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1st gen lift advice, wanting quality ride

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by 00TundraZ, Mar 20, 2019.

  1. Mar 20, 2019 at 6:29 AM
    #1
    00TundraZ

    00TundraZ [OP] New Member

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    So this is my first post. Had my Tundra for maybe a year now. 100% stock suspension. I came from a lifted 2nd gen dodge ram, rode like an amish buggy on steel wheels. I love the IFS in these 1st gen tundras, honestly I love the entire truck. Been searching this forum for well over a month reading up on all I can. I follow the "what have you done to your tundra today" thread pretty religiously!

    So I really want a lift, preferably 3" with a close to level look (a slight rake doesn't bug me). I honestly wouldn't mind lifting the rear a bit since I am going to be building a new bed for the truck. Flatbed style with metal tubular bedsides. Full custom that will hopefully look great. My bed is more rust than paint, so it's a need. Plus my Father in law owns a fab shop, so I can do it there. My reason for stating all of that is if I have a rake I won't mind because I'll bet the heavier bed I build will make it more level with a 3" front lift.

    So I have searched for at least a month and many hours of different lifts. I want something that rides nice on the road, this truck is my daily. I rarely go offroad, maybe 5 times a year and it's nothing to write home about. More like trails, basic simple stuff. However I want a quality set-up and I don't mind paying more money for it. I live in NE Indiana, so I think uni-balls are a no go with all the road salt, snow and crap we get. So I'm leaning towards the SPC UCA's with the grease-able UBJ's.

    So I know that Icon, King, toytec boss are all good coilover options but do they require more maintenance? Will they look like crap with my weather conditions up here? I have read all I can on the MOE nitrocharger set-ups with coils, billy 5100's with all different kinds of coilovers (Dobinsons, eibach, ome), but I want something that is quality and will yield a nice ride. If I wanted a crap ride with a lift I would just do spacers and call it good, but that's not what I'm after.

    What would everyone recommend? Preferably some of you guys will chime in that have or have had lifts and can give me insight.

    I plan on doing my front diff drop and replacing my LBJ'c with MOOG grease-able ones. I just did a new steering rack and pinion, the poly bushings for that, new inner and outer TRE's, and the big brake upgrade kit. I don't want to skimp on anything since I plan to drive this truck for a long long time.

    **Sorry for the novel here everyone, if you read this far I appreciate you and any help you can give!
     
    Sunnier and Matty4wd like this.
  2. Mar 20, 2019 at 7:24 AM
    #2
    Casper421

    Casper421 Toyota RidgeTrac driver!

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    Go OEM for the lbj’s.
     
    ajmorenoaz likes this.
  3. Mar 20, 2019 at 7:27 AM
    #3
    00TundraZ

    00TundraZ [OP] New Member

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    Definitely. Well I mean I was planning on MOOG OEM replacements. Same thing right?
     
  4. Mar 20, 2019 at 10:14 AM
    #4
    speedtre

    speedtre New Member

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    Casper421 likes this.
  5. Mar 20, 2019 at 10:25 AM
    #5
    00TundraZ

    00TundraZ [OP] New Member

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    speedtre[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Mar 20, 2019 at 10:28 AM
    #6
    Casper421

    Casper421 Toyota RidgeTrac driver!

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    Oem lbj’s, toytec Boss kit and SPC uppers.
     
    Sunnier likes this.
  7. Mar 20, 2019 at 10:30 AM
    #7
    00TundraZ

    00TundraZ [OP] New Member

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    That's where I'm heavily leaning. Wish I could get all the Icon goodies like you have but I don't think that is in my budget! I don't know, maybe if I hold off on my gun purchases for a couple months! All my hobbies are expensive!

    I really appreciate you chiming in. I am reading all of your build thread so I can learn more! :thumbsup:
     
    Casper421[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Mar 20, 2019 at 10:56 AM
    #8
    revtune

    revtune New Member

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    2006 Tundra: Stock air intake 3 inch catback Magnaflow 13742 2.5 inch front lift 1.5 inch rear blocks 2014 sr5 4Runner wheels (17x7) 1.5 inch hub centric wheel spacers p285/70/17 Nitto Terra Grappler G2 Weathertech floor liners
    My 2002 has the ome front coilover lift with spc uppers and I definitely got 3 inches out of it. It was exactly the look I wanted. I like it, it rides good. It uses 885x coils with ome struts. Every lift, no matter what is going to be a good bit stiffer then stock. Also, I would not recommend running 5100’s with ome coils. It probably is a fine combo on second gen Tacoma’s but those Billy’s have a longer travel length. Just use stock coil with 5100.
     
    FirstGenVol and 00TundraZ[OP] like this.
  9. Mar 20, 2019 at 11:04 AM
    #9
    00TundraZ

    00TundraZ [OP] New Member

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    awesome. Thank you for the response and confirming that! I am considering OME Nitros with their coil of course, maybe the eibach pro truck set. Idk! :goingcrazy:
    The only billy I think I would go with is the higher end 6112 I believe it is. I really want a good ride!

    Thanks for helping me out revtune!:cheers:
     
    revtune[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Mar 20, 2019 at 11:17 AM
    #10
    revtune

    revtune New Member

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    2006 Tundra: Stock air intake 3 inch catback Magnaflow 13742 2.5 inch front lift 1.5 inch rear blocks 2014 sr5 4Runner wheels (17x7) 1.5 inch hub centric wheel spacers p285/70/17 Nitto Terra Grappler G2 Weathertech floor liners
     
  11. Mar 20, 2019 at 3:09 PM
    #11
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    If you want a lift then do what they say up above. They are the experts.

    If you want ride quality on the the road as you stated in your opening, then keep it stock. Get some Billy 5100’s and keep the shock height stock or just plus one on the front. Get a front sway (not sure if yours has one OEM stock) and for sure buy a Hellwig 7700 Rear Sway Bar.

    Trust me on this. Your truck will handle like a sports car. It will tow and haul nicely as well. Off road its rear molar chattering, but thats off road and you want on road.
     
    00TundraZ[OP] and revtune like this.
  12. Mar 20, 2019 at 10:08 PM
    #12
    Aerindel

    Aerindel New Member

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    Wait....what? Front Sway bars were not stock?
     
  13. Mar 20, 2019 at 10:21 PM
    #13
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    custom body work, Billies with taco ARB springs, Icon AAL, TRD FJ trail team wheels, 2019 Toyota 86 radio, Blacked out interior, Added factory power everything, heater mirrors, ETC
    They’re on every tundra I’ve ever worked on.. these things would feel like rolling over every time you touched the wheel with stock suspension
     
  14. Mar 21, 2019 at 5:40 AM
    #14
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Even the aliens want my truck

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    Some didn't come with the front sway bar. I think it was only standard on the TRD package buy may be wrong.
     
  15. Mar 21, 2019 at 5:57 AM
    #15
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    To the OP question: Get some sway bar(s) if you do not have them. Yours (per the experts here) should have one as mine did when purchased new. The links rusted off a few years ago and the sway bar was just hanging there rendered useless. During the 2018 front end rebuild, they reattached it and the trucks handling improved dramatically!

    I read about the Hellwig 7700 on this site and gave it a go. Another huge on road improvement on top of the front sway bar being reattached. The slight rear wheel spinning going from a stop to a 90° right turn and acceleration has been eliminated with the rear sway. The bar keeps the rear planted on the road.
     
    00TundraZ[OP], revtune and speedtre like this.
  16. Mar 21, 2019 at 5:59 AM
    #16
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Our in house Certified Toyota Mechanic says they all come with one. I’m not arguing with him.
     
  17. Mar 21, 2019 at 6:26 AM
    #17
    AlreadyThere

    AlreadyThere New Member

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    I'm going with this setup, I have most of these parts waiting to go my truck, upgrading from what was on there when I bought it. Went with toytec because they are somewhat local.
     
    00TundraZ[OP] likes this.
  18. Mar 21, 2019 at 8:51 AM
    #18
    lsaami

    lsaami Let ‘er buck

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    can verify that they all come with them. My dad's non-TRD 4x4 has a front swaybar.
     
    00TundraZ[OP] likes this.
  19. Mar 21, 2019 at 12:51 PM
    #19
    00TundraZ

    00TundraZ [OP] New Member

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    I do have the front sway bar. Now the links are hanging on by hopes and dreams it would appear. Those will be revamped here soon as well as all new bushings anyway I can find'em!

    Thank you for the input everyone. I really want a lift, but I don't want to rush it. I don't think I can handle the stock height much longer. This truck is paid off and I sold my 'toy' car to be more responsible, so I think I deserve a lift! I mean c'mon! :bananadance:
     
  20. Mar 21, 2019 at 4:09 PM
    #20
    Jerry311SD

    Jerry311SD New Member

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    I used stock coils on my 5100s.....
    And no front sway bar:bikewhoops:
     
    00TundraZ[OP] likes this.
  21. Mar 21, 2019 at 4:19 PM
    #21
    00TundraZ

    00TundraZ [OP] New Member

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    That makes me nervous with my ol’ Tundy. My truck has 218,875 on it. I can only imagine how tired the factory springs must be! More power to you though. If I felt like my springs could handle it I’d reuse them!

    Thanks for chiming in!!!!
     
  22. Mar 21, 2019 at 4:24 PM
    #22
    Jerry311SD

    Jerry311SD New Member

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    Feels fine

    IMG_20190302_085902.jpg
     
  23. Mar 21, 2019 at 4:33 PM
    #23
    00TundraZ

    00TundraZ [OP] New Member

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    Awesome. I wouldn’t be afraid to do that with an 05 as clean as that with as low of miles as you have! Nice truck man! :thumbsup:
     
  24. Mar 21, 2019 at 5:37 PM
    #24
    revtune

    revtune New Member

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    If you get your lift coilovers from toytec you really can’t go wrong with the eibach, ome or boss options.
     
    00TundraZ[OP] likes this.
  25. Mar 21, 2019 at 7:35 PM
    #25
    flyfisher

    flyfisher Member

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    I had a similar goal in mind as the OP for my '06 DC Tundra (48k miles). Coming from the 4Runner world, I have a some experience with Bilstein 5100's and 6112's. I would call them "good" and "better", accordingly. This past year I outfitted my Tundra with Icon coilovers (adjustable by turning instead of click positions), Deaver mini stack to go under the stock springs, rebuilt the entire front end, Hellwig sway bars front and rear, Fuel wheels and Michelin tires. The Deavers will raise the back end a little, and you can match it with the front coilovers so you have a somewhat level stance. Cost some money, but hoping to have this truck for many years. Bottom line: rides and handles like a dream! The difference is profound.

    Good luck with the build out!
     
  26. Mar 22, 2019 at 4:40 AM
    #26
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Sounds like you’ve done good with your Tundra. The thing I never realized when reinvesting back into mine was our options are extremely limited for shocks. You get crap shocks for $300. You get decent/great value (my opinion) Bilsteins for just a bit more. Then those Icons! For thousands! I believe they are a great shock from guys here that have them, but do they really ride better (on road NOT off road) to justify cost?
     
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  27. Mar 22, 2019 at 5:35 AM
    #27
    Casper421

    Casper421 Toyota RidgeTrac driver!

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    Yes.
     
  28. Mar 22, 2019 at 5:53 AM
    #28
    speedtre

    speedtre New Member

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    Based on my prior experiences with 6112s/5160s I think the 6112s/5160s are hard to beat for $/performance. Approximately $1200 for all 4 corners gets you a significant improvement in on/off road performance and a small lift (or stock/level if you want to save $150 and not lift anything).

    upload_2019-3-22_8-51-49.jpg
     
  29. Mar 22, 2019 at 6:15 AM
    #29
    flyfisher

    flyfisher Member

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    My experience is similar to spedtre regarding Bilsteins—quality product and big improvement for the money. The 6112's are a world of difference better than the 5100's and something to strongly consider.

    Are Fox/King/Icon worth it for what you get? It's all what you prefer. Is a set of Icon 2.5 coilovers for $1100 that much better than 6112's for $700? They are to me. The on-road ride quality (95% of my driving) is noticeably different. I wore my 6112's out after three years and they are not rebuildable, so back to another $700 for a new pair. Which led me to Icons, which can be rebuilt very inexpensively.
     
  30. Mar 22, 2019 at 6:37 AM
    #30
    00TundraZ

    00TundraZ [OP] New Member

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    ok that makes sense. Thanks for all the in-depth info, that is exactly what I am looking for. I am heavily leaning towards toytec boss front coilovers and the 5160's for the rear. The rear boss shocks appear to basically be billy 5100's. the toytecs seem to be a good middle ground between the 6112's and the icons. Maybe I should just jump for the icons. Buy once, cry once. I'll be doing Wheeler's Progressive AAL's in the rear likely as well. My needs basically are mall crawler as much as I hate to admit it, but would like to change that as I have a few Jeep buddies who want to see my little 'Yota in some dirt!

    Thanks again everyone for your great input, means a lot since I'm going to be investing easily $3k with my suspension and tires! I'm still weighing my options!
     

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