Go-to lift options for 1st gen Sequoia? (1 Viewer)

[Jakeonio]

Hey all, fairly new to the off-roading world. Had an 09 LX570 that I threw 35’s on but with the used market so hot and more kids on the way, the first gen sequoia seemed to make a lot of sense to pocket some cash and have something more spacious.

Now, I’d love to lift this thing but there seem to be a lot of options. I’m hoping for somewhere around a 3” lift and would love to fit as big a tire as possible on the stock 17’s. Any chance a 35 can squeeze in there? I see a lot of guys with 5100’s and 100 series springs but I’m lost. 1stgen off-road has a ton of packages but I’m not sure if those are the best options or if I should piece something together myself. No towing in the future, if anything very light stuff, so I’d like to be a bit more level as well.

Thanks for the help! (I know some lifts have been discussed but even with the search there aren’t any definitive guides to all the options).

 

[joseywales]

This would be my choice as I have a long history of OME use and have always been super happy with their products.

2.5" Lift Kit Deluxe - 2001-2007 Toyota Sequoia

2.5" Lift Kit, 2001, 2007, Toyota Sequoia

www.1stgenoffroad.com

That said, my Sequoia has a Toytec Ultimate system with SPC UCAs in it, and 275/70-18s. (It came that way) The ride and handling is great. I would love to try OMEs kit, but that will have to wait a while now.

 

[JCX03]

Go Dobinsons. I have the 5100s for the past 2 years, about 25k miles on them, and I don't enjoy them.

33s are usually the go to. MPG here is already around 10-12, if that matters.
35s need BMC & rec a regear. Not many people do this.

Even with 33s, you need UCA, offset/spacer, a lift. No BMC required at this stage, until you get to 35s, tho I don't know too much on this as I'm on 33s still.

 

[Jakeonio]

Thanks for the input guys. What’s the verdict on airbags if you have them? Just strip em out?

 

[joseywales]

There is a thread on ExPo where a guy just converted his airbags to coils. He went offroad a few times with the bags and they kept falling out. (Link below). The second link is the Toytec kit in my truck (with SPC uppers). As I said, ride is fantastic.

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/05-sequoia-limited-aka-“turd-crappley”.227335/

-UL-SEQ - Toytec Ultimate Lift Kit (00-07 Sequoia)

Shop Toytec Ultimate Lift Kit for your 2000-2007 Sequoia. Take your Sequoia off-roading with a complete lift kit designed with performance in mind.

www.toyteclifts.com

 

[joseywales]

@ JCX03 : BMC?

 

[JCX03]

Thanks for the input guys. What’s the verdict on airbags if you have them? Just strip em out?

Remove. Buy coils and covert it. I forgot what else you need for it, but there's a part you need to get from the coil version I believe.

Then the air bag sensor... Just remove the bulb or cover it lol. I believe some people relocate the sensor to trick it to think it's oem position.

 

[JCX03]

@ JCX03 : BMC?

Body mount chop.

I. E. Chop & patch rear of the front wheel wells near fender.

 

[JCX03]

To clarify, I believe it's chopping the pinch weld.

 

[Jakeonio]

To clarify, I believe it's chopping the pinch weld.

Whelp I’ve already don’t that in pursuit of homemade sliders!

Great info thanks again guys. Excited to get underway sometime soon.

 

[joseywales]

Body mount chop.

I. E. Chop & patch rear of the front wheel wells near fender.

I figured it was body related, but not being a flat-biller or any other sub-culture member that uses acronyms freely, I was (and often am) unsure of what it meant. Frankly, I still don’t get why we now need to say ISO instead of “wanted” when we are looking for parts...

 

[joseywales]

Whelp I’ve already don’t that in pursuit of homemade sliders!

Great info thanks again guys. Excited to get underway sometime soon.

Don’t forget to let us know what you end up doing, and of course, post pics!

 

[Jakeonio]

No build yet, planning on the next few weeks. Still struggling with tire sizing. I plan on keeping stock wheels unless a decent pair of used wheels/tires pops up that I like. Is 33 vs 34 that big of a difference in capability? Should I bother doing the extra work of fitting bigger or focus on a solid base lift and 33, then spend the time and money on more important things like a locker in the future? It’s not gonna see a ton of off-road work, I just want the capability to allow me to have some fun when I want.

Edit: I feel like I answered my own question just typing this out. 33’s are way easier to come by, and I could use cheaper UCA’s vs the SPC’s. Probably the best idea at this time.

 

[joseywales]

I’d keep the stock wheels too. I like those particular ones. Even put a set on my 1st Gen 4Runner.

 

[Jakeonio]

Well, got everything in last weekend but was too busy so I’ve started today. Front done! (pic from before totally buttoned down)Decided to do springs and struts myself but had no luck with the compressor from the auto parts store. Luckily I had access to a shop for using a wall mounted compressor and got it handled quickly. Otherwise everything was pretty straight forward. After doing driver’s side, passenger was quick. Definitely going to work on fitting 285/75/17’s in stock wheels (really like them) with 1.25” spacers from 1stgen. Unfortunately no ko2’s anywhere in country (allegedly) but Discount has Toyo Open Country A/T 2’s in stock and I just don’t know much about them so I’m torn. Doing rear tomorrow and have to swap out air for traditional. Hopefully quicker than doing the fronts!

 

[mtoddsolomon]

Looks like a little dejavu, I see you also used the ratchet strap trick for the sway bar end links.

I found my KO2s on Amazon for $1000 shipped and they were produced in January. None of the shops around town could touch the price. Then had them mounted and balanced for $100.

What made you go SPC over another UCA?

 

[Jakeonio]

Looks like a little dejavu, I see you also used the ratchet strap trick for the sway bar end links.

I found my KO2s on Amazon for $1000 shipped and they were produced in January. None of the shops around town could touch the price. Then had them mounted and balanced for $100.

What made you go SPC over another UCA?

Love your build man! When I talked to Josh over at 1st gen he encouraged me to go SPC for the additional caster if I wanted to go bigger than a 33” tire. I figure might as well spend a couple hundred more now to allow for it rather than change my mind down the line. I’m in southern TX so pretty much nothing but rocks on our trails. That extra inch in a 285/75/17 could go a long way. Pulled the trigger this morning on the Open Country AT2’s at discount to just be done with it. Seem to have good reviews.

Next is finishing some rock sliders I have mocked up!

 

[Jakeonio]

Happy with the 34’s but need to grind the pinch weld slightly to get rid of all rubbing

 

[joseywales]

Looks great! You did wheel spacers I presume? What size? The stance looks fairly wide. I’ll be interested in your impressions of the OME and it’s ride. I love their stuff.

 

[Jakeonio]

Looks great! You did wheel spacers I presume? What size? The stance looks fairly wide.

Yeah, had to gain a little clearance near the upper control arm. They’re 1.25” spidertrax. Measured out closer to 1 1/8. The front is good but the rear does look a little wide for my taste. We’ll see in time what I decide to do with it.