So like the thread title says, I'm making a thread about my budget ~1.5" suspension lift. Originally I had wanted to do a full 3" lift but after adding up all the extra parts/etc that I would need to make it right I decided to be a guinea pig for running the STOCK '00 front springs on the tundra struts and using the adjustability to gain a mild lift (and thus avoid buying front springs).
What precipitated this is I had a loud clunk going on in the front end of my truck and after digging around under it, it was obvious the lower shock bushings were trashed. My wife and I also have some pretty huge expenses coming up as I go back to school so I didn't want to spend a lot. Enter the Tundra 5100.
What I did:
-Tundra 5100 front shocks: 24-188265
-Tundra 5100 rear shocks: 24-100144
-Daystar 1.5" rear spring spacer kit: KT09107BK
-STOCK '00 front springs
I wanted to leave myself head room for a future more substantial lift, and I got a REALLY good deal on the 5100's on Jet.com (275 shipped) thus why I picked them up. I had read a some posts here and there about how people had successfully paired the tundra front 5100s with stock springs. I figured I would post this up to put the debate to an end once and for all: they fit, perfectly. I put the tundra 5100's on the middle spring perch setting and gained tentatively around 1.25" of lift. The ride is much better, noticeably firmer but not harsh. More like a car, and less nose dive on braking.
As of this post I haven't put on the rear spacers or the 5100's out back yet, but I will update it as I finish this project. I know there is a lot of people saying don't get the spacer lift for the rear, but I figured for $40 off of amazon I would give it a shot with these other parts. I know I will need to extend my bumpstops due to the longer compressed length of the tundra rear shocks. I don't plan on trying to stuff my wheels far into my wheel wells, so if I lose some compression-travel I'm ok with that. I'm not worried about losing a spring at "full droop" since I rarely go offroad, mostly in the fall when hunting.
Things I ran into and what you may have to do to get this to fit if you want to do this setup as well:
-use the stock bottle jack to push the upper control arm down FAR like stated in the other lift threads
-You will still likely need to pry up on the bottom of the shock even doing the above trick to get the lower shock bolt through
-Use spring compressors, you don't have to compress the stock springs that much to get them to fit onto the tundra shocks
-I tried the "no spring compressor" method initially, but gave up on it. I'm glad I did, but it was NOT working for me and I'm not scared of spring compressors, I've used them many times before.
-You will have to "shave" the top rubber spacer that goes on top of the top hat (between the top hat and the big washer on the top) to easily get the top nut on. I trimmed it down after looking at the 4runner rubber bushings, they are about 3-4mm shorter in height than the ones that come with the tundra struts. I just used a sharp knife to cut it. Worked like a charm and everything went together fast.
-Took only about a couple hours after I stopped trying to avoid the spring compressors.
I have a 1.5" body lift on my truck as well. I tried to go that route to clear my tires after a new set of wheels started causing some rubbing issues. I'm hoping another ~1.25" in the front will help rubbing at full lock on the bolts for the mud flaps near the pinchweld.
I know there has been a lot of questions about using stock springs on tundra struts in the front, so I figured I would put this to rest. I love the way the front feels now and I got a little lift for cheap. I will update if I run into any issues.
-Steve
