How to choose a lift kit for your Toyota Tundra

Whether you're looking to customize your new Toyota Tundra before you bring it home or looking to breathe a little life (or performance) into your old Tundra, a lift kit is a great way to do it. But which lift kit is best for your Tundra? Our service + parts specialists are here to walk you through the process of choosing a Toyota Tundra lift kit.

What are lift kids, and how do they affect performance?

Before we talk about Toyota Tundra lift kits, let's talk about lift kits in general. What is a lift kit? Here are some points to keep in mind before you shop:

• A lift kit is a chassis modification that lifts or levels the suspension of your truck.
• There are multiple types of lift kits available for your Orlando Toyota Tundra. The main three are leveling kits, suspension lifts, and body lifts.
  • Suspension lifts increase your truck's tire clearance in the front and back of the vehicle. This means you can use bigger tires and more ground clearance (both perfect for off-roading). The resulting look is aggressive and sporty. Suspension lifts also vary in size and height, and there are tons of brands to choose from.
  • Leveling kits fix the "rake" in your suspension. When you buy a new Toyota Tundra (or any new truck), you'll notice that there's a slight lift on the back of the truck naturally (the front is being pushed down by the weight of the engine). This means the rear sits slightly higher than the front. A leveling kit evens this out, lifting the front of the truck. You can also use bigger tires and get more ground clearance with leveling kits.
  • Body lifts aren't nearly as common. They don't change the suspension at all - instead, they increase the distance between the body and the frame of the vehicle. These lifts aren't popular for off-roading because when you use them, the suspension stays stock.

Which Toyota Tundra lift kit should you order?

Not sure which Toyota Tundra lift kit is right for your needs? It can be a lot to sift through - not only do you have to choose the type of lift kit that you want, but also the brand, the size, and the height. Here are some pointers from the experts at Toyota of Orlando:

• If you're going to be doing some serious off-roading - we're talking rock crawling, uneven terrain, tough trails - then a suspension lift is probably best. It'll give you more ground clearance AND allow you bigger tires.
• If you're just trying to make your truck look sporty, a leveling kit is a great option. It'll lift the front of your truck AND give you more ground clearance and bigger tires if you want them (but it'll still look great even if you don't).
• You need to think about the height of your Toyota Tundra lift kit. Here's a quick rundown:
  • If you're going to be driving on moderate trails, a 1-inch to 2-inch lift will work.
  • If you're going to tackle larger rocks while on the trails, look into a lift that gives you 3-4 extra inches of height.
  • If you're doing serious rock crawling, a 6-inch lift kit is a good investment.
• You may need professional help installing a Toyota Tundra lift kit. It's not as simple as just adding the kit - you may need mods for your brake lines, driveshafts, differentials, transfer cases, and ring gears. The good news? Toyota of Orlando can help you get your new lift kit installed.

What type of Toyota Tundra lift kit should you get?

You'll have tons of brands to choose from, sure - but why go with the unknown when quality is available to you? Toyota has a specific Toyota Tundra lift kit available for purchase. Here's what it brings to the table:

• Bilstein front and rear shocks
• Roush forged upper-control arms
• TRD Red front coil springs
• Increased suspension stroke to support lift and aid in off-road performance & on-road stability
• A 3" lift in the front and a 2" lift in the rear
• An additional 2.6" of ground clearance
• Increased approach angle by 5 degrees
• Increased departure angle by 1 degree
• Increased breakover angle by 2 degrees

Plus, it's compatible with Toyota Safety Sense (some lift kits are not compatible and can throw off your safety tech) AND the OEM tires and wheels.

And don't forget - the new Associated Accessories Program (AAP) will give you access to aftermarket parts and accessories for your new Toyota Tundra.

Find your Toyota Tundra lift kit today

Ready to find the right lift kit for your Toyota Tundra? Contact Toyota of Orlando today. You can shop parts online, call us at (407) 298-4500, or stop by and see us in person. Our parts store is open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.