03' Tundra lift kits (32" or 33" tire on stock rim)

[az400rider]

First off,I should probebly let everyone know that I'm
new here.I bought an 03' Tundra SR5 access cab TRD.
I love this truck,but I would like too add a larger tire.
I've tried the search and read lots of info on different
kits.I'm still not sure what's best for me though.This truck
is an everyday driver for me and I won't be doing much
if any offroading.I'm looking for a better stance with a larger
tire.I really don't want to go with the cheapest kit I can find
because I don't want to risk putting stress and breaking other parts
of the truck.I've done some research on different kits and found that
there is different methods of lifting for different reasons.
Like I said I'm only looking for a good stance for better looks.
Can anyone recommend a good kit for me to achive what I'm looking for?
I would like to go with a 32" or 33" tire.Is this possible on the stock rim?
I forgot to add that I will be towing also.Not sure if that makes a difference
or not.I've read that alot of people say that a 35" tire looks great.Can this
tire size be achived with a 2.5 or 3" lift?I've been looking for pics of Tundra's
with a set up like I wan't,so I can see what I'm getting.Any advice will be
greatly appreciated and helpfull.This is a great site and I hope to get to know some people on the boards. Thanks agian Adam

[TMS2U]

To run 33's you need at least 2" of lift. You can get this by either doing a spacer lift, a coilover lift, or a body lift. IMHO coilovers are the best as it beefs up the suspension, firms up the ride, and dramatically reduces body roll when cornering.

To run 35's you will need either a combo of a coil/spacer lift and a body lift, or a drop cradle lift like the Tuff Country or the RCD

[Zombie]

az400rider,
Since you are towing I would probably stick with 33's. Your truck would look great with a descent coilover set and 33's. Sometimes you get what you pay for. Spend a bit more and get Donahoes, Kings or something similar. The ride will be improved (a bit stiffer but certainly not harsh) and you'll get 2-2.5" of lift enough to clear 33's. And, the coilovers are a pretty simple install.

[az400rider]

Thanks,sounds like alot of people like the coil over design lift.I guess
I will have to go with an aftermarket rim also right?I've been reading alot
about wheel back spacing.I guess that's why you can't use the stock 16"
rim?Would a front spacer design and a rear add a leaf be suitable for what
I'm looking to achive?After reading a little about these kits,sounds like it
changes the ride quality.Is it a huge difference?Also does anyone have
any opinions about Toytec kits?I understand that these kits are very basic
and inexpensive,but I'm not sure I'll need something more since I'm not offroading.I seen a picture of a tundra in the photo gallery with a Daystar
2.5" front spacer and a 1.5" add a leaf with 33".I liked how that looked alot.
What are the disadvantages of these kits? Also I have a TRD model Tundra.
Would the Bilstien shocks I have now be suitable for these kits. Thanks again

[DevinSixtySeven]

heya, welcome to the board.

there are a couple of options actually, ive seen and driven both extremes, it really just depends on the depth of your wallet and the way you intend to use the truck.

i use my truck for expedition wheeling and daily driving, and it's just barely still considered "stock" by "official" offroad competition rules. i have a specific purpose for it, hence the aftermarket coilovers, leaf springs, 35' tires, trimming, manual hubs, uniballs and a lot of other crud. the exterior has a lot of pinstriping from close brush and trees.

my dads tundra on the other hand is a beauty...pristine condition 00 a/c trd 4x4, which he uses as a light work truck. it's lifted, but uses a daystar in-pack spacer (that means the spacer fits inside, not over, the stock coilover assembly) with the stock trd coilovers, and an add-a-leaf. it still has the stock caddy-like ride, but sits a little higher and can accomodate a 33" tire, tho he runs 265/75/16 (32") so the gearing & mileage remains the same.

the second option works GREAT. i would not hesitate to take that truck offroad, the ride is something i'd trust to carry all my grandmothers around in the bed of without jarring anyone, and it looks great. with that option, you can still use the stock rims and run a narrow 33 if you just want a larger tire (look for 255/85/16), but imho this truck looks best with as large a tire as possible but as small a lift as possible. for comparo, my truck now runs a 4" lift and 35s, rather than the 5+" most guys use for 35s (my truck is not normal). you'll be very comfortable with an LT rated 32" tire, a set of in-pack spacers and add-a-leaf. the first option, with all the gadgetry, isnt really justifiable unless you plan on really running your truck through the rocks in the future.

-sean

*edit* ps...post up with your choice, and we'll letcha know if the tires & rims youve chosen will fit with the degree of lift youve decided on. also take a look over the tundra offroad technical faq, in the offroad forum. im working on the update when i have time, and its almost done, so i took the link for the original out of my sig line for the time being.

[az400rider]

That has to be the most helpfull info I have heard yet.
I was thinking that the spacer kit and add a leaf would suit
daily street rides only.I've looked at these kits and seems
affordable.I would like to go with as wide a tire as possible.
Would a 33x11.50 or something comparable work?Could I get
something wider with a 3"to4" kit?What brand kit do you recommend?
This is totally new for me,sorry if I sound stupid.I want to get
lots of opinions and it sounds like you have experience with these kits.
If I have to go to aftermarket wheels,what back spacing do I want?
Thanks for your patients,I really appreciate it.

[DevinSixtySeven]

hey bro, the office just netted me and is dragging me back to the cube, but i'll be on later...

the other guys can help a ton, im just one voice on here. i'll fill in any blanks later if there are any, the crew is pretty thorough . in the mean time do read over the tundra offroad tech faq tho, the info may be old but still applies. like i said its in the "offroad" section of the forums.

-sean

[az400rider]

Ok,I've read the FAQ thread you were talking about.
Correct me if I'm wrong on any of this.If I want to run
a 33x11.5 or wider I need an aftermarket rim with an offset.
Sounds like a 2.5 or 3" lift will put lots of stress on my CV and ball
joints.If I get the kit with the inside "pack spacer" will this rid the stress?
Also the kit from Toytec includes a "diff drop" kit also.Do you have any
advice on this?Will I still have to worry about tires rubbing the frame or
fender with an aftermarket wheel?

Here's the kit I'm considering:

Toytec Lifts 3" Pro Basic Kit W/Diff Drop
3"CNC Machined T-6 Aluminum Spacer Kit
2"Fabtech Rear Add-a-leaf
Diff Drop Kit
New Centering Pins
Brake Proportioning Valve Bracket

This kit claims that it uses a "in the coil" pack spacer.
Would this kit be a good choice for me?
This kit,16x8 wheels with the right back space,33x11.5 tires.
If I don't have to worry about stress to the CV and ball joints with this kit,
I think I've made my decision.Sounds like I'm on to something.What do you think?

[DevinSixtySeven]

there is a little more to 2.5" vs 3" than just wear & tear on the cv assembly. the wear is b/c of the new angle on the cv joints from the control arm, has nothing to do with in-pack/over-pack. make sure you clamp the cv boots or use a 930 inner boot or something, or theyll spit grease.

in-pack is less potential headache than over-pack, imho it is a better choice unless you are also getting uniballs, which you dont really need unless youre going offroad and have a coilover assembly that can make use of them.

get the diff drop spacer.

if you go with 3", you only have about an inch of available downtravel. 3" is ok with this kit, because the equivalent cv angle is from a lift of about 2.5" due to the diff drop spacer. it's up to you how much downtravel you want, but youre losing 3" of it with the spacer (this will be the same regardless if youre using in-pack or over-pack).

if you dont hit many speed bumps, bumpy roads or run offroad much, 3" in-pack is probably fine. if you offroad a lot, or have a lot of speed bumps to traverse on a regular basis, the ride will be a little more jarring with 3" than 2.5".

imho it sounds like a good setup, i'd get it and run it, i think youll be very satisfied. im not trying to talk you out of it, just making sure you know the details. i'd say go with it .

youll need a 16x8 rim with at least 4.5" of backspacing, assuming you have a 285/75/16 with a very square profile. it would be better to get a wheel with 4" or 3.5" backspacing...there is little difference between 3-5/8 and 3.5, just get what you like & can find.

-sean

[az400rider]

I talked to my local shop and they want to put
a Revtek 2.5 front spacer and a rear 1.5 AAL on my truck.
They claim that I can go with a 285/75/16 tire with my stock rims.
I know they lifted Tundra's before,but everything I read on this site
says I'll get rub with that size tire and that size lift.I would like to run
the BFG M/T or the A/T.Would this kit (Revtek) be a better choice?
They also said that the Revtek kit is a "in the coil spacer",but I can't
find any info to prove that.I wan't to make sure the shop knows what they are doing and not trying to rip me off.So according to my local shop,they
say I will be good to go with the Revtek kit and 285/75/16 BFG's.Would I
still want a Diff drop bracket with the Revtek kit,and will I have to worry
about blowing out my CV's or ball joints? Do I need to worry about downtravel with the Revtek kit since I'm not offroading.Again I appoligize
If I'm asking the same questions over again.If this was your truck and you wanted to install 285/75/16 bfg's.What would you do as far as lifts?

[RoundOut]

Originally Posted by az400rider

I talked to my local shop and they want to put
a Revtek 2.5 front spacer and a rear 1.5 AAL on my truck. . . . . . . If this was your truck and you wanted to install 285/75/16 bfg's.What would you do as far as lifts?

This is about the same setup I have. The heavy duty front bumper on my truck dropped it about an inch. I got about 4" of lift from my combination 2.5" Revtek and a 1" Daystar spacer (I know that adds up to 3.5", but I got 4"). With the bumper, I am about 3" over stock. I have 285/75/16 BFG ATs and love them. I have almost no rub at all using the 4" backspaced alloy 16x8 rims from Wheeler's.

The diff drop, like Sean said, recovers some of the angle from you CV joints by lowering the inside point about an inch.

I also did the 930 CV Boot mod and recommend that. You can get them from Kartek.

You'll love it with the lift and new shoes! I certainly do.

[UsE_To_RoCk]

Here's what I have And I have no rub....
mind you I have a 2WD so CV's weren't a concern in my case.
I have a Daystar 2.5" which has a spacer mounted on top and an in-coil spacer to achieve that. The ride is pretty firm.
I have the daystar 1.5" AAL which sucks cause it doesn't include any anti-friction pads so it squeaks like no other. you'ed be better off with a 1.5" block....IMHO.
I have the TRD Bilstein yellow and they seem to work pretty well. The rear is really stiff but that's mostly the AAL a block would leave it stock feeling.
My wheels are AE137's with a 4.5" BS...offset is a +2mm, I believe. They don't rub whatsoever...the stocker wheels were rubbing on the frame and UCA, so the wheels were bought out of necessity.

What else...Oh my tires are 285/75-16s they are Toyo a/t and ride pretty good. They aren't any louder that the factory ones...mud terrains would be loud and mean but they wouldn't last very long and on a mainly street driven truck it would be retarded to get them.

Well I hope you find something you like, the Daystar coilspacers are pretty good. For the back, I'ed put a block in less hassle or really you might not have to put anything in the rear the spacers in the front might level it out nicely.
Good luck!