Toyota Sienna Forum - siennachat.com banner

Traxda Leveling/Lift Kit Before & After Measurements (w/ pics)

53K views 84 replies 21 participants last post by  Retro Ronin  
#1 · (Edited)
Measurements from the Traxda leveling kit 2" Front / 1" Rear (2017 XLE AWD)

Overall Lift (Averaged): +1.7"
  • Front Bumper: +1.5"
  • Front Wheel Well: +1.63"
  • Vehicle Midpoint: +1.63"
  • Rear Wheel Well: +1.88"
  • Rear Bumper: +1.88"



Resources:
Link to Traxda's Leveling Kit

Related thread on the lift and installation:
 
#5 ·
Good before/after pics. Interesting that we both got more lift in the rear, even though the kit is advertised to do the opposite.

Did you self-install or have a shop do it? Any issues?
Thanks! I had a respected Alignment/Suspension shop do the work. No issues. Greg at Traxda suggested a 1/4" shim on the front struts to get things more even. Not sure if I'll go that route yet.
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the awesome write up. I’ve been taking many of the same measurements to see what I could pull off on my van!

I saw on another post you may have been considering this lift in the front and custom springs in the rear. I’ve been thinking about the same option so I can better handle our trailer/bike rack combo of about 400lbs. I currently use the airlift 1000 with a 1 inch spacer inside the coil.

I’m a little concerned that it could put the CV joints up to high while I’m towing if I put this lift up front without stiffening the rear.

Have you had a chance to tow with it yet?
46491
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the awesome write up. I’ve been taking many of the same measurements to see what I could pull off on my van!

I saw on another post you may have been considering this lift in the front and custom springs in the rear. I’ve been thinking about the same option so I can better handle our trailer/bike rack combo of about 400lbs. I currently use the airlift 1000 with a 1 inch spacer inside the coil.

I’m a little concerned that it could put the CV joints up to high while I’m towing if I put this lift up front without stiffening the rear.

Have you had a chance to tow with it yet?
You're welcome! Haven't a chance to tow anything yet, but I'll be installing this hitch later this week. I had 300lbs of gear in the back of the van this weekend for a trip into the mountains, and the van rode splendidly.
 
#7 ·
Glad to hear it! I requested quotes for custom springs from two different places. Sounds like you can get them for around $250? I asked them to have it add 1.5” of ride height (after considering your results) and 300 to 400 pounds of weight capacity.

I’ll probably install the new rear springs and then consider the front strut spacers depending on how it shakes out.
 
#12 ·
Probably sound advice. The 400lbs is a calculated estimate and is the worst case scenario, I haven't actually weighed it. Surprisingly the handling hasn't been bad, but the receiver does flex a bit if I yank on the bike rack. Do you have any light duty or low profile WDHs you would recommend?

My other issue is that I'm using a dual receiver to accommodate the bike rack. Etrailer advised against using a WDH with a dual receiver.

About the only product I found that would really support a WDH for a trailer and a bike rack is the GENY mega series. Unfortanately their shank length was too short to allow me to tip the bike rack down and open the rear hatch. They do offer custom length shanks but it adds $150 to the nearly $200 receiver.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Thanks for sharing the model. I have the DLX4 from Nashbar but its very heavy and really sticks out (hard to tell in the pics). It does fold up though and your pic has got me wondering if I can flip it around and mount the bikes on it while it's in the vertical position with minor modification. No trailer yet but if I get one, it will be a collapsible one, much like yours.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the topic.
 
#31 ·
Measurements from the Traxda leveling kit 2" Front / 1" Rear (2017 XLE AWD)

Overall Lift (Averaged): +1.7"
  • Front Bumper: +1.5"
  • Front Wheel Well: +1.63"
  • Vehicle Midpoint: +1.63"
  • Rear Wheel Well: +1.88"
  • Rear Bumper: +1.88"
View attachment 46458

Resources:
Link to Traxda's Leveling Kit

Related thread on the lift and installation:
So it been a little while. Thoughts now? Still pleased? Wish you went JOR 3.5"? I have yet to see a lifted Sienna in person. I change my mind every day about what is high or too high and how much lift is enough and I am still debating which way to go. Was the goal to get bigger tires and maybe rims down the road? How much was the it to have the leveling kit installed? Any info and feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
#33 ·
Given the problems I wanted to solve with the kit (more peace of mind on forest service/backcountry routes, and snow covered mountain passes), I am pleased so far (haven't hit any snow yet however). Your question regarding the JOR kit is tough to answer. I can say that I haven't been in a situation where it would have made a difference. Time will tell though. I think they're both good options, and it really depends on your situation.

I am upgrading the tires to 245/65r17s, so that will get me another 0.5 inch. Just waiting for the rims to ship in the next couple weeks.

Installation cost was around the $500 mark which is pretty steep. That said, I live in $$$eattle, and had a highly reputable alignment/suspension shop do the work. I believe you get what you pay for. Now, if you have the means and some time, you could definitely do the install yourself.

Last tip if you do go with Traxda... Because my front end ended up a bit lower than the rear, I would have added 1/4" shims to bring it up. Traxda has these available.

Good luck.
 
#35 ·
Ditto, I also am wondering how the Traxda is feeling for people. I wonder how much lift you could get with larger tires. I am stuck between the simplicity of Traxda or go the JOR route. I want height, but is an extra 1" worth it?
As you can see Traxda gives much more than 1”. I got 1” at the front bumper but more elsewhere, for an average of 1.75”, similar to above.

We have taken it on some rough forest roads that we definitely couldn’t have managed before. For me, that is worth it, especially considering the cost savings and peace of mind compared to the JOR.
 
#40 ·
Had a few installs done several weeks ago, took back to shop today for check after 300 miles or so. All good.

-- Traxda Leveling Kit 2011-2019 Toyota Sienna - 2" Front / 1" Rear
-- Megan Racing Race-Spec Strut Tower Bar for Toyota Sienna 11-17 Front
-- H&R 15mm Spacer 1986-1992 Toyota Supra Typ A7 (5:114.3/60.1) -- Front
-- H&R 20mm Spacer 1986-1992 Toyota Supra Typ A7 (5:114.3/60.1) -- Rear

Much to like -- overall stance, lift, pushed wheels out a bit. Not noticed body roll, in fact ride seems tighter. Also had LCAs done, so figure that + strut bar is why.

Only install surprise was it needed new links, for Highlander. Greg at Traxda said this situation is very rare; mine is MY 2011, midyear build. Who knows why.

I've got stock 235/55/18, may go to 235/60/18 later, but that's it.

Thanks to all prior posters that helped me figure out a plan!
 

Attachments

  • Like
Reactions: YotaSE17
#42 ·
Anyone having rear shock “top out” after installing the Traxda rear spring cups?

Coil Spring Specialist spec’d custom rear springs incorrectly and I ended up with 2.25” instead and 1.5” of rear lift. I’ve mostly eliminated the rear shock top out by adding washers on top of the shock like Traxda recommends. However if I hit a big speed bump straight on at 10mph it still clunks.

Has anyone considered the mobility shocks with a rear lift? Does anyone know if they are longer?
 
#43 ·
Anyone having rear shock “top out” after installing the Traxda rear spring cups?

Coil Spring Specialist spec’d custom rear springs incorrectly and I ended up with 2.25” instead and 1.5” of rear lift. I’ve mostly eliminated the rear shock top out by adding washers on top of the shock like Traxda recommends. However if I hit a big speed bump straight on at 10mph it still clunks.

Has anyone considered the mobility shocks with a rear lift? Does anyone know if they are longer?
Yes I have noticed that. I didn’t change anything with the springs and I also ended up with about 1” at the front bumper and 2” at the rear - opposite of what it was advertised for. I think Traxda has just been making the spring spacers too big, and it is tilting the weight towards the front.

I haven’t tried adding any washers (kit didn’t come with them) because I figured they would only add a few mm of rebound. What type of washers did you use and how many? Did you notice any difference? I think I heard of somebody using highlander struts - maybe the shocks would work too and be a little longer? Where are the mobility ones from - I assume from the lifted wheelchair vans?
 
#44 ·
I used 5/8 Zinc Washers. Traxda recommended 1/2”, but I couldn’t fit them anywhere useful. Apparently they will throw in some nice ones they cut with a bandsaw out of tubing if you buy direct from them. I’ve got some more pictures and info on the 3/8” or 9mm improvement in this post. But yes, it helped, but didn’t quite eliminate the issue. It may totally resolve it in the Traxda lift, since it seems to be 1/4” less lift than what I ended up with.

I’m still trying to sort out the part #s on the rear shocks. I was curious if the mobility access van has longer length shocks or not. I’ll have to look into the Highlander option, thanks!
 
#57 ·
Looks good with the lift, now larger tires are needed to better fill the wheel wheels to complete the look.
 
#58 ·
I gave Journey’s Off Road a call today and they don’t sell the “Rear Bump Stop/Shock Extensions” separately.

I’ve got some more info from JOR in this post.

I’ll avoid nailIng speed bumps straight on at speed for now! I’ll post if I do anything to address it, but I’m planning on leaving it along for now. And again, I bet the 5/8” washers would help most folks with the Traxda lift.
 
#60 ·
Found another possible shock top out solution: using mobility shocks?

I contacted KYB regarding their different shocks and they confirmed that the mobility version is 1” longer than the non-mobility and has a slightly longer stroke length.

Does anyone know the OEM shock overall length and stroke?

47599

47600
 
#61 ·
I purchased and installed the Monroe 37301 shocks this weekend and it totally resolved the top out issue with my rear 2.25" rear lift.

Again, the stack of 5/8" washers creating a 3/8" tall spacer on top of the shock may do the trick for folks experiencing top out with the Traxda lift. But, the mobility shocks are over an inch longer and have a longer stroke. Which means you basically increase the range of motion or travel of the rear suspension.

Again, great thread and good luck with the builds!
 
#62 ·
I purchased and installed the Monroe 37301 shocks this weekend and it totally resolved the top out issue with my rear 2.25" rear lift.

Again, the stack of 5/8" washers creating a 3/8" tall spacer on top of the shock may do the trick for folks experiencing top out with the Traxda lift. But, the mobility shocks are over an inch longer and have a longer stroke. Which means you basically increase the range of motion or travel of the rear suspension.

Again, great thread and good luck with the builds!
Thanks for the good info! I like the height of the Traxda lift but not that it's front only. These shocks should be part of the solution.

-Mike
 
#69 ·
I’ve spoken with Journey by phone and emailed with Traxda a good bit regarding their rear solutions.

Journey only sells their system as a kit. He did say that it is designed to work with airbags. They also said they used to sell a Traxda style kit, but stopped due to alignment issues.

Traxda acknowledged you may need a different rear option if you tow with a bug tongue weight. They do make custom front spacers, which I’d consider.)