Do you have a front spacer/rear block lift?

I’ve had a lot of spacer lifts, and my last truck had a five thousand dollar BDS 4 link long arm kit on it. I can tell you that spending the money makes it ride a little better, but the ROI isn’t there for someone who doesn’t utilize a lift for off-roading. People around here think that 5100s are the only solution, when it’s pretty much an entry level budget shock that is not really any better than a spacer lift. Unless you do UCAs, you’re still ruining the OEM suspension geometry specs.

My buddy took his bone stock TRD OR on every single trail I took my fully built JKU rubicon on 35s... the narrative around here about spacer lifts is definitely skewed. You might be limiting travel an insignificant amount, but it will still be just as capable as a stock truck. What exactly do you think you’re doing with a 5100 on the highest setting? Do what fits your budget, as long as it isn’t cheap wheel spacers. Then I’ll jump on you lol.

 

Well said.

 

Thanks for sharing that b/c thats good to know. Other than some fire roads and some beach roving, I wont be doing anything crazy so i've been contemplating my options. Just want it slightly higher, slightly stiffer rear end to account for cargo and some 32's to keep it road friendly since I do a lot of Overroading.

 

Hey johnders. I just ordered 3" spacers and 2" blocks in the rear and I'll be putting 285/75/r16 BFG ko2's on my 2013. Reading about all these spacer lifts now kinda has me scared about blowing my suspension. But I think that the people who blew their suspension with spacers probably took them off roading like a dumba$$ thinking "Now I have a lift I can go off-roading".

My truck will never see anything but the street and Highway and I drive like a grandma because I went to take care of it. I don't mind the stiffer ride. Have you had any problems?

 

I think you should be fine Yonnie. I ran that lift for almost a year and had no issues. I even did mild off-roading. I figured if the local toyota dealer sells several of their trucks with the 3/1 or 3/2 spacer lift then it's safe for me. My truck rode fine and handled just like stock.

 

It should be stated that they only install spacer lift kits to add 5-8k to the price tag. Just because a dealer does something, doesn't mean it's a good idea...

 

A lift is NOT needed to go off roading.

People lift for looks, to add larger tires, higher clearance and better approach angles.

Better shocks make for a more comfortable experience when off-road. increases performance. Spacer lifts do the opposite. If you never go off-road and just want the "look" I'm sure you'll be fine with spacers.

But a stock 4x4 tacoma with decent tires is perfectly capable of off-roading. I do it more often than 90% of the people with multi-thousand dollar lifts. Literally 2-5 times every single week year round. No lift on my truck. Stock suspension. I get around great.

 

True thanks guys. I was just getting a little scared reading all these posts about everyone breaking their suspension and I'm pretty sure that might be from people thinking that they can go off-roading now that they have a lifted truck. I have no desire to ever leave the street I just wanted to look nice. They want me to get a differential drop as well but again is that necessary maintenance for just a look?

 

Diff drops aren't necessary on the second gens. In fact, if you're leaving the pavement they can be catastrophic. Being a pavement princess might be ok.

That said, I have over 30k on the truck with no diff drop and not one issue.

 

Supporting link for more information to what I previously posted above:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/remove-the-differential-drop-on-your-05-tacoma.118545/

 

Yonnie, I have had no issue thus far and they have been on there quite some time. I have been off road a few times on some class 6 stuff, just slow and careful about it. My roads near my house are full of large bumps and pot holes everywhere and it’s held up fine. I had a spacer lift on my 07 Silverado also with zero issue also. Spending the extra cash is no guarantee of longevity. My sister’s boyfriend has a Toytec coil over suspension on his Taco and goes through his CV joints every few years, hardly ever sees dirt if ever. Had a friend with full suspension Chevy that went through front upper ball joints constantly.... I honestly feel like unless someone is a serious off roader, talking every other weekend, spending that kind of money on a fancy lift is more of a d!ck measuring contest for your average consumers.. Its kind of like buying a big diesel truck and having nothing to tow.. You will be fine, just need go into it realizing its just a cheap way to get some height, that’s it.

 

+1 too true where I live man..tow mirrors out for extra douchebaggery!

 

Amen thanks guys

 

What is the highest you can go and have near zero increased chance of steering issues or ball joint wear or cv joint wear or bearing failures?

After doing a lot of reading I have changed my mind three times on what lift I want. Lol. My only reason for 4x4 is soft beach sand and traction at boat ramps. I would like some additional height on my truck and to bump up a tire size, but I really don't want to sacrifice anything other than fuel efficiency and maybe ride quality.

I also plan to put a camper shell on and don't want any visible sag.

 

6" drop bracket lift kit keeps factory suspension geometry..

 

Lol. Good one. I'm thinking budget minded around 3 inches, but it's sounding like I can't go that high without issues.

 

look Ma, I got a hockey pucks. Now I can go off roading

https://youtu.be/JKQdlXvbWSU

 

I have 3" of lift and no issues. Lift it is going on 5 years installed with zero issues *knocks on wood*

Nice way to toss $60k

 

Where did you find this deal? I was quoted $445 just for the install. Did not include the 5100's

 

True story