UT Fly Fishing Addict - 3rd Gen Driver Seeking 5th Gen Lift Help

liaosongfang

New member
This is kind of a double post cause I revived an old thread similar to a question I have.

Title said much of it but I'm a dedicated Toyota fan. I live in UT and have a 2001 SR5 that I've been driving for about 8 years. I LOVE it. It's totally stock with 265/70/16 Dynapro ATMs but I mob a lot of bumpy roads and spend a fair amount of time off road searching for fish and it is awesome. I won't by anything but Toyota. I drove a T100 before my 3rd Gen and my wife has an '05 Sequoia. My next upgrade here soon will be a 5th gen (probably 2010-2012 Limited). I anticipate putting 275/55/20 Terra Grapplers or Dynapro ATM's.

I've been stalking for awhile - especially since every 4runner image search leads here - haha! My preparations to get a new rig have had me on here everyday lately. I'm a gear whore in all my various activities so seeing all the sweet rigs here will inevitably lead to some mods I'm thinking.

While I'm introducing, hopefully it's ok but I thought I'd share my question I'm having. For all those that don't care about 5th gen lift questions thanks for reading my intro and we'll see ya around the forum!

I'm looking for an affordable solution. I don't go "off-roading" but I drive off-road a decent amount due to my fly fishing addiction and other outdoor activities. I've always wanted a lift and obviously love the look but haven't wanted to sacrifice the money for install and on-going gas mileage. I haven't looked into lift kits for years and recently discovered spacer kits. I've been researching on here like crazy and have been changing my mind on what I want to do over and over. Ultimately I'd like some extra ground clearance (since it's usually my biggest concern when i'm off-road) and the looks.

So my question is can i have my cake and eat it too...eventually? What I mean is, could I get a small spacer kit like 2/1.25 or even up to 3/2 (I know that's not small) for aesthetics which offers no performance improvements except the benefits of higher ground clearance, and then down the road when I have some more cash to throw into the truck, get 4 Bilstein 5100's to add a bit of performance. Now to be clear I would be adding the Bilstein at the "0" mark on front - I'm not looking for any additional lift since it was already provided by the spacers - i'm only looking to add in some of the minor performance benefits (i.e. little additional travel and better/firmer ride).

I've ready 93,495 threads about spacers, and the 5100's, coils, etc. but I haven't really seen one (my severe ADD may have hindered that a bit too) that addressed this. If there are, please forgive me! I'm definitely open to suggestions but at this point (buying a new truck, tires, etc.) I'm looking for as cheep as a solution as I can while still making a worthwhile purchase.

Ultimately right now I've narrowed my options to this: A) spacer lift (either 2/1ish or 3/2) B) a spacer lift and Bilsteins down the road (like I mentioned above or C) 2 or 4 Bilsteins in a .85/0 setup.

Anyway, that was crazy long and I appreciate anyone that takes the time to read it! Seems like a pretty awesome group of guys here. I've already sent a few PM's and am very grateful for the responses I received.

TO ANY FLY FISHERS: I can provide a T4R discount on some high end rods, reels, etc. to help contribute to this awesome community. PM me if you want details!
 
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This is kind of a double post cause I revived an old thread similar to a question I have.

Title said much of it but I'm a dedicated Toyota fan. I live in UT and have a 2001 SR5 that I've been driving for about 8 years. I LOVE it. It's totally stock with 265/70/16 Dynapro ATMs but I mob a lot of bumpy roads and spend a fair amount of time off road searching for fish and it is awesome. I won't by anything but Toyota. I drove a T100 before my 3rd Gen and my wife has an '05 Sequoia. My next upgrade here soon will be a 5th gen (probably 2010-2012 Limited). I anticipate putting 275/55/20 Terra Grapplers or Dynapro ATM's.

I've been stalking for awhile - especially since every 4runner image search leads here - haha! My preparations to get a new rig have had me on here everyday lately. I'm a gear whore in all my various activities so seeing all the sweet rigs here will inevitably lead to some mods I'm thinking.

While I'm introducing, hopefully it's ok but I thought I'd share my question I'm having. For all those that don't care about 5th gen lift questions thanks for reading my intro and we'll see ya around the forum!

I'm looking for an affordable solution. I don't go "off-roading" but I drive off-road a decent amount due to my fly fishing addiction and other outdoor activities. I've always wanted a lift and obviously love the look but haven't wanted to sacrifice the money for install and on-going gas mileage. I haven't looked into lift kits for years and recently discovered spacer kits. I've been researching on here like crazy and have been changing my mind on what I want to do over and over. Ultimately I'd like some extra ground clearance (since it's usually my biggest concern when i'm off-road) and the looks.

So my question is can i have my cake and eat it too...eventually? What I mean is, could I get a small spacer kit like 2/1.25 or even up to 3/2 (I know that's not small) for aesthetics which offers no performance improvements except the benefits of higher ground clearance, and then down the road when I have some more cash to throw into the truck, get 4 Bilstein 5100's to add a bit of performance. Now to be clear I would be adding the Bilstein at the "0" mark on front - I'm not looking for any additional lift since it was already provided by the spacers - i'm only looking to add in some of the minor performance benefits (i.e. little additional travel and better/firmer ride).

I've ready 93,495 threads about spacers, and the 5100's, coils, etc. but I haven't really seen one (my severe ADD may have hindered that a bit too) that addressed this. If there are, please forgive me! I'm definitely open to suggestions but at this point (buying a new truck, tires, etc.) I'm looking for as cheep as a solution as I can while still making a worthwhile purchase.

Ultimately right now I've narrowed my options to this: A) spacer lift (either 2/1ish or 3/2) B) a spacer lift and Bilsteins down the road (like I mentioned above or C) 2 or 4 Bilsteins in a .85/0 setup.

Anyway, that was crazy long and I appreciate anyone that takes the time to read it! Seems like a pretty awesome group of guys here. I've already sent a few PM's and am very grateful for the responses I received.

TO ANY FLY FISHERS: I can provide a T4R discount on some high end rods, reels, etc. to help contribute to this awesome community. PM me if you want details!

:welcome:

I don't have experience with spacers or 5100s up front, and I have a 3rd gen, but my opinions are below.

If you really must lift it now and do it cheaply, sure get a spacer lift. The suspension will be brand new so it shouldn't affect the ride on the front end too much.

There is no reason you couldn't do spacers first and bilsteins later, but bilsteins are height adjustable so they can act as your front spacer anyways, so I'm not sure why you would go this route except that you want to lift it soon (I know the feeling, it's best to bury it and stay patient). It also seems like you won't be installing yourself, so this would mean you pay the shop twice...
 
Glad to see another fly-fisherman join the Toyota addiction...

I'm an ex-Colorado man, my work has taken me to Texas, but I still like to make it back to the mtns as often as possible.

UT sure has some beautiful country! Welcome aboard.
 
:welcome:

I don't have experience with spacers or 5100s up front, and I have a 3rd gen, but my opinions are below.

If you really must lift it now and do it cheaply, sure get a spacer lift. The suspension will be brand new so it shouldn't affect the ride on the front end too much.

There is no reason you couldn't do spacers first and bilsteins later, but bilsteins are height adjustable so they can act as your front spacer anyways, so I'm not sure why you would go this route except that you want to lift it soon (I know the feeling, it's best to bury it and stay patient). It also seems like you won't be installing yourself, so this would mean you pay the shop twice...

Thanks for the feedback. I think I really will just have to cool the jets and do what I'll be most happy with in the long run. I still am curious though if anyone has used spacers for height and 5100 for the suspension aspect.
 
Glad to see another fly-fisherman join the Toyota addiction...

I'm an ex-Colorado man, my work has taken me to Texas, but I still like to make it back to the mtns as often as possible.

UT sure has some beautiful country! Welcome aboard.

Thanks! I bet it was hard to go from CO to TX but I'm sure there's still got to be some decent fishing down there...just not trout!
 

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