Lift is installed. Prices, Pics and my experience Maybe this will help..

SUP Taco-heads! Just got my new lift kit freshly installed on my 2011 AC TRD off-road with tow package and Leer 100xl canopy. After lots of research on TW and other sources, I decided to "mix my lift" and go with the Icon stage 1 kit with OME Dakar leaf's and Total Chaos uniball UCA's. Just wanted to share a quick summary of my experience and price while its still freshly installed and maybe get a few likes in the process. Hopefully even help out someone who was in my position when I first started to delve into the crazy ethos of lift options.
I purchased everything through Wheelers Off-Road Inc in Grants Pass, Oregon which I live an hour away from so no need for shipping, and had it installed by Mikes Custom Toys in Grants Pass, OR as well. I will post a complete parts list and prices below, but first a summary of my experience and needs. (Please correct me if I'm wrong or misguided somewhere.)

First I will break down my needs. I was looking for kits in the 3" category of medium to high quality. Since this vehicle is my daily driver, I wanted something good for light/medium off-roading but also performed well on the road. Towing is important for me as well, so a new leaf pack was best suited for my needs. I didn't want to go for the cheapest option while also not spending too much and have something that I'll never use to it's full potential. Quality is really important to me and I don't mind spending a little extra to have more chance of avoiding problems down the road. (Literally) Basically, I wanted a good, versatile lift for a reasonable price that would last long while maintaining towing ability.

I chose the Icon Vehicle Dynamics Stage 1 because it was perfect for my needs. I knew it was the cheapest option from Icon, while getting really good coilovers and rear shocks in the back. The stage 1 kit was also perfect because it does not come with the rear leafs and I already knew I wanted to go with OME Dakar full leaf pack's instead of the AAL's supplied in the Icon stage 2 kit. (The stage 2 kit also has the rear resi shocks which I didn't necessarily need)
Like I said, towing is important to me as well as extra weight in the bed, (Leer canopy and camping gear), which is why I chose to go with OME Dakar leaf packs. I saw these leafs popping up all over the forum with positive reviews. They are versatile and not too expensive. They are also nice because of the option to add or remove leafs for specific needs like towing or extra weight. The Icon AAL's that come with the stage 2 kit would not of given me those options.
Since I wanted to try for the full 3 inches of lift, I decided to go ahead and order some Total Chaos uniball UCA's. I've seen people on here who've lifted their trucks and kept the stock uca's on without problems but I just wanted to not worry about it and get it done now. Total Chaos has a great reputation and a good price. Plus, I love how the grey color with blue lettering pops out against the black backdrop. Really looks good IMO.
While I was at it, I went ahead and got a u-bolt flip kit cuz why not son? Might as well since they are only around 80 bones and I hate seeing my u-bolt's hanging down where they can catch more rocks and whatever else I decide to run over. I went with the All Pro kit which is (9/16 x 3.25 x 8.5")

Wheelers had good prices and even knocked a little off the top for a fellow tacomaworld member. They were easy to deal with and surprisingly had everything right there in stock. And even though the new Dakar leafs didn't fit in my friends car, they offered to hold on to them and even dropped them off at Mikes Custom Toys for me.
Mikes Custom Toys is the shop Wheelers recommends so I decided to use them. I was really happy with them as they were really good to work with. I dropped my truck off in the morning and had it back by 4:30 with the all new suspension and new Kenwood head unit with infinity door speakers installed. Mike is a good guy and does good work from my experience. His prices are very reasonable (especially for the audio install which was only a $100) and they seem very familiar with Toyota which is their specialty. Will definitely be using them more in the future and probably will have my service done there as well. Much better than feeding my money to the shady toyota dealership in town.

PRICE- Wheelers - All parts with discount - $2,740
Mike's Custom Toys - Suspension install - $445

Here is my complete list of parts;
Currently, I'm sitting at 2.5" of lift in the front until my rear leafs settle, then I can see if I will go any higher on the front coilovers. Right now she looks a little goofy sitting on my Toyo 265/70r16's but one step at a time.. (PM me if interested in buying my wheels and tires once I get my new ones in hopefully this month.) Here are some pics starting with a before and after.






I know I will be happy with this setup and can't wait to test it out on some logging roads or sand dunes. I'll post more info on how they do later down the road but just wanted to lay this out for someone possibly interested in a similar setup. (And show it off a little.) Thanks for reading.

 

Sub'ing. Interested in the performance of the Ikons on the logging roads. Planning on doing something similar down the road but less lift.

 

I'll let you know for sure.

 

Nice truck bud!
What kenwood head unit did you go with?

 

Subbed

 

Thanks. From your avatar it look like you doing the same kind of driving I'm looking for.

 

I went with this Kenwood head unit that I ordered off Amazon.

Kenwood DDX6702S 6.2" DVD Receiver with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and HD Radio

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015WKUMTG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I'm going to do a writeup on it once I figure it all out. Been getting ready for a camping trip so haven't had much time to play with it yet.

 

How are the UCA's treating ya? I'm deciding between those and Fabtech but can't nail down any solid reviews on either. How did your alignment come out and did you end up getting the full 3 inches?

 

this is basically exactly what I've been planning to do. Wondering how the dakars will work out. I thought about removing a leaf if I get em. But everthing else is basically what I want.

 

I've never heard anything bad about total chaos but I'm sure there is someone out there who has an opinion to that. With that said, everything has been great. I'm currently at 2.5" in the front which is sitting pretty good right now, so I doubt I will go any higher. I had a little issue getting the alignment numbers totally right on the front passenger but not to the fault of the UCA's. Since I don't really no shit about truck suspensions, it had something to do with the camber and getting something to break loose in my LCA in order to adjust it where it needed to be. Fortunately, they got the tires aligned, I just have to deal with a little pull to the right until I can get it back in the shop and they can fix it right. Like I said, I can't remember what exactly the problem was off hand but I just know it was something in my stock LCA.

 

After shit tons of research, this was the lift I came up with that was best for me. Dakars were perfect since I haul a little weight here and there and love having the options to add or remove leafs. Was a much better option than a AAL from Icon. I'm sure you can't go wrong with them.

 

Here is an updated picture after my new wheels and tires were installed..

 

Looking good, what size tires and type did you go with?
I like you PNW sticker. Sweet

 

Fellow Oregonian here....I am in the gorge. In your research of this lift, are you concerned with CV issues, i.e. boots failing etc.? When I lifted my 99' T4R I ate boots like a fat kid eats 'tater chips, until I did the boot stretch mod. This is the one thing that is preventing me from lifting my 07' Taco, CV issues and ball joint issues. Mine's a daily driver and I need the longevity of factory parts....NICE truck man!!!

 

also wondering what size rims and tires. Ive been looking for a 3 inch lift and wondering if it will look weird with my pathfinder 265s on or not

 

Thanks. I'm running 255/80r17 cooper st maxx's

 

Great rims

 

The pics at the top are with a 3" lift sitting on 265's which did look a little goofy but I remedied that.

 

Thanks bud. I'm hoping I won't have any issues with the cv boot but don't know much about that issue. I guess I'll have to cross that bridge when/ if get there. Apparently there are a few mods on TW to help prevent that but I haven't looked into that much yet. With so many things to know/ research, I'm just hoping I'll never have to deal with that. I got the Total Chaos uniball uca's to avoid dealing with any issues there as well.