Suggestions for 04 TRD suspension lift???

I am looking for suggestions from experienced Tacoma owners to pick a suspension lift for my stock 04 TRD.

My truck is my daily driver so I’m not looking for a 9” lift with 42” swampers.
I’d like to install no greater than a 5” suspension lift using my 265/70R16 and want to spend less than $1000, if possible.

I’ve found the following online:
Rough Country 2.5” for $239.95
http://www.roughcountry.com/toyota_95-04_tacoma_2.html

Summit Racing 3” for $703.25
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SJA-TTC30STKS/

Some Questions
1) Cost vs. Quality…New Leaf Springs vs. Add-A-leaf?
2) Cost vs. Quality…New Front Coil Springs vs. Spacers?
3) Any other required parts for the kits I listed above?

I’m a mechanical engineer but certainly not a mechanic, so any important suspension install aspects or other things to heavily consider when choosing a lift kit are much appreciated.

Thanks for any assistance.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/11282-tacoma-lift-faq-guide-read.html

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^

check that out.



generally we try to steer people away from spacer lifts. They can break suspension components and give a worse ride than coils/struts.

The cheapest/most popular lifts on the site are bilstein 5100's front/rear paired with eibach coils, or OME coils with OME struts/shocks.

both give around 3" of lift.

you don't want to go over 3" without a drop bracket lift or you risk damaging your diff and having your ride turn to crap. (but DB lifts=$$)

 

Try checking out toytec they have it all. As far as spacers vs coilovers, here in Hawaii we have so much tacomas running revtec front spacer leveling kits and I haven't heard any one having a problem with it. In back I would go with blocks or shackles. I'm a first gen guy though so ... Hope I could help

 

Here's what I'd get if I were you.

5100's Coils For rear either

Add a leaf Or new leafs

 

Konaborne is probably right go with coilovers but the spacers are way cheaper

 

Probably because 99% of them have never done any real offroading. I have a bent front strut because of spacers.

And blocks/shackles are terrible suggestions in the rear.

Coilovers (OME or Bilstein) with Coils and AAL or new leaf pack in the rear is the best option. You can get a full Bilstein kit, Eibach coils, and AAL for around $700.



Spacers are cheap....but you get what you pay for!

 

x2 on the recommendation to read this^^. You should also review the Suspension Lift Info thread. Both are very informative, and should answer many of your questions.

x2! You definitely get what you pay for, and there are much better options than blocks, shackles, & spacers.

 

Probably the worst suspension suggestion I've ever heard. Do it right and forget about it. Best bet is coilovers and new leafs. A little cheaper route is OME or bilstein all around. Search around some though there's plenty of into on here to help make up your mind.
Goodluck

 

x3 great advice, most people that run spacer lifts change it out later after they are not happy with performance and ride. get the good stuff right away, save time and money not having to do it again

 

If you go with 5100's up front buy them from downsouth motorsports, cheaper and great customer service, plus no outrageous shipping cost.

 

Go easy on 98, I know him and he's new here.

He'll learn how things go soon enough

 

5100s up front, Eibach coils

5125s or 5150s in rear at the approriate length, and an AAL or new leaf pack. (Wheelers, Allpro, Dakar, Alcan, Deaver)

Don't put that spacer/block shit on your truck. Makes it ride worse. Upgrade the suspension..rides better.

 

why the 5125's or the 5150 instead of the regular 5100's?

 

IIRC, 5125s and 5150s offer more/different travel options than 5100s. The 5150s also have CrossFlow Reservoirs that neither 5100s nor 5125s have.

 

whats the advantage of that? Just better shock cooling? Because I have heard that they all pretty much ride the same.

What is the typical travel length for a 2-3'' lift in the rear?

 

Well, I would not say I am experienced in the suspension field, however I could share my experience with you. I have a 2010 and can be seen on my profile. First, I went with the 3", more like 2.5 inch lift by redilift, and went with 20 inch chrome rims, and nitto terragrapplers. I spent somewhere around 1K for the lift installed and around 800 for the tires. The ride was good, however, hind site being 20/20, I should have went with what I have now. I now got a 6 inch Fabtech, with 35x12.50x17 Nitto Trailgrapplers. Also had the chrome Westin bull bar thrown in the deal, and I spent almost 5800 dollars. I know that is not what your wanting to spend, however, and this is just my opinion, once you get the smaller lift, you will probably want to go with the bigger one. (Just my opinion). Taking the advice of some of the others, "do it right the first time". If your sure you want to stay around 3 inches, then you should be fine, but the 6 inch lift from FT is solid and I am really happy with it. I have had a lot of looks and compliments about the truck. I have even had a couple people say its a West Coast look, with the blacked out rims. LOL. Pretty cool, especially since I live on the East Coast. Its def a decision you should think about but keep in mind, if you buy cheap - you buy twice. Not to say you are getting cheap parts or craftmanship work, just take some time and weigh the options. If you think you will want to go bigger,,,,you may want to spend the extra money. If I would have did that, it would have saved my about 1800 dollars and with Christmas around the corner, that would have allowed me to get a few more gifts....LOL. If you want to talk offline about it, feel free to send me a personal message and we can discuss. I am always open to providing information or help. Good luck....

 

According to the experts at DSM, 5100 rear shocks have too long a collapsed length for a stock height truck. (See http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/155232-5100s-vs-5125s-2.html#post3128139 and http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/155232-5100s-vs-5125s-3.html#post3128402 for details.) The 5150's reservoir increases shock oil capacity for greater heat dissipation and damping.

As I recall, typical travel length with 2-3" lift is about 9"-10".

 

This..almost. 2-3'' of lift is about 8-9'' of travel 3.5-4.5'' is gonna be the 10-11'' shocks.