What lift are you running? & Why?

[Mr. B]

Hey guys,
I decided to make this poll thread to help out any of the new members on deciding on a lift. If you guys could just specify what lift your using, why you chose it and how you like it, that would be greatly appreciate it. This will also/hopefully reduce the amount of "what lift for me" threads. I hope this works. I'm sorry if i didnt include any other major lifts, I included what I found was used by the majority in searching through forums.

Mahalo

 

[glenyoshida]

I shopped every lift I could find when I was looking but after talking to many people ended up choosing Toytec's. It wasn't the most expensive and that made me a little leary because I wanted to get the best I could afford but I can say after wheeling some 45 trail runs in the past two years with other 3rd gens and the lifts they have, I can say with full confidence that the toytec OME891s and the coilovers are the best bang for the buck for these types of trails in Colorado. I have my rig loaded for expedition all the time so it's heavier and it's not a daily driver so the 891s were an easy choice. If you only hit a trail once a year and don't carry a lot of weight I'd go with the 890s in the rear. The suspension was one of the first things I added so I got the adjustable coilovers so I could adjust for a new bumper, winch, etc but I haven't needed to adjust. I got the 3 inch lift because it was the most I could get before the CVs would buzz.

I rock crawl on mid level stuff as much as I can. There are some different set ups that have the same amount of lift but when I've run with other 3rd gens I notice they can't flex out all the way and spin tires more. This suspension would not be ideal if you are trying to baja because it's too soft and you will bottom out a lot but for the Rockies it's just such a well balanced system.

I am going to try some FJ80 Landcruiser coils in the rear to see if they are flexy enough to be an advantage over the OME 891s since they provide more lift. I'll try and remember to post up the results when I get around to it. Let me know if you have questions about the TT lift. I'm happy to help.

See for yourself:

 

[Pikeman]

I rin the All-pro coilovers up front(basically the same as the Toytec) with the Uniball upper control arms, and the SS 1.2 in the rear. I like the idea of the threaded coilover better then the C-clip adjusted one offered by Sonoran simply because the additional adjustablility for future heavier bumper or other mods if I need it. I was told the LC springs in back were the best and offered the most articulation. So far I am very happy although the rebound rate on the rear is a little fast so seems a little springy, that can be fixed by some revalving of the shock though. I went with All-pro instead of toytec on the fronts because they are a local shop and have bought lots of parts from them for my brothers first gen rock crawler and got a great price, and I didnt have to pay shipping or wait for them.

 

[Elton H]

mines gonna be toytech ome 882s and 891s and im goin with the sonoransteel panhard bar and diff drop .... and why i went with toytech is cause i got it slightly used for less than it cost new

 

[glenyoshida]

I was told the LC springs in back were the best and offered the most articulation.

Very cool. Sounds like you have a nice set up!
Who's the source supporting the LC coil setup in the rear? Know any more details about it or was it mainly opinion? Definitely not disagreeing just trying to get more info. I ran trails in Moab, UT and Chinaman Gulch, CO with 3rd gens that ran the LC coils and they seemed to do just well but I wasn't being critical of flex when watching.

 

[trd_4runnin]

I went with the OME lift (see sig. for details.) Basically I chose this lift because I wanted something better than a spacer lift but didn't have the 2k to pony up for a SS lift or coilovers. Spacers work great for some people, but IMO they aren't for someone who actually wants to wheel and I do in fact want to wheel. I would kill for a nicer set-up like some coilovers and LC coils in the rear, but after wheeling a few times in Ohio I've come to the determination that for what I am comfortable doing (I have minimum protection and still owe on my 4Runner so I take it somewhat easy) any more of a set-up than what I am running would prob be overkill and wouldn't help me all that much. I'd like to get the OME shocks to enhance the performance of my current lift but in flat Ohio, you need ground clearance and good tires more than a flexy suspension.

 

[Mr. B]

This thread is helping me learn. Keep it coming guys!!

I hope that this will help me & others determine what lift would suite what they do.

 

[Pikeman]

It was mainly opinion by what the threads on here were saying at the time. It would be nice if there was a way to actually get a few vehicles together with the different lifts and test them so that a quantifiable number/ statistic can be put to it. Like actual measured travel or articulation. An RTI ramp really doesnt work for IFS trucks or isnt a good indicator since the front end just doesnt flex or droop like a solid axle does. Plus with the different spring rates for the coilovers and possible pre-load differences not sure how we could come up with a good test.

 

[Elton H]

you know ive never had a lifted truck soo this will be my first ... and i wanted to do it right so i started saving

 

[2000runr]

Im strongly considering the sonoran steel 7.2 as this is a 3" lift specifically designed for people like me, who want larger tires, a smoother ride and better handling ON ROAD. It is way the hell more expensive than toytec or OME so im having a tough time deciding.

 

[glenyoshida]

I went with the OME lift (see sig. for details.) Basically I chose this lift because I wanted something better than a spacer lift but didn't have the 2k to pony up for a SS lift or coilovers. Spacers work great for some people, but IMO they aren't for someone who actually wants to wheel and I do in fact want to wheel. I would kill for a nicer set-up like some coilovers and LC coils in the rear, but after wheeling a few times in Ohio I've come to the determination that for what I am comfortable doing (I have minimum protection and still owe on my 4Runner so I take it somewhat easy) any more of a set-up than what I am running would prob be overkill and wouldn't help me all that much. I'd like to get the OME shocks to enhance the performance of my current lift but in flat Ohio, you need ground clearance and good tires more than a flexy suspension.

I'm with ya. Spacers get you higher up sure but it won't take many trips watching some buds as they flex through an obstacle while the spacers make your tires helplessly spin before new coils go on the mod list. It really does make a big difference when wheeling. If I were just doing pavement driving and the lift is just to clear 33s I wouldn't waste money on the coils. Spacers will keep the handling better around corners with the shorter stiffer springs.

It was mainly opinion by what the threads on here were saying at the time. It would be nice if there was a way to actually get a few vehicles together with the different lifts and test them so that a quantifiable number/ statistic can be put to it. Like actual measured travel or articulation. An RTI ramp really doesnt work for IFS trucks or isnt a good indicator since the front end just doesnt flex or droop like a solid axle does. Plus with the different spring rates for the coilovers and possible pre-load differences not sure how we could come up with a good test.

Yeah, dual RTIs would be a one good way to get some data. I was planning on hitting some bigger obstacles and taking photos with a tape measure before swapping out the coils and then going back. I don't know anyone well enough locally to use their RTI ramp so I think I'll go and find a loading dock or something.

Im strongly considering the sonoran steel 7.2 as this is a 3" lift specifically designed for people like me, who want larger tires, a smoother ride and better handling ON ROAD. It is way the hell more expensive than toytec or OME so im having a tough time deciding.

If you do get it hopefully we can wheel together someday I'd like to compare them side to side. I'm not opposed to paying more for better. I strongly recommend you really look into them though and talk to a lot of people before dropping 2k on a lift. If I remember correctly I got my lift with adjustable coilvers, Bilsteins and OMEs for $1300.

 

[2000runr]

the 7.2 is 1239 on sonorans site. the labor will run at least $500. new tires another 6-700. quite a bit more than 2k when all is said and done. as my family grows and the need for a sequoia approaches, i dont know if i can justify this cost. at least with the bajarack and stereo i can sell them for good money on ebay or on this forum. the lift though, thats a whole other can of worms.

 

[Pikeman]

Glen if you have access to a loading dock you might have access to a forklift. I can always grab a forklift and pick up a rear tire and measure distance to the ground. Then the other measurements would need to be from bump stop axle or some point on the extended side that can be reproduced. Another idea is I have one spot on a trail I always run that stuffs the passenger rear tire and hangs teh driver tire in the air. I am assuming the passenger would be full stuff at this point and can measure from axle to frame on driver side. This might be more real world then picking it up with a forklift.

 

[Dark Runner]

I have no lift cause I havent needed it.....yet.

 

[glenyoshida]

I have no lift cause I havent needed it.....yet.

lol don't go wheeling with us. Soon you will be saying "I need a lift, I need lockers, I need new tires, winch, sliders, skids...." lol

Pikeman, That's a good idea. Anyone in Denver want to let me use their forklift?

 

[Pikeman]

Next time I have to go to Ft. Carson I might have to try to convince them to let me drive instead of fly and of course add a few days so I can wheel out there. Unfortunately it wont be for a few months. Oh wait that is when you will have all the white stuff on the ground... what is it called again... oh yeah snow..lol

 

[glenyoshida]

Next time I have to go to Ft. Carson I might have to try to convince them to let me drive instead of fly and of course add a few days so I can wheel out there. Unfortunately it wont be for a few months. Oh wait that is when you will have all the white stuff on the ground... what is it called again... oh yeah snow..lol

Oh we'll still be running trails for sure. We run 'em all year long. Nothin' like deep powder and white blanketed conifers to get your blood pumping. Snowrunner doesn't have that name for no reason haha. If you're in Fort Carson depending on the weather we could run China Wall, Eagle Rock, Illinois gulch... so many good trails out here. There's also Yankee Hill which is easy but there's all you can eat crab legs for $18 after the run. We go for the crab legs the snow bashing is just the excuse. So heck ya. Let us know when you are coming out here. You'll go home with some good pics and good memories.

 

[glenyoshida]

hey glen,
i just realized that these pictures of everyones toyota's flexing it out would be good for the lift poll. I noticed your flexes a lot more than some other toyota's. What is everyone else running in your group?

Hmmm I know Ric is running Toytec as well but I'm not sure about everyone else. Maybe next time we run a trail (very likely next weekend) we can try something like that. We'll take the same lines with different rigs and see what happens. We need someone with a Sonaran set up to join us. I really want to see first hand how the two stack up.

 

[Mr. B]

Sounds good. Bring your camera again, never know if they'll be more funny footage. hahaha jus kiddin!

 

[benormous]

I am looking at getting one of the toytec lifts later this week. But I am having trouble deciding between the full OME kit with the 881/890 with OME shocks AND the ultimate kit with the adjustable coil overs and all that. I am having trouble justifying the additional cost of the coil overs. I don't really plan on adding anything major up front (bumper, winch, etc). I also don't think I'll have time to hit the trails more than once every month or so. I would also like the truck to sit level, don't care for the raked look. I have a 2001 SR5, looks like a virgin version of Glen's.

My questions are:

Are the coil overs worth it?

With the full OME kit, any suggestions on the shocks? Comfort or normal?

With the full OME kit, would a diff drop be a good idea?

Thanks for any help