2015 Tundra Build --> Advice Needed!

Gentlemen: Finally made the jump to a truck as I need a work horse tow rig/parts hauler for my idiotic race car habit. This thing will be bruised and beaten, but needs to be utile enough for a daily (ie: get into parking garages in Los Angeles, ride reasonably well)

What I have:

2015 Platinum Tundra in Gray, 2WD

What I want:

A car that doesn't look like it's used to run kids to soccer practice, but still works as a daily

Here are my thoughts, any and all help really appreciated:

• Suspension lift for road use (0% offroad). How high can I go and still get into parking structures, and what do you recommend without braking the bank?
• TRD Pro grill
• Fender Flares (don't seem popular here?)
• Wheels/Tires to match suspension lift and flares (any recommendations?)

Car is in LA; any shop/parts supplier rec's welcomed as well.

Obligatory pic below:

 

Quiet around here. I'll add some thoughts based on my research here:

Readylift 3/2 with UCA's should fit my needs (and current budget)
35x12.5 w/ 18x9 Method Standards +18mm
Prob will need CMC

Thoughts/advice?

 

Welcome from Santa Cruz. Yep, probably gonna need the CMC with 12.5" width. I'm not a fan of spacer lifts. You can put some Bilstein 5100s up front, level the truck and keep a pretty decent ride. Love the Methods!

 

Also, if you're towing a lot, a leaf pack might be your best bet for lifting the rear. I don't have any recommendations 'cause I'm not that familiar with 'em but someone here will chime in.

 

Really appreciate the reply 16tunterd. This was my initial concern, as towing (sub 9,000lbs) is going to be an important part of this trucks life. Ideally I'd go w/ the toytec boss, but wallet just isn't having it. Figured the lift kit would be a cheap stop-gap while retaining decent ride while towing and allow purchase of UCa's.

So the 5100's in the front at top adjust (2.5") still give good ride and will clear a 35" tire? Will I need UCA's here as well?

 

Welcome bud

 

Welcome!

If you are 100% street use there is nothing wrong with a spacer lift. I am on a 3/2 lift and it's fine. My truck stays on the pavement for the most part. But look into http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com if you are going to go with a spacer lift. I did the same as you and wanted LIFT + wheels/tires so I went with spacers for now and will get coilovers later. Since you tow, you can also put in some air bags so it doesn't sag. Thats if you don't want to do leaf packs. Also look into Coach Builder shackles, they make some good stuff.

For flares - you don't have much options. Bushwhacker is pretty much the main one out there. I have pics on my build thread of my truck with some flares(which I have recently removed).

Since you are in LA, check out FN Wheels BFD. That's what I have and they are local to you if you like them.

Other sites to visit for suspension :

ToyTec
Wheelers Offroad

 

Thanks Blue.....your car looks damn familiar, and I think mine will start to resemble it quickly (flattery, etc, etc).

 

LOL - I remember when I took her home still. Get ready for your wallet to get lighter! Too many things to get for these trucks...

 

You won't need UCAs with the 5100s at top setting. I know people use bags to keep their truck level when towing. I personally don't care about the look when I'm towing. I just wanna be sure safety isn't compromised. Rarely, if ever, do I exceed 5k lbs. towing.
Nothing short of a 6" lift is gonna clear 35"s without some massaging, and a wheel offset that's less than the stock +60. Your Methods would work nicely. I'd recommend searching the forum for towing advice 'cause there's a lot of knowledge here...... and I don't have it....lol

 

Thanks for the help/guidance guys. Since I'm most concerned with comfortable ride and not limiting towing capability, here's where I'm at:

Bilstein 5100's in the Front set at middle + 2 CB shims (should get me close to my goal of 3" up front)
Toytec Shackle set to 1" in the rear (adjustability is important to me here)
18x9 Method wheels w/ +18mm offset
either 35x12.5 or 295/70/18 tires, depending on pricing/availability
CMC

This package should keep a stock-ish ride and let me see if I like the stance of the truck on the cheap. Worst case I'm only out the cost of the Bilsteins, which is not a huge deal. Most important, it doesn't change the tow capacity of the truck

 

@Mehoff did you ever do this? I am also considering the middle setting with two shims per side to get near 3" but not have to get UCAs

 

Not yet. Have all the suspension parts, just waiting on wheels/tires. I'll post pics once completed; probably a couple of weeks

 

So, long overdue update. Here's where I ended up:

Bilstein 5100's on top setting (no shims)
Toytec shackle set at 1"
TRD sway bar
Method Mesh 18x9 offset 18
Cooper Discovery Pro SST 295/70/18

My thoughts:

Suspension
The 5100's at top setting are better than stock ride. Anyone concerned about ride at top setting, stop it. The new shock took the "float" out of the front end (which I hated) and gave the car better steering feel while retaining the softish ride. I strongly recommend this upgrade

The toytec shackle dig what I wanted: slightly raise the rear while reinforcing the suspension. I will eventually need a leaf pack, but I wanted to check the ride specs before committing the funds

The TRD sway bar is epic, completely changes the ride of the car.....especially while towing. If you tow with your Tundra, stop what you're doing and go install this upgrade.

Overall I got what I wanted, approx 3" lift, kept slight rake (3/4") in the rear and a strong, durable suspension that will tow like this pig should.

Wheels and Tires
The wheels and tires look damn good. The Methods are a little more "bling" than ideal (could have gone with 50% less screws), but I think I'll get used to it. The 18 offset kicks the tires out past the wheel wells slightly, which is what I wanted as I'm still undecided on flares.

The Cooper tires are firm but solid ride, definitely noticeable at 50mph+ but not distracting. Noise is a non-issue, though they are nominally louder than stock. Definitely recommend.

The 295/70/18 does rub by about 2mm on the front wheel well. Will take about 10 min with a handheld to zip the offending plastic off.

One thing I did notice is that pictures are not entirely accurate here. The tire is the perfect size for this truck w/ the 3" lift.....and the truck is HUGE. Does not come across in pictures.

All the chrome comes off tomorrow, but here's the current pics:

 

MGM...

 

Looks good!