Lift for a 99 Taco

Hey everyone,

I have a 1999 Tacoma that I bought 2 years ago for a great deal. 3.6L & 4WD access cab.

I've done a bit of off-roading/hunting with it, but now I want a little more capability + the aesthetics of a nice lift.

I went to 4WheelParts and told they guy that money wasn't exactly important, but I wanted a 3" suspension overhaul, that would give me the best ride on and off road. For you guys, my budget here is ~$1500 but I'll up it to $2k if needed.

He suggested a 3" RevTek block kit and wouldn't talk about anything else... I didn't really know how to explain it to him, so I left.

So, I come to you. I'm real new to truck modifications, so if you guys could give me some suggestions, it would be great. I'm looking for:

• 3" Lift / suspension
• quality for off-roading and city driving
• With a 3" lift, is it possible to fit 285's? Also, how much backspace on the wheels would I need? this one is important
• Going to be outfitting this with an ARB bumper + medium duty winch, so probably need heavier duty.

I've read through the FAQs but there seems to be so much information these days I'm a bit lost.

thanks all!

 

Alrighty lack of responses might have to do with me being vague. My fault.

Looking at these two systems:

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Ultimate-Tacoma-lift-with-Bilstein-shocks_p_394.html

-and-

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/BOSS-Suspension-System-for-955-04-Tacoma_p_784.html

Questions:

- Which of the two above would you recommend? They're basically the same price.

- At what lift level will I need to drop my diff?

- Will 4.5" backspacing wheels be enough to fit some 285s? If it rubs the UCA a little at full lock that's okay. Should I look for 4"bs wheels? I do want these two stick out ~0.75" - 1.00" from my truck.

- Assuming all this works, do I need the full 3" of lift to fully fit the 285s? Or can I go 2.5"?

- Would you recommend a re-gear after this work?

 

You are on the right track there. Doing something that replaces all the shocks on gives you new front coils is going to ride way better and handle the ARB and winch. I wouldn't even consider spacers for lifting with extra weight.

Main differences between the BOSS and Ultimate are really just the front shock. The front shocks for the BOSS system are built by us so they are not a Bilstein. The valving is a bit firmer but handles and rides way better especially over bumpier stuff. The shaft is 5/8's instead of the 1/2 inch shaft in the Bilsteins in the Ultimate and the BOSS shock is rebuildable too.

Diff drop is not really required at any specific height but once you hit 2.5 inches of lift, it helps bring down the CV angle so thats where i usually recommend to install one.

4.5 inch BS is going to be close to the UCA with 285's but should be enough to clear it. A 4 inch BS will give you more room around the UCA but less room in the fenders when turned. Its hard to say exactly since every truck has different tolerances. Diameters and profiles of tires change a lot just between tire models too.

Hard to say about running 285's with 2.5 vs 3 inches. How opposed are you to cutting the inner fenders?

Up to you on regearing. I would probably skip it if it was me. The 3.4 does pretty well in these trucks. I'm running 35's and stock 4.10 gears in my 4Runner. It is supercharged though.

Let me know if you have any other questions

Dylan

 

Thanks for the input!

I'm really inexperienced with this so it's good to know I'm at least making sense and not totally wrong It also seems like you prefer the Boss (I wonder why haha) but you make a good case for it, so that'll be the one I go with. Also seems like I'm going to drop the diff, no biggie I guess. It comes with the kit anyways.

This is all going to happen when my current tires wear out in ~3 months ish, so I have a bit to prepare.

Thanks again!