Tell me about your lift kits

3.5” Rough Country Lift, it’s solid as a rock and will last year for quite a long time. They back it with a lifetime warranty and the price is around $800 w/ rear N3 shocks and coil overs for the front.

 

Do you have to do anything to the leaf springs for that lift kit? I've been looking at that.

 

Did you have to upgrade the needle bearings for your CV's? Do you drive regularly on the highway? Any issues with vibrations?

I really like your setup. Really like it, that is why I am curious.

 

Nope I didn’t. I will if i have issues. Yep all the time. It’s my daily. No issues.

 

I have a little questionably-useful experience:

I have a 2003 access cab. I put 5100s on 2 years and 25,000 miles ago. Since the official word is "don't go above the 3rd notch" and the unofficial word is "don't tell me what to do" I split the difference and put it on the 4th notch. IIRC I got about 1 5/8in lift.

It worked, and at least for a while I was happy. Oh, and originally I dropped the diff, and that was not good. Got weird pulsating vibrations around 45mph, etc. Investigated, was told with such a modest lift it shouldn't be necessary, so I removed the drop kit and sold it on craigslist.

I am currently less happy, but I can't say for certain it is because of the 4th notch, or if it is because of myriad other possible issues.

A local mechanic suggested lowering it back to the 3rd notch and adding a small spacer (1/2 inch) to make up the lift difference, and I would be happier with the ride.

I'm going to try that, and use the opportunity to inspect the rest of the assembly to see if there are other problems. I'll try to remember to report back when how I feel after lowering it a notch.

For one thing, my coil isolators look scrunched and cracked, so I'm going to at least replace those.

QUESTION re coil isolators: Most people I've seen use relatively generic rubber isolators like

$12 Monroe Shocks & Struts Strut-Mate 907926 Coil Spring Insulator.

these, around $12 each. Is there any use in getting fancy polyurethane ones? For a while I thought polyurethane was just better, but lately I've learned this material tends to squeak, and needs to be lubed regularly, and some people really think the rubber is better.

ANOTHER QUESTION: the Toyota parts site says this about their Strut Mount part:

"Strut mounts or strut bearings are often service with the strut assembly, and when they fail they can make a squeaking noise while turning or a metallic clunk noise when going over bumps. If your 2003 Toyota is noisier than usual on bumpy roads or under braking, you may need new strut mounts."

Anyone have experience with that part, and how to tell if it needs to be replaced? I have squeaking AND clunking, and it drives me bonkers. Since they are $120 each, would like to diagnose for sure first.

My experience isn't harshness, per se, but just a sense that things rattle and...lope too much. Like my truck gallops as it goes over seams in the pavement, or rattles like stuff is loose when off-road. And again, not at all sure this is even related to the Bilsteins and not something else I'm still chasing.

 

Does it squeak/groan when you're sitting still and turn the wheel? That would be strut bushings. And if you get the graphite impregnated poly it won't squeak, but I've never seen poly strut mounts.

 

I finally remembered to do this, and no, I could not get the squeak to happen when sitting still. I have not been able to find any way to reproduce the squeak, other than it happening constantly while I'm driving.