BDS Toyota Tundra Lift Kit - Four Wheeler Magazine

Have you ever wanted to fit 37-inch tires under your ’07-’11 Toyota Tundra? Well it is possible with BDS’ 7-inch High Clearance Tundra lift. High Clearance doesn’t allude to the elevated space in the wheelwells, but rather stands for BDS’ approach to maximizing ground clearance at the crossmembers.

BDS’ stout High Clearance crossmembers are manufactured from 1⁄4-inch-thick steel with internal supports and a design that gives you the most clearance possible. The BDS kit includes a skidplate that ties the front and rear crossmembers together for strength, while protecting the diff from damage. Another benefit of this suspension is the shallow control arm angle, which mimics the OE control arm movement for exceptional ride quality.

[Before]

The most impressive components in the kit are BDS’ massive ductile iron steering knuckles, which simply dwarf the stock hardware. The knuckles are made stout, CNC-machined for precision, and are engineered to keep the OE steering geometry intact for a simplified installation. The kit maintains the same track width as a factory truck and requires no driveshaft modifications.

Cleared For Lift Up Lifted Toyota Tundra

[After]

Developed to take on whatever abuse you might throw at it, BDS believes so highly in its product, that it offers a “No Fine Print Warranty.” If you are the original purchaser and you break it, they’ll give you a new part, no questions asked. You have to like a deal like that.

We had an opportunity to watch this kit go on a customer’s ’11 Tundra at Off Road Evolution in Fullerton, California, and took the day to document the install. Follow along for a simplified overview of the installation.

How It Works
After taking the truck for an alignment we went for an on-road test drive and we came away very impressed with the ride quality, especially nice was the damping provided by the ICON shocks which felt perfectly tuned to the BDS suspension kit. In our short drive we didn’t notice any axlewrap and the steering had no problem keeping up with the 37-inch tires. We also ramped the Tundra on a 30-degree RTI ramp. Stock, it went 41.5 inches up the ramp for a score of 170 (a 20-degree ramp equivalent of 285). After the BDS install, it traveled an impressive 51.5 inches up the ramp for a score of 242 (a 20-degree ramp equivalent of 354), making for a crowd-pleasing increase of about 30 percent.

BDS’ High Clearance kit includes everything you need to lift your Tundra 7 inches.
With the truck securely racked, we began the installation by removing the factory skidplate, brakes, knuckles, sway bar links, struts, and lower control arms.
With the truck securely racked, we began the installation by removing the factory skidplat
To fit the BDS crossmember, we had to mark and cut the factory crossmember according to the instructions provided by BDS.
To fit the BDS crossmember, we had to mark and cut the factory crossmember according to th

With the factory crossmember cut, we positioned the provided weld-on plates to cap what remained of the crossmember. Notice the holes in the corners that allow for drainage.
With the factory crossmember cut, we positioned the provided weld-on plates to cap what re
Next, we welded the plates in place and painted them with rust-resistant frame paint.
After the plates were welded, the front BDS crossmember was lifted in to place and secured with the provided hardware.
After the plates were welded, the front BDS crossmember was lifted in to place and secured

We then returned the front differential assembly to its new position in the vehicle and installed the rear crossmember.
We then returned the front differential assembly to its new position in the vehicle and in
Note the extended differential breather line and vacuum lines that BDS provides with the kit.
Note the extended differential breather line and vacuum lines that BDS provides with the k
Once the differential was secured in place, we reinstalled the factory lower control arms. This customer also had ICON Vehicle Dynamics make custom reservoir shocks for this project, which you can see here.
Once the differential was secured in place, we reinstalled the factory lower control arms.

Next, we installed the new BDS knuckles. You can see here just how massive the BDS piece is compared to the factory knuckle.
Next, we installed the new BDS knuckles. You can see here just how massive the BDS piece i
Also unique to this installation are the ICON upper control arms. The 6061 aluminum billet arms are CNC-machined and feature Teflon-lined Uniball bearings. These arms allow increased articulation as well as improved durability over the stock arms.
Also unique to this installation are the ICON upper control arms. The 6061 aluminum billet
Included in the kit are new bumpstops (shown installed), which replace the shorter factory bumpstops.
Included in the kit are new bumpstops (shown installed), which replace the shorter factory

BDS also provides these weld-on steering stop extensions, which we painted to prevent corrosion.
BDS also provides these weld-on steering stop extensions, which we painted to prevent corr
Adjustable sway bar endlinks, seen here, are another component that BDS provides in the kit.
Adjustable sway bar endlinks, seen here, are another component that BDS provides in the ki
This 1⁄4-inch-thick belly pan ties the front and rear crossmembers together, as well as protects the differential from damage.
This 1⁄4-inch-thick belly pan ties the front and rear crossmembers together, as well as pr

Here you can see what the completed frontend looked like after our installation. We added weld-on mounts for the reservoir canisters along the frame, carefully placing them out of the way of the tires.
Here you can see what the completed frontend looked like after our installation. We added
In the rear, simple lift blocks and new U-bolts are used to level out the stance. For this install, a set of custom rear ICON reservoir shocks were ordered up to match the front.
In the rear, simple lift blocks and new U-bolts are used to level out the stance. For this
The customer for this project chose 37x13.50R20LT Nitto Mud Grapplers on 20x9 KMC XD Series wheels with an OMF Phaze 8 beadlock conversion. While this wheel and the aggressive tire look great on the truck, they have less backspacing than suggested by BDS, resulting in us having to trim the fender to minimize rubbing.
The customer for this project chose 37x13.50R20LT Nitto Mud Grapplers on 20x9 KMC XD Serie

SOURCES
Nitto Tire 6021 Katella Avenue Suite 250 Cypress CA 90630 877-565-8448 www.nittotire.com	BDS Suspension Inc Coldwater MI 517-279-2135 www.bds-suspension.com
Icon Vehicle Dynamics 1580 Commerce Street Corona CA 92880 951-272-4266 IconVehicleDynamics.com	Off Road Evolution 1829 W Commonwealth Avenue Fullerton CA 92833 714-870-5515 www.offroadevolution.com
KMC Wheels 16010 Bloomfield Ave Cerritos CA 90703 877-943-3577 www.kmcwheels.com	OMF Performance 9860 Indiana Avenue Unit 17 Riverside CA 92503 951-354-8272 www.omfperformance.com