Leveling your titan - overview

cohunter14 · 05-04-2012, 08:03 AM

It seems like the question comes up all the time and I know that Greg's Lift Overview does not include leveling, so I figured I would add a new thread dedicated to this.

The biggest thing that determines how much lift you can get in the front to level your truck depends on the year of your truck and if you are 2wd or 4wd:

'04-'07 2wd: 2.5"
'04-'07 4wd: 2"
'08+ 2wd: 2"
'08+ 4wd: 1.5"

If you keep your leveling kit at or below these numbers, you SHOULDN'T have coil bucket contact, although sometimes very minimal contact can occur. If you go over these numbers, you will more than likely need aftermarket upper control arms or will at least need to grind down your coil buckets.

Options for leveling:
1) Spacers - these are the cheapest route and can be found at prgproducts.com. You can also find these all over ebay, but the big thing you want to make sure you do is get a solid billet spacer. These are much more sturdy than the other options and will last longer over time. These spacers will maintain the stock ride while helping to reduce the rake of the truck.

2) Bilstein 5100's - think of these as a 1/2" spacer, although they have the ability to lift your titan more than that. These have three different lift settings, .5", 1.5", or 2-2.5". The ride will get firmer as you go higher with these and there are very few people on the site using the highest setting. However, NO MATTER WHAT SETTING YOU USE, IT STILL ONLY COUNTS AS A 1/2" SPACER. Example: Bilstein 5100's on any setting count as a 1/2" spacer, so a pre '08 4x4 could use a 1.5" spacer plus the Bilstein 5100's on ANY setting, and it will work (total of 2" spacer). These are a substantial upgrade to the ride of the stock shocks. For more information on these, check out this thread: 5100's Install and Tips.

3) For pre '08 titans and '08+ 2wd titans, you can upgrade your coils to the '08+ 4wd coils. There are many write ups on this mod, so I will not go into details on this. Here is a good one from recently: '08 + Coils and 5100's

4) Rough Country 3" Lift: this lift comes with aftermarket upper control arms as well as the spacers. For '08+ 4wd titans, it has been recommended to not go with the full size spacer that this kit comes with because you will more than likely still have coil bucket contact. You can talk to Rough Country when you order this kit and ask them for a smaller spacer, which should be a 2" spacer.

5) Lifting the rear: this can be achieved using a block and will maintain the stock ride. However, it is recommended to get the front of the vehicle done first to see how big of a rear block you need. You can also use Deaver Packs, which can be found here: PRG Products - Rear Suspension.

6) Lifting higher than the recommended heights: you can do this, but as I mentioned, you will at least need to grind down your coil bucket lips and you might still need aftermarket upper control arms as well. Options for aftermarket upper control arms include Rough Country (1/2" more lift allowed), PRG, and Total Chaos (1"+ more lift allowed).

One other thing to note is that after any of these lifts, an alignment is always recommended. If you are an '05 or later, you will more than likely need new camber bolts to get your alignment set correct. These can be found on PRG's website as well as at any auto shop or even on ebay.

I know I have probably missed a few things, so if anyone has any other notes or tips, I would be happy to add them to this thread!

Mack207 · 05-04-2012, 08:20 AM

Deavers for the rear as well. Camber bolts for going over the recommended leveling amount are key to an alignment and tire wear. I vote sticky.

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cohunter14 · 05-04-2012, 08:51 AM

Got it, thanks Mack!

StrikeSwiftly · 05-04-2012, 09:46 AM

Thank you very much hunter. I really enjoyed that.

honda250xtitan · 05-04-2012, 09:49 AM

this needs to be a sticky. there are way too many threads every day of people asking how much they can level their truck and stuff.

WmsTitan · 05-04-2012, 10:00 AM

Sticky this! Answered any concerns and questions I had!

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cohunter14 · 05-04-2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honda250xtitan

this needs to be a sticky. there are way too many threads every day of people asking how much they can level their truck and stuff.

LOL that's why I figured this might help. Seems like there is a new thread every day about it, and for good reason as it can get very confusing. Hopefully this helps simplify it for everyone!

ridealaska · 05-07-2012, 12:10 AM

Hey cohunter I've got the prg mini lift sittin around that i bought this winter. It says it's a 2" lift in the front and 1" in the back. Do you think I'll have bad enough coil bucket contact that i'll need new upper control arms or should i be able to just grind down the buckets a bit?

cohunter14 · 05-07-2012, 07:02 AM

It all depends what year you are and if you are 2wd or 4wd. If you are an 08+ 4wd, you will definitely get some contact. You will have to grind the lips down on your coil buckets at a minimum and you also might have to get new UCA's.

ridealaska · 05-07-2012, 01:57 PM

okay thanks for the speedy reply

*SocalTitan* · 05-07-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cohunter14

Leveling your titan - overview

I'm glad you did this before I did LOL. I just finished answering more questions about leveling.
Nicely done.
I vote sticky too!

Anavrin351 · 05-08-2012, 02:07 AM

short and simple, i like it.just one Q

i have an 06 4x4. i want the PRG mini lift. i NEED new shocks. if i get the PRG kit that is 2.5" up front and 1.5" in the rear, will i have CB contact with bilstien 5100s and HDs/stock? the front 2.5 is over the max 2" mentioned above, but is that number for CB contact with bilstiens 5100s only, or any shock? this is where i have been getting confused the most, one post talks about the bils and another doesnt.

If i would get CB contact i have to get the 2" front and 1" rear with HDs and i will still be .5" lower in the front than the rear unless i get new upper control arms with bilstiens on the middle setting. yes?

Anavrin351 · 05-08-2012, 02:10 AM

fuk that, upper control arms are over $600. i will just have the shop grind down the front block if theres contact i guess.

Mack207 · 05-08-2012, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anavrin351

short and simple, i like it.just one Q

i have an 06 4x4. i want the PRG mini lift. i NEED new shocks. if i get the PRG kit that is 2.5" up front and 1.5" in the rear, will i have CB contact with bilstien 5100s and HDs/stock? the front 2.5 is over the max 2" mentioned above, but is that number for CB contact with bilstiens 5100s only, or any shock? this is where i have been getting confused the most, one post talks about the bils and another doesnt.

If i would get CB contact i have to get the 2" front and 1" rear with HDs and i will still be .5" lower in the front than the rear unless i get new upper control arms with bilstiens on the middle setting. yes?

With the 2.5" spacer alone you will have major contact. If you want to run 5100's up front, go with a 1.5" spacer. The 5100's add an extra .5" to the spacer due to a longer body.

cohunter14 · 05-09-2012, 10:31 AM

Like Mack said, go with the 1.5" spacer and Bilstein 5100's on middle setting. That will give you 3" of lift without cb contact. Then you can add a rear block and you will be all set.