02 Tacoma 3"

Sorry guys another lift question. I got a 02 tacoma. and i want a lift that is going to keep my truck level. I really would like to run 285/75R16's. If i got 3" do i really need the transfer case drop kit?? I dont have alot of time todo it my self was going to have Les Schawb do it. I work at O'Reilly's and probley could get something cheap but then NOONE would wanna install it..... ANY THOUGHTS. Toytech? Procomp? WHAT SHOULD I DO??? I Live in MT. so our tire shops are limited lol... Sorry for long post but please help. THANKS DAN

 

I have a 3" Revtech lift kit on my 02 and love it. Im able to run 33x12.5 with very little rub at all. So I would do some research on there website and see what they have, should be able to do it your self with some tools. Good luck on finding your lift.

 

you can get a toytec 3 inch kit for a real reasonable price, one with coils and aal, that will level your truck and give you a good ride. a diff drop is highly recommended cause you'll have weird angles on the cv's without it........and no need to tear them up when i diff drop kit is as inexpensive as they are and easy to install. i still think with 285's....you'll still need to remove the mud flaps and maybe do a bit of trimming.

 

yeah, uca's will be a good idea if you want your alignment to be exactly where its supposed to be, but its not necessarily a must have. they are a good idea though. even though i dont have much of a lift on my truck....im still saving for a set of tc uca's since im an alignment perfectionist.

i still say that with a 3 inch lift on a 4x4......a diff drop is a good idea.

 

uca's may be needed.....i could be wrong, but greenbean had his 03 with a 3 inch lift,running 285/75/16's and im pretty sure he had stock uca's. like i said...i could be wrong, but im pretty sure.

 

Okay really stupid question WAT IS A UCA??? Lol i work in a parts store and am still confused.... Another quick question do i really need a AAL??? or will a block work, the guy at my tire shop was saying if i'm not really going to be hauling anything heavy just go with the blocks... still like the idea of a AAL....SUGGESTIONS??? thanks dan

 

UCA= Upper Control Arm. I would go with an AAL before blocks. If you're going to run stock wheels, You'll need 1.5" wheel spacers and you're UCAs won't be a problem.

 

Stay away from blocks...

Damn, I guess I am in a bad mood tonight, but why the hell would you consider what size of tire you should get if your truck won't support them?!?

Here's the way I see it. Decide how you are going to use your truck as far as wheeling or DD and work from there. If you want large tires because they look cool, you're just wrong. If you want large tires, you are going to need a lift unless you want to go getto. So decide what kind of lift you can afford, consider it's affect on your truck/ride and THEN decide which tires size will work for your application. 33's or 35's are cool IF you have the proper suspension. Don't get it backwards! I ran 33x12.50's on my lats Taco, but I had plenty of lift to support them. Why would anyone want to trim etc, just to fit large tires?!?!

Research all the *many* lift options, find one you are comfortable with, or what you can afford THEN consider tire size. If you do otherwise, you're just wrong. Bottom line....

Sorry to be so bitchy. Just lost my sister to cancer, my ex is stalking me and my local bar 86'ed me for stopping a guy from roughing up a pretty young lady... Life sucks, but my Tacoma always listens and tries to do it's best to do what I ask of it...

 

my local off road shop is gunna charge me $725 (thats discounted from 850) for a 3" lift. spacers in the front, and a AAL rear, and an alignment. I after chrome rims but there still stock style... sound like a good price?? right now i had 265'75r 16's would those look too small with the lift... or step up to some 285s??? thanks Dan

 

just my opinion, but you could install the lift yourself and save alotta $$$. anyway.....265/75/16's will look fine on the truck.....and you wont have to do anything special for them to fit. with 285's........you gotta do some trimming and mud flap removal so they wont rub.

 

i already have my mud flaps off because my big horns 265's are rubbing,, when i turn on bumps, mudding. ect.............. what will help, already trimmed and beat in the seam welds

 

well, since you already did that...you may not need to trim anything else for the 285's to fit.

 

The front, as far as installing a coil-over lift should take about 30 minutes each side. The rear, AAL's will take longer. Make sure you have the proper sized center pin an U bults. Other than that, installing a minor lift is no big deal.

The only reason I can see for installing 285's is that you have properly decided on a proper *susspension* lift that meets your needs - being it wheeling or DD. A body lift would to look cool, but would be a wrong move...

Did I read that you have already trimmed? I'm sorry.

 

I got had mine lifted 3inches with a spacer lift and with stock wheels and 285's the tire made contact with the upper arm and rear frame rail on full lock turns, you'll need at least some wheel spacers and trimming of all sorts, I would honestly go for like a metric sized 32inch tire cuz for dd its great but as soon as you hit the trail your gonna hear it rubbing all over, I switched to king coilovers and wheelers type b rims(4" backspacing) in front to solve my uca and frame contact problem

 

okay, like i said early i work at O'Reillys... anyways i found some front spacers 2.5" for like a 130$ (my cost) !! hehe.... is that gunna put my truck about level??? should i go that route? will i beable to put 285's or 32"s on the front?? or do i need 3" front spacers... the main thing i want it for is looks.. and then in the snow.. (live in MT) THANKS GUYS ALL OF YOU HAVE BEEN BIG HELP.... anyone on here live in MT. (msla)>>>>??? thanks........dan

 

you should be good with 2.5 but with 285's with stock wheels your gonna rub the frame at full turn unless you get spacers for your wheels, your front end is gonna be alittle higher than the rear so you'll have a bit of a cali lift

 

Without an AAL, 2.5" up front is going to make the front sit higher than the back. A 265/75/16 (32") tire will fit on your truck stock and won't look stupid if you lift. If you go for a 285/75/16 (33") tire, you'll need the lift, aftermarket wheels or quality wheel spacers, and remove front mud flaps + pinch weld mod. Before you ask......
http://www.customtacos.com/tech/index.php?article=9 (pinch weld mod)

 

lol i know what a pinch weld is. on the avg.... wat will a AAL add height wise?? specific brand to use??