ToyTec 3" (Dealership's Pick)

The dealership where I got my 17 OR installs lifts and regularly has a new Taco or 2 on the lot that they have lifted. Their lift of choice (according to the widow sticker) is the ToyTec 3". Looking over, it appears to have the whole new strut and spacer set up with blocks in the rear (best I can tell). The shocks are not remote res. They do not put on new Control arms, and they load these trucks with Pro Wheels and 285/16's.

The stance is perfect and the dealership says that they ride as good as factory at least. The current one is in the showroom on a display, so I can't test drive it to see for myself.

I know opinions vary a great deal and I have read a bunch of them, but are there any particular negatives to that lift (from people who have that lift)?

Since I bought my truck there, the dealership is hinting that they will slide me a deal on that lift. (I'm sure they get a deal themselves). I can see all the components and there is no doubt it has the looks. My wheeling in this truck will be mainly 2 tracks and forest roads. It will drive cross country to Colorado and we'll be hitting many of the off road alpine passes and a few light duty trails in Moab. So it's not my trail rig. More like an adventure vehicle that I use for work as well.

Any input on that lift is welcome.

 

That's a big lift for what you plan on using it for.

I'd say leave stock with different tires or if you really want to lift don't go above 2"

 

IMO nothing is as good as factory.....for any vehicle. But I agree with @ElGatoLoco you don't need that much.

Plus I am sure you can get the parts from an online vendor (could always wait for a group up) and have installed by another local company for cheaper.

 

GOnna love your "my truck rides like shit" thread.

 

IMO, there's nothing wrong with the Toytec kit as long as you remember it's an entry-level kit (still being much better than just spacers or "leveling kits"). It will not perform as good as full coilover suspensions and new leafs (kings,Icon, OME etc.), but from what you are describing as your intended purpose for the truck it should be more than sufficient. I had a Toytec lift on my first Tacoma and was extremely pleased with the ride and aesthetics, never had any complaints. When my intended purpose changed, my needs changed and the truck and suspension changed. It's tricky to ask an online forum what's good and what's not good in terms of suspension because everyone will have their opinion, some having little to no experience with what they're steering you away from. The main key to keep in mind is what you will actually be doing with your truck and finding what works best for those needs as well as your budget. I don't have a $10k suspension system not because I can't afford it, but rather because I'll never use it to it's fullest potential, thus I have no need for it.

FWIW, I'd stay away from dealer installed lifts because they will usually gouge you on price no matter how good a deal they tell you they are giving you. If you have any mechanic buddies, I'd suggest buying the kit and making a weekend of it. Since you're new here, I might also add that as a community, we usually tend to look out for our own so you might even be able to score install help from some local guys as long as you provide the grilled meats and frosty beverages.

Welcome aboard. Try not to be an ass and you'll learn a lot from these guys. I did.

 

That's why I'm asking. I've owned many 4x4's and worked through countless issues that lifting and other mods create. I pride myself on building hardcore rigs that you can drive to the trail and back comfortably and have done it for 20 years. My current trail rig is a built TJ that can handle (Eastern) extreme trails and still be driven home. That's the kind of thing that me and my friends have always done. Unfortunately in this case... they have all been Jeeps or Broncos.

I'm almost 50 now. I don't want to start from scratch working out issues on a new brand. I just want a mild lift that rides good and will go places. Compared to what I am used to, the 3" lift at the dealership looks pretty mild. I guess that is not the case in the Taco world?

Stock is great, but I would like more clearance underneath and would like the rockers to be a little further from the ground. So cool your jets digital bravo... LOL. I don't intend to be one of "those guys".

I do appreciate ALL the comments so far. Thanks!

 

Good advice. OP you running stock shocks on your truck, right?

 

Just installed the toytec boss 2.0 on my sons TRD 4x4 OR DCSB and the ride is sweet with blocks in the rear. The ride is almost like stock if not for the KO2's 275-70-17E tires which is hardly noticeable . It is real comfortable for a DD that I'm doing the same soon.You don't have the bouncy side to side roll as stock which makes it perfect. It is a great lift kit with no side effects like vibrations. I also kept the factory rake which I think matters. $.02

 

3" is about the tipping point for these trucks where you start to have to fix a lot of shit to make it ride well. Why do you want a lift, to start?

 

I think that about covers it.

Dude wants a lift for a little more clearance and "stance".
Doesn't plan to wheel it because he has other toys for that.
New to Tacomas and not sure what works for them.
Toytec would be just fine.

I've always said there's nothing wrong with spacers as long as you remember you have spacers. They can ride smooth and last forever if you don't try to push them past their abilities. It's the Bros on spacers that think they have long travel that break shit all day and tell you what garbage they are and how their stepdad is a lawyer and they will be going SAS once they're finish paying off their parking tickets.

 

It's a TRD OR and it does still have the stock shocks. Like Ghost Ship said I'm looking for more clearance for the underside and rockers for the places I will be taking it. The Taco is nose low and a little soft in the washboard as well. I have the ability and the equipment in my garage to do any of those lifts myself. Just not sure I want to LOL. (I do actually... it's just the older I get, the more tempting it gets to let other people do the work).

The Stance or look is admittedly part of it as well. I have never owned a 4x4 that I didn't lift and they all looked better for it. I like my trucks to look as good as they perform... no shame in my game. As Ghost mentioned, I don't want to spend a small fortune either, considering what I'm using it for.

Your point that 3" is where things start to get wonky is duly noted and appreciated. I didn't know that, so it changes my expectations some.

 

I have the Boss 2.0 with remote resi in back and AAL. So far so good - no complaints

 

Not gonna lie man. The only problem you've identified about the truck is it looks better when lifted. If you want to go big put on some stock length Kings and a very mild lift of ~2in let it settle and leave it.

If you want to fit 285/75R16 get your sawzall out and be prepared to install upper control arms

I hear you third genners have bigger issues with axle wrap and drive line vibes when you lift the rear. I'd avoid a 3" block...

 

I don't believe Toytec even makes a 3" lift kit for 3rd Gens. The Boss 2.0 and 2.5 coilovers advertise 0-2" and cite 1" of "factory lift" over previous gens, so be aware the sticker may be slightly misleading.

Be aware if you put ANY lift on a Tacoma you may also be signing up to replace your needle bearing as well (see the ECGS Bushing Thread for info). Been an ongoing issue for a long long time.

 

i have a similar lift but i have AAL in back with install its still way cheaper then the Stealership so call "deals" contact toytec (this lift with UCA is aroung 1700$)

 

i have the lift on for about two months now it does ride better than stock (just my opinion) less body rolls in turns, but MPG take a very slight hit, but i'm also running E rated tires. The stance alone is worth the money spent. Haven't tested it on trails yet. its your truck do whatever makes you happy, spend your money how you see fit.

 

RUN from that dealership if they told you that. There is probably something wrong with how it rides and they are being super shady about it. A dealership will normally do whatever they can to get you to test drive a vehicle. They'd empty the showroom if they need to.

 

@inesshell

 

I myself have seen toytec 3inch spacers on brand new trucks at newburgh Toyota in orange county n.y. but let me tell you. with that spacer lift and 285s with nice wheels they add like 7500 bucks to the asking price. but they look nice on the line when you drive by for sure, just saying

 

I think they would do that IF they didn't already know I just bought a new truck from them a month ago. I'm not a potential truck buyer anymore... LOL