3.5 Suspension Lift help

[undersc0re]

I seem to have more concerns and questions to research the more I research! I am looking at using 33”-34” tires and would like good normal road handling, but would like to handle those nasty washboard, potholed, rocks/bedrock sticking out of forestry roads type of terrain without driving 5 mph, and of course just a little bit of terrain where clearance and water are an issue once in a while. I was gearing towards a bds 3.5 lift kit that drops the diffs and includes a drivetrain alignment fix with it. Would it be best to get new leaf springs if I am going to have added permanent weight(300lbs)in the box with a new topper and some permanent gear added? Has anyone else had good luck with approx 3.5 inches of lift and 33 inch tires? The kit has some drilling and cutting involved which seems sketchy on a new truck...just wondering if anyone here has gone this route. Totally new to the lift kit situation as I left my last mid size truck totally stock, but it totally needed a few extra inches thats for sure which is why this new truck will get the addition asap. 2020 Super crew 5’ box If that matters.

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[Frenchy]

I seem to have more concerns and questions to research the more I research! I am looking at using 33”-34” tires and would like good normal road handling, but would like to handle those nasty washboard, potholed, rocks/bedrock sticking out of forestry roads type of terrain without driving 5 mph, and of course just a little bit of terrain where clearance and water are an issue once in a while. I was gearing towards a bds 3.5 lift kit that drops the diffs and includes a drivetrain alignment fix with it. Would it be best to get new leaf springs if I am going to have added permanent weight(300lbs)in the box with a new topper and some permanent gear added? Has anyone else had good luck with approx 3.5 inches of lift and 33 inch tires? The kit has some drilling and cutting involved which seems sketchy on a new truck...just wondering if anyone here has gone this route. Totally new to the lift kit situation as I left my last mid size truck totally stock, but it totally needed a few extra inches thats for sure which is why this new truck will get the addition asap. 2020 Super crew 5’ box If that matters.

Instead of going to a 3.5 inch lift I would recommend the lift kit that old man emu offers. It lifts the front by 2.4 and the rear by 1.6 in. I myself am running 32 inch tires but 33s are still a possibility. To fit 33s you will either have to get quarter inch wheel spacers which I do not recommend or find a wheel that's going to be off setting these Wheel and Tire by 1/4 inch from the factory position. After that you may or may not have to get different intrusion beams by Fabtech or BDS or whoever might make them. Here is a picture of my truck with the old man emu lift and the 32 inch tires. For off-road capability it does more than what I need at this time.

Also for towing it does pretty well. In the picture you do see my 280ZX on a auto transport and the total weight there was about 5,500 pounds.

 

[undersc0re]

The intrusion beams were already a given for me...I was going to do the fabtech beams. I just do not want to high centre pulling off the gravel roads into the back bush roads...always seems to be a rough transition when in the stock tacoma....read a few post about icons leaking with poor after purchase service....
What did you notice about you’re suspension feel after the change?

 

[Frenchy]

The intrusion beams were already a given for me...I was going to do the fabtech beams. I just do not want to high centre pulling off the gravel roads into the back bush roads...always seems to be a rough transition when in the stock tacoma....read a few post about icons leaking with poor after purchase service....
What did you notice about you’re suspension feel after the change?

I noticed a lot of good change with the Old Man EMU!! For the street the ride was improved overall. You still feel bumps in the road but they are way more manageable.

For the offroad I had a massive improvement. I have a good playground near by and when it was stock I had the whole teeter totter happen. After I got the Old Man EMU installed with the Bridgestone tires the teeter totter didnt happen anymore in that spot. As for the good bumps in the offroad I could barely think about hitting them at 10 MPH. Now with Old Man EMU I can do 20 MPH(probably shouldn't but do it anyway). For clearance I have yet to have any problems. I dont know what the trails are like where you are but I think I might have hit the front skid plate once. Other than that i have been good on clearance. Also I dont have a diff drop. Just replaced the shocks all the way around with new front and rear springs. No other modifications are needed and im happy with it. I would suggest contacting ARB and pricing a kit out for you.

 

[y2krtaf]

BDS is the kit I will be running on mine to replace the Ranger spacer level on mine now.
I already have 33’s on my truck and they do fit with removal of the crash bars.

I have now doubt the old man set up is nice,but not tall enough for me.I also like that the BDS lift does indeed raise the rear so towing and hauling ride will remain much like stock.

They are definitely one of the best,most well engineered lifts for any brand of truck.

 

[Frenchy]

BDS is the kit I will be running on mine to replace the Ranger spacer level on mine now.
I already have 33’s on my truck and they do fit with removal of the crash bars.

I have now doubt the old man set up is nice,but not tall enough for me.I also like that the BDS lift does indeed raise the rear so towing and hauling ride will remain much like stock.

They are definitely one of the best,most well engineered lifts for any brand of truck.

By chance do you have just spacers both front and rear? Or did you get different strut assemblies for the front?

My personal preference is not to use spacers or blocks because it wont help with travel and flexibility much.

Also the Old Man EMU kit retains the factory towing capacity.

 

[treimche]

I lifted my Ranger 3.5" using the Fox 2.0 coilovers. They offer adjustable ride height, so you have the ability to raise them up. They came pre set at like 2" of lift if I remember correctly. For the rear, I just used the Fox 2.0 shocks and the BDS rear shackles that give 1" lift.

 

[y2krtaf]

By chance do you have just spacers both front and rear? Or did you get different strut assemblies for the front?

My personal preference is not to use spacers or blocks because it wont help with travel and flexibility much.

Also the Old Man EMU kit retains the factory towing capacity.

Jut a spacer in the front for right now on top of the strut assembly,but will be swapping out for BDS soon.
I swapped the wheels out to Methods with 0 offset,hence the crash bar removal.

 

[Blue ridge ranger]

Jut a spacer in the front for right now on top of the strut assembly,but will be swapping out for BDS soon.
I swapped the wheels out to Methods with 0 offset,hence the crash bar removal.

Which spacer lift did you go with?

 

[y2krtaf]

What are your thoughts on Torco Accelerator? Same?

Which spacer lift did you go with?

I used the ranger lift level spacer.

 

[ddtcm81]

is there anyway to lift these trucks and fit 33's without removing the crash bar?

 

[Frenchy]

is there anyway to lift these trucks and fit 33's without removing the crash bar?

Most have been able to fit 33 without removing the crash bars just by adding a quarter inch wheel spacer after doing a lift or leveling kit.

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