Lifting Newbie...Forgive Me Please

so let me first say I am new to lifting and have a couple questions. I went to our local accessories shop today and inquired about lifting my Taco. right now I am rolling on a stock suspension, TRD Sport DC 4x4 with TRD Sema wheels 17x7 and Terra Grappler 265/70/18. I like the truck just fine the way it is, but lately I am thinking I might like a slight lift and 33" tires. the shop told me since I don't offroad that I should be fine with a 3/2 spacer kit? I am assuming they mean spacer in the front and block in the rear? but then they said I need a diff drop and something else? I honestly have no idea when it comes to this sort of thing. but they said they would get everything I need and do the install and everything for under $800 my cost. we do their window tinting so we get a lil break.

so does all this seem about right? should I do more than spacers? like I said, I do not offroad, so it is purely cosmetic. but, should I want to do some minor trails would the spacer kit be ok? I just don't know what to do. I appreciate yall's opinions.

 

How much lift are you looking to achieve. 3in front is s big jump. Are you 4wd or 2wd?

 

yes it is 4wd. that was what they recommended. does anybody make a 2/2 kit? my truck sits about level from the factory, it doesn't have much rake at all. I don't want the rear to look like its squatted though.

 

That's not all bad.

Leave it alone.

Until you do know what to do. Once you figure out what you want (and why) folks here can help with 'how'.

You're welcome.

 

You really dont want to go over 3 inches or you will need a drop bracket which typically means you are going to need to cut the cross member out (usually irreversible mod with no real added benefit).
What you are looking for is a good set of shocks like bilstein 5100's and a coil spring from old man emu.
Then either throw a add a leaf in the rear with possibly a block too or get a new leaf pack
Talk to Marie over @HeadStrong Off-Road before making any rash decisions. You can fit the 33 inch tire on a 2.5 inch lift and not have to use the drop bracket and CV angles will be ok.

 

+1 on Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road

 

thanks guys. I appreciate the info. I don't want any irreversible mods done to the truck. I also don't want to alter the ride too much.

 

At worst is a cab mount chop which has been debated on, but it's not that serious of a mod as cutting the cross member out.

 

Do you want to be able to launch off REASONABLE jumps?

 

This is where I want to ride...
https://youtu.be/uKpOyMms0js

Let's just all drop in ninety feet. Newsflash: four feet is scary.

Oh, I want my truck to do this too.

 

I’m about it. Check this one out, it’s bmx, not your thing, but I’m sure you can appreciate how hard this dude is hucking these 360s.

 

That is way cool. 40 years ago we built a ramp into a pond and used to practice 360's into the water. We were BMX before BMX. Never graduated to pavement with my 360.

 

nope, just a slight lift and bigger tires.

 

Well as everyone knows, I’m a huge fan of the toytec 1/2” spacer up front, nothing in the rear. If you have a 2wd, fuck it, go all out. But if you have a 4wd, get bigger/better rubber and leave the driveline angles alone. You can push your truck harder off road when it isn’t suffering. And it looks nice, not over exaggerated.

 

+2 for marie @HeadStrong Off-Road

 

Research what width you want for a 33” tire. There are Pros and Cons to different widths.

255 width = 10” typically
265 width = 10.4” typically
285 width = 11.4” typically

255/85/16 = 33”
255/80/17 = 33”
255/75/17 = 32”
265/75/16 = 31.5”
285/75/16 ~ 33”


Use this link to compare sizes:

 

yea mine is 4wd and i already have 265/70/17 Terra Grapplers on TRD Pro 4Runner wheels. it looks great when it's all cleaned up. i am thinking maybe what you suggested. small spacer up front and maybe add wheel spacers to get my wheels out a tad more then change to a more aggressive tire. i don't "plan" to off-road it but i might, who knows.

 

Would 5100s all around, with front set at top notch be ok if he used stock coils? And, put a 1” rear block? I am looking to level out my truck without using strut spacers

 

Bilstein on the top notch is not a good idea... can be done but not a good idea. You would need more than 1 inch block in the back with bilstein on the top notch.
I would not set the fronts any higher than the 2nd perch with stock coils. Otherwise I would just hold off until i could get the proper one spring. Probably would need just a 1.5 inch aal for the rear or put in a extra overload leaf and the 1 inch block.

Edit. Mine had 5100 at first perch with stock coils and uca's and had the 1 inch block in the rear and it was fairly level.

 

I just spoke with someone who used spacers to achieve the lift. Said the ride was horrible, as you are really just compressing your springs/reducing shock travel. Sounds like you'd gain the cosmetics but lose on ride quality.