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***I searched and all I found was old links. Please help me.***
I just bought my first Toyota Pickup and I am trying to figure out the best way to lift it. It is a 93 extra cab column shift automatic and 2WD. I looked around and couldn't find any lift kits for a 2WD and I also read something about column shift automatic being a problem.
I would have preferred a 5 speed 4x4, but finding one that wasn't ridiculously overpriced or beat to crap seemed impossible. This one was in great shape and unmolested so I bought it. I am looking for around a 3" suspension lift and I would really appreciate some help with the best way to do it!
As I said, I searched and wasn't finding much. I would really appreciate some fresh suggestions!
First and foremost, what kind of wheeling do you do? Only thing I would recommend for you to do is just drive it and save for a beater 4x4. A 2wd is no start for a wheeler unless your thinkin go fast baja truck or you go all out and solid axle swap and spend lots of money and time. Otherwise just drive it and enjoy it as a daily driver so you don't have to drive your beat down brat truck around. Unless you got it for 300$, then by all means drive it like you stole it.
First and foremost, what kind of wheeling do you do? Only thing I would recommend for you to do is just drive it and save for a beater 4x4. A 2wd is no start for a wheeler unless your thinkin go fast baja truck or you go all out and solid axle swap and spend lots of money and time. Otherwise just drive it and enjoy it as a daily driver so you don't have to drive your beat down brat truck around. Unless you got it for 300$, then by all means drive it like you stole it.
The sad thing is that I want a lift just for looks. I don't really ever go offroading, which is why I didn't get a 4x4. Little did I know that getting a 2WD lifted would not be easy apparently. I do plan on getting a dirt bike or 4 wheeler though now that I have a truck.
Meh.. If you want to rake in the ladies throw some muscle car rims and get a big ol dog to throw in the back.. Otherwise your only option is to build it for wheelin. Total chaos makes the best stuff to put that thing in the air.
Meh.. If you want to rake in the ladies throw some muscle car rims and get a big ol dog to throw in the back.. Otherwise your only option is to build it for wheelin. Total chaos makes the best stuff to put that thing in the air.
I don't care what other people think about it, I just want it lifted because I think it looks a lot better. I looked on their website and I only saw 4x4 stuff unless I missed it somehow.
You will probably get even fewer answers over here then what you got over on toyotanation. 99% of this site is all 4x4 and they dont know a whole lot about 2wds.
You will probably get even fewer answers over here then what you got over on toyotanation. 99% of this site is all 4x4 and they dont know a whole lot about 2wds.
I understand, I just figured the more people that saw it the better. I apprecaiate your help and I contacted the company mentioned already. The pointed me in the right direction and I might be getting that soon if I don't find out about a better alternative.
I've heard that body lifts are not as good as suspension lifts and possibly dangerous. What is your opinion on that?
I definitely don't want to spend a few grand on it. I'm just looking for the most cost effective way to get at least a 2" lift. If it's very expensive or I have to hack my truck to hell and rig it then I'll just let it go. I just think it would look so much better with even a slight lift.
Actually, thats not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is if he wants to lift it for looks, cool, go for it. However, putting a long travel kit on a truck that will not see any dirt time is the wrong way to go about lifting a 2wd. I gave him a few options over on TN that are better and far less cheaper then the $3000+ TC kit.
I used to have a 4crawler 2'' bodylift and never had a single issue with it. LOTS of people run body lifts and dont have any problems. As long as you tighten the bolts properly and check them every so often they will be fine.
For only a few inches of lift, lift spindles and lift shackles will get you what you want. then if needed, the 1'' body lift and you could probably run 31x10.50s and not have any tire rub. Your biggest hurdle after the lift and tires, will be gearing.
I had a 2wd and wanted to do the same thing.
How much are you looking to lift? In my case I was looking for 2-3" which would be about the height of a stock 4x4. The easiest way would be to get 2" lift spindles and change the rear springs to mount over the axle instead of underneath it. This should get you 2" in the front and the rear. Might want to consider a 1" body lift if you need another 1".
Things for you to for search are:
- 2wd lift spindles (used to be a couple vendors who made them)
- Rear diff flip (or something like that. Should be some threads out there...)
- Could also swap in the rear diff from a 4x4 that has the correct spring mounts. Would be really good if you were going to run bigger tires and need to re-gear anyway. In my case I was looking at running 32x11.5s with 4.56 gearing. Was cheaper and easier to swap in a 4x4 rear axle than to swap gears and mess with the spring mounts. Would end up running 6 bolt rims in the back and 5 in the front, but so what)
In my case I managed to finally find a 4x4 so sold my 2wd
Last edited by Innocent Fool; 05-07-2014 at 07:02 AM.
Things for you to for search are:
- 2wd lift spindles (used to be a couple vendors who made them)
- Rear diff flip (or something like that. Should be some threads out there...)
- Could also swap in the rear diff from a 4x4 that has the correct spring mounts. Would be really good if you were going to run bigger tires and need to re-gear anyway. In my case I was looking at running 32x11.5s with 4.56 gearing. Was cheaper and easier to swap in a 4x4 rear axle than to swap gears and mess with the spring mounts. Would end up running 6 bolt rims in the back and 5 in the front, but so what)
In my case I managed to finally find a 4x4 so sold my 2wd
Lift spindles range from 3'' to 4'' and there is only 1 company making them currently at 4'' lift. I have never seen a 2'' lift spindle.
Doing a flip kit in the rear will gain about 5'' of lift. (thickness of axle tube + spring perch + spring thickness)
Running a mixed bolt pattern is fine until you get a flat for the pattern you dont have a spare for. Easiest way would be to find an 8'' 5 lug axle and then find the 8'' 4x4 diff with the gearing you want.
It's been a while since I was looking into it. I think the 2" were made by Fabtech (or something like that). Sounds like there are other options available with more lift so that might work out better. Sounds like 4-5" lift is doable.
I had the same dilemma as you, what I did was a fab tech upper control arm lift and sway away torsion bars. Got me 3-4" of lift and did a rear add a leaf. I threw on 30x9.5 Toyo ats and it doesn't rub at all with the new torsions. Now I want long travel but it looks a lot better than stock
I had the same dilemma as you, what I did was a fab tech upper control arm lift and sway away torsion bars. Got me 3-4" of lift and did a rear add a leaf. I threw on 30x9.5 Toyo ats and it doesn't rub at all with the new torsions. Now I want long travel but it looks a lot better than stock
Hey how was the ride quality with the fab tech lift and sway away torsion bars? Thinking about getting this setup for my 84 2wd PU
Fab-Tech sells or use to sell an upper A-arm replacement kit and shackle with shocks for the 2WD's. They also helped produce the Ivan Dan kit that was A-arms and a new sub-frame which put bushings up front instead of the doughnut washers. I saw one on Offer-Up a month ago. 30mm SwayAway's for torsion springs will help with body roll. You can run 29"s without cutting. But you will want to replace the 3.54:1 with a 4.11:1 R&P if you do this.
I'm in the same dilemma, I wanted a 4x4 but got this 2wd pretty cheap, 5 spd turbo truck. I already have a 4runner to go offroading, I just want to lift the truck so it sits like a 4x4.
05-06-2014, 08:32 PM
Maybe in s a tacoma but shocks do not lift the pickups.
