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To Lift Or Not To Lift

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by drp.deluxe, Jan 8, 2018.

  1. Jan 8, 2018 at 4:32 PM
    #1
    drp.deluxe

    drp.deluxe [OP] New Member

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    Hey Folks, I am new to TW and have searched threads until I can't see straight. I am looking for some advise on lifting my 2017 Quicksand Tacoma. I want to putt 33's on it. I do some mild to moderate off roading, Nothing extreme at all. I'm looking for it to be functional and look good. Have had A LOT of advise from sales dept of Off Road Shops but need some experienced advise. Is a leveling kit a good option? Willing to spend for what makes sense. Any Thoughts?
     
    tony453rd likes this.
  2. Jan 8, 2018 at 4:44 PM
    #2
    SuperBad

    SuperBad Well-Known Member

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    Spacer lifts will strain your suspension by forcing it into a position it wasnt meant to be in, they will also limit your wheel travel when offroading. If your looking to stay on a lower budget I would say go with Bilstein 6112's front and 5160's for the rear. You can run stock front springs or get a set of OME springs(might be wrong about using OME springs). You could also do a full OME Nitrocharger lift(my current setup) for a little more but around the same quality. Just because you lift it does not mean that you will clear 33's. You likely will but some 3rd gen owners have had to have the CMC(cab mount chop) done and some plastic trimming to eliminate rubbing when flexing the suspension. Depending on the wheel and tire setup you may also need new UCA's(upper control arms) to keep your tire from rubbing on the UCA. A lower cost UCA with good pretty good ability to adjust is the SPC/LR UCA and you may be able to adjust your camber enough to not need the CMC. If you want to get some knowledgeable and helpful info from a great company talk to Marie with @HeadStrong Off-Road. She answered all my question when I was looking for my lift and earned my business with her great customer service!
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2018
  3. Jan 8, 2018 at 4:59 PM
    #3
    Snakedoctor

    Snakedoctor Well-Known Member

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    Mandatory tint, in-channel visors, and 265/75R16 MT Toyos.
    Why do you need to change UCA's? I really want to lift my truck but maybe 1.5-3in at max. Just to have a little more space in the wheel wells and of course a good look but not compromising tow capacity. I hauled about 20 something sandbags yesterday and I was not comfortable with how low that rear end got. Eventually want to get a boat but that's neither here nor there.
     
  4. Jan 8, 2018 at 5:04 PM
    #4
    SuperBad

    SuperBad Well-Known Member

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    see my quote of myself with your answer.
     
    swordfish likes this.
  5. Jan 8, 2018 at 5:07 PM
    #5
    Snakedoctor

    Snakedoctor Well-Known Member

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    Mandatory tint, in-channel visors, and 265/75R16 MT Toyos.
    So by that logic if I'm not planning on going bigger than the 31s then I shouldn't need UCAs correct?
     
  6. Jan 8, 2018 at 5:10 PM
    #6
    Trucko

    Trucko Well-Known Member

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    sliders and skids first. use the truck. drag the truck. see if you even need a lift before you buy a lift. once you start lots of interconnected things when it comes to suspension.
     
    Cthulhu09, AKGSD, tony453rd and 4 others like this.
  7. Jan 8, 2018 at 5:16 PM
    #7
    SuperBad

    SuperBad Well-Known Member

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    While its unlikely it just depends. I rubbed a little on plastic by the fire wall on 265/70r17's with no lift even though thats what come on sports because of my wheel and tire setup. I provided the best information I can give based of the little bit of info "lift for 33" tires" in my original post.
    Not every truck is the exact same even though they are the same year, make and model. Good luck with your search and enjoy your truck. /unsub
     
  8. Jan 8, 2018 at 5:24 PM
    #8
    Blue_Heeler13

    Blue_Heeler13 Well-Known Member

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    New Tacomas are highly capable offroad trucks in stock form. To run a 33 u will def need to lift. With lifting you will most likely have to also get the needle bearing fix from ecgs. If you just want to level it, get some Bilstein 5100's and set them on 3rd notch. U can run an aggressive 265/75/16 and it will look good....or...you can spend lots of $$$ and go all out on suspension/wheels/tires. In the end its your choice. Im going milder route with leveling and 1 size up on tires.
     
    CoB_88 likes this.
  9. Jan 8, 2018 at 5:30 PM
    #9
    unclejunk

    unclejunk Well-Known Member

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  10. Jan 8, 2018 at 5:32 PM
    #10
    drp.deluxe

    drp.deluxe [OP] New Member

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    Man I appreciate the replies. I didn't really want the leveling kit because of the bind it puts it in but thought I would throw it out there. I will look into the OME Nitrocharger lift you talked about. Any more people with advise I am interested. I do not want to void the factory warranty.
     
  11. Jan 8, 2018 at 6:22 PM
    #11
    Fye123

    Fye123 Well-Known Member

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    Leave it stock, lifting a vehicle is putting extra stress on a structure that wasn't up to code to begin with, haha.
     
  12. Jan 8, 2018 at 6:35 PM
    #12
    SMBHooker

    SMBHooker Mag Beast

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    Lift it - it's the obvious choice :thumbsup:

    If u want 33s u will need a CMC and replace needle bearing. If u r shy on making these mods stay stock.
     
  13. Jan 8, 2018 at 7:24 PM
    #13
    dannynoonan

    dannynoonan Well-Known Member

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  14. Jan 8, 2018 at 7:35 PM
    #14
    RushT

    RushT Amateur Everythingist

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  15. Jan 8, 2018 at 8:01 PM
    #15
    9th

    9th Not a Civil Engineer

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    Welcome to TW...

    Your truck can handle just fine without lifting. But if it's a lift you want...Then by all means, do what makes you happy.
     
  16. Jan 8, 2018 at 8:14 PM
    #16
    Rustytaco71

    Rustytaco71 Well-Known Member

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    It all depends on your needs. Is there a reason you want to run 33” tires? Leveling kit is only good for looks essentially. Find exactly the reason you want to lift and go from there. I went with 5100’s all around the truck, stock springs, and a 1” block in the rear. Not looking to do much off-road just the occasional dirt road for fishing, hiking and what not. I’m running 32” tires and I can already feel the loss of power and the lack of low end torque. I’m fine with it because I’m not looking to crawl over rocks and such. Moreso looks and occasional off-road use. And it sits nice IMO.

    9B5B579A-0FB6-4B53-B678-322718050176.jpg
    BE1081FC-3734-4545-9ED8-4E0CBA855A06.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2018
  17. Jan 8, 2018 at 8:27 PM
    #17
    TCBronson

    TCBronson Active Member

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    TRD wheels, K02 265/75/16
    I chose not to lift because of potential warranty issues. I went with 265/75/16 BFG K02's and gained an additional 1 inch ground clearance with no rubbing or modifying the fenders.New tires 006.jpg
     
  18. Jan 8, 2018 at 9:38 PM
    #18
    eldedo

    eldedo voted most likely eaten by a bear

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    Offroad it awhile find out if it does what it needs to do. if you need more clearance then lift it. but be warned 33s can be a bit testy, mph drops a little slower{not much} uca's CMC fender trim. however you could go 2" up and go with 275/70/17 or 275/75/16, it's not a 33 however it's a bigger tire and as. long as your rim choice (offset and backspace) isn't too aggressive you could avoid. CMC and. trimming and it would look good with more clearance. do not go blocks or add a leaf. go with the right length springs and a leaf pack.

    ps...... read threads and builds, it will let you know what your getting into
     
    rlx02 likes this.
  19. Jan 8, 2018 at 10:15 PM
    #19
    kap1425

    kap1425 Well-Known Member

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    Good setup. OME and bilstein are solid choices. If you have the budget try and go for UCA's too, the added responsiveness and beefiness that come with good aftermarket UCA's arent absolutely necessary, but do make a difference in driving quality and travel in some cases. ECGS bushing is pretty much a must if you lift a taco, as it can cause some real damage if you leave it in there to break under the load a lift puts on it. I bought the bushing and borrowed the tools from a local TW member in exchange for a six pack :cheers:
     
  20. Jan 9, 2018 at 5:16 AM
    #20
    oscolivar1

    oscolivar1 Well-Known Member

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    IMG_9940.jpg
    What is your budget?

    6112/5160, as @SuperBad said, but OME spring don't fit in that setup. You either stick with the 600ish lb spring it comes with or buy 650-700lb eibach spring if your adding weight in the front. I'm running it at a 1.5 lift at #5 clip on the driver and #4 on the passenger. You can go up to the 2" which I may do later when I need to do a alignment.

    5160 has Rear Resivoir so not only do you get performance but also look cool on a budget. To lift the rear you either buy an AAL, 3 leaf AAL, or a full leaf pack etc. I chose 3leaf AAL
    Also running 255/85r16 st maxx so I have a lil more lift. Also the setup with parts/labor and alignment was 1600. Didn't want to spend 3-4K on suspension...

    Wheeelers superbumps and Wheelers u bolt flip kit are optional.

    Search in the suspension section and you'll find a lot of info.
     

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