Toytec 3" Leveling Kit review.

[LowCountrySilverTP]

Haven't really seen many people using this kit. I wanted to fit a 33" tire but can't afford the complete Billstein lift kit at this very moment, but that I will eventually buy. So I decided to go with the 3" leveling kit from Toytec. I was hesitant because leveling kits usually make the ride a bit less smooth and harsh in my opinion, but this actually made my truck ride BETTER! It could just feel better because I'm sitting higher and the center of gravity counterbalanced with the 1'25" spider-trax spacers, but I'm blown away. I can't wait to put new rubbers on (285/70/17) KO2's in a couple of weeks. If any of you are looking to go with this kit whether temporary or permanently, I HIGHLY recommend it! Cheers!

 

[LowCountrySilverTP]

Fire!!!

 

[LowCountrySilverTP]

I added a filter to this picture based on different times of days, weather, and photo clarity. Other than that, no changes. You can see the amount of stock rake, truck is on a slight incline in both pictures. :clap2:

 

[CF_Machete]

how's your alignmnet? UCAs?

 

[LowCountrySilverTP]

Haven't really seen many people using this kit. I wanted to fit a 33" tire but can't afford the complete Billstein lift kit at this very moment, but that I will eventually buy. So I decided to go with the 3" leveling kit from Toytec. I was hesitant because leveling kits usually make the ride a bit less smooth and harsh in my opinion, but this actually made my truck ride BETTER! It could just feel better because I'm sitting higher and the center of gravity counterbalanced with the 1'25" spider-trax spacers, but I'm blown away. I can't wait to put new rubbers on (285/70/17) KO2's in a couple of weeks. If any of you are looking to go with this kit whether temporary or permanently, I HIGHLY recommend it! Cheers!

how's your alignmnet? UCAs?

No UCA's currently. Alignment is spot on! I got this done at the same dealership where I purchased the vehicle only because my friend is the service manager. I only paid $375 including alignment to get the job done. Mind you... this kit requires the FULL disassembly of your rear strut (unlike most spacer lifts) even with that he still hooked it up anyway with that price. The ride is beyond great I can let go of the wheel at over 60 mph and it'll stay nice and straight. Thought I would get some more roll and get pushed around in high winds as well, and I haven't experienced either of those. All in all, I'm whiling to bet I will keep this lift longer than I had planned on. Which will Free other money up to do other upgrades. Hope this answered your question!

 

[Tlowe]

No UCA's currently. Alignment is spot on! I got this done at the same dealership where I purchased the vehicle only because my friend is the service manager. I only paid $375 including alignment to get the job done. Mind you... this kit requires the FULL disassembly of your rear strut (unlike most spacer lifts) even with that he still hooked it up anyway with that price. The ride is beyond great I can let go of the wheel at over 60 mph and it'll stay nice and straight. Thought I would get some more roll and get pushed around in high winds as well, and I haven't experienced either of those. All in all, I'm whiling to bet I will keep this lift longer than I had planned on. Which will Free other money up to do other upgrades. Hope this answered your question!

Ah this is awesome to hear, after just purchasing a spacer lift and hopefully installing it quite soon. I'll be doing the install myself so the alignment is all I'm worried about. Great to know their isn't any qualities about spacers ON ROAD that would be a deal breaker. I also don't have aftermarket UCAs yet so the fact you got good alignment makes me very happy.


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[Ride4Runner]

No UCA's currently. Alignment is spot on! I got this done at the same dealership where I purchased the vehicle only because my friend is the service manager. I only paid $375 including alignment to get the job done.

I'm SO JEALOUS you only paid $375 for the entire installation! I had the spacer install quoted at various 4x4 shops around town and they all were charging around $775, plus they were pushing for UCA replacement as they felt with the 3" lift it would not align with the stock UCAs. This pushed the overall total to $1,465. I thought to myself, I might as well just get a full suspension swap. If I was more mechanically inclined I would install the spacers myself.

Your ride is looking good! :thumb3:

 

[bofa]

No UCA's currently. Alignment is spot on! I got this done at the same dealership where I purchased the vehicle only because my friend is the service manager. I only paid $375 including alignment to get the job done. Mind you... this kit requires the FULL disassembly of your rear strut (unlike most spacer lifts) even with that he still hooked it up anyway with that price. The ride is beyond great I can let go of the wheel at over 60 mph and it'll stay nice and straight. Thought I would get some more roll and get pushed around in high winds as well, and I haven't experienced either of those. All in all, I'm whiling to bet I will keep this lift longer than I had planned on. Which will Free other money up to do other upgrades. Hope this answered your question!

Im sure you meant the front. It looks good and glad to hear they could get it within spec without new UCAs. I didnt want Toytec because it pre-loads the front, unlike others that are top mount. I imagine it feels a bit better because the preload soaks up some of the nose-dive.

 

[sn0wrunner]

Im sure you meant the front. It looks good and glad to hear they could get it within spec without new UCAs. I didnt want Toytec because it pre-loads the front, unlike others that are top mount. I imagine it feels a bit better because the preload soaks up some of the nose-dive.

Depending on which size kit you get from Toytec it actually comes with both a pre-load coil spacer, and a smaller top plate spacer. I think they're going for the "best of both worlds" approach. Having a smaller pre-load spacer so it doesn't make it ride too rough, and not to big of a top plate spacer that it provides too much down travel causing cv's to bind and other suspension components to fail since they are designed to only droop so far. I haven't heard of any failures with Toyota's newer ball joint design, but this was a big issue for the older 3rd gen 4runners / 1st gen tacomas. The bolt on top plate spacers would allow too much droop and eventually would lead to lower ball joint failures.

 

[bofa]

Depending on which size kit you get from Toytec it actually comes with both a pre-load coil spacer, and a smaller top plate spacer. I think they're going for the "best of both worlds" approach. Having a smaller pre-load spacer so it doesn't make it ride too rough, and not to big of a top plate spacer that it provides too much down travel causing cv's to bind and other suspension components to fail since they are designed to only droop so far. I haven't heard of any failures with Toyota's newer ball joint design, but this was a big issue for the older 3rd gen 4runners / 1st gen tacomas. The bolt on top plate spacers would allow too much droop and eventually would lead to lower ball joint failures.

I imagine that design is to protect the shocks more than anything. If droop is going to be an issue, it won't matter if you are using spacers or components. I just think of spacer lifts as the easier, economical solution. If you're going to need to disassemble the coilover (or pay some place extra to do it) and push the limits of the oem suspension, you might as well go with new shocks and/or springs... unless trying to preserve the XREAS on a Limited.

Oh no, it's turning into that debate again. :hiding:

 

[LowCountrySilverTP]

Ah this is awesome to hear, after just purchasing a spacer lift and hopefully installing it quite soon. I'll be doing the install myself so the alignment is all I'm worried about. Great to know their isn't any qualities about spacers ON ROAD that would be a deal breaker. I also don't have aftermarket UCAs yet so the fact you got good alignment makes me very happy.


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Yeah man, I'm very lucky to know my buddy at this shop. However, the local shops around here quoted me around the same and all he did was match it. The biggest reason I wanted to do it at my dealership is because I trust them, everything stays in the system and the fact that they can balance it better than almost anyone with their Toyota specific machine. I am 100% confident in their work, when the master mechanics where complimenting the truck and told me it will ride even better, I was convinced. And once I felt it for myself, I agreed. Shop around and get your local Toyota to try and price match, I brought two boxes of donuts also when I dropped mine off lol. Good luck! Keep me posted.

 

[LowCountrySilverTP]

Ah this is awesome to hear, after just purchasing a spacer lift and hopefully installing it quite soon. I'll be doing the install myself so the alignment is all I'm worried about. Great to know their isn't any qualities about spacers ON ROAD that would be a deal breaker. I also don't have aftermarket UCAs yet so the fact you got good alignment makes me very happy.


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Same thing I told Ride4Runner, shop around and try and get the dealership to pay for it almost every shop quoted me the same. I was just more comfortable doing it a Toyota. I went with this kit as a quick fix, but based on the feel I might keep it longer depending on how much off reading I do.

 

[LowCountrySilverTP]

Im sure you meant the front. It looks good and glad to hear they could get it within spec without new UCAs. I didnt want Toytec because it pre-loads the front, unlike others that are top mount. I imagine it feels a bit better because the preload soaks up some of the nose-dive.

I'm not really well versed on all of this stuff, all I have is the expercience from lifting my last two trucks. A Grand Cherokee, and my 99 Runner. I did a lot of research before buying this kit and [MENTION=44448]ToyTec Lifts[/MENTION] answered any questions I had prior to me buying. I called them several times and they were very helpful, additionally all of the master mechanics a Toyota I spoke with said it would not be a problem to align with stock UCA's. Maybe they're BS-ing, maybe not. But based on the feel of my ride now, I know it's 100% aligned with stock UCA's.

 

[Soneill]

I'm not really well versed on all of this stuff, all I have is the expercience from lifting my last two trucks. A Grand Cherokee, and my 99 Runner. I did a lot of research before buying this kit and [MENTION=44448]ToyTec Lifts[/MENTION] answered any questions I had prior to me buying. I called them several times and they were very helpful, additionally all of the master mechanics a Toyota I spoke with said it would not be a problem to align with stock UCA's. Maybe they're BS-ing, maybe not. But based on the feel of my ride now, I know it's 100% aligned with stock UCA's.

I just installed this lift kit on my 2011.

BOSS Suspension System for 10+ 4Runner, FJ and GX460

I am over joyed with the ride and handling. I also did a bunch of research as well as speaking with Drew over at ToyTec. I only have great things to say about their product.

 

[LowCountrySilverTP]

Right on bro, but the reason I created this thread was to inform others that wanted a quick and cost effective lift Like me and not spend over a thousand dollars.

 

[VolksDragon]

Very nice! Using a spacer lift myself (RevTek 432), and for the money, I love it. Excellent ride, perfect alignment, good to go.

 

[Soneill]

Right on bro, but the reason I created this thread was to inform others that wanted a quick and cost effective lift Like me and not spend over a thousand dollars.

All good, didn't realize that. Just wanted people to know they have a quality product.

 

[15RUNNER]

Haven't really seen many people using this kit. I wanted to fit a 33" tire but can't afford the complete Billstein lift kit at this very moment, but that I will eventually buy. So I decided to go with the 3" leveling kit from Toytec. I was hesitant because leveling kits usually make the ride a bit less smooth and harsh in my opinion, but this actually made my truck ride BETTER! It could just feel better because I'm sitting higher and the center of gravity counterbalanced with the 1'25" spider-trax spacers, but I'm blown away. I can't wait to put new rubbers on (285/70/17) KO2's in a couple of weeks. If any of you are looking to go with this kit whether temporary or permanently, I HIGHLY recommend it! Cheers!

That looks great and level. I PM'd you.

 

[bofa]

I'm not really well versed on all of this stuff, all I have is the expercience from lifting my last two trucks. A Grand Cherokee, and my 99 Runner. I did a lot of research before buying this kit and [MENTION=44448]ToyTec Lifts[/MENTION] answered any questions I had prior to me buying. I called them several times and they were very helpful, additionally all of the master mechanics a Toyota I spoke with said it would not be a problem to align with stock UCA's. Maybe they're BS-ing, maybe not. But based on the feel of my ride now, I know it's 100% aligned with stock UCA's.

From what I've read, they are good peeps. I would trust them more than most in the aftermarket world. There are a few people running 3" spacer lifts without new UCAs because the dealer could get it into spec. I believe [MENTION=101056]VolksDragon[/MENTION] has the Revtek kit and Im running the ProComp. The only issue I've had is it getting a little squirelly changing lanes above 70mph. I might try another shop to check the alignment.

Edit: looks like volksdragon already chimed in

 

[Shaolin]

Well done sir. Keep up the good work. :cheers: