1st Gen Tundra Lift Kits Explained

I explain how to lift a First Gen Tundra, as well as what all your options are for lifting these Toyota Tundras. I explain struts, springs, coil overs, bracket lifts, and long travel options for 1st Gen Toyota Tundras. I go over the front and rear suspension for Tundras as well as what wheel specs and tire specs tend to fit best on Tundras, lifted or not. There are alot of possible setups and alot of different supporting modifications, so I hope this helps out! Thanks for watching! Check out the links below for parts and websites!

Websites:

As an Amazon affiliates/associates member, I earn referral fees on qualifying Amazon purchases. Some of the links are Amazon links, and thus affiliate links. This does not mean the product will cost you extra, but rather that Amazon will give me a commission if you use one of these links to purchase a product. Thanks!

What’s on my Tundra:

Tools That I use:

Camera Equipment:

Camping Equipment

[speedpig]

I couldn’t agree more!! The older i get. The more i like to leave things closer to stock!!

[berryreading]

Great video, very valuable to anyone who's getting into 1st gen tundra/sequoia mods! One warning about the commonly (relatively speaking) sold deaver replacement leaf packs available from most retailers.(I can look up the part # if anyone wants it) They are a waste of money in my experience... I did gain maybe 1"- 1½" of lift after settling but that was with zero additional weight, ANY weight in the bed especially over time WILL cause them to become nearly flat, and the spring thickness will cause them to bottom out long before unmodified stock springs would. I would strongly recommend using Archive Garage replacement rear spring packs instead if your factory leafs are sagging, don't allow the articulation, ride quality, or weight capacity you are looking for... The typical deaver packs were definitely the worst investment I made while playing with 1st gen suspension setups! (Archive garage may even have Deaver manufacturing their springs, but if so they are to completely different specifications and include overload leafs. I doubt that is who currently produces their latest generation springs, but a few people suggested the first batch of shackleton leaf packs were custom spec'd and made by deaver) The Archive Garage spring packs are made in the USA and cost about the same as Deavers. The common Deaver springs may be useful if you have an empty truck with fiberglass bedsides, only fill up to ½ a tank of fuel, and don't care if they still require re-arching or replacement in less than 3-5 years... If you actually haul ANY weight including a full fuel tank expect them to be flat in 2 years or less... 🙄 Archive Garage is definitely a good hidden gem for 1st gen Tundra rear suspension components.

[brandonhittner]

This video is gold, tells all man thank you!

[Gandalf]

Great video! Thank you for all the info. Well done on your research. I just got my '06 Tundra and it had a 2" leveling kit installed but with OEM control arms and was looking to make it wear less on the ball joints wuth possible upgrades. From what I also found, the uniball style is not the way to go for my needs.

[gringoreno]

Yes yes my 06 trd4x4 xcab 2 inch lift k and n cold air and 3 inch exhaust with flow master muffler use it in mountains for firewood and live in rural Nevada desert never stuck or broke down 250k

[greym]

Really Great info!!
I have the 02 Tundra trd sr5 ac cab. My method of thinking was like yours, replace all U/L balljoints, wheel bearings w/ the addition of a diff drop.
🔧My actual Lift is 2-3/4" on OME Coils #2886 rated 660lbs which help to support the steel ARB bumper.
Rolling on 33" duratracs. After market wheels allow for clearance required.

[johnduong]

Thanks for making this incredibly informative video. I was going to get a leveling spacer for my front (changing LBJ's and wanted to save money on the alignments) but decided to just wait til I can upgrade to blisteins and go down that route. Thanks Tyler

[phxamigo]

Axle wrap, not axle "warp", great video! so many spending thousands of dollars on the suspension for virtually no benefit, a very moderate lift 1 1/2" and quality shocks such as the Bilstein 5100 or 6112 . Money would be better spent on a quality locker such as the ARB.

[ORShenanigans-cx]

I did a 3.5 total chaos long travel suspension. The only thing I had to do to keep the same geometry was do a 1-inch differential drop. I got just under a 4-in lift. In all the geometry stay the same as factory. Didn't have to adjust my panhard bar either. It is all still sitting stock bodyleft is the wrong thing to do. Some shops won't even do it. You can see in my profile pic 1st Gen Sequoia there are also videos of it.

[micahwest]

I’ve watched a few of your tundra videos now. Great content. I personally went with a front level kit (spacer) and short rear block before getting some 32” wildpeaks. I’m happy with the stance and 30k miles later it is very drivable on the street. Eventually I’m going to go for some better off road and hauling performance by getting some coil overs and replacing the rear block with a leaf.

Have you experienced an issue with your door latch not resetting on its on and if so do you have a video addressing that?

[mikerodriguez]

The more I research, the more I come to the conclusion of just getting a nice set shocks/struts and a set of of BFG AT KO3 tires and calling it a day. Maybe do a 1-1.5" lift. Are there any particular brands of shocks and struts that you prefer? I don't mind going with a nice set of reservoir shocks in the rear. For the front, something that can adjust between 0-2.5" will do.

Also, do you think it is beneficial to do a diff drop at all with such a small lift?

[garrettblaster]

I have a 2004 sequoia stock with 285/70r17 and just rub the tiniest amount and am debating putting 1 or 2 in lift on

[therealdylanlenton]

What would be a recommendation to just level the truck without going fully beefy. I believe I have a 1.5" spacer in the front but the OEM tires look really small so I'm trying to balance a proper looking tire and having the truck be leveled.

[simpletruckerstuff]

Bilstein info sheet says 5100 on front for tundra 2003 are only suppose to be set at 1.5 inches or less, because it throws off the front end system/drive system. Whata you think? 13:37
I wanted to get the truck level but I would need to go to 2 inches on the 5100's but Bilstein manufacture said it would do damage as said. Whatta you think?
T4TV'S

[Ojb_]

My 03 Tundra has a lowering kit. When cornering it handles like a car which is great but I’m looking for a video on how to make it stock again if I need to.

[scottymac]

The lower Camburg long travel kit is
$7K. Regearing/Bigger Brakes/ Bigger tires and rims.

[dansklrvids]

Your comments about tire width and performance were really interesting to me as a newbie. I am just about to need new tires, can you recommend a size and maybe even a brand to go on the stock first GEN tundra that is used on road 80% of the time, along with snow? Thank you

[breezyridgeranch]

What do you think about the freedom off-road coilovers and rear shocks? A lot cheaper than others but not sure on the quality?

[lukeking]

Quick question for you, you said its most common when lifting the tundras that the driver side sags...well I've got mine lifted about 2" and the front passenger side sits noticeably lower than the driver. When I got an alignment it seemed to correct it, but over time sags back down. Would you have any ideas what may cause this? The truck has 89k miles and I'm thinking of doing new ball joints upper and lower

[grimkeifer]

What’s the link to your front bumper if you don’t mind me asking? I’ve got a 03 single cab 2wd that I’m looking to build into a prerunner. If you have any recommendations as well let me know! Made the switch from jdm cars so I’m new to this world lol