Leveling kits, yes or no?

[FIVE.seven]

I'm interested in raising the ride height about 3" on my 07 Tundra DC 4x4 and need some pointers. I talked to a shop and they suggested a leveling kit that would raise the front 3" and the rear 1". The concern that I have with this involves the spacers/bump stops or whatever it is that they said would be required. I understand that anytime you raise the center of gravity, you lose some handling but wouldn't spacers make the vehicle handle even worse than getting taller coil springs? Sorta like cutting springs to lower a vehicle rather than getting shorter lowering springs?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of going this route to raise ride height?

Also, I imagine like how lowered vehicles need camber kits, wouldn't raised vehicles need something similar too?

[81toypu]

Wheelersoffroad carries the leveling and lift kits for your truck, give them a call. If it was me i would spend a little more and get the sway-a-ways or the donahoe adj. coilovers for your truck. Better shockvalving and better ride. Sometimes the spacer lifts, while they work just fine, can cause the ride to be a little on the stiff side.

[UrbanCowboy]

lift is a lift is a lift. Unless you install a bodylift you center of gravity goes up.... but 3" is no big beal, and no you won't need anything more than an alignment after lifting it. As stated spacer kits aren't for "performance" coilovers are way better but if you are just lifting for looks and bigger tires you'll be fine with a spacer kit.

[DevinSixtySeven]

What are the advantages and disadvantages of going this route to raise ride height?

Also, I imagine like how lowered vehicles need camber kits, wouldn't raised vehicles need something similar too?

The big disadvantage of spacers is you're still working with the same shock travel...so a spacer in the coilover assembly will rob you of extension, and the ride will feel harsh over bumps when the wheel needs to extend but can't.

As you lift, you'll lose caster when the truck is aligned with proper camber, since the lower arm pivots are in a parallel plane with the ground and the upper arms have a slightly positive angle of attack. A couple of aftermarket control arms address the caster loss.

Honestly you'll be much, much happier going with a well-designed and complete front end kit like the Camburg setup, it includes a new upper arm to correct caster, more travel than stock, and a longer coilover with better valving compared to your stock coilovers. It's worth the money in ride quality, performance, handling and longevity vs using a spacer on the stock coilovers. Talk to Camburg...contact at camburg.com or check out the 07 kit threads on socaltundras.com.

-Sean

[duckdog]

What are the advantages (if any) to leveling kits to a suspinsion lift?

[UrbanCowboy]

What are the advantages (if any) to leveling kits to a suspinsion lift?

price

[DevinSixtySeven]

What are the advantages (if any) to leveling kits to a suspinsion lift?

Not sure what you mean.

You mean a solid spacer vs a new coilover kit?

[jzaiden]

Another thing to consider with spacer lifts.

1) Pre-load of springs with stock rebound in the shocks = not enough control. This will result in a bouncy ride. Also when lifting will result in loss of need droop for ride quality.
2) Some spacer lifts are just added to the top of the stock assembly. This will allow the shock to droop to far causing the outer steering joints, upper and lower ball joints to max out and wear out or break.
3) When lifting a truck with a spacer lift you are still using the stock shock valving for a larger tire. This will also yield poor performance.

You just spent your hard earned money on such a high quality truck. Why not treat yourself to the same quality in suspension? Buy a pair of high quality proven coilovers and be done with it. They ride WAY better and don't cause problems with your suspension.