Looking to improve off road performance

Hey Everyone,

New to the site so pardon me if i asking questions that have been answered several times. I am looking for some quality feed back on Front End parts and Suspension at the moment. Looking to redo for better off-road performance and longevity. I am currently running 33x12.50 BFG KM2 tires on 15X10 wheels. Have ordered a 3/2 lift kit which i will install this weekend and will be looking to upgrade soon. Thanks in advance for any info!

 

Welcome to the TW, can't help you but I suggest you try the search on the site.

 

Any replacement part you go with in the front end would be a good idea to get greasable items. Also polly bushings and tubular upper control arms are a must especially when lifting a taco. 3" lifts put the stock upper arms at such a downward angle they end up hitting the front springs at full extension. Also some company's upper arm kits will allow for a couple extra degrees of adjustment which will fix a lot of headaches for the guy doing the alignment. Remember to get extended sway bar links or say screw it and remove the links all together. That's just some things I can think of off the top of my head. Should give you couple ideas at least

 

Go with a mid travel or long travel kit depending on your budget

 

Search around in the off roading sub forum. Lots of info there.

It really depends on your budget...

 

Question about the sway bar links , why extend and or remove whats the benefits ? if I had the either choice I would just remove sounds easier now?

 

If you remove it your truck will lean more during turns

 

If OP said he ordered a 3/2 lift, that means he's already got spacers and blocks paid for and on their way.

No other suspensions types are advertised that way.

 

Bigjake what company did you go with?

 

better offroad suspension won't be spacers and blocks (assuming you did order that).

What is your budget? And what type of terrain do you want to tackle?

 

That is correct, my spacers and blocks with be in tomorrow. I am currently running Rancho shocks/struts so i will not be changing atm... Thanks for the info! I have been trying to buzz through some of these forums as i have time. My intent on this feed is to get quality feed back on aftermarket front end components and suspension setups that folks are current running, primarily focusing on Off-Road capabilities. This will be my first build, as i have always just replaced parts with the cheapest i could find, so i have very limited knowledge on the Name Brands and their pros/cons. This is to be my DD/Toy, so quality ride and performance is the end goal.

 

What parts specifically?

Don't understand why you are asking when you've ordered and plan on installing?

Upgrade what? The new stuff?

Before you start tear down, you better find out what the best overall plan of attack is. You might be much better off returning what you've ordered and going a different route. Or not. But we don't know that, because we don't know what you've ordered and what your true goals for using the vehicle are.

I will say this. Build it for how it's used 80% of the time. If you build it for the 20% you won't enjoy using it nearly as much. And buy quality stuff, do it right, do it once.

 

I'm am running a large tire that scrubs, the spacer and block lift is the quickest/cheapest fix atm, NOT PERMANENT!! I bought the truck as is, to build up. As of right now I'm just making it road worthy so i can use it while I rebuild the motor, running a spare motor from my cousin now, and when i have completed it i will be upgrading/replacing ALL front end and suspension parts.

 

Depending on your specifics, a lift may not fix the rub.

If the trucks in poor condition also, your cheap lift fix might cause more problems for you if it causes other worn components to fail. Just a heads up..

Maintenance/rebuild first, then modify IMO. Tire rub can be fixed for a cheap set of used tires, and if you're rebuilding the motor, you're not going to be rubbing the tires anyway since the truck isn't going to be driven.

 

Strut spacers might be somewhat not the end of the world on a pavement princess but on a truck even thinking about going offroad? Thats hell on the front end components. Over extended balljoints and harsh bottoming and shock damage due to the bump stops not being touched any more.

Id look into upgrading asap. 5100s or ome bare minimum.

Grab a hammer and make those tires clear stock height. Regular coilover lifts still use full range of travel and will rub where a spacer lift wouldn't

 

I am not looking to tackle any specific terrain, just an overall better performance. As far as a budget, whatever it takes to achieve the goal.

 

Lots of people say that, but it doesn't help anybody.

What's an actual dollar amount you're able to spend on parts alone (not including any installation labor, not including wheels or tires)?

 

You don't need another inch of lift, and if you can't afford a coil lift ($450), you can't afford SPC UCAs ($450).

If you can't afford either, you can't afford more lift. You're literally going to break expensive shit and not have money to fix it. It'll make $450 look like pocket change when you replace a CV and pay labor for someone else to do it.

I'd spend $330 on 5100s front and rear and get an AAL for $100-150, sell your RevTek and your 2016 front shocks, and then learn to love what you have and can afford.

 

$3,000 but i can go more if needed. I already bought the tires and i do all my own work.

 

2nd gen thread jackin, poor etiquette jk