Level kit, does it equal long term damage?

[Grizzman01]

I contacted my local tire dealer inquiring about getting some 33s for my Tundra and ask this could they align my truck with these tires and a level kit and they advised against it. I also looked on here and some states a level kit causes long term damage to shocks, ball joints, etc. how much truth is there in this?

[liftking08]

its all true!spacers do alot of damage,there cheap up front,but cost you alot down the road.do it right the first time,go coil overs.not to mention vibrations,and squeks,spacers arnt designed to go off road either.

[rawlee]

Tru dat! I myself went with the readylift 3/1.. but as soon as I save ALOT of money:unsure:,I too will go with the Icon Coilovers and Bilsteins..Until then..ReadyLift 3/1 will do...

[Grizzman01]

I didnt think it would be that bad since so many of you run them. I just dont have that kind of cash and only want a level dont want to go to a 6" lift and 35's to much lift for me. Just want that mild 3/1 kit with 33's but looks like that may be a bad idea?

[mxsjw]

I've got about 28,000 miles with my Truxxx kit and BFG 305/65R18 AT's.
I have zero additional wear from having the spacer kit...I've posted the proof in the suspension forum on this site, Why most spacer lifts are bad..... I dismantled the boot from my upper ball joint and took pictures. Everything else can be checked by a visual inspection. The gen 2 tundras have enough extra play to go with a good 3" kit, like Truxxx or Low Range Offroad...those two are the only ones I know of that include all the needed parts to keep your truck happy and performing like stock for years to come.

Opinions will vary.

[guntech]

I have had my dealer put on several of my mods. When I asked them what leveling kit they would suggest, they said that they would not install one for me, because of all the problems that they have seen with lift and leveling kits. I have a pretty early '07, so I really don't think they have had that much experience with Gen2 lifts/leveling kits at that point. MX may have a point that these Gen2s may be able to deal with it better that the earlier ones.

There are several members on this forum that have had leveling or small lift kits on their Gen2 Tundras for a LOT of miles with no noticeable problems. I guess bottom line is do you want to take a chance ?

[VX_R-V8]

ive been thinking about this lately; i have a Toytec 3" on the truck and was thinking of going with the OME 2.5 inch coils but i asked myself how much damage could a spacer lift do over the years, if it just effects the coil's elasticity then its not too bad bas if it includes bushings then we could have a problem because when i had my 2003 landcruiser, i wore out my bushings and when i sent em for replacement, the dealer told me that you have to replace the whole pinion since they're not removable (dont know how much truth there is to that). If its the same with the tundra, i dont would rather not go through that again especially with the offroading i tend to do!

[Henry T]

I contacted my local tire dealer inquiring about getting some 33s for my Tundra and ask this could they align my truck with these tires and a level kit and they advised against it. I also looked on here and some states a level kit causes long term damage to shocks, ball joints, etc. how much truth is there in this?

Of course the dealer said its not a good idea. Bla Bla they just don't want the problems you may have with it and with you. They know you may come back with a 1000 things that may be wrong after the mod, then they will be chasing the problem for ever. Rough ride, thing pulls, thing wanders, tires shimmy, strange new sound, steering wheel not centered, unusual tire wear, squeaking sound, one side not same as others, popping sound, rubs........etc....... Bottom line is its not a safe bet for most dealers.

If you want it done go to an enthusiast 4X4 shop that does this all the time and they should be able to set you up with the right alignment guy.

[seanbob]

I have a question for those that know more. I just had airlift 5000 air bags installed in the rear b/t the frame and leaf springs, they are bolt-ons. My question is, is this a leveling kit that could do more damage in the long run that you guys are talking about?

[liftking08]

heres the deal,i work at a dealership,and i sell all the lift kits here,we have to sell the best product out there to avoid the issues that henry t had mention,and yes spacers do long term damage,even more so if you decide to OFF ROAD with them.thats why i will NOT sell spacers here,ask mustang67408,he knows more about toyotas,then toyota knows.hes only been doing toyotas longer then iv been alive.lol j/k.make the right choice,theres no warrenty with the damage spacers will do,coil overs have there own warrenty,and do no damage to your truck "that doesnt mean go jump it,lol".

[mxsjw]

I'm not trying to start a pissing match here but...
I've shown some proof that my spacer kit is not causing any additional wear on my truck.
I have yet to see any proof that a properly installed spacer kit has caused any damage to any component on a 2007+ Tundra.
Until I see this "proof", I am sticking to my opinion.

Again, see this thread and pay attention to the Gen 2 information... Why most spacer lifts are bad....
I have jumped my truck, I "rail" it up and down fire roads, I haul with it on the weekends, and I tow with it all summer long...it gets a real good workout from time to time.

[EVOL ARDNUT]

Only time and miles will tell!

End of story.

[liftking08]

diffrent strokes for diffrent folks,i agree no pissing match.i no what im putting on my truck,ive seen to many spacers do way to much damage,to a bunch of trucks.il start taking pictures when the next one comes in.thers an fj in the shop now,but thats far from a tundra.good luck with your choice.

[Grizzman01]

What if I go with just a 2" level from Toytec instead of the 3" will that do better? I just want a level truck with 33x12.50's is what im after and dont feel I need coilovers because most of my driving is on road but I go offroad but noyt in any extreme conditions

[wildbill129]

This is exactly why I went with an OME lift. It's not a spacer, but it's not an expensive coilover lift either. For me, it was a good compromise.

I am glad MSXJW hasn't had any problems yet. History however, does not fair well for spacer lifts......as someone else mentioned, only time will tell.