice about your decision.

My 1 owner, used to me, 55k mile, stock non-TRD 1794 rides SO much better on Bilstein 6112s and 5160s then it did stock.

Good luck and let us know what you do.

 

Dont need a leveling kit to run 33s. I'm running 33x12.50x18, no rub, no cutting +12 offset

 

My stock 1794 size tires are already 31.9 x 10.8 x 20. Specifically 275 x55 x20.

33in is not much different and fits with no mods. The optional up size for my 20in wheel is 275 x60 x20, or 33 x10.8 x20.

What size tire comes stock on most tundrs that don't have 20in wheels?

Is it the same size stock as my 20in standard messurements?

33s fit with no mods in all cases as far as I know.

 

275 65 18 I think what came on my 2016, the actual tire plays a big part too, like nittos run true to their size, where some brands run shorter.

 

'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.'
I think your Tundra looks good as-is.
Congrats on your new ride!

Or as I heard back in college...
'Beauty is only a light switch away...'

Happy Friday!!!

 

While I dont have the answer to using 33's with stock wheels, I just put 33's on my truck and it rubs both mud flaps in fronts in full turns and in reverse too. I changed the wheels to method 18X9 w/ +18 offset and Toyo Tires (275/70R18). The tires measure 32.75" mounted and inflated so really not even a full 33". I plan to put a level kit, not only for cosmetics but also so I dont, hopefully, have to trim.

The Toyo Tires are 1" taller than stock with same stock width. When I looked for clearance w/ stock tire (275/65R18) there was more than 1" clearance in full turn to mud flaps. With the Toyo increase radius ht of ½", there should of been sufficient clearance. Changing the wheel offset and wheel width played more of a factor in rubbing than the actual increase in tire size.

I would even suspect the stock tire would be very close to rubbing, if not rubbing, if used with the +18 method wheels

 

Noobie question. If I put 2" spacers on the front shocks, will I need an alignment ?

 

Appearance & lost of MPG

 

What kind of MPG hit did you incur??

 

98% of my driving is city. Just lifting the front, and keeping the stock tires I think I saw less than 1 mpg hit.

 

I'll chime in on the 33s as well. On my prior Tundra (pictured) i ran 285/65/18s with stock suspension....+18 offset. A very, very slight rub at full turn in reverse but otherwise fine. Could have fixed it with a dremel or heat gun. No need for lift.
On my new one (two weeks ago...Limited wind chill pearl ) I've added fox coilovers and new leaf springs so I can fit 35s.

 

Get the lift, all the cool kids have it... Peer pressure is cool..Good luck.
Toytec Coilovers Aluma complete lift kit with 295/70/18...plus 25 offset wheels... Perfect stance... Not so much stock anymore.

 

This is the best advice. Just enjoy it

 

Yes