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

RCD 4.5 vs 3" other lift

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by 2009tacomav6, Mar 11, 2009.

?

Is the 4.5 RCD worth the high cost ($2100) vs a 3" ($400)

  1. 3 inches is perfect for the look and upsizing

    173 vote(s)
    41.9%
  2. 3 inches is a better value than a 4.5

    72 vote(s)
    17.4%
  3. 4.5 kit is cool but not sure its worth the money

    127 vote(s)
    30.8%
  4. 4.5 + kits are not worth the cash if not off roading

    41 vote(s)
    9.9%
  1. Mar 11, 2009 at 11:41 AM
    #1
    2009tacomav6

    2009tacomav6 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2008
    Member:
    #11323
    Messages:
    383
    Gender:
    Male
    phx AZ
    Vehicle:
    2012 4x4
    TRD SC TRD Cat Back KMC 17x9 Addicts
    Is a 3 inch lift for 350 better or worse than spending 2100 for a 4.5 inch kit. Looking at both of the options out there and there is just a huge price gap in the +3 linch lifts... I do very little off roading, I just want to add bigger tires and add a little more aggressive look to the truck. I was looking at the 4.5 RCd install photos and I am not sure if its just the tires he has on there but the truck looks a little like a roller skate vs a nice aggreesive off road look.
     
  2. Mar 11, 2009 at 11:53 AM
    #2
    KMN-BLU

    KMN-BLU less work/more play

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2008
    Member:
    #12021
    Messages:
    1,097
    Gender:
    Male
    Destin, Fl
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tacoma TRD PRO
    Very good question. I had previously asked him for some different angle photos as I thought the truck looked unbalanced as well with those wheels/tires. I dont have an answer for you but I am considering the 4.5" RCD as well. Hope you get some good input here.

    I highly doubt though that the quality of a $350 lift will rival that of the RCD at $2100 even though they accomplish a similiar goal.
     
  3. Mar 11, 2009 at 12:01 PM
    #3
    2009tacomav6

    2009tacomav6 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2008
    Member:
    #11323
    Messages:
    383
    Gender:
    Male
    phx AZ
    Vehicle:
    2012 4x4
    TRD SC TRD Cat Back KMC 17x9 Addicts
    did you every get those photos? That is my biggest concern next to the cash output from the 2100 cost of the lift... I agree with you a full suspension lift will not doubt out perform the 350 3" kit but if the look is like the one photo we see I am not sure that is something that I like.... it just does not look good. While function is infact important, look is also important as I do a lot more regular driving than I do off roading...
     
  4. Mar 11, 2009 at 12:35 PM
    #4
    KMN-BLU

    KMN-BLU less work/more play

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2008
    Member:
    #12021
    Messages:
    1,097
    Gender:
    Male
    Destin, Fl
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tacoma TRD PRO
    no pics as of yet. DSM must be busy, or forgot, or
     
  5. Mar 11, 2009 at 4:43 PM
    #5
    06Bluez

    06Bluez Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2008
    Member:
    #7281
    Messages:
    961
    Gender:
    Male
    Phoenix, Arizona
    Vehicle:
    06 4x4
    Icon Coil-overs, TC UCA, with Bilstein 5150 and Icon 3 leaf pack. 17" Moto Metal 951 4.5" Backspacing wrapped in 285/70/17 BFG AT's. Demello front bumper and Avid offroad sliders.
    You would have a lot more ground clearance with the 3" lift as opposed to the RCD 4.5" lift. The RCD lift is a drop bracket lift. If you are 2wd then I would recommend looking into the Camburg 4" spindles.

    If you are 4wd and want more than a 3" lift then the drop bracket will be necessary.
     
  6. Mar 11, 2009 at 7:02 PM
    #6
    2009tacomav6

    2009tacomav6 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2008
    Member:
    #11323
    Messages:
    383
    Gender:
    Male
    phx AZ
    Vehicle:
    2012 4x4
    TRD SC TRD Cat Back KMC 17x9 Addicts
    good info! What tires are you runnig on that blue trick? They are looking nice.
     
  7. Mar 11, 2009 at 9:55 PM
    #7
    derekabraham

    derekabraham Living vicariously through everybody

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
    Member:
    #7822
    Messages:
    28,873
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    TW'S Hippy Liberal
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2002 4x4 4Runner
    Stick on hood scoop from Autozone.
    I think 3 inches is perfect.
     
  8. Mar 11, 2009 at 10:37 PM
    #8
    06Bluez

    06Bluez Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2008
    Member:
    #7281
    Messages:
    961
    Gender:
    Male
    Phoenix, Arizona
    Vehicle:
    06 4x4
    Icon Coil-overs, TC UCA, with Bilstein 5150 and Icon 3 leaf pack. 17" Moto Metal 951 4.5" Backspacing wrapped in 285/70/17 BFG AT's. Demello front bumper and Avid offroad sliders.
    285/65/r18 so basically 33" tires. the lift I have is 3" right now. But I have 4" camburg spindles sitting in my garage waiting to be installed! :D
     
  9. Mar 12, 2009 at 5:52 AM
    #9
    KMN-BLU

    KMN-BLU less work/more play

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2008
    Member:
    #12021
    Messages:
    1,097
    Gender:
    Male
    Destin, Fl
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tacoma TRD PRO

    yes 4wd.

    What do you consider a lot more ground clearance?

    I cant find any documentation that the clearance difference will be greater than 1/2 - 1 inch with the drop bracket. You will easily make that back up with a taller tire size.

    Im still educating myself on lifts so Im not questioning your answer, just looking for reasoning and where that is documented. I agree the differential would be slightly lower but if im not rock banging it anyway it shouldnt make a difference.

    There are so many lifts in style, type, size out there you really need a guide just to understand all that goes into them. If im going to possibly put $2000 + into a lift project I want to educate myself on what is best for me and my driving intentions. Its a cluster of stuff to understand.

    6" is to high for my taste, 3" just isnt enough for my flavor, 4.5" seems halfway enough to make sense. Like I said, Im still reading and learning along with most.

    Im almost ready to give up and put a damn leveling kit on and save the extra money.
     
  10. Mar 12, 2009 at 10:25 AM
    #10
    06Bluez

    06Bluez Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2008
    Member:
    #7281
    Messages:
    961
    Gender:
    Male
    Phoenix, Arizona
    Vehicle:
    06 4x4
    Icon Coil-overs, TC UCA, with Bilstein 5150 and Icon 3 leaf pack. 17" Moto Metal 951 4.5" Backspacing wrapped in 285/70/17 BFG AT's. Demello front bumper and Avid offroad sliders.
    The drop bracket is at least 4" lower. U can try and squeeze in a 35" tire for that extra ground clearance but with only 4.5" lift but you will have some serious rubbing issues.
     
  11. Mar 16, 2009 at 8:35 PM
    #11
    RelentlessFab

    RelentlessFab Eric @Relentless Fab Vendor

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2008
    Member:
    #4772
    Messages:
    15,719
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Sparks, NV
    Vehicle:
    07 AC 6mt>03 SR5 >08 Sport and 17 6MT TRD OR
    Relentless Armored! Too many others to list.
    You kind of answer your own question here. You state that 3" isnt enough, and 6" is too much so it looks like the 4.5" RCD is the logical choice even with its price. It appears that with the RCD you really get what you pay for. If you dont want to spend that much, I reccomend getting some Coilovers if you're concerned about the best ride as compared to a 3" spacer lift. JMO:cool:
     
  12. Mar 30, 2009 at 8:55 AM
    #12
    peejay

    peejay Yep im that Peejay..

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2009
    Member:
    #15134
    Messages:
    438
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    PJ
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    Running a tricked out rzr xp 4
    Rollin a Hemi, and wheelin a sick xp4
    For everyone that wants some pics of the new RCD lift. I will put some up later on this week or next. I am getting the lift put on mid week. Currently i have the Sway Away coil overs on there, and prior to that i had the spacer lift. So ill let you guys know as far the ride quality and such.

    08 Double Cab 4x4
     
  13. Mar 30, 2009 at 10:31 PM
    #13
    nvdeserted

    nvdeserted Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2008
    Member:
    #11062
    Messages:
    1,299
    Gender:
    Male
    Reno, NV
    Vehicle:
    2009 Tacoma TRD OR Access Cab
    Electric Dynolock tailgate, TrailGear Slides, , 285/75-16 Yoko Geolanders on Wheelers Type B, SAW 2.0 front and back, Camburg b/j UCA, 1.5" AAL, Ubolt flip, ARB bump.
    Sweet. Post some pics too.

    By the way, anyone have a link to the RCD 4.5" info? I'm only finding stuff for Tundras. Thanks.
     
  14. Mar 30, 2009 at 10:50 PM
    #14
    peejay

    peejay Yep im that Peejay..

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2009
    Member:
    #15134
    Messages:
    438
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    PJ
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    Running a tricked out rzr xp 4
    Rollin a Hemi, and wheelin a sick xp4
    For lifts on the tacoma. I am getting the RCD lift installed this week. I'll take pictures of it for you guys to see. It should look good with the 285/70/17 bfg's i have on there.

    As for lifts it all depends on what you want to do. if you only take your truck off road every now and then nothing serious. Go with the spacer lift. I originally put that on my truck For under $2500 i had the lift, rims and tires and magnaflow cat back put on. The lift rode pretty good, there was alittle tire rub but not to bad. You do have to do some trimming on the inside. (285/70/17 bfg's)

    I now have the 2.5 Sway Away's on there. Because my truck is 4x4 i only went up alittle over 2 inches because of the cv joints. (they were angled pretty good with the spacer to)

    I would recommend changing the Upper Control Arms, to help with the camber. As the new tacoma's tend to drift alittle when they get lifted.
     
  15. Apr 8, 2009 at 6:56 PM
    #15
    peejay

    peejay Yep im that Peejay..

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2009
    Member:
    #15134
    Messages:
    438
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    PJ
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    Running a tricked out rzr xp 4
    Rollin a Hemi, and wheelin a sick xp4
    Here's the pics of the RCD lift on my 08 4x4...its a really smooth ride. There's 12 inches of clearance from the bottom of the drop bracket. No rub on the 285/70/17's

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Apr 8, 2009 at 8:27 PM
    #16
    HBtacoma

    HBtacoma SoCal Tacomas

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2007
    Member:
    #2321
    Messages:
    867
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Oscar
    Huntington Beach
    || Deep Black Custom Paint By DUPONT FINISHES w/ Custom Airbrush Artwork || RCD 4.5 Inch Lift Kit || 20x10 Black XD Monster Wheels w/ Toyo MT 33x12.5x20 Tires || SATOSHI Grill || URD TCAI || Flowmaster 40 series dual exhaust || Pioneer AVIC-D3 w/ Bluetooth and Ipod || JL Audio 500/1 and 12" Kicker Sub || FJ 60 Toyota Emblem Painted Red || Black Custom Leather Interior w/graphite perforated body w/Red Double Stiching and TRD Logo || Leather Arm Rest Mod || T-REX Angry Eyelids || 20% Tinted Windows || Black Altezza Taillights || BHLM Headlights || LED Dome Light || LED Map Lights || HID 35w 6000k || Yellow Tinted Fogs || Nokya 2500k_55w Fog Lights || Painted Engine Cover || Bed Extender || Epic Indust. Bed Bar w/Fog Lamps Tinted Yellow ||
    dudeeeeeeee that looks badasss!!!! i cant wait to get mine istalled. how much they charge u for the install and where?
     
  17. Apr 8, 2009 at 8:57 PM
    #17
    peejay

    peejay Yep im that Peejay..

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2009
    Member:
    #15134
    Messages:
    438
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    PJ
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    Running a tricked out rzr xp 4
    Rollin a Hemi, and wheelin a sick xp4
    bro pm me and i will give you the low down...
     
  18. Apr 9, 2009 at 2:15 AM
    #18
    RedTaco2134

    RedTaco2134 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2008
    Member:
    #7324
    Messages:
    789
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Portland, Or
    Vehicle:
    08 Long Bed TRD Sport
    295/70/17 Cooper STT Pro, Revtek 3" lift. TSB rear and Blistein 5100's http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3097063
    I would get a 3" toytech, revtek. You can fit 285/70/17s, and still have plenty of flex.
     
  19. Apr 9, 2009 at 2:22 AM
    #19
    Delmarva

    Delmarva Mayor of TW

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2008
    Member:
    #10148
    Messages:
    36,628
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2013 4runner Limited Looking for a Taco
    It's the wife's T4R so it's stock
    peejay -- could you take a picture of the notch in the crossmember?
     
  20. Apr 9, 2009 at 3:15 PM
    #20
    peejay

    peejay Yep im that Peejay..

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2009
    Member:
    #15134
    Messages:
    438
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    PJ
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    Running a tricked out rzr xp 4
    Rollin a Hemi, and wheelin a sick xp4
    Bro this lift is insane. I ran the spacer on here, then i changed them out for the Sway Aways.. I absolutely love this lift...
     

Products Discussed in

To Top