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3" TOY TEC lift w/ upper control arms on a 17' TRD OR Premium

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by bruddahB, Sep 16, 2017.

  1. Sep 16, 2017 at 10:37 AM
    #1
    bruddahB

    bruddahB [OP] New Member

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    Hello all,

    I am brand new to this forum and so far all of the information has been outstanding so thank you! I have been the proud sole owner of a 01' Tacoma TRD Prerunner and finally treating myself to a 17' TRD Off-Road Premium which I am so excited about! I am trying to determine the best and most affordable lift and hoping you all can provide a little insight. I have been told to stay clear of the 3" spacer lift from the dealership because of alignment issues later. Seems to me people have had the most success with the 3" TOY TEC with control arms and coilover front shocks.

    I apologize if this has been asked before but I am pretty ignorant when it comes to suspension and lift kits. Thank you in advance.
     
    Toytec Lifts likes this.
  2. Sep 16, 2017 at 4:32 PM
    #2
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

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    Any dealership installed lift will be both outrageously priced and also ironically the cheapest and weakest of all lifts, the spacer lift.

    Don't get me wrong, spacer lifts have their place, but $4k for a $200 part with a 2 hour install is just awful.

    For $1000 you can do a bilstein 5100 adjustable up front with OME 884 or 885 coils and a 2" Toytec spring + Bilstein 5100s in back. No UCA *likely* needed.

    For $2500 the Toytec is an adjustable, complete solution and it's worth the money only if you plan to really offroad this thing. Going to the beach isn't offroading, that is easily done stock.

    I offroad my 4Runner fairly hard, but not hardcore, and the Bilstein 5100's with the OME 884 up front and 2" Toytec Coil in rear has been an awesome setup for offroad and highway driving.
     
    Palerider and Kinsail48 like this.
  3. Sep 16, 2017 at 7:02 PM
    #3
    bruddahB

    bruddahB [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the response. I should have clarified this before but my Toyota dealer does not actually do the work, rather they use 4 wheel parts performance center. Spoke to the sales rep today and he says the spacers have to be installed specifically to not alter Toyota's 36k/3year warranty so it should not change the ride. The pricing is $1200 for the 3" lift in the front and 2" in the back to get it level. He also recommended a Pro Comp black series coilover or a 3" rev tech, but if it's just aesthetics I am after, than the spacers should do the trick.

    My question is can you still get a 3" lift in the front with the 5100 adjustable up front? Seems like what I have read the most you can go is 2.5"? You mentioned the Bilstein 5100's back and front with OME 884 in the front and 2" Toytec coil in the back. Will this still allow for a 3" lift up front with 2" in back? Are coilovers only required when you change the weight up front or in the back? I guess my understanding is the coils absorb weight so you don't damage the chassis?

    Still learning and thanks!
     
  4. Sep 16, 2017 at 9:29 PM
    #4
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

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    You'll learn more reading on Tacomaworld than here because of the amount of information. I'll try to answer your questions without overloading you. It takes a little while to absorb all this because it's a wide range of a subject.

    Spacers sit between the coils and the coilover mount to the frame. It "spaces" the suspension downward, creating a higher stance. Honestly, the parts involved are typically around $200, $300 max. If you just want a look, this is a fine option.

    If you lift up just the front, it's called a leveling kit because you're getting rid of the rake of the vehicle.

    If you lift all of it up, it's a lift.

    Essentially both types are all technically lifts, but people tend to refer to a front and back lifting as a lift, and a front only as a leveling kit. The same parts can be used, just depends if you want to go up only in front, or all around.

    IMPORTANT: Dealerships don't know about lifts. It's not really their business. And 4WD parts might install the lift, but they are just installing what the dealer tells them to, they don't care if it's a good lift or not. Never assume the dealership knows ANYTHING about lifts. They sell cars. Not lifts.

    A short story regarding lift height:
    Regarding lifts. When I first got my Jeep I wanted a 6" lift. Because I wanted it. I never had a 6" lift, I didn't know if that was a lot or a little. I didn't know what kinda issues I would run into with it either. I went with a 3.5" lift instead, and added larger tires, which lifted it another 1.5" because the diameter of the tires were larger (don't forget that adds lift too...and most importantly...GROUND CLEARANCE). It was a pain to get in. It doesn't seem like it but 5" is a massive amount of lift if your weren't expecting it to be much higher.

    I put a 2.5" lift on the 4Runner and it's noticeable how much higher you have to hop to get into it.

    QUESTION: Are you hung up on 3" because you think that's a good number or because you actually have a reason to have 3" of lift?
    This is not an attack, it's just some people don't realize why they need a lift and they are told to get this. We drove our 4Runner for almost a year before deciding because we took it to at least 4 different offroad parks bone stock to find out what it wouldn't do. It did almost everything stock.

    The only reason we lifted was because I wanted to run larger tires, and it helped clear the tires better. The 2" of lift just looks nice too. It's not too tall, highway ride is really good, and I didn't need to spend an extra $500 on Upper Control Arms (research those too).

    YOUR QUESTION: Can I get a 3" lift in front with 5100s?
    Maybe, you'd likely need to run OME 886s and those are going to make your 4Runner ride like a tank. OME 885s are the same spring rate, but a taller coil vs. factory. I run OME 884s with 5100's and it gave me approx 2.25" - 2.5" front and back (I used Toytec 2" coils in rear - 180lbs spring rate with Bilstein 5100s).

    Will your setup net you the same as mine? Will OME 885s (should be 0.5" taller than 884s) be 3"? That's impossible to tell. If you weight more or less than me, have more or less armor, or the coils are slightly out of spec it could range from 3" to 2.5" likely. Heavy bumper and winch? Might only give you 2". Heavy skid plates? Might only be 1.5"

    There's one person I trusted to answer my lift questions and I bought my lift from her. It's a lady named Marie at Headstrong Off Road. Holy crap that lady knows her stuff.

    FINAL THOUGHTS: Find someone with a lift, ride in it. I find the ride with the 5100's a little firmer than stock, but in a great way. Less body roll, less floaty feeling on bumps. You may hate it. My wife and I love it. 2" clears the tires and I didn't need UCAs. Highway handling is great. Ride quality at speed and around town is great. Off roading clearance is improved marginally, because we didn't install much larger tires than stock, so my axle housing isn't really any higher (Research ground clearance vs lift).

    Would I do a 3" lift? Maybe, but would I pay a dealership? No. They will always overcharge because they can cater to people who don't understand it's $200 of parts and 2 hours. They will honor the warranty if something fails. Honestly, if your'e thinking of lifting, you won't be voiding your entire warranty, just the parts which the lift could cause to fail (Research Magnusson-Moss Act).

    Would I buy a dealership lift? No, because for $800 in parts (and I installed myself) I have a better lift than I've seen in showroom floors for $5800. Why? Because I researched and found out there's 3 kinds of lifts, and honestly, the dealership uses the worst one. (Research Spacer Lift vs. Body Lift vs. Suspension Lift).

    I joined this site a year ago and knew as much as you do about this stuff then. It didn't take too long to get on top of it thanks to the people here.

    Don't buy something because people told you need it, and maybe don't even buy it because you want it. Find out what you want to do, then equip your vehicle for that purpose. You'll find it's easy to spend $1000 when you know EXACTLY what benefit you're getting.

    Keep your questions coming, you're on the right track to learning.
     
    Palerider, ToyoTodd and r0nnierae like this.
  5. Sep 16, 2017 at 10:19 PM
    #5
    Vintage

    Vintage New Member

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    I have the TRD PRO 1" front suspension and didn't want to scrap it. So I went with Toytech 2" TRD front spaciers and Wheelers (1.5") T13 rear springs. I was looking for a more level stance and pretty happy with the results.
    SDC10016.jpg
     
  6. Sep 17, 2017 at 7:12 AM
    #6
    billnourse

    billnourse New Member

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    Toytec Ultimate lift, SSO Slimline bumper and 10,000# winch, emblem blackout, hood scoop wrap.
    I went with the 3" Toytec on my Off Road and it is set at about 2.5". I like it and did not have to do UCAs. I have 12.5" from the ground to the front skid plate with stock tires, which should be all I will need for what I do. Ride is a little firmer than stock, but not harsh. Had it dealer installed for 1,700 including alignment.
     
  7. Sep 17, 2017 at 7:37 AM
    #7
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo

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    I'll just throw in that while UCA's aren't a necessity, they do help immensely. I haven't bought aftermarket UCA's for my 4Runner yet, but it was a night and day difference on my Tacoma. For another 450 bucks, you can get your alignment dialed in perfectly, and lose the bumpsteer and road wander that so many lifted vehicles have.
     
  8. Sep 18, 2017 at 6:56 AM
    #8
    bruddahB

    bruddahB [OP] New Member

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    Thank you all for the thoughtful responses! I have a much better idea of what I am looking for now. I just can't believe I am finally getting into a 4 Runner after having a Tacoma for the past 16 years! I will update this thread with a picture once I get everything installed. Thank you again!
     
  9. Sep 19, 2017 at 1:36 PM
    #9
    Toytec Lifts

    Toytec Lifts New Member

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    Hey @bruddahB

    Welcome to the forum!!! So we are more than happy to work with your budget and figure out what you are going to be doing with your 4Runner to determine the best fit for your application!

    Message inbound!!!



    -David
     
    Palerider and T-Rex266 like this.
  10. Sep 24, 2017 at 12:38 PM
    #10
    Tankcmdr

    Tankcmdr The easy way is always mined!

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    Hey Fajitas21, that was well thought out and well put. I have been in contact with David from Toytec about a lift for my vehicle and you have definitely added fuel for thought. Thank you and all the others on this site for your advice and opinions! @bruddahB if I may impart some advice given to me when I first purchased my 4R.."Run from this site if you care about your bank account!" HaHaHa...Ha...sob.
     
    Toytec Lifts likes this.
  11. Sep 26, 2017 at 5:02 PM
    #11
    bruddahB

    bruddahB [OP] New Member

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    @Tankcmdr I am starting to see that it adds up quickly!

    Has anyone had any issues with aftermarket lifts added to KDSS equipped TRD Off Road Premiums? I plan on using my 4 Runner for mostly highway and city driving with off road adventures a couple times a month. Seems like KDSS will help with stability, body roll, and provide an overall better ride at higher speeds. Cannot see what problems I would run into as long as I keep my lift 2.5-3"? Thanks
     
  12. Sep 26, 2017 at 5:32 PM
    #12
    billnourse

    billnourse New Member

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    Toytec Ultimate lift, SSO Slimline bumper and 10,000# winch, emblem blackout, hood scoop wrap.
    I have a Toytec Ultimate set at about 2.5 with KDSS. Have couple thousand miles on it with no issues.
     
    lcb40 and Toytec Lifts like this.
  13. Sep 29, 2017 at 5:01 PM
    #13
    ToyoTodd

    ToyoTodd New Member

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    Great info, thanks for posting!! I am thinking about this same setup on my 17 runner. I am thinking a 2.5" lift and 285/70 R17 should give me about 3" overall. Just wondering, what size tires did you put on yours?
     
  14. Sep 29, 2017 at 5:09 PM
    #14
    RusPro17

    RusPro17 Back home again!!

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    I like!! I will lean this way for my 2017 Pro. This looks great!! My 15 Tacoma trading in. I had 5100's all around with 884's coils. And 3 leaf progressive in the rear. Looked good and rode and handled great.
     
    Vintage[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Oct 1, 2017 at 8:02 AM
    #15
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

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    265/70/r17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W Load E

    This week I added a winch, personally, after the extra 60lbs (with the already 67 lb bumper), I'm probably going to upgrade to 885's from the 884's in the front. Otherwise, still very happy.
     
  16. Dec 7, 2017 at 4:22 AM
    #16
    Para8291

    Para8291 New Member

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    @bruddahB

    You have the same vehicle as me. I’ve been beating my head off the wall about lifting my TRD Off Road premium. After talking with a friend of mine and talking with Carson from Toytec I am sold on the Old Man Emu 3” lift and SPC upper control arms. I had a spacer lift in my 2WD Tacoma and hated it. I can’t wait to have everything installed to see and feel a difference in driving it. As @fajitas21 recommended ride in a lifted 4Runner. My friend has the OME lift and it’s super smooth.

    My biggest choice now is do I go with 285/70/17s or 275/70/17s. I want the 285 but I’m really not wanting any rubbing nor do I want to do a body mount chop.

    Good luck
     
    Gramps likes this.
  17. Dec 9, 2017 at 4:30 AM
    #17
    WanderlostOverland

    WanderlostOverland New Member

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    Our advice; don't go cheap or mismatch components. Ride and reliability will suffer. Depending on your budget we recommend you go with one of ToyTec's complete systems, either the Boss or Ultimate. (We're huge fans of the Boss.) All the parts are engineered to work perfectly with each other with minimal install hassle. Also; although you can get by without them, the alignment adjustability built into the SPC upper arms are a huge asset.
    DSC_0718.jpg
     
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