New owner of a 2003 Tacoma

Hello all I'm Nomad,

I just left the world of Jeep and Chrysler for good. I didn't hate my Jeep but there were things I wasn't impressed with, lack of reliability, not enough room etc.

I recently purchased a 2003 Toyota Tacoma TRD Offroad in beautiful green color with about 170,000 miles.

I came to this forum because I don't know that much about the Tacoma, or cars in general for that matter (Haynes manuals have become my best friends) and I figured this would be a great place to ask the questions I have; so...

On my Jeep I had a 3 inch suspension lift kit from rough country. It completely replaced the back leaf springs (not add a leaf) and front coil springs. The only kit that Rough country has for my model Tacoma seems like it doesn't do anything to the suspension but put a block in the front and a d different attachment point (shackle?) For the back leaf springs. While this will raise my Tacoma it won't provide any sort of suspension upgrade like the lift for my Jeep did.

------at least that's the way I see it. I've attached pictures of the two kits (and a picture of my truck) can you all tell me if my thinking is correct or flawed?

 

looks good

 

Welcome to the site. Do you have a budget in mind? I'd skip the Rough Country and go with these.

http://www.headstrongoffroad.com/st..._Kit_for_1995.5-2004_Tacoma_(HS9504BK-1).html

 

Welcome

 

Welcome to TW!

 

I haven't heard many good things about the Rough Country kits, if youre looking for a quality budget lift I'd go with Bilstein 5100s or OME struts with OME coils, and AALs or new Dakars in the rear. If money is no object then look into King, Icon or Fox setups. Welcome!

 

fox setup

 

Ideally, I'd like to spend no more than $500 in parts because I won't be able to do the labor myself, which will add additional cost.

 

Also, don't worry, those step sides (is that what they are called?) Are coming off as soon as I buy an angle grinder. I'm 6'2" and they just get in my way.

 

get blistein shocks or fox shocks I am not sure on the prices though. imo you could do the rears your self easy with a few tools the fronts will be harder.

 

Since it's the TRD Offroad version, is it even worth it to update the suspension?

 

matters what you are doing, personally the trd is great imo, but matters what you are doing off road.

 

$500 is a tight budget for a good suspension lift. May just have to go with 5100s all around and a single AAL in the rear. Hopefully have enough left over for a set of OME coils, 883s maybe. I think that may put you at closer to $700 though. That's assuming you can install it yourself, having a shop do it will run you at least another $300.

The stock TRD suspension on the first gens is adequate but you can do much better. Keep in mind, 5100s are essentially the same setup as the stock TRD suspension only you can adjust them for lift.

I wheeled my truck with the stock TRD suspension on it pretty hard for a few months after I got the truck, it did just fine aside from the fact that my clearance was minimal

 

Since it's a 13 year old truck, it is time to update the suspension regardless.

 

I don't really "off road" persae but I hunt a lot and need to be able to "go anywhere without worrying about it" if that makes sense.

 

That's why I liked the rough country kit for my Jeep, complete suspension upgrade at about $500

 

Welcome to the club!Great info from Ryan(eon_blue)above^!Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road will take care of you as well!

 

If budget is tight, I'd just do a complete Bilstein 5100 set up with an add a leaf in the back light someone has recommended. Though replacing the front coils as well is a good idea but not required but pre-loading the front coils with the 5100's can resort to a stiffer ride. BUT if you're just looking to level the front end, the 5100's can be set to the middle setting (1") and add a leaf will not be needed. Total for a set would be about $350ish. Get better tires (265/75r16). This set up will not only ride better than stock but also looks good.

If I was doing it, I would go OME 881 coils (about 2" lift), add a leaf, Bilstein 5100's. This would be about $600ish. If you want to do the labor yourself, I recommend getting the assembly which is just an additional $100 and put you at $700ish. Not hard to do at all with the coils assembled.

Contact Marie at Headstrong Offroad.

 

Level the front end? It looks pretty level right now.

 

Looks and actual measurements can be deceiving. Looking at your rear bumper with that rust, I think you can have bigger problems. Did you check your frame for rust?