Lift kit vs leveling kit

On the fence on if I need to do a full on lift kit or is a leveling kit good enough. Any thoughts? I don’t off road, it’s cosmetic only.

 

Welcome

 

Do you ever park in underground parking?

 

If it's for cosmetic purposes only, get a leveling kit or upgrade your tires. That's what I did. I got rid of the street tires and slapped on some Falken Wildpeaks. The "Stance" is much better now.


Before:




After:

 

Ya. I went with the wild peaks as well!!!! Looking at Rough Country brand on the kits. Anyone have any other suggestions.

 

I heard stay away from rough country.

I'd just level it (buy some hockey pucks lol) if you want that stance

 

Just put some good tires on it and you’re good.

 

Bilstein 5100s up front. Dial in 0 or .85 in or 1.75 in or 2.5 in whatever looks good to you. Leave the rear alone. $280-ish and you're done.

 

Choosing between a rough country lift and doing nothing, I would do nothing.

To somewhat level keeping stock springs, Bilstein 5100s or Eiback Pro Truck shocks at the 1" perch up front is good bang for the buck IMO.

 

bilstein 5100s is I think absolute cheapest way to go, if you don’t want to do leveling kit. For me they were $800 or so installed, I think. The factory struts are too soft, upgrading that for me was worth it. I also wanted somewhat level stance so went with 0.85, some people go higher.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin! As long as you don't off-road go for the leveling kit. Even after the leveling kit, if you decide to off-road... GO. We had a leveling kit at first from new to see how it sat, and went off-road with it, nothing too difficult. I liked the fact that the ride was smooth, like factory, but with some draw backs... body roll, front dive during moderate braking. Now with a Bilstein suspension upgrade.. none of that. Just thought I'd point out both sides, good luck on your choice.

 

Here are some pics I shot just last week of my 2022 SR5 Premium 4WD.

I had our local off road 4WD shop install a front pair of Bilstein 5100 shocks set to raise the front 1.75”. I kept the factory front coil springs. I did nothing to the rear shocks or springs yet. They are still factory.

I went to factory size 265/70 R17 SUMITOMO ENCOUNTER AT tires in the SL load rating. SUMITOMO Rubber Company owns Falken Tire. My tires were made in Thailand. (I figured just as long as they did not say made in China on them, lol.)

When buying tires, be sure to know how to check the manufacturing date codes stamped on EVERY tire. You don’t want to get stuck with real old tires. My tires were only three months old when I bought them. Pretty good, I thought.

I like the way the Bilstein 5100s feel and ride. The SUMITOMO tires ride really nice and look good to me. I am not currently using my T4R for off roading. If I ever do, I don’t foresee it being anything very radical at all. I do however “exercise” / activate the 4WD system on a monthly basis to help keep it in working order. I drive slow when in 4L, and do not turn sharply. Likewise, when exercising 4H, I do so on relatively straight roads, no sharp turns on dry pavement. All seems well.

I run empty (no weighty payloads of any consequence in the rear cargo area) the majority of the time. Keep in mind that if you lift the front end such as with these Bilstein 5100s, if you place a lot of payload weight in the rear of your truck, the rear suspension will squat down some, (I believe it’s called “negative rake”), and that may then be an undesirable look for you.

I may eventually have something done to the rear suspension to beef it up / raise it slightly.

Also- After my shop replaced the front shocks, they recommended a front end alignment, which I agreed to. I’m very happy with the whole deal- appearance-wise, and driving-wise.

 

If I had the choice to choose between a Rough County Lift or a Rectal exam by Edward Scissorhands, I would choose the exam.

Remember, they're called "Rough" for a reason. Just stick with swapping out tires.

 

BLKNBLU, Where, praytell, did you get such work done for “$280-ish”? My local 4WD shop charged me north of $800.00 for the front Bilstein 5100s installation, parts and labor, which included front end alignment.

 

That's just for parts, and ONLY for the fronts.

https://www.suspensionlifts.com/sho...6xU_hOklHTDX77o3jJuBrh660ukqKKDAaAgEEEALw_wcB


I think that's what BLKNBLU was referring to, and I think he installed his himself. If he got the install done for $280 then he probably traded sexual favors to get that price. If he did, hey...no judgement. We've all whored ourselves out.

 

OK, that could be. Thanks Borracho. If DIY is the case, I understand. I’m not equipped to handle such a job, plus my age. Lol. It also seems it could be a potentially dangerous DIY job. No way would I want to mess with those front springs trying to force shocks in to them at my old age.

 

Yeah, this is one of those jobs I would happily pay someone else to do. I don't want to lose any fingers trying to attempt it.

 

stay away. Go with a simple Bilstein 5100 kit and reuse stock springs.

 

Yes. Parts only and fronts only.
And at my age sexual favors is no longer a viable currency.

 

Thanks all. New to four runners and this forum. Love em both!!!

 

Hold on a minute! No mention has been made whether @Cfahnestock is ready to ditch the XREAS system on his 2022 Sport to throw Bilstein, Eibach, or any other shocks on there...

 

Welcome.
I had my 23 TRD ORP leveled with ToyTec spacers by the dealer in Tx at time of purchase. I did not like how it 'nose dived" when braking and it felt top heavy all the time. I researched suspensions for a few months and then used the valuable expertise these fine and upstanding members of this forum offered - and I ended up getting the Eibach Pro truck stage 2 kit from Eibach when they were running a 15% off spring sale last month, and I also re-installed the rear coil spring spacer onto the Eibach lift coils. I did the install myself. I installed a set of Nitto Terra Grappler G3's 285/70R17.

 

I did not realize the sport package included xreas. You are correct that will be a major consideration for the OP.

 

In reading through this thread I didn't either, then it dawned on me that the Sport is that model that has XREAS and the body of a Limited, but no leather or full-time 4wd...