Whats the best way to lift your front end?
#1
Whats the best way to lift your front end?
I have an IFS 95 pickup that i wanna lift, just a couple inches, for now at least. Ive heard add a leaf is the way to go in the back, but i dont know what to do in the front. Ive heard about ball joint spacers, but ive heard they put stress on your cv joints because they work at a slight angle. And ive heard of cranking your torsion bars, but i also heard that stock torsion bars cant handle that. So i just want to get some opinions on the best way to gain a couple inches of lift in the front?
#2
Registered User
Your best bet is to use a progressive leaf pack if you can find one for the rear. An add a leaf is basically a very thick leaf that either goes after or replaces the overload leaf and can be quite stiff. I recall downey sells 2" lift springs you may want to look into.
As for the front, the most economical and overall best lift is the balljoint spacers. They wont harm your cv angle at all really and are generally pretty easy to install. Your only other options are one of those 4" bracket lifts or using heavier/longer torsion bars and cranking them.
I like the baljoint spacers and the progressive leaf packs you add the best. There are other options like swapping a pair of chevy 89-95 1500 series 2wd truck springs in the back for 3-4" of lift but that isnt bolt on or other various leaf kits you can buy.
As for the front, the most economical and overall best lift is the balljoint spacers. They wont harm your cv angle at all really and are generally pretty easy to install. Your only other options are one of those 4" bracket lifts or using heavier/longer torsion bars and cranking them.
I like the baljoint spacers and the progressive leaf packs you add the best. There are other options like swapping a pair of chevy 89-95 1500 series 2wd truck springs in the back for 3-4" of lift but that isnt bolt on or other various leaf kits you can buy.
#3
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Personally I think the EASIEST way to lift the back end is blocks between the spring and diff, but only if your springs aren't sagging. I've got a buddy that did it with some large gauge square tubing (4") and a drill press. Front end, if you're only looking for 2 inches, do a combination of BJ spacers and crank the torsion bars a wee bit.
#4
Registered User
Blocks are bad, will eventually wear out the already weak toyota springs and cause axle wrap. When it all comes apart you will be sorry.
Blocks should never be used on any toyota truck.
Blocks should never be used on any toyota truck.
#5
Registered User
The easiest way is a T-bar crank but 2" of lift would be pushing it's limits & would give a little bit of a rough ride, BJ spacers in combination with a slight T-bar crank is what I did to get 15" at the fender which was an inch - inch & a half or so over stock. It's a trade off; the "best" way is subjective. "Best" for one person might not be "best" for someone else.
#7
Contributing Member
The "best" way is to not lift it at all. That will maximize the longevity of the steering, which is the weak point on our trucks.
You can fit 33x10.50 with no lift.
You can fit 33x10.50 with no lift.
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#9
Contributing Member
The angles get whacky and stress them in orientations they weren't designed for. You can go with something like the Total chaos steering upgrade, but it's big money.
#11
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The steering components will be at a steeper angle but as long as you don't go hammering it off-road with a front locker engaged & the front tires in a bind it'll probably hold up. Mine is doing ok so far & all I added was a an idler arm brace & improved bronze bushings to the idler arm.
#12
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I fixed my spring sag permanently.....they're still in there but the isolators push em back up quite nicely. I actually thought about going with a bit bigger of a block.....
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#14
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I also run a rear add-a-leaf. If you can afford it, go with a new set of leaf packs. The add-a-leaf hurts your springs while roughening up your ride. Mine rode a little nicer, but only because my springs were already sagging on the overloads..
Yeesh...
#15
Registered User
I'm going to have to agree with him on this one. Every time I drive my truck, I wish I had just gone with 1.5 - 2" springs and put ball joint spacers in but lowered my t-bars. My steering is shot and I've replaced everything several times. I have an idler arm brace which seems to be slowing the problem, but the truck's steering sucks now.
#16
How big is your lift traben? Because from what im hearing, if you keep the lift small and get an idler arm brace, you should be ok, but there are not guarantees. Where can you get an idler arm brace from?
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