So lost on lifts.

So I went to buy new wheels and tires today for my 2012 DC TRD sport. However when I said I wanted to go with new 17" wheels with 265/70/17 tires the sales person said I would need a leveling kit. Well at this point I said I will think it over and come back. He suggested to me that I purchase a 2.25" ready lift. Now from prior readings I have read that these are not that great and should be avoided.
Im now thinking that ill buy a 3" over all lift but dont want to go cheap because I have a feeling that in the long run it will only cost me more. So from my reading I would like to go with the bilstein 5100's in the front but idk what else I will need. I also want to know why these were not suggested to me in the first place because they seem cheaper then the $250 ready lift. Now in lifting the front I also now want to lift the rear but want to avoid blocks. So this brings me back to what do I need to lift the rear.
Now for my last and final worry by changing the lift to what ever is suggested what will happen to my Ride, Noise level and durability. The truck only has 800 miles on it and I dont want to kill it.
Please help me lol.

 

If you want good get the OME kit with 885 coils, 1.5" AAL, OME shocks, LR UCAs and you'll have a great kit for ~$1100 then wheels and tires. However, to run 265/70r17 tires you do not need a lift of any kind.

 

Just to add i have a long bed does that mean i should go with the 886's?? IDK just read it before.

 

Only do the 886 if you plan to get an aftermarket bumper

 

so ill do 5100's with new coils and UCA's for the front and AAL for the rear. For the AAL will I need new shocks i.e another set of (5100's) and coils? Is this all ill need, just worried because i have heard things like new ball joints and brake lines <--- IDK im a NOOB.



Also where do I get these parts I have checked out several sites but cant find anything for my truck.

 

So do you actually want a lift? As mentioned you don't need a lift of any kind for those tires.

 

Check out toytec.com or wheelers offroad.

With the long bed, I'd recommend the OME kit with 885s and top plate spacer. I have a double cab short bed and got right at 3" of lift, maybe a hair more. I also have the 2" add a leaf. The truck sits pretty level, and is noticably higher than a fellow Marylander's double cab long bed who is running 285/70/17s on the Bilstein shock/Eibach spring combo.

885s with no top plate should get you around 2.25-2.5 (paging Dr. OZ-T).

Your ride will be "firmer," but not in a bad way. The truck feels very stable. You may notice the ride will be stiffer but that will likely be due to load range D or E tires with the size upgrade.

And, as mentioned earlier, no lift is needed for 265/70/17s which can be had in more "forgiving" load ranges.

Party on!

 

And don't be afraid to poke your head in the Maryland tacoma thread!

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/north-east/198020-maryland-tacomas.html

 

with your DC LB if you go 5100 all around with 885 coils and a top plate spacer (only if you want a full 3") with new AAL and UCAs ull be riding around 3" at least thats what mine settled at

 

Yep , as above , no lift required at all to go to 265/70/17

What is your budget for a lift OP ?

 

Not sure $1500? I do want a lift kit I just want to avoid spacers. If im going to do it I want it done correclty the first time to avoid problems later on down the road or undo wear and tear. Sorry for my ingnorance but im a noob at this stuff.

This is the kit I found...Do I need the UCA's?

 

I have that kit, no complaints so far. You'd be fine with that or the OME kit. Lots of people run both. I got new UCA's. You may or may not need new ones to get aligned within spec. If you don't mind going back to the shop and getting another alignment you could always try without and see what happens. I just got them right away to avoid any issues or having to go back in to the shop to get them installed and have it aligned again.

 

You don't "need" them, but they are recommended to get your alignment in spec after lifting.

Edit: what jtav said!

 

For a full 3" kit , I would get them

 

Scope, Wheelersoffroad has a full Old Man Emu(OME) kit for $1110 with everything you need. Shipping is ~$175 If you have them assemble the coils it'll be $200. You can save the $200 if you do it yourself, but you will have to reuse the top plate and bushing from your truck. Not a big deal if you have the time and know how, from what I understand. I am about to put this setup on my truck as soon as it gets here. I am having the coils done locally and reusing parts. It'll cost me less, but my truck will be down until my next day off work once I take the coils off. Hopefully I wont need UCA's. I'll be able to tell you for sure in a couple weeks.

 

Sounds good I would like to hear how that works out. The bad thing is Im prolly going to have a shop do the work, Im ok at taking stuff a part and putting it back together lol and I wouldnt dought that I could do it but it comes down to time and proper tools.

 

Which coils ?

 

I am getting 885's

 

Well , 885's on your AC will probably get you 3" of lift , but only 2 1/2" on the OP's Doublecab

 

That's the rumor.

Me and a guy from work are going to install it sometime in the next couple weeks. Wheelers is out of the rear shock at the moment. Hopefully they will ship in the next day or two still. I'm anxious to get it on. Oz, what are your thoughts on whether I will have to have the UCA's with my setup?