Lift ?

[Eztrog88]

Ok, I searched but didn't come up with much, still kinda confused. I've got a '98 Regular Cab 4x4, 2.7L 5-Speed, stock. I'm looking for 2.5-3" of lift. Can I do this with new coilovers up front and an add-a-leaf out back? Do I need to be worried about change the pinion angle, or any kind of vibrations ect with this mild of a lift? Any ideas on where to find a quality lift kit? My stock leaf pack is sagging a good bit, as are the springs...would I be better off with a whole new leaf pack out back?

I know with only 3" I can run 32's max (with some rubbing), but right now I've got 3.56 gears with 31x10.50's (bought it that way). I'm not goin any bigger on the tires for a while anyways ($$ and shop issues with swappin the gears). Speaking of $$, how much am I looking at for the lift?

[bryanhilton]

Okay, 3 inches will clear 32's easy. You shouldn't have to regear if you stay the same tire width (32x10.50), Cornfed is great, Toytec is great, short AAls are terrible, shackles are good but cause premature sagging, coilvers are expensive and won't give you any more lift than inserts, anything else?

[bryanhilton]

Oh yea, stay away from blocks unless your truck is gonna be a street queen.

[RedOh3]

You've got a 2.7 with 3.56 gears... how you enjoying that?

If your springs are sacking, go with a whole new leaf pack. Otherwise when you lift it with a block or a shackle, it'll sag just as bad, if not worse.

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by Eztrog88

Ok, I searched but didn't come up with much, still kinda confused. I've got a '98 Regular Cab 4x4, 2.7L 5-Speed, stock. I'm looking for 2.5-3" of lift. Can I do this with new coilovers up front and an add-a-leaf out back?
Yes

Do I need to be worried about change the pinion angle, or any kind of vibrations ect with this mild of a lift?
Yes, especially if you have ADD and not manual hubs. There is a chance of winding up with hi-speed vibes up front but not always; its kind of a crap shoot. The biggest problem will be with inner CV boot wear. For the rear you'll need a longer brake line, longer shocks, a BPV extension bracket and axle shims to bring your rear pinion angle back to 0 degrees.

Any ideas on where to find a quality lift kit?
Demellos for coilovers, Wheelers for OME kits (2-2.5" complete kit for around $1k), Toyotech for front spacer kit

My stock leaf pack is sagging a good bit, as are the springs...would I be better off with a whole new leaf pack out back?
yes, but you can get your oe pks rebuilt/re-arched with a 4th leaf installed for a lot less than custom leafpks.

I know with only 3" I can run 32's max (with some rubbing), but right now I've got 3.56 gears with 31x10.50's (bought it that way).

Those gears (actually 3.58s) are designed for and came stock with a 225 size (28") tire so even with 31s your performance sucks. To get to "stock" performance on the 2.7 with 31" tires you need 4.30s with the 5sp and 4.56s with the AT.

I'm not goin any bigger on the tires for a while anyways ($$ and shop issues with swappin the gears). Speaking of $$, how much am I looking at for the lift?

front coilover will run $600-$950 depending on the brand you chose. a spacer lift will only run a couple hundred but the ride/handling won't be nearly as good. AALs are "ok" for the rear but if your leafpks are already flat that AAL won't last very long and will break. Rebuilt leafpks or brand new aftermarket pks are a better choice. figure around $300 for a rebuild and $400-600 for custom pks. Rear shocks, another couple hundred or more, brake line, $40, BPV bracket $5, axle shims $25.
regearing will run around $600 for the parts and anywhere from $300 to $1200 for the install depending on how much of the work you can do and where you are located (labor rates).

welcome to the money pit

[Eztrog88]

Ok, thanks for all the info. Looks like its going to be a while before I get this down, I was hopein to get it down for like $600-$800... sounds like to do it right parts alone are gonna be at LEAST $1000. I know a local guy thats gonna let me use his shop (friend of a friend), but I think a lift is over my head at this point, gonna have to track down some friends... shouldn't be a problem, guys at ne-ttora always seem ready to wrench.

Thanks again for the info. (PS, any more info/corrections/opinons are appreciated (spell-check))

And ya, I was pissed about the gears when I found out, lol... but w/e... only time it seems REAL bad is gettin on the highway, once I'm at speed I'm alright, and I'm still gettin decent gas milage.

[Eztrog88]

Took at a look at some stuff... any imput would be great.

Skyjacker - 0"-3" adjustable coilovers, AAL 2.5" (around $850)
Fabtech - 0"-3.5" adjustable coilovers, AAL 3" (around $1000)

Anyone with any experience with either company? I'm leaning toward skyjacker, but I don't really know. Fabtech says with 3" I can clear 32x11.5 with minor rubbing, 3.5" with no rubbing.

Its going to cost almost as much for coilovers alone, I think I'm going to go with a kit (with AAL) and replace the leaf-springs in a year or so.

[Intrepid]

It doesn't HAVE to be that expensive, the higher quality you get the more expensive it gets. Throw a Revtek, Toytec, or Cornfed spacer in the front for anywhere from 250-400 depending, look in the classified section here, there are always spacers for sale.
Consider a Deaver Racing 1.5" Lift Progressive Add A Leaf Kit for 169.00, it is a 3 leaf aal which although I have not personally used it, it seems like it would work better and be less likely to break with your stock springs. I don't think the 1.5" rear (what you get because it levels the truck) is going to do horrible things to the pinion angles. Bobby has a pair of shims hanging around I think, offer him some money for them.
Ask Eric (amatoer10) about a one leaf aal and stock springs, he is running a pro comp aal I beleive, that is one thick leaf on stock springs and has no problem, he actually made his diff drop and bpv from parts from home depot too.
Then pick up a new set of rear shocks, brake line, and make a bpv and you are set. I would be willing to bet money you could be within your 600-800 price range no problem. I wheeled my new rev tek spacer and extended shackle for two days this weekend and I have NO complaints at all. (my shackle is on wheelers 5 leaf though)
And yeah, I am sure we could help you put it in, I had a couple guys help me and the whole thing went in in around 1.5 hours easy.

[Eztrog88]

Ok, looks like I've got some more looking to do. Spacers and an AAL would definatly do it, but my reasoning was if I "bite the bullit" go with a quality kit in a few months rather than throwing something together just to have it, I'd be better off in the long run. If I'm gonna do it, I think I want to do it right, with adjustable coilovers; eventually a pair of new leaf packs (probably AAL for now though); regear if I can; some BFG 32x11.50's. Gonna make some calls for definate prices. I'm thinking I can come up with $1500-$2000 by August, get it all in in time for the fall. And I know a guy with a shop in town, he's not gonna do it for me or anything, but his lift and tools are mine to use for a weekend. Possibly get a couple guys from ne-ttora to ride down my way to help out (should go in in a couple hours max; and the whole thing is assuming we can find somewhere to wheel down here to make the trip worth it). Idk, first things first, scrapping up the $$ (gonna need that no matter what I decide).

[daveman1230]

i got my fabtech performance coilovers at 4wheelonline with free shipping for like $840, they have good customer service too

[cbr900rr95]

Try here for a great kit

http://www.bajaconcepts.com/bajaraci...m&truck=toyota

[snowjerm]

Dude, I just threw some new Downey coilovers on my truck and they are sweet. They are 0"-3.5" I only have them up 2". I payed $650 for them, they come with 2.5 in diameter bilstiens with them, 30% more spring rate than stock, and they ride sweet, both on and off road. Then I have a 1.5" aal in back, I am running 32's right now, but even before the body lift they only rubbed at full turn, and some pinchweld pounding, and taking off the mud flaps would have covered that. Now I am upping to 33's. But overall, rear shocks, rear aal, new coilovers, extended brake lines, and professionally installed I only paid $900 even. My honest recommendation though, is if you want to spend the money go with something like Donahoe, for your coilovers, just so you have the option to revalve your shock for if you add some weight up front, ex. winch, or aftermarket bumper, or both. But if you are looking for something a little less, I will swear by the Downeys. Just a thought

[rojodiablo]

The Downeys are a 2.o shock, not a 2.5 Yes, they work well. Look in the for sale section... there is a set in there for $400. I know....I posted them.

[Eztrog88]

Where did you get your Downey Coilovers? I googled it but came up empty.
What AAL are you running? Does it really make a difference what company? Any ideas for full leaf packs? $900 installed huh? thats niice, I'm going to be putting it in myself so that should save me some $$.

Originally Posted by snowjerm

Dude, I just threw some new Downey coilovers on my truck and they are sweet. They are 0"-3.5" I only have them up 2". I payed $650 for them, they come with 2.5 in diameter bilstiens with them, 30% more spring rate than stock, and they ride sweet, both on and off road. Then I have a 1.5" aal in back, I am running 32's right now, but even before the body lift they only rubbed at full turn, and some pinchweld pounding, and taking off the mud flaps would have covered that. Now I am upping to 33's. But overall, rear shocks, rear aal, new coilovers, extended brake lines, and professionally installed I only paid $900 even. My honest recommendation though, is if you want to spend the money go with something like Donahoe, for your coilovers, just so you have the option to revalve your shock for if you add some weight up front, ex. winch, or aftermarket bumper, or both. But if you are looking for something a little less, I will swear by the Downeys. Just a thought

[rojodiablo]

Originally Posted by Eztrog88

Where did you get your Downey Coilovers? I googled it but came up empty.
What AAL are you running? Does it really make a difference what company? Any ideas for full leaf packs? $900 installed huh? thats niice, I'm going to be putting it in myself so that should save me some $$.

The Downeys can be bought from several dealers, or go to the sponsors on this website..... They are one of them. As to the AAL, get the Deaver 3 leaf add on pack. WORLDS BETTER than a single AAL. Only $200 from Camburg, Demello, Donahoe. So, say $400 for a set of Downeys, with brand new shocks, and some important improvements, as well as spare shocks, from me, $200 for the Deaver kit, and another $200 for the Bilstien 5100's. That is an entire setup for $800. You can install the whole mess in 4 hrs.

[snowjerm]

I got mine at Jack it, but they are here in utah. They did the install too.

[GOT COPE?]

Originally Posted by bryanhilton

You shouldn't have to regear if you stay the same tire width

Not true.

[TacoDell]

Remember you get what you pay for.... a purdy nice deal is All-Pro's full suspension package... Bilstein adj./rebuildable coilovers 2.0's Not the cheap TRD crap. Upper arms w/uni-ball and full pack leaves in the rear (wrapped ends) Total package is about $ 1000. Hey save up the lousy extra $200. This may not be the hottest ticket but it is a very good system for the person who only spends 40 % of the time off the road. I talked with the owner and road in his truck with all the set up and I thought that it would have been a great choice had I not already done my Taco. The ride is smooth but firm easily can run 32" tires. Check out the website and give them a call... Great folk to deal with and the owner is a major rock crawler... uh... not with the Taco. He's playin' with much bigger fish... >>> http://www.allprooffroad.com/ <<< Any one looking for something that works 100% better than that TRD crap and wants to save some $$$ should take a look. I'm gonna go with everything but the coilovers as I'll stay with my 2.5's for now. It's not the very best but it's not crap stuff either... Blah, Blah, Blah...

[Eztrog88]

Thanks for the info...
I'm ordering a kit this afternoon from "The Ethusiast" in Johnston, RI.

Fabtech
Adjustable Coilovers
AAL (w/rear shocks)
$680 (no charge for shipping, they send a warehouse truck to fabtech)
Delivery in 1-2 days
Should be able to drive to school monday sittin 3.5" higher .

I did check out downey, and my next step (After wheels and tires) will definatly be a new leaf pack with the military style over-wrap. looks like about $500-600.

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by Eztrog88

Thanks for the info...
I'm ordering a kit this afternoon from "The Ethusiast" in Johnston, RI.

Fabtech
Adjustable Coilovers
AAL (w/rear shocks)
$680 (no charge for shipping, they send a warehouse truck to fabtech)
Delivery in 1-2 days
Should be able to drive to school monday sittin 3.5" higher .

I did check out downey, and my next step (After wheels and tires) will definatly be a new leaf pack with the military style over-wrap. looks like about $500-600.

with those 3.58s your 'next step' should be gears...or a new clutch will be coming up fast for replacement.

[MattyFatty182]

Originally Posted by hytenor

with those 3.58s your 'next step' should be gears...or a new clutch will be coming up fast for replacement.

Put it in 4 Low, that should make up for the bigger tires

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by MattyFatty182

Put it in 4 Low, that should make up for the bigger tires

yea, until you get onto some trail with big rocks that demands going slow and then yer screwed. Oh, but you were talking about driving on the street, right?

[ShowStop]

Originally Posted by hytenor

yea, until you get onto some trail with big rocks that demands going slow and then yer screwed. Oh, but you were talking about driving on the street, right?

Whats wrong with 4LO on the street if I don't engage my front hubs?

[Eztrog88]

Ok guys.. I can hardly afford the lift, can't be blowin my transfer case apart here...

Speaking of gears, what should I look for anyways.. I was thinking 4.10's... Are they gonna fit in my stock axle and front dif.? or should I start hunting for a TRD axle? Prices maybe. I'm thinking if I can find a TRD with 4.10's and a locker, I might be in better shape than just swapping out what I have. The locker would be nice, but I can't drop a grand just on a locker, I'll have to deal with not having one unless I go for the TRD axle.

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by ShowStop

Whats wrong with 4LO on the street if I don't engage my front hubs?

nothing, I do it all the time it will be even more fun when the crawler is in, weee!

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by Eztrog88

Ok guys.. I can hardly afford the lift, can't be blowin my transfer case apart here...

Speaking of gears, what should I look for anyways.. I was thinking 4.10's... Are they gonna fit in my stock axle and front dif.? or should I start hunting for a TRD axle? Prices maybe. I'm thinking if I can find a TRD with 4.10's and a locker, I might be in better shape than just swapping out what I have. The locker would be nice, but I can't drop a grand just on a locker, I'll have to deal with not having one unless I go for the TRD axle.

you have 3.58s now with 31" tires. For current stock performance you will need 4.30s for that size tire. If you want 32s or 33s go to 4.56s for 'stock' performance.

doing a TRD axle swap is do-able but will still run you just under $1k once all is said and done. And, unless it has upgraded gears from the stock 4.10s it is really kind of useless since it will still need to be regeared.
I did, however, notice a 4.30 geared TRD axle f/s a while back so check the f/s section. you have to swap the entire axle, drum to drum. The parts are not interchangable between the TRD and non-TRD axles. You also need the wiring harness and switch.
Putting an ARB and compressor into your non-trd rig will cost about the same in the long run AND be substantially stronger since your diff is beefier.

modding these trucks is NOT cheap and the more you do the more you want to do...it never ends.

[GOT COPE?]

Originally Posted by Eztrog88

Ok guys.. I can hardly afford the lift, can't be blowin my transfer case apart here...

Speaking of gears, what should I look for anyways.. I was thinking 4.10's... Are they gonna fit in my stock axle and front dif.? or should I start hunting for a TRD axle? Prices maybe. I'm thinking if I can find a TRD with 4.10's and a locker, I might be in better shape than just swapping out what I have. The locker would be nice, but I can't drop a grand just on a locker, I'll have to deal with not having one unless I go for the TRD axle.

Id shop around the Classifieds section for some used 4.30 or 4.56 gears.

On the locker Id wait until I had the ARB $$.

[TACO 4X4]

Hey Hytenor, sorry for the slight off topic, but you had said something about the high speed vibration or winding up upfront. I have a vibration starting around 50 mph, Is there a way of correcting other then lowering or switching to manual hubs...so far I know it is not the driveline angle, plus I have a shackle and AAL combo so driveline angle looks fine (dropped the carrier bearing to just make sure). Tires have been balanced, other then the winding upfront, the only other thing I can think of is Driveline bent/warped...so I will be checking that as well...(have the 3" revtek for upfront lift). Just picking your brain to see if you knew anything that might correct that...thanks.

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by TACO 4X4

Hey Hytenor, sorry for the slight off topic, but you had said something about the high speed vibration or winding up upfront. I have a vibration starting around 50 mph, Is there a way of correcting other then lowering or switching to manual hubs...so far I know it is not the driveline angle, plus I have a shackle and AAL combo so driveline angle looks fine (dropped the carrier bearing to just make sure). Tires have been balanced, other then the winding upfront, the only other thing I can think of is Driveline bent/warped...so I will be checking that as well...(have the 3" revtek for upfront lift). Just picking your brain to see if you knew anything that might correct that...thanks.

does it start at 50 and get worse as speed increases or does it come and go at different speeds? If it comes and goes it is most likely a tire balance problem.

hi-speed vibes on ADD trucks with lifts over 2" is not common but not unheard of. Most of what I've seen posted involved OME 882s from a couple years back. Until the coils settled and the lift was 3+" for a while some guys had the hi-speed vibes. ARB confirmed this and started backing off from recommending the coils for Tacos other than Dcabs with a winch/bumper.

[TACO 4X4]

Originally Posted by hytenor

does it start at 50 and get worse as speed increases or does it come and go at different speeds? If it comes and goes it is most likely a tire balance problem.

hi-speed vibes on ADD trucks with lifts over 2" is not common but not unheard of. Most of what I've seen posted involved OME 882s from a couple years back. Until the coils settled and the lift was 3+" for a while some guys had the hi-speed vibes. ARB confirmed this and started backing off from recommending the coils for Tacos other than Dcabs with a winch/bumper.

Yeah it does start about 50 and gets worse....I have had the tires done twice at America's who has the Haweka (spelling?) adapter. But I don't think it is that, like you said it would come and go and different speeds....hmmm, well, have to bring it in and check the driveline...Thanks for your help Hytenor.