Sonoran Steel lift install
- Thread starter AZ4ME
- Start date
sschaefer3
New member
On a 2010 ??? That sucks.
Did I read that right, your cam bolts seized? I didn't read every page, but you already had to tear your engine apart? Sorry man!
Yup. East Coast truck. Three out of four. New bits will be here Friday...I hope. So close!
SPENK05
Member
Id be interested in what this setup entails. I tow a light slalom ski boat and hate when its ass to grass. Not too mention, I want to keep the factory rake so a 3/3 lift would be ideal.
So lets also say, with keeping a spring/strut setup on the bilstein lift offered, is it possible to achieve a 3/3 or at least a 3/2.5? I really like the SS setup and completely respect your advice and suggestions.
sschaefer3
New member
Well this is a 3" front/2" rear. The bags will let you hold the 2" rear with no sagging. A 1" spacer would be fine, no more then a 1" rear spacer, they are not like front spacers, but I don't know of any being made, the Daystar one is 1.25 I believe.
See if you can find a 3" lift coil and I will see if I can make it work. I have to look into shock droop and see if there is enough for a 3" rear lift. May have to go to a Radflo unit.
See if you can find a 3" lift coil and I will see if I can make it work. I have to look into shock droop and see if there is enough for a 3" rear lift. May have to go to a Radflo unit.
SPENK05
Member
Ive never used a rear spacer (or any spacer for that matter) so not sure how I feel about that. Would it affect the rear articulation?
I'm no guru on this but I know of these few options:
-Toytec Superflex HD - 2.5" (i think) @ 205lbf/in
-OME 889 - 2.5-3 @ 260lbf/in
-All Pro makes a true 3-3.5" and claims its 15% stiffer than stock so ~175-185lbf/in??. I believe these are just FJ coils?
sschaefer3
New member
Sounds like you would be better off piecing something together on your own.
I know for a fact some of the coils you posted do not provide the lift you have indicated. This is the product I have, I don't have anything that is 3" and 3".
Maybe someday we will develop that, but at this point, that is not what we have. There are too many risks involved with trading this for that and guessing, risks I am not willing to take. The kit we have is outstanding. But it is 3"/2".
I know for a fact some of the coils you posted do not provide the lift you have indicated. This is the product I have, I don't have anything that is 3" and 3".
Maybe someday we will develop that, but at this point, that is not what we have. There are too many risks involved with trading this for that and guessing, risks I am not willing to take. The kit we have is outstanding. But it is 3"/2".
SPENK05
Member
Completely understood. It may just be the way online is, but it sounds like I offended you. Sir, that is not my intention. I was not expecting a new kit be designed specifically for me or wanting to downplay what you offer. I'm just always exploring options and ideas. Your Bilstein lift is right where I need as it is still a DD and not wheeling hard. Appreciate your help thus far.
sschaefer3
New member
No not at all. I am just saying that I don't have something like that and it can not be thrown together quickly or easily.
Over the years working with 4th gen rear setups, I have found with increased lift, the rear shocks will "top out" very easily. What top out means is that when you go over a bump, the suspension goes down and then back up, on the way up the rear shocks will be fully extended and suddenly stop, topping out.
This happens with any off the shelf shock beyond 2" of lift. At 2" it will never happen.
So what you are asking for is not easily put together. It is not something I can work on right now as we are swamped with work.
Metal Tech has a 3/3.5" lift long travel kit. It is extremely expensive and you have very very little up travel. But that is a 3/3.5" lift rear end with matching shocks and bump stop correction. It won't work on KDSS though.
Over the years working with 4th gen rear setups, I have found with increased lift, the rear shocks will "top out" very easily. What top out means is that when you go over a bump, the suspension goes down and then back up, on the way up the rear shocks will be fully extended and suddenly stop, topping out.
This happens with any off the shelf shock beyond 2" of lift. At 2" it will never happen.
So what you are asking for is not easily put together. It is not something I can work on right now as we are swamped with work.
Metal Tech has a 3/3.5" lift long travel kit. It is extremely expensive and you have very very little up travel. But that is a 3/3.5" lift rear end with matching shocks and bump stop correction. It won't work on KDSS though.
SPENK05
Member
I think that answer says volumes to the attention you take in developing your kits. I've contacted other vendors and they are quick to blurt out other things to make a sale. Definitely will be buying your kit. And if I decide to change out the rears with either bags or another coil on a bored weekend I will keep people posted.
What makes me more happy is that you recommend and include the Camburg UCAs in the kit. These have been on my short list since they came out.
sschaefer3
New member
That is the exact same color as my 2012 Trail. Looks Great !!!
2010riddle
New member
Another satisfied customer posting to vouch for Steve's incredible service & great product.
I went a little different route and installed the TRD springs on the 2nd perch (0.85") of the 5100's, which yielded me exactly 2" upfront and I am exactly level driver to passenger. I also went with the Camburg BJ arms through Steve and I got 3.2+ caster both sides and 285's clear with no rubbing (I did Harper7's fender liner mod before tire install). The SAW springs are from another member who ran them with a rear bumper for a bit, so I ended up with only 1.5" rear lift. Thanks again Steve!
I went a little different route and installed the TRD springs on the 2nd perch (0.85") of the 5100's, which yielded me exactly 2" upfront and I am exactly level driver to passenger. I also went with the Camburg BJ arms through Steve and I got 3.2+ caster both sides and 285's clear with no rubbing (I did Harper7's fender liner mod before tire install). The SAW springs are from another member who ran them with a rear bumper for a bit, so I ended up with only 1.5" rear lift. Thanks again Steve!
nevetsvsx
New member
Hey guys, I keep getting PMs asking for my longer term review of this lift so I figured I'd post my latest response here:
In short, I am very happy with the lift! I've had it on a bit over a year, and this truck is my DD. Rides great on the road, and has done everything I've thrown at it Offroad with ease.
In regards to on road manners, the ride is smooth and the progressive springs really do a great job with the Bilstien shocks to keep the road manners in check absorbing bumps just like you'd want them to. I sometimes think it's smoother than stock but I'd rate it similar to the same as stock just because I have no way to prove it's better, but it certainly feels that way
. I can say it rides better than my last truck (07 Tundra on stock suspension).
In regards to alignment issues, because I went with 3.75" height in the front I had to get the UCAs but after that they aligned no problem.
In regards to nose dive, I don't have any noticeable nose dive unless I slam on the brakes and the brake assist kicks in.
I highly recommend this lift and commonly get compliments on how surprisingly smooth it is Offroad when my buddies ride along.
Oh also I have a forward rake still, because of the winch pulling it down, and it does still lean driver slightly but I hear a 1" spacer fixes that. It doesn't bother me much though.
P.S.
In regards to reliability, I beat the tar out of the shocks for 2 days on a boulder filled Creek bed a couple weekends ago and had absolutely no problem with the lift. I've also popped wheelies slamming the front down and gone through countless gravel roads. If there is one I can absolutely promise, is that you will not have ANY reliability issues if you torque everything appropriately when installing like I did.
In short, I am very happy with the lift! I've had it on a bit over a year, and this truck is my DD. Rides great on the road, and has done everything I've thrown at it Offroad with ease.
In regards to on road manners, the ride is smooth and the progressive springs really do a great job with the Bilstien shocks to keep the road manners in check absorbing bumps just like you'd want them to. I sometimes think it's smoother than stock but I'd rate it similar to the same as stock just because I have no way to prove it's better, but it certainly feels that way
. I can say it rides better than my last truck (07 Tundra on stock suspension). In regards to alignment issues, because I went with 3.75" height in the front I had to get the UCAs but after that they aligned no problem.
In regards to nose dive, I don't have any noticeable nose dive unless I slam on the brakes and the brake assist kicks in.
I highly recommend this lift and commonly get compliments on how surprisingly smooth it is Offroad when my buddies ride along.
Oh also I have a forward rake still, because of the winch pulling it down, and it does still lean driver slightly but I hear a 1" spacer fixes that. It doesn't bother me much though.
P.S.
In regards to reliability, I beat the tar out of the shocks for 2 days on a boulder filled Creek bed a couple weekends ago and had absolutely no problem with the lift. I've also popped wheelies slamming the front down and gone through countless gravel roads. If there is one I can absolutely promise, is that you will not have ANY reliability issues if you torque everything appropriately when installing like I did.
Last edited:
Styer
New member
Well I purchased my lift from Sonoran Steel last night for my 2015 SR5. Went ahead and ordered the Camburg UCAs with Moog ball joints. Figured if I'm doing it I should do it right. Also thanks to Steve for fielding my questions on the phone and also the rest of you all who answered my questions on here! I feel confident with this being my first lift it will be what I'm looking for.
