3 inch VS. 6 Inch

I am about to get a lift on my 2010 tacoma and wondering what would look better and why. whats better?

 

Oh god please NO!!! I swear a new thread on this same subject pops up everyday!

Please do a quick search Travis. And welcome.

 

define your needs/wants first. Look at cost of both. Determine if fitting in your garage is important or not. Climb into a 6" lifted truck a few times before going that path. I just lifted mine 3" and it suits me perfect.

Your biggest dilemma is going to be "what method of lift"???

GL

Do lot's of forum searching. I did it for 2 weeks before pulling the trigger.

 

i have done alot of searching and i was pretty settled on a 6 inch but my dad told me to look at a 3 inch. he thinks 6 inch is too big. i am just trying to find out what most people have.

 

you won't find what "most" people have. They are all over the map (height and type)

 

Well:
3" is harder on your cv's, lower, looks bad ass
6" have to cut your cross member, easier on your cv's, dont gain ground clearance, and looks bad ass.

 

its not the size of the truck its the motion in the ocean

 

Its a 2010, still new, break it in first. I have a 2010 DC 4x4 and I have decided to get the 5100s and rear TSB. Cheap and effective. For most situations, thats all you need. Do you not like your truck as it is, or are you itchin to waste money. If you have a 4x4 than dont go over 3", but 6" on a prerunner is nice, but is a waste of money for a 2wd truck. With my setup and 265/75 I can make it through alot without harming my truck and suspension. Also identify what you use the truck for, serious off-roading, daily driving, ocasional outdoorsman, etc. Hope this helps!

 

6''

 

Get the rear tsb done. Get 5100s up front and set them to 1.75. Get 265/75/16 tires and call it done.

 

If you want it for looks and like the 6 inch lift with the bigger tires, then go 6.

If you want more functional suspension go with the 3 inch life like a 5100 or if you money to spend go with a coilover like King, Fox, Icon.

I have King Off Road Coilovers with aftermarket UCAs and the rear spring TSB, once I get a slightly bigger tire my truck will look good in my opinion.

The wonderful thing about our trucks is that they have a lot of different applications for each person's special needs. It is good to ask questions but it is also very helpful to search since there is a lot of information on lifts and wheels.

Congrats on the new truck.

 

Just got my Bilsteins installed today....That is 2.5". I know this is a 2nd Generation post but what the heck-I wanted to show everyone my new lift! Tires really soon!

 

I have kings at all four corners and couldnt be happier. 3" of lift and 33" tires is plenty high. Besides, you do not gain any functionality from a 6" lift. - and please dont flame me and say you can put 35"s on with a 6" lift - yes it can be done... save your time flaming and go sit in the mall parking lot.

 

If you're purely going on looks a 6 inch with 35's mt's looks bad ass. I personally would never put a 6 inch lift on my truck. I've driven one(around a parking lot ironically) and can't say I was too impressed. I've spoken with 2 people and stood beside there trucks and asked them if they liked it and would do it again the both were kind of hesitant and weren't too sure. If I were to spend a couple of grand and chop up my truck I would want to be damn sure that I'm going to be happy with it.

I wouldn't go more than 2.5 on my truck but if I had a prerunner I don't think I would hesitate to go 3 so if you have a prerunner that's my vote.

 

I talked allot with guys here in Hawaii about there lifts, and in Hawaii almost all tacos have some type of lift. Everyone seemed happy with what they had weather it was 3 or 6. Not much complaints either way.
I just ordered a 4.5" rcd. I talked with different lift shops and they mentioned rcd is a good lift with no problems that they could recall. Not to mention it comes with bilstiens out of the box.
I like different things about the 3 and 6, so I figured go right in between.
I know the question was 3 or 6, but I thought any input helps.

 

I have a 6" lift and love it but if I had it to do all over again I would go with the allpro long travel kit. If your going to spend the money I would go that rout its not as long as some so you can keep your stock fenders but still have the benefit of extra travil and lift, pluse it looks sweet and performs better than stock with coils. Get some king coils to go with that and you would be set.

 

Well everyone seems to have an opinion.

But talking from experience. (Because I have had both)


Personally I like the 6" lift better. BUT! I needed to work out some issue with the 6" lift.

When I first got it, I regretted doing the 6" lift. It had issues that I didn't like. It took some time for me to workout the things I didn't like about the set up.

But I had to work out issues with the 3" lift also.

Both lifts 3"& 6" don't work well right out of the box. (I'm really anal about how my vehicles handle, and drive)

IMHO!
6" lift works better. Your suspension will have full range of articulation. (Up travel and down travel)

3" lift you loose most of your down travel. (Like trying to go hiking while standing on the tips of your toes) Yes you're taller, but the suspension doesn't work as efficiently as it should.

What I don't like about my 6" lift is that it makes loading my KTM harder, because it is higher.

I understand that people are against cutting the crossmember. So if you decide that the 6" lift is what you want, Make sure you are absolutely sure! You can weld the crossmember back in but it is a pain in the A$$.

To be honest, now that I have the suspension set up correctly. The truck drives better than when it was stock.

But there was a bunch of things I needed to tweak! I needed LR UCA's to get the alignment correct.
I needed a custom Driveshaft for the take off shudder.
I needed to trim back my cab mounts.

But both 3" lift and 6" lift will need these things! (IF you want to do it right)

You gas milage will go down! But that is to be expected with 35" tires.

Power with the 35" tires is still good! But a set of gears would do a lot better. (But not necessary)

If you want to do a lot of offfraoding I would recommend 33" tires with the 6" lift.

As for ground clearance??
Front to back you WILL gain frame clearance! But wheel to wheel (left to right) you will actually loose some ground clearance.

But I've found that the center wheel to wheel isn't that big of a concern. You will still have better clearance wheel to wheel with the DB than with a third member.

It's the front to back that is more important. You can avoid high center better. No seasaw while climbing over fallen trees or rocks.

I spent a lot of money doing R&D to make my 3" suspension work correctly! Check out my DIY threads!

After I got it to be at it's optimum! As perfect as it could be!

I spent thousands of dollars changing everything! Because I found out that it wasn't good enough! And it could never be. (Because of it's limitations)

I wish I went with the 6" lift first it would have saved me a lot of time and money. (But that's just me)

Best advice is "Think about it long and hard! Who gives a crap about what I or anyone else says is better!"

Bottom line: Is that it will be your truck! At the end of the day, you will have to live with it! So make absolutely sure of what you want.

And if you can't afford to do it right? Or you are not willing to do the work it WILL take to make your truck run great?

You may want to consider just driving it and enjoying the ride.

Good Luck!

 

my girlfriend says 3 inches is a good size
but my truck is only lifted 2.

 

diggin toku58's post. thanks alot man. that is really helpful!

 

Im just a girl, but here's my thoughts...
I thought if Im gonna spend the money bigger is better. No PUN intended. I ended up getting 6" lift with Coilovers and adjustable shocks. With 35" tires. It makes the truck about 200 lbs heavier and it drags enough to feel it. I just got the gears done to 4.88 and it feels great. Back to normal, actually more torque so more powerful. Long story short. You spend more money with 6" and 35's then you would with 4" and 33's. But if its what u want then its well worth it. Check out my build:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-builds/86177-fiestee23s-prerunner-build.html