If I'm not going to lift it, what upgrades should I add.....

If you're doing desert or dirt you likely wouldn't need sliders but if you're going over rocks or tight trails up against trees you likely will need them. If you think you'll need to use a highlift to jack up the truck over anything to get it free you'll need them.

I don't do alot of rock crawling, mostly sandy areas in the Outer Banks and dirt on the fire roads but I put alot of stuff on my roofrack, having sliders makes it easier for me to get up to it.

 

I'm on Tacoma #4, 4wd #17, and have been driving a 4wd of some sort for 42-1/2 years now. All but 2 were lifted. To my knowledge I've NEVER had an issue that was caused by the lift. Just stay with reputable brands, stay within reasonable limits, and you'll not see problems. 93,000+ miles on current lifted Tacoma. It rides and drives BETTER than stock. It now has sufficient clearance for MOST off roading, and would benefit by increased lift. In no way is my truck lifted for ego....It's all about getting in and out of the places I like to spend my time.

 

Sliders are one of those things you don't need until AFTER you needed them. Not essential, but they sure do their job when called upon.

 

You sir are the exception. When you change engineered design angles, etc. parts WILL wear faster or cause issues with other parts. And I've have lifted non lifted sure they may be small issues but they wouldn't have existed without the lift.

 

Last 3 lifted trucks prior to the current one went well over 250,000 miles. One near 400,000..... Current @ 93,000. Parts wear regardless of modifications. Most wear on 4wds occur regardless of lifted or not when they're put into a harsh environment from time to time.

 

Thanks for the perspective. I'm in Oklahoma, so not a desert setting, but lots of trees and rocks. The ability to use a high lift jack is one of the reasons I've been considering them!

 

Man, if I thought I'd have your luck, I'd lift it in a heartbeat. I really only want 2 to 3 inches of lift, but like I said earlier, I can't find anyone in Oklahoma that sells, and more importantly installs the good stuff. I can find Rough Country, etc but no OME, Fox, Icon, etc.....

 

The age of the internet! They're closed for vacation until next week, but Headstrong offroad is a great source for quality lift components. They have all the "good stuff". They ship to your door, and do so for less money than any local vendors I've been able to find. Installs? Well, that's another issue altogether. It's not uncommon for several TW'ers to get together for a "mod day". Installing a lift isn't as difficult as it sounds.

I'll be the first to say an extreme lift will cause major issues. THAT said, as long as the lift is kept within reasonable limits, the suspension geometry isn't changed so drastically as to cause problems. Personally, I'd draw the line at 2-1/2" front/ 2" rear on Gen 2/3 Tacoma's.

My wife and I take LONG road trips, do some off roading with just our vehicle (as long as it's not a risky trail) The LAST thing I want is loss of reliability. In fact, I look to INCREASE that aspect. Getting transmission/transfer case/exhaust/etc up and out of harms way will be of benefit. Just don't get carried away....

 

I would love to do what you described in your last paragraph. That was my intention all along, I just got turned off by a lot of the comments I've read about premature wear on components due to increased geometry. I've also read just what you said, that if you keep it less than 3 inches, the problems are certainly fewer. Sounds like you've had good look with your lifts.

I'll have to keep searching for a place that would do an install if I decide to do a small lift. Right now, I'm just trying to decide on sliders!

 

If life wouldn't have thrown me a curve ball, there'd be sliders on my truck already. (Was diagnosed with kidney cancer a while back...Had surgery, now cancer free but paying doctor bills for a while) Sliders are an insurance policy if you do much off road. If they do no more than to just give you some assurance you aren't going to smash the rocker panels, they've done their job! That's the very next thing my current ride will get....after I hand over the next $17,000 of "expendable cash" to pay for my doctor's new Range Rover....

 

I've added 5100s set at stock height and 265/70/17 tires and couldn't be happier. It seems a large percent of lifted tacoma's around my area have a nasty rear lean when I see them heading down the interstate which I didn't want. Maybe they sit level when not fighting the wind.

 

Wow, sorry to hear about the health issues, but at least you're now cancer free! I'm thinking about them the same way, peace of mind if nothing else.

 

Yeah, I certainly don't want the bro lean. I've heard Bilstein is coming out with a new shock for the 2016 Tacos this year. I've kind of been waiting to see if that's true or now. If not, I may consider some 5100s just to get level.

 

Amen x2.

I travel offroad a lot ( I hunt and camp a ton) and my plan is to go with 265/70/17 tires on TRD Pro wheels (Cooper ST/MAXX), sliders and armor first then assess it as the need arises. I do travel some pretty cranky trails, but I'm the kind of person that tries to find the easiest route to point 'B' and not purposely rock crawl and stuff. Just not my cup of tea. I suspect I may need to to do some upgrading simply based on what I run those trails with now (a slightly lifted 1999 Jeep Cherokee), but I will cross the bridge when I get to it.

Lifting a truck unnecessarily just causes too much pain from my perspective. Not only is it an added expenses upfront, but a continued expense in maintenance, potential drive ability issues, warranty issues and it's more of a pain in the ass to use the truck as a truck. If I need to tweak my suspension, it will be at the least amount necessary and with maintenance and functionality in mind.

I think it's great that other folks like to lift their trucks and modify them, especially if they like the sport of offroading or crawling- seriously if that's your cup of tea go for it! For me I need a truck that get's me to where I want to go so I can pursue my favorite hobbies- hunting, fishing, camping and hiking. $3,000 in suspension upgrades is highly unnecessary for me to do that.

 

Yes, for me, reliability has to be #1. I don't want to compromise that, but I'd like to have it as off road capable as I can get it and maintain good on road characteristics as well. The stuff of unicorns, I know...

But, I should be able to do some moderate off roading with a few decent upgrades. I'm just trying to prioritize and get the biggest bang for the buck.

 

I gotta plug this one too- Another thing I don't need (or want) is a big heavy steel bumper in the front of my truck with a big heavy winch on it. However from experience I can say it is really, really nice to have some recovery options upfront as well as in the rear. Mobtowns recovery option for Taco's was a top priority for me. Having a receiver hitch upfront is a HUGE bonus.

The first thing I'm going to do is remove my front mounted WARN winch from my 1999 Cherokee and put it on a portable carrier (and I'm welding a front receiver to the Cherokee bumper too). Now I can use 1 winch for both vehicles on the front or on the back. If I'm not offroading the winch stays in the shop. (Plus the winch comes in REALLY handy in my shop too).

I hunt alone and I can tell you I have used a come along and straps to pull myself back OUT of a stuck just as many times as I used the winch upfront to pull myself through. To me having the option to use either end is smarter, saves a TON of money and gives me more options. Plus I can use my front receiver hitch to easily move my 18' boat into my planned shop..

 

Amen x3
I am with you bigger set of tires some good gear in the back and my Truck suspension out of the box has never let me down sure there has been places I cant go but I want to be able to drive my truck home as well. That's what is great about Tacoma's they are so easily customize to fit your needs what ever it is, I am on Taco #3 and also have had 2 Tundra's not saying a lift is out of the question just never had the need for it. Good luck to you what ever direction you choose to go.

 

Thanks. Still don't have plans to do a lift right now. I planned to order sliders this week, but am rethinking those right now.....:

 

I wouldn't rethink it if you have the cash. When I was looking at running boards I was going to be paying $600 for a good set, so I just went with sliders for a little more. If you already have steps, then this advice won't help you.

 

And I do have steps, but they would be detrimental off roading. They just hand down too far. So, I'm going to take them off and sell them. I just haven't decided to replace them with sliders or go without.