2 Different 4x4 Shop Approaches to Lifts

I called to start getting some quotes for a 2" leveling kit for my 2019 Tundra.

I had the following requirements:

1. Maintain factory ride, I don't off-road. I go on some mild trails and Class 6 roads to access hunting spots but thats really it.
2. Make the lift all suspension based, I didn't want blocks / top hat spacers.
3. I have no plans to Overland my truck with bumpers / bed / truck bed products. I currently have a tonneau cover and may replace it with a truck cap but thats it.

Both shops recommended basically the same kits
Blistein 5100 / 6112
Icon Stage 1
Rough Country
Eibach stage 2 w/o extra reservoirs

Additional recommendations with Shop #1

• Replace LCA's if needed with Toyota OEM arms as lift is less than 3"

Additional recommendations with Shop #2

• Replace UCA's with after market arms, if needed.
• Stated no need to replace LCA's
• Replace a drive shaft needle bearing with a bushing. They explained after picking the front up the needle bearing can start to whine.

What is the general consensus from the forum on what should be done for these leveling type lifts? I thought it was odd once place said LCA's and the other said UCA's. Is the needle bearing a thing with Tundras or is this something they might just be adding on?

Truck has spent its life in NH so it has typical New England rust and fun from road salt.

 

If you are only lifting the front 2" to make the truck look level, there is no need to change UCA or LCA unless either is damaged. I'd personally go with the Eibach Stage 2 shocks out of what you have listed. They will give you the best ride for in road use of what you listed but they will be perfectly find with the off road use you plan to do.

None of the options you list will provide lift to the rear so you will end looking level. If you want to raise the rear some, there are shackles to give you height in the rear or you can get the RAS which will also help when you have a cap and gear in the rear.

@memario1214 is a great vendor and sells all the products you were asking about, except maybe Rough Country

 

Another vote for eibachs out of that group

 

Having run both the Eibach and Bilstein setups, @RobertD is correct - the Eibachs will give a smoother on road ride. But if you are loaded down or tow, I find them to be too soft for my tastes.

The 6112’s are a phenomenal shock and give you new springs as well. The valving is different for a sportier road feel that can dish it out offroad at speed. But the digressive valving can translate more road feel (ie - small bumps and cracks in the road) at smaller suspension inputs. IMO, they handle big bumps better, and take curves at speed much better. But both of those two setups are great. I have no experience with Rough Country, and have only run 2.5” Icons which gave even more road feel than the Bilsteins while still being smooth on chop and bigger bumps.

As for LCA/UCA’s - zero issues with keeping the LCA’s. However, depending on your truck, you may need UCA’s for the purpose of getting proper alignment after leveling it. I have mostly run 1.5” or less of leveling, but set my 6112’s at 1.9” for a short while. I was right on the cusp of not having a proper alignment. It wasn’t ideal, but right on the edge of OK. I would have preferred to get UCA’s and have the alignment fixed - that’s the main purpose of aftermarket UCA’s.

 

Eibach x 4

 

Thank you guys. Does the needle bearing thing the one shop mentioned ring any bells? In all my time researching suspension and lifts I haven't run across comments around replacing that part with a lift.

 

LCA has nothing to do with anything so not sure why they mentioned that. UCA you should be fine, and once you get an alignment that will confirm if you need to spend the extra cash (or just bite the bullet to be safe and then only get one alignment worst case). No idea what they're talking about with the needle bearing on the driveshaft--- there's a front diff needle bearing that's known to go out, but another case of don't fix it if it isn't broke.

I ran the Eibach setup for years without UCAs, just get those (or Bilsteins, whatever) and nothing else they recommended and you'll be happy.

 

Your right it was the diff needle bearing! My truck has ~112K on it, I dont know if that helps with what needs to be done or not. I'll ask to get the quotes of just the installs without the extras on it!

 

Mine has 305k, part of that with an Eibach lift and part of that with Kings set a bit higher than the Eibachs. I haven't had any issues with the needle bearing, that's why I wouldn't worry about it until it becomes an issue. If it fails it's not catastrophic, and good chance it'll be fine for the life of the truck.

 

like everyone said, either Eibach's or Bilsteins; since your mileage is higher you might need UCAs (or at least upper ball joints due to wear in one spot and then changing the wear with the lift)... other than that you don't need anything else. Definitely do not get a diff drop or diff drop spacer; those do not help angles