is a 3" lift too much?

[mr.walleye]

i have a 2018 SR5 and already bought a bilstein 3" lift kit from toytec (not installed). this is my daily driver. i do plan a hunting trip to Wyoming next year, maybe 2021 (depends on my preference points). i plan on installing a SSO hybred bumper before i go, so, im thinking a 3" lift is going to compensate for the extra weight.. yes i already bought the lift because i went to Colorado with my father years ago and we got stuck and i dont plan on that again.. I got frost bite cold...brrr.. so is the lift worth it and should i buy the JBA upper control arms just because i got a lift? is it really needed? or phony? by the way... i'll install all my work

 

[SpeedyKevin]

i have a 2018 SR5 and already bought a bilstein 3" lift kit from toytec (not installed). this is my daily driver. i do plan a hunting trip to Wyoming next year, maybe 2021 (depends on my preference points). i plan on installing a SSO hybred bumper before i go, so, im thinking a 3" lift is going to compensate for the extra weight.. yes i already bought the lift because i went to Colorado with my father years ago and we got stuck and i dont plan on that again.. I got frost bite cold...brrr.. so is the lift worth it and should i buy the JBA upper control arms just because i got a lift? is it really needed? or phony? by the way... i'll install all my work

If youre concerned about clearance, youll still need to get larger tires to lift the rear axle. Clearance remains the same regardless of lift back there. Also, I found aftermarket UCAs to be useful with a mild 2 inch lift. Was able to get more caster which was nice. At 3 inches, you may not be able to get the alignment within spec. Regarding the front, depending on the coils you got, the 3inch lift could be shorter with the bumper installed. Something to consider if you are trying to achieve more clearance.

 

[Rapid_Amble]

How is this even a question lol. Do it and post pics better to add the JBAs UCAs at the same time because very likely will need them for alignment. Adding a hybrid bumper and winch will reduce the lift some. Can ask Toytec for guidance.

 

[MicMul]

From all of the research I've done on this forum before lifting mine...Yes, you are better off with aftermarket UCA's. You should also install a front diff drop IIRC.

 

[pDubs]

With 3" lift I would do UCAs and Diff Drop. I would also do 3"/2"

To answer your question "is a 3" lift too much". The answer entirely depends. For me, it would be too much. For people who go rock crawling, it likely isn't even enough.

If you got stuck, was it because of tires and lack of recovery gear? Did you get high centered? If not, how would being higher up have changed you getting stuck? Maybe get a winch for that bumper.

 

[shrub1]

I was running my Icon coil overs at 3 inches (with 2 inch springs in the rear) at one point and the stance looked good. BUT, when loaded out for a multi day trip the rear sagged like a mother and the handling was shit. It was like Mr. Toad's wild ride! I dropped the front to 2.5 and with the same load it and handles a ton better (and the CV boots are much happier). And yes, you should get after market UCA.

 

[chimaylxa]

A lot of it comes down to the specific vehicle and suspension setup.

I’ve got a SSO slimline bumper with the stage 2 high clearance sides. 5100s on the first lift setting and OME 3” lift heavy springs. ComeUp winch with steel cable. My tire shop was able to get the alignment in spec, but barely (or close enough that we didn’t care). So almost 4” of front lift. I did do a diff drop. Also went to 33” tires.

Used the first lift setting on the 5100s to even out front to back with 3” OME lift springs in the rear.

But, people with only 3” of lift say they can’t get the alignment in spec and end up with UCAs and everything else to get things back into spec.

Plan to do them to be safe, but I’m not sure that they are 100% required. They weren’t for me.

 

[Bumbo]

If this was my truck, 3” is getting into an area I would consider too high on the stock suspension geometry. Ground clearance isn’t everything and you give up downward travel (droop) to get it.

Lifting extra to compensate for the sag of the bumper doesn’t seem like the right way to get it done either. When you add weight, you want to take into consideration the actual spring rate as it might need to increase to correctly support the weight. This is really independent of the height. Sometimes you just have to do suspension twice, to do it right.

 

[LandCruiser]

At 3" front you may or may not need a diff drop.

You'll have to see if the baffles of your CV boots are rubbing or not.

You WILL need new front UCAs if you want to do it right.