Best 3" lift for the money? (light offroad use)

Can you guys point me to the best 3" lift for the money?...

More like tell me exactly what you would recommend?

I want overall lasting quality all around ~ for the lift and for the truck's effected areas.

I mostly drive on the highway and maybe take it off road 1/month (and nothing major). So it would be mostly for looks.

I've owned a few trucks & SUVs with lifts but they were already installed when I bought the truck. This will be my first to purchase.

I was thinking the Toytec spacers with 2" add-a-leaf...?

Should I get coilovers? Should I replace the shocks? Do I really need to?

Sorry for the ignorance - just need a little help/clarity.

Thanks in advance - Jason

2006 TRD (sport) 4x4 Dble Cab Long Bed

 

best bang for your buck would be billistine 5100s adjustable shocks .85/1.85/2.5 and add a leaf. Spacers are not good

 

5100s from sonny at downsouthmotorsports.com. for $300 you will get 4 new shocks, 2.5" front lift and i personally believe is the best bang for the buck. as far as AAL, the 2.5 will level you out. if you want to keep the OEM rake, you'll need the AAL.

 

i really like my setup; i've got the same dc lb and sounds like it would serve you well too:

Bilstein 5100 shocks all around
OME 885 coils
1.5" Add-A-Leafs
Total Chaos upper control arms

don't know what your budget is though

here's a pic:

 

I have that lift and am pretty happy with it. That being said, I only drive on the highway and didn't want to spend too much money. Some say that the truck rides worse afterwards and it does a little, but not too much to me. I had a F-150 with a 3" body and 3" suspension previously. Even with new coils and shocks on it it rode horrible. The difference between the stock ride of the tacoma and the ride after the toytec lift is negligible IMO

 

IMO if your only going for the aggressive look I suggest either: or If you have the money and your gonna do some work offroading with your rig I suggest: or

 

I had the 5100s all around front set at 2.5" with the 2" aal in the rear on my 2006. It rode alittle stiff but I like how It felt solid. This time I have alittle more money so I'm thinking of going with the toytec OME kit on my new 2010. But I'm in the same boat as u. I don't really offroad but I wanna do something a little different this time around since I can financially.

 

I'm not on a "tight" budget but I'm not also made of money.

I'll spend the extra cash to for the overall longer lasting quality (since I plan to keep the truck awhile).

I would think I could easily pull this off (3" quality lift) for under $1K.

I would like to stuff a 33x12.50 tire under there. I've already done the body mount cut. From what I read I would now need a good 3" to clear that wide of a tire.

You guys are great. Thanks again. Please keep the recommendations coming.

So far I've heard "Bilstein 5100 shocks all around" the most.

 

I have to toytec ultimate lift with Ome leafs and lr uca's and love it so far,and put 285's on it. In my opinion its a great set up. Clearly there are many other ways to go but I like mine.Just my 2cents

 

Do spacers make your truck ride stiffer?

 

well, the bils are 2.5", you go any higher and you will also have to add UCAs (at least $450-650) to the list to get your alignment correct, fyi...

 

bump. Anyone else have input?

Want to fit a 33x12.5 tire. I have the body mount cut done. Want the best bang for the buck.

THANKS!

 

I got my alignment correct actually perfect with a 3'' lift...

 

only the spacer that pre loads the spring will make it stiffer. the one like i have is a top plate spacer and does not pre load the spring the ride is the same as stock

 

MachoTaco10, can you tell me exactly what you have so I can look it up and put it down on my consideration list? Do you think a 33x12.50 nitto mudgrappler tire will fit under there?

Thanks

 

good to know. thanks for the info.

 

Ome!

 

So if I do the same thing with 5100 , do I need to replace the the AAL & what is that??

Sorry I just had to ask...

 

most of the spacer lifts have the spacer that fits between the top of the spring and the top plate that is bolted to the top of the shock. the stiffer ride is because the spacer is keeping the shock extended and its limiting shock travel. take everyone's advice and stay away from these. i vote for the billy's. good luck!

 

Even if I cut the body mount? Where are you rubbing? on the front fender well?

Thanks