4 inch vs 3 inch lift

Hello to everyone! I purchased a 2018 Tacoma trd offroad a week ago and I really want to lift it and put some 33” tires. I called a shop near me and the said that they can sell me a 4” rough country lift for $850 installed. I cannot find any reviews on that lift so I’m scared that I might not like the ride and be stuck with it. I’m also thinking about a 3 inch lift instead but I want to be able to fit 33s or 285/70/r17 without having to do the body mount shop. Can anyone help me go in the right direction? I’ve seen a lot of videos of people using the 3” leveling kits but some use aftermarket control arms and some don’t even mention it.

 

*edit*
I thought better and decided not to provide advice since I’m no expert.

 

You do understand that the body mount chop is because of width and I'd assume the 4" lift is a drop bracket and to do that you are cutting the frame as well just in a different spot and it's a hell of a lot harder to go back from a drop bracket than normal lift.

And that rough country lifts are terrible.

I'm going to assume you're just after looks though. Many say you can fit a 33" tire if in the 255 width.

The mention of control arms is because you need new control arms for proper alignment if that lift is from coilover etc and not just a spacer/block lift.


You will quickly find some saying you can fit that tire without rub but they depends if you wheel, your alignment and what lift.

If you venture into total chaos UCA I can guarantee you will need a body mount chop as I have them and have found anyone with them to have all the same rub issues I had.


That said a body mount chop really isn't that bad...

 

255 80 17 on stock wheels fit with no cutting rubbing or lift.

BTW, lift doesnt give clearance anyway. Tire and wheel choice do.

And anything over approx 2.5" will inherintly put you at risk for other issues to deal with.

Do lots of reading before you jump. No reason to be in a hurry. Hurry is often expensive.

 

So if I just do 3” spacers in the front and blocks in the rear then I don’t need control arms? Do I need a diff drop or any other mod to avoid vibration or premature damage to the truck? Sorry about my ignorance on this subject I just want to do it right the first time.

 

Spacers and blocks . Do yourself a favor and leave it stock.

 

Clearwater bill, thanks for the advise! Trust me I’ve been there before and that’s what I’m trying to avoid. I guess I need to learn how to be patient lol

 

If you want to do it right I'd skip block and spacer lol.

This has been posted so many times.

Just saying a good lift isn't cheap. Sure you don't need to go and get a $8000 lift since you won't be using it for off road I'd imagine but for $1500 possibly even less you could get a much better lift then blocks etc.

But like bill mentioned above lift doesn't mean everything for fitting a 33"

 

Just saying without changing anything you can run a 255 85 16 on your stock wheels and suspension

 

If you are just going for looks, this Pro Comp kit is what I put on my truck and it runs great. Also I have 285/70/17 with 17x9 Fuel Recoil Wheels.

$280 Pro Comp Nitro 3" Leveling Lift Kit - 65205K

https://www.4wheelparts.com/Suspension/Pro-Comp-Nitro-3-Inch-Leveling-Lift-Kit-65205K.aspx?t_c=1&t_s=358&t_pt=9333&t_pn=EXP65205K&utm_source=google,google&utm_medium=cpc,cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&emlprox=out&ppcfon=1&gp=1&scid=scplpEXP65205K&sc_intid=EXP65205K&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrMi3g4q22wIVCkVpCh3wQQ-LEAQYAiABEgJBLfD_BwE


I drive 99.5% of the time on streets so my kit was only for looks. I’m sure if you want to do a lot of off-roading you may want to go a different route.

Also as others have mention above, spacers and blocks are not ideal. I’ve been told they put a lot of pressure on the suspension and long term may cause issues. Again, speak to a professional about their thoughts.

 

Anything over 2.5 your front cv angles are going to be horrible causing all kinds of problems. Stay away from 3 and 4 inch lifts on that 4wd. Save your money, save your money some more and get some foxes and a add a leaf.

 

If you dont need a lift for approach and departure angles offroad, life will be better w/o one. And 33" are going to give you true lift and axle clearance anyway.

If you cant live w/o the look, make life easy. Call Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road tell her your goals and order what she tells you to.

 

Oh and don't forget 33s will hurt your mpg, and power

 

Ok let me start over lol. I am mostly doing it for the looks, but I want to be able to do some light off-roading every once in a while. For the hardcore stuff I have a 99 montero on 35’s. The Tacoma is my daily driver but I’ll like to take it for some offroad adventures some day lol

 

Do a 6 inch lift and put 48 inch tires on it

 

Put some 265 75 16 or 265 70 17 for a 32"tire
Won't need to do any cutting or anything and you'll keep some mpg and these trucks are pretty capable without anything done to them but better tires for light off road.

 

Jdsundevil, your truck looks great!

 

@Rigo.rivero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9dyA2yXpw0


that gray 3rd gen is mine and all of that was on a 265 70 17 duratrac. only other mods were skids, sliders, and diff breathers, and the skids and sliders are arguable if even needed.

 

@Joe23 beat me to it.

Function over form.