levelin or lifting kit ?

[Gman1985]

ok im new here hope noone calls me an idiot after i ask this like after my other quastion )) .. anyways . is it better to put leveling kit or lifting kit on the truck or both whats the diff ?? and does leveling kit goes onlu on front ???? btw i have a 04 tundra double cab. thank!! for enlighting me.

[chmorro]

a leveling kit usually consists of a spacer lift up front which goes ontop of the coil springs, giving you anywhere from 2 inches to 3 inches of lift. This kit levels the front of the truck, doing away with the skunk tail end (high tail end). Usually guys will also either get a 1.5 inch AAL (add a leaf) for the rear leaf spring pack or a one inch block, your choice. Both level the truck, because with just the front end spacer kit the front end will usually end up sitting a little bit higher than the rear now.
A lift kit is the "correct" way to lift a truck. It includes drop down brackets to totally relocate your front end correctly as well as replace front end suspension components. The rear end is usually something as simple as explained before only higher. If you use a leveling kit, get a differential drop bracket for the front also, to help with the front axle angle, but be prepared to do the cv joint fix, because your cv's will leak, guaranteed!! Hope this helps. I've got the 3 inch toytec lift with 1.5 inch AAL in the rear, I'm thinking of adding the one inch block also, but need advice of whether TS members think that is a bad idea or not, based on experience. I just want a little more lift and I like the skunk tail look!! Thanks in advance if anyone has any advice for me.
Oh ya, if you want to go inexpensive get the level kit. If you plan on doing some serious off roading get the lift kit. Remember any time you modify a stock vehicle, problems will follow, small or big.....

[TundrastruckDave]

There's also one other alternative which "chmorro" didn't mention. And to be fair, he may not have mentioned it because I'm not certain it's even available anymore. That option would be a coil replacement. It's basically replacing the "springs" of the front coilovers with a taller set which will give you the desired lift/level. In my case, I bought a set of Wheelers coils - back when they were still available - and it was definately the ticket for my needs. I could NOT afford a full-blown set of coilovers - and these coils were a GREAT alternative! Take a look in my photo section and you'll see what they look like and what's involved in installing a set. About the only thing available out there now - if memory serves me right - is a complete set-up (i.e. coilovers) with both the shock and spring sold as one unit. And in all honesty - that would certainly be my recommdation. In most coilover set-ups, you also have the "option" of adjustability. That simply means these coilovers allow you to adjust the desired height for your front end - and that is a good thing! To be quite honest - in the 4 years that I've been a member here - the only members I've notice on a regular basis having the CV boot grease leakage problem - have been those who lifted their trucks more than 2". With the addition of a diff drop kit that further elminates the chance for this occuring. My lift/level was only 2" up front and after 3 years of use "without" a diff drop kit, I've only had a slight bit of grease show up on my undercarriage. However, I can almost guarrentee if I were to use the diff drop kit I have in mothballs, this would completely eliminate any grease leakage. Again - if it's less that 2" inches - the CV boot leakage problem is minial at best. Good luck with your choice.

[Gman1985]

thnkas for the comments its really helpful. my only other concern is i load the truck pretty bad for work. would u recomend leveling the front or installing the coil lift ??

[Mike Rojas]

Has anyone used the Ready lift level for the front that is always advertised on this site? I have an 06 DC TRD 2WD and i'd like to level the front to the rear. do i still need the 1" rear kit with this kit? The front kit looks like it would just change the body height and not mess with the steering or suspension geometery since it is just a spacer between the strut and body?

Thanks,

Mike

[TundrastruckDave]

Originally Posted by Gman1985

thnkas for the comments its really helpful. my only other concern is i load the truck pretty bad for work. would u recomend leveling the front or installing the coil lift ??

There are one-in-the-same Gman. A coil lift is basically the very same thing as leveling. It all depends on what you set the coils adjustments at (if they are adjustable) as to whether you're actually "leveling" or "lifting". I would think a good rule of thumb would be - anything over 2" in the front would be a "lift" rather than a "level". My '04 DC has about 2" of lift and it sits perfectly level. However - I did also install a set of ad-a-leafs out back, which gave me just a tiny - and I do mean tiny - bit more lift in the rear which fit my tastes perfectly.

[tundrainorange]

Since all the explaining has been done, I'll keep it short.


Save your money and buy the coilovers, if you look around you can find some used ones for about 1/2 price.

There is no comparison in ride quality on or offroad, co's are far superior.

If you plan on keeping you truck for 5years the co's are well worth the money in the long run.