1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

level my taco or 3 inch lift?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by jd17usmc, Feb 9, 2012.

?

3" lift or level my taco out

Poll closed Mar 10, 2012.
  1. 3" with just 5100 and add a leaf

    49 vote(s)
    64.5%
  2. level with just the 5100

    27 vote(s)
    35.5%
  1. Feb 9, 2012 at 10:09 AM
    #1
    jd17usmc

    jd17usmc [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2011
    Member:
    #54001
    Messages:
    75
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    jansen
    Gainesville, FL
    Vehicle:
    2012 TRD Sport 4wd doublecab grey 6 speed
    Bilstein 5100 all around to level it out.
    i have 5100 adjustables, and an add a leaf i just got in the mail today. i dont have springs yet or anythings else to put on my truck. im running stock wheels with 32" cooper discover mudterrains. im looking for opinions or advice on whether i should just put the 5100s on and level my truck or put everything on and jack up the settings and run a stiffer 3" lift till i can afford the springs and UCAs.
     
  2. Feb 9, 2012 at 10:27 AM
    #2
    TACWUT

    TACWUT Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2011
    Member:
    #69242
    Messages:
    818
    Gender:
    Male
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    12 prerunner DC
    Flowmaster turndown, 5100 up front/5150 rear, maxtrac spindles, 2" tuff country add a leaf+TSB.
    I liked the ride when i had it at 2.5, i really did. The only thing was the wondering at 80 mph. I have spindles with 5100@.85 n it rides closer to stock with better absorption on n off road.
     
  3. Feb 9, 2012 at 11:35 AM
    #3
    4Wheelin4Banger

    4Wheelin4Banger Supercharged Toyman

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2011
    Member:
    #58306
    Messages:
    7,295
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Randy
    Ferntucky, NV Halfway between Reno & Falabama
    Vehicle:
    2011 4x4 Access Cab Supercharged Silver State Edition 245WHP
    3" OME lift 885s & Dakars riding on 33" KM2s
    New spring don't cost much and will improve your ride greatly. I would get them before installing the 5100s.
     
  4. Feb 9, 2012 at 12:55 PM
    #4
    jd17usmc

    jd17usmc [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2011
    Member:
    #54001
    Messages:
    75
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    jansen
    Gainesville, FL
    Vehicle:
    2012 TRD Sport 4wd doublecab grey 6 speed
    Bilstein 5100 all around to level it out.
    arent spindles for 2wd trucks? im not as worried about the springs ill get those eventually but i am worried about the alignment and not having UCAs.
     
  5. Feb 9, 2012 at 2:20 PM
    #5
    BulletToothTony

    BulletToothTony You’ll have that on these big jobs.

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2008
    Member:
    #4833
    Messages:
    16,291
    First Name:
    You can call me Susan if it makes you happy.
    Most spindles are for 2wd there are some that are for 4wd but the are hella expensive...
     
  6. Feb 9, 2012 at 4:00 PM
    #6
    johnnym

    johnnym Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2010
    Member:
    #38917
    Messages:
    6,893
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    john
    NH
    Vehicle:
    87 4Runner Chevy 1500
    Sas 4.7tranfer case gears 5.29s Locked front/rear
    i have 5100s and eibach coils i like the ride much better then when i had stock coils and 5100s .
    there cheap too .
     
  7. Feb 9, 2012 at 5:00 PM
    #7
    pop639

    pop639 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2012
    Member:
    #70908
    Messages:
    190
    Gender:
    Male
    Western PA
    Vehicle:
    16 SR5 DCSB 4x4
    a lift is going to give you problems if this vehilce is used daily. Stick with the 5100s or get ready for many alignments
     
  8. Feb 9, 2012 at 5:15 PM
    #8
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2010
    Member:
    #42625
    Messages:
    17,095
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Deogee
    Vehicle:
    07' TRD Off-Road, Auto
    STOCK
    My advice would be do it all at once. And do it only ONCE, the RIGHT way.
    If you do not have the upgraded TSB springs, then I'd highly recommend the add-a-leaf.
    As the stock 3 leaf setup is weak and bottoms out under load.

    With 3" you "should" get a Front Differential drop kit. It will help reduce the angles of the C.V. axles and boots. 3" is about the magic number on the diff drop. 2.5" setting seems do do fine with out it. You may need to shim the rear axle with an add-a-leaf. Alot of people don't, but if you get drive line vibs the next step is a shim kit. 2.5-3 degrees.


    Honestly the Gen 2 Tacomas don't take to lifts as well as the older Tacoma. 1996-2004
    To do it RIGHT it would cost more than I think it is worth.
    So I opted not to lift. But than again, I don't off-road much at all.
    Not only that, but if it's lifted you are not done. because if you actually use the truck off-road you WILL need to upgrade the under side.
    The stock ones are not much more than a splash guard. They dent and bend EASY.

    My best advice would to be don't lift unless you REALLY plane to use the lift. Other wise you are looking at more money and more problems.
     
  9. Feb 9, 2012 at 5:59 PM
    #9
    TACWUT

    TACWUT Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2011
    Member:
    #69242
    Messages:
    818
    Gender:
    Male
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    12 prerunner DC
    Flowmaster turndown, 5100 up front/5150 rear, maxtrac spindles, 2" tuff country add a leaf+TSB.
    Yeah but im referring to my personal experience
     
  10. Feb 9, 2012 at 6:04 PM
    #10
    TheGrinch

    TheGrinch Cheese Head.

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2010
    Member:
    #48070
    Messages:
    952
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    RP, CA
    Vehicle:
    07 TRD DCSB OffRoad on 33's
    6" procomp lift
    Texan saying hella... Well I'm hella shocked
     
  11. Feb 9, 2012 at 6:09 PM
    #11
    06silverbullet

    06silverbullet Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2011
    Member:
    #49455
    Messages:
    35
    Gender:
    Male
    Salem, SC
    Vehicle:
    2011 Sport DC 4X4
    3" Toytec w/ AAL's. GT Covers seat covers, Weathertech floorliners, 3M tint, Century Ultrasport cap w/ Yakima load warrior basket.
    You'll get a lot more payload with the aal's
     
  12. Feb 9, 2012 at 6:11 PM
    #12
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2008
    Member:
    #5246
    Messages:
    15,074
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kevin
    Wichita Falls, TX
    Vehicle:
    2011 taco, sport 4x4
    oil change...
    Spindles are for 2wd only
     
  13. Feb 13, 2012 at 1:22 PM
    #13
    jd17usmc

    jd17usmc [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2011
    Member:
    #54001
    Messages:
    75
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    jansen
    Gainesville, FL
    Vehicle:
    2012 TRD Sport 4wd doublecab grey 6 speed
    Bilstein 5100 all around to level it out.
    lol sounds great with a southern draw...

    ended up not putting the AAL on yet just the 5100s and leveled it, ill be reenlisting this summer ill use my bonus to get the wheels i want some springs and an upper control arm, hopefully that will work... next step after that ill look into cramming 34s in there after the 3" lift..
     
  14. Feb 13, 2012 at 10:04 PM
    #14
    KyleJ600

    KyleJ600 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2011
    Member:
    #68771
    Messages:
    37
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kyle
    Columbus ga
    Vehicle:
    Prerunner TRD sport
    I suggest doing the 3in lift. I have the leveling kit with 285/70/17 and I hate as I turn and accelerate cause as the body flexes, it scrubs. So I spent 400 bucks and had a 3in lift installed.
     
  15. Feb 14, 2012 at 12:15 PM
    #15
    wrxRome

    wrxRome Houston's Swamp Rat

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2011
    Member:
    #62338
    Messages:
    5,852
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brandon
    Covington, LA/Friendswood,TX
    Vehicle:
    06 SWB 4x4 trd off road
    that word has slown up here recently, its getting hella annoying :D...... but really, it gets annoying
     
  16. Feb 14, 2012 at 4:08 PM
    #16
    2K6 Taco

    2K6 Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2010
    Member:
    #37319
    Messages:
    612
    Gender:
    Male
    Philly
    Vehicle:
    06 TRD Sport D-Cab LG Bed
    So what would 5100's all around with eibach in the front and AAL in the rear cost?
     
  17. Feb 14, 2012 at 8:40 PM
    #17
    Mitch

    Mitch Somebody call for a Wambulance?

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2011
    Member:
    #58964
    Messages:
    5,629
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mitch
    Spokane, WA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Access Cab SR5 4x4
    Lights, Siren, Drugs, Needles, Electricity
    899 from toytec. Then take 5% off that for the tw discount
     
  18. Feb 14, 2012 at 9:31 PM
    #18
    jande016

    jande016 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2011
    Member:
    #69611
    Messages:
    56
    Gender:
    Male
    Puget Sound
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma Auto DC OR SB

    $629 from Toytec will get you this kit:

    $899 from Toytec will get you this kit:


    ...and like Mitch said, subtract the 5% TW discount from the above amounts.
     
  19. Feb 15, 2012 at 7:54 AM
    #19
    jd17usmc

    jd17usmc [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2011
    Member:
    #54001
    Messages:
    75
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    jansen
    Gainesville, FL
    Vehicle:
    2012 TRD Sport 4wd doublecab grey 6 speed
    Bilstein 5100 all around to level it out.
    i got the 5100 all around plus the aal for about 400...but that doesnt include springs although you can buy the springs seperate for about 150. what ive been told though is to do it right you need to put the springs on and upgrade your upper control arm.. and that costs some money..
     
  20. Feb 18, 2012 at 7:47 PM
    #20
    KyleJ600

    KyleJ600 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2011
    Member:
    #68771
    Messages:
    37
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kyle
    Columbus ga
    Vehicle:
    Prerunner TRD sport
    You can tell the difference on mine between a simple leveling kit and the full 3in lift. I prefer the 3in Lift......

    photo(2).jpg
    photo(1).jpg
     

Products Discussed in

To Top