Lift Kit Leveling Question

H

haute

New member
Hi Everyone,

I'm looking to put a mild spacer lift onto my '03. This is to accomodate 265/70-17's a little more easily, since I need new rubber soon.


Here's my problem:


All of these lift kits are to "level" the truck. Well, a "level" truck isnt really much of *truck* anymore, is it?

Trucks are raked in order for them to be level when they are loaded. I just got back from two weeks of camping, fully loaded with gear and a large (18 cu ft) car topper, towing a 2000# trailer, and my truck sat level the whole time.

So, if I go with one of these kits to give me a modest lift, how much will the truck's front end be pointing up when under load this same load?

I would just like to lift the truck enough to get the slightly larger tires on easily (was thinking a 2/1 lift), but still leave the front end geometry the same and XREAS in-tact.

Are the FJ springs the only way to do this?

TIA.
 
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haute said:
Hi Everyone,

I'm looking to put a mild spacer lift onto my '03. This is to accomodate 265/70-17's a little more easily, since I need new rubber soon.


Here's my problem:


All of these lift kits are to "level" the truck. Well, a "level" truck isnt really much of *truck* anymore, is it?

Trucks are raked in order for them to be level when they are loaded. I just got back from two weeks of camping, fully loaded with gear and a large (18 cu ft) car topper, towing a 2000# trailer, and my truck sat level the whole time.

So, if I go with one of these kits to give me a modest lift, how much will the truck's front end be pointing up when under load this same load?

I would just like to lift the truck enough to get the slightly larger tires on easily (was thinking a 2/1 lift), but still leave the front end geometry the same and XREAS in-tact.

Are the FJ springs the only way to do this?

TIA.
Click to expand...

do a 2/1.5 spacer lift
cornfed will make you any size spacer you want, but FWIW here's my truck with a trailer attached with the 2.5/1.5 (which sits level)

 
You could do the daystar budget boost in the front (2") and get a 1" rear spacer from cornfed. That said, you really need to consider air bags, they are relatively cheap and will allow you to be level whether you're loaded or not. Firestone and Airlift make rear air bag kits for under $100.
 
I've got Bilstein 5100s on the 1.75 setting in the front, and a Daystar 1.5 spacer in the rear. Mine has a small rake when empty, and sits level when my utility trailer is hooked on.
 
Love this forum and the search button

I was wondering the same thing as I have a 5th gen and pull a 3000# trailer (10% on the tongue) on occasion and was wondering if a leveling kit would shoot my front end into the sky as well. Would everyone recommend the same 2/1 spacer kit for a 5th gen or to use air bags in the back? I want to get 285s. Thanks!
 
boyfester said:
I was wondering the same thing as I have a 5th gen and pull a 3000# trailer (10% on the tongue) on occasion and was wondering if a leveling kit would shoot my front end into the sky as well. Would everyone recommend the same 2/1 spacer kit for a 5th gen or to use air bags in the back? I want to get 285s. Thanks!
Click to expand...

this question would probably do better in the 5th gen subforum, but a 2/1 would probably get you level and id put the trailer on before deciding whether to get air bags, 10% tongue weight isn't too bad
 
I love my firestone air bags. Relatively easy to install, ran the lines through the frame rails and mounted the fittings on the trailer wiring plate. When I put my dirtbike carrier on the back and cantilever the 300# bike off the back it would sag a ton and ride like crap but air the bags up to 25-30psi and it's back to level - rides almost normal. I would highly recommend this sort of adjustability for the best look and ride when both unloaded and loaded.
 
I have the Daystar 2.5/1 and we camp with a pop up camper that is 2200 lbs empty. Well I know I load at least another 500 to 800lbs in it when I fill it with water, extra battery, camping stuff etc. We then pack the 4 runner to the gills along with the wife and 3 kids. I also load the rack on top with misc stuff. Last time I noticed the front end rode maybe an inch higher than the back with all that stuff. If I wanted to install the bags should I get rid of the 1" spacer in the back?
 
bag with spacer is fine. Bags sit in the coil with the bump stops shortened per bag instructions, and spacer sits on top of coil/bump stop so no interference.
 
wnelax04sr5 said:
this question would probably do better in the 5th gen subforum, but a 2/1 would probably get you level and id put the trailer on before deciding whether to get air bags, 10% tongue weight isn't too bad
Click to expand...

I agree. I was looking at my tent trailer again and I don't think I get anywhere near 3000 lbs when fully loaded. I think it's more like 2000 lbs so I'd only be putting about 200 lbs on the tongue. I put the trailer on last night and it didn't really lower the height of the rear of the truck.
 
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