Rancho Quicklift on 2wd first gen

Posting this thread to let others know, although it may have already been said. A quicklift leveling strut WILL WORK on a 2wd first gen, which is not specified by the manufacturer. Photos attached after install.

I installed the struts since my stock Bilsteins were worn (120,000 miles and the truck handled bumps like a John boat offshore) I will be saving the TRD springs though, as anyone should that installs this kit.

I have one slight problem and maybe someone can provide some insight. The rear now sits nearly 3” lower, but I am hoping the struts will settle a bit (does anyone know if they will and by how much?) If not I plan on installing a rear 2” block lift in the coming weeks. Thanks for reading .

 

I wouldn't expect more than an inch of settle out of anything. Tossing an Icon AAL that'll give 1.5" rear lift, then adding a 1" block out back would probably help get it level again, but your wheel gap may still look goofy, even with 285/70/17 installed.

That's the issue with lifting non-4WD, non-DC trucks. The lack of added front-end weight gives you at least 1x - 1.5x more height than a DC 4WD and may be why the manufacturer didn't recommend and/or list this kit as working with your make/model.

If you choose any coil here, then toggle the drivetrain/cab dropdowns to watch the lift variations, you'll see what I mean. Something milder would've definitely done you justice.

I was just complaining about that exact point over here yesterday. Others have had similar outcomes on 2WD AC trucks.

 

PS - you may be able to ping @2006 Tundra AC and see where he landed with his truck after his 5100/885 combo settled. This is his before/after, super similar to yours, except he has a slightly lighter engine, but the kit you installed should be in the same lift ballpark for non-4WD w/AC.

His truck definitely looks better after getting new shoes, but is still shows some front fender gap. Sharp truck all the same.

 

True, I am missing a few hundred pounds of weight as compared to a 4wd. I will most likely end up installing blocks/AAL in the rear in the next month or so.

The Bilstein coil over kit was a bit too pricey for me, I looked at the 5100’s and being in college raising a family at the same time they just weren’t worth the extra $600 to me, and I have heard questionable things about the adjustable set.

Thanks for the input.

 

Yes, his after photo is nearly exactly how mine is sitting currently. Won’t be installing new tires for a while though, got some brand new continentals on close out and will be running them until they’re at least 60% worn. Will just be that guy on a lift with stock tires for a bit .

 

Definitely get it, no judgment here. Let's be real: The "real-world lift" numbers vendors claim for these products is absurdly inaccurate and/or apply only to the heaviest platforms of our trucks. And it's unfortunate because too much lift is going to prematurely wear your other components, which can get costly, and fast.

It's no secret I've been trying to hash out phase 1 of my lift this year. Seems like all the numbers I've found vendors using are under by at least 50% from the real world as a "cover their own ass" tactic.

Like, the results numbers listed are the bare-minimum you'll get if you have the heaviest chassis (DC) with the heaviest drivetrain (4WD), and a plethora of heavy-ass accessories like all-metal front armor, with a winch bolted onto that, a camper on the rear, with all-metal rear armor, etc. which adds several hundreds of pounds to the front and rear suspension. Maybe they do it so customers don't come back with a false advertising complaint because "it didn't get that high"?

I think 1st Gen Offroad probably has one of the better breakdowns I've seen online (see sample below). The BilsteinLifts lift calculator I linked before is solid too. I really wish every vendor was doing that. ARB's numbers for the full Old Man Emu lift kits are like 1.5x-2x lower than actual reality for 2WD RC/AC trucks.