Rear Suspension Lift Options? Help Please...

I have an '09 Tacoma (TRD Sport, Extended Cab, 6' Bed) that I bought used with a 3" body lift on it. There are Bilstein 5100s on the front and it looks the the ride height was adjusted up to level out the truck as well as provide clearance for 285/70/17 tires. I think the ride height may have been over-extended because the rear looks like it squats and I can't stand looking at it like that.

I just had Mr. Tire put some new tires on for me (285/70/17) and asked that they take a look at the ride height and give me a recommendation as to what to do to get the factory rake back on the truck. I told them how I would like to raise the rear and possibly add some load capacity. They ended up adjusting the ride height on the 5100s down 2" and now the tires rub. I will be bringing it back to have them raise it back up where it was.

My question is: What is my best option to get the rear up to the original rake. I think I have already talked myself into aftermarket leaf packs. I will just buy one that provides a 1-2" lift. This will also help my load capacity. The problem is that 90% of the time I am driving back and forth to work on the highway as this is my only vehicle. I like to occasionally get it out on the beach, trails or forest to get firewood...but I don't want something ridiculously stiff for all of my highway driving. Any other options or recommendations for a specific leaf pack?

 

3" body lift...is that what you mean by block? The springs are factory...i think it is a 3 leaf pack

 

no blocks...

Can you put an AAL on factory leaf packs and does an AAL add any load capacity or just provide lift?

Is there any additional hardware or modifications required if I go that route?

Also, please consider that I would prefer to do the best option, not necessarily the cheapest.

Thanks for the input.

 

He said it has a 3" body lift not suspension/blocks/etc. Am I reading this all wrong?

 

Take some pics of the lift (3" body lift) so we can see what your looking at front springs, rear leafs and around the frame

 

I've heard lots of good things about the OME Dakars but I have a couple of questions: Can I get them with less of a lift (maybe 1.5" as opposed to 2.75")? How do they ride on the road? Do I need to buy the bushing set, longer u-bolt set, FK29 driveline carrier drop kit and rear shocks?

 

If you want to do it right, ditch that body lift.

 

^X2 I have a block don't get that. Go with Dakars as stated above or a progressive leaf pack will get you around 1.5" instead of the Dakars in the rear.

 

Just do this
http://downsouthmotorsports.com/i-9449752-old-man-emu-complete-kit-for-05-13-tacoma.html

 

Ok, I will try to do this in a couple of hours and post. It is just 3" spacers for the body lift and 5100s on the front that were adjusted up to increase ride height and level out the truck. Rear suspension is still stock as far as I know.

 

I know, I know...I wouldnt have put it on myself, but since its there I'm just going to leave it alone. One day when its not my daily driver I will probably ditch the body lift and do it right from front to back...

 

You could remove it all in a weekend

 

X2. They are very reasonably priced for how well they perform. Mine have treated me well.

 

OK, so I think I am going to raise the 5100s all the way up to the 2.5" setting and get the Dakar springs which add a 2.75" rear lift. This should technically just put me 0.25" higher rake than factory, right? After the leaf springs settle a bit I should be back to the factory rake I assume. Am I missing anything? Keep in mind I also have a 3" body lift...

 

So you are currently at 4" or 4.5" total lift, 5100s at setting .85 or 1.5 and the 3in body lift? And you want to set the billies up to 2.5 which would give you 5.5 total lift... If your going to take it off some time anyway just take the body lift off now and do an aal to get 1.5" more in the rear.

 

I assume right now the 5100s are on the 1.75" setting since the truck has that terrible looking so called "bro lean". I want the factory rake back, but can't lower the front down to the 0" setting on the 5100s since I am running 285/70/17. So...either get another brand leaf pack that gives me 1.5-2.0" lift or get the OME's like I want to, which means I will have to jack the front up more to accommodate the extra lift that they provide. I will deal with the body lift in the future...thoughts?

 

I would rather get a better quality progressive leaf pack for improved road ride as well as increase load capacity and not an AAL band aid

 

Those Dakars should settle very little. I've stupidly loaded 1500lbs of pavers into the bed and was amazed how little they sagged. They have not sagged much over the 1 year I had them. I think Oz's settled a little bit after time - he does carry a hard topper and lots of tools I believe.

 

thanks for the input...so, do you think i will have too much of a rake with my proposed setup?

 

Personally - not at all. I would actually probably prefer a little more rake.

I've not had any prior experience with body lifts, FYI.