Lift in my future!

D

Davemon

Member
I've finally been given a budget for the lift I've been lobbying for since the purchase of my 2011 SR5 over 2 years ago. I've got about $1700 to spend, so I'd like to know what you all would do with $1700, from a stock configuration? Here's my plan:
Bilsteins x4: $399 (from Toytec)
Superflex coils: $180 (from Toytec)
LR UCAs: $375 (from Sierra Expeditions)
Spidertrax spacers (1.25"): $199 (from Toytec)
labor (install and alignment): $350 from the local shop.
total: $1503

As far as my usage goes, well I don't wheel real hard. If I have the wife and kids along, I may try some mellow offroad trails, but we reached the limit of their adventurousness last year when we did Engineer Pass and Governor Basin. So I'm not rock-crawling, or pulling off anything too heavy duty.
A few internal debates I've had (since it appears I'll have an extra $200 or so to play around with) would be scrap the spacers and invest in some Level 8 wheels. Or go for some better UCAs, considering I've seen some interesting pics on LR UCA failures lately. Maybe Camburgs or TC. Let me hear your thoughts...thanks.
 
Register to hide this ad
Davemon said:
Spidertrax spacers (1.25"): $199 (from Toytec)
Click to expand...
Since you have UCAs listed already the spacers will be more cosmetic than anything. Also keep in mind that they will cause more tire rubbing that you'll have to address with fender liner mods, BAH, and possibly an angle grinder.

Davemon said:
Or go for some better UCAs, considering I've seen some interesting pics on LR UCA failures lately. Maybe Camburgs or TC. Let me hear your thoughts...thanks.
Click to expand...
Hmm, wonder where you saw those. I think other UCAs would be way overkill for you since they tend to be more than double the price of the LRs. Just keep an eye on the boots over the ball joints and replace the boots or the entire ball joint assembly if/when necessary.
 
[MENTION=66300]Intruder[/MENTION], has LR gotten their cracking issues under control? I remember some posts on here and other forums where their control arms were failing at the joint between the arm and the part that bolts to the vehicle. If they have improved them I would gladly consider them when, or if I need UCAs.
 
Intruder said:
Since you have UCAs listed already the spacers will be more cosmetic than anything. Also keep in mind that they will cause more tire rubbing that you'll have to address with fender liner mods, BAH, and possibly an angle grinder.
Click to expand...

I was going for the aesthetics of the wider stance. Do you think I'd have rubbing with 275s and 2.5" settings in the front? Perhaps I'll scrap the spacer idea, and just get some rims instead.


eddiebx said:
If I may be a bit nosy and butt into your plan, I would like to add ~$70 bucks to your budget: Bilstein Monotube Shock Absorbers and Struts for 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER | AJUSA.COM

That's where I got mine from and runs ~$330 shipped. Pretty nice customer service too, and I believe also an authorized Bilstein dealer should you ever need to have warranty work done :)
Click to expand...


Thanks for the link, Eddie. I see a few different bilsteins on that site, including the 5100s and the 5160s. What am I supposed to be looking at?

Qjake said:
MetalTech is having an Icon Sale at the end of the month that you may want to check out.
Click to expand...

Darnit, you're gonna make me blow my budget!:brick:
 
Davemon said:
I was going for the aesthetics of the wider stance. Do you think I'd have rubbing with 275s and 2.5" settings in the front? Perhaps I'll scrap the spacer idea, and just get some rims instead.
Click to expand...
Not sure if 275s will rub. The ride height won't really make much difference since it's the spacers pushing the wheels outwards that will cause your tires to rub the body mount when you turn the wheels. The further out you push the wheels, the worse it'll be.
 
OK, after mulling over Intruder's comments, I've made a slight change to my plan. I'm pulling the spacers, and subbing in some new wheels. Level 8 MK6. So in essence my setup will be identical to FatTiresRollin, except for the 285s. Gotta wait for my 275s to wear out before I move up. This change will put me slightly over budget, but I think I can justify it to the CFO, if I'm careful in my wording.:whipping2
 
Here is what I'm doing after the first of the year:

Front - Bilstein 5100 @ 2.5" $200
Front - Camburg UCAs w/ ball joints $530
Rear - Bilstein 5100 & SAW Coils $365
BFG T/A KO's 285/70/17 (D)

So with out tires that's $1095 - I think about the best bang for buck that can be done. If you went with LR UCAs it would be $~100 less.
 
Davemon said:
OK, after mulling over Intruder's comments, I've made a slight change to my plan. I'm pulling the spacers, and subbing in some new wheels. Level 8 MK6. So in essence my setup will be identical to FatTiresRollin, except for the 285s. Gotta wait for my 275s to wear out before I move up. This change will put me slightly over budget, but I think I can justify it to the CFO, if I'm careful in my wording.:whipping2
Click to expand...

I am a little bias...but that will be a damn good looking set-up! Not sure what rebates, etc that discount tire has going on right now, but I got my MK6s for right at $500. That won't blow the budget too bad, if at all if you only spend $330 on the bilsteins and you maybe be able to land a better deal on the LR UCAs. I got real lucky and got mine from amazon warehouse for $275! Maybe try the install yourself...or enlist the help of and old or new friend. Check out a local 4x4 club forum, there are usually people who would love an opportunity to help a brother in need. Good luck and I am looking forward to seeing your end result.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 1,123 (members: 2, guests: 1,121)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,089
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top