It’s not always easy to know which lift kits will work the best for your Tundra. There are several different options on the market, and some of them involve replacing many suspension components and need a professional mechanic to be installed properly. While these high end kits do offer a good amount of flexibility and height choice, they can really do a lot of damage to your pocketbook.
CST offers lift kits for the Toyota Tundra from 2 to 7 inches.
CST, a.k.a. California SuperTrucks, offers a simpler spindle lift kit for Toyota Tundra owners that offers excellent quality without adding in complicated component changes. The CST kits offer up to 7 inches of lift using custom-made spindles for the front end, along with a block and bolt kit for the rear of the vehicle. The spindles are made out of machined sheet steel which is then welded by hand. They are stronger than standard cast iron spindles, and are in fact even stronger than the factory spindles that came with your truck (special deal for TundraHQ readers – see below.)
7 inches is a serious height increase, and the kit includes coil overs to replace the factory shocks. CST also recommends that their custom control arms also be installed in order to reduce stress on the suspension system. 6 to 7 inches of suspension lift allows 35 inch tires to be used, which can definitely improve the off-road grip and capabilities of your pickup.
Note: The spindles are for 2wd trucks only.
CST's 7 inch lift kit allows installation of 35 inch tires
There are other kits available which don’t involve such an extreme height change. CST’s 5.5 inch kit keeps the stock front shocks, while requiring replacement shocks for the rear of the truck and allowing 34 inch tires to clear the body. The 3.5 inch lift kit can be used with either stock shocks all around or custom coil overs, depending on your budget. 33 inch tires are the maximum on your truck’s stock body with this level of ride height. The 3.5 inch kit will also essentially level the Tundra, removing the slight rake that new trucks have.
The advantages of CST’s custom spindle lift kits are that they are simple to install – in most cases less than 6 hours. Not only that, but they allow for a ride that is very close to stock, and they work with a stock specification alignment. This helps remove many of the headaches associated with driving a lifted truck on the street in day-to-day traffic.
One disadvantage of the CST spindle kit is that if you do decide to take advantage of the taller ride to run larger tires, it will be necessary to switch to after market wheels. CST claims that the back space on the stock Toyota wheel will cause larger sidewalls to rub against the spindle. This should be an important part of your overall budget outlook when considering the CST kit.
Special deal for TundraHeadquarters readers – Brad at CST has offered TundraHeadquarters readers special pricing for the month of May, 2009. CST 07-09 Tundra Spindles (part #CSS-T1-1) or CST 07-09 Tundra Coil Overs (part # CSR-3303) will be $900.00 including shipping (continental USA only, that price is per part number). Be sure to USE THIS CODE: THQCST01. This is limited to the first 10 customers, so act fast.
Does anyone have personal experience with the CST kit? Leave your review below!
Popularity: 9%
Unless there’s some new job market to warrant off-roading, I have to pass. Lifts just sound like more money all around from gas, to tires, to the kit itself. I’d love to hear how long it takes to get the first 10 customers and wish the company all the best. The trucks look great and the quality sounds impressive.