Daily Drivers?

Hey guys,

I'm new here. Love the forum and have learned a ton. I don't currently own a Taco, but I plan to very soon. I just test drove a 2010 TRD Off Road and it's everything I've always hoped it'd be.

My last vehicle was a '94 Ford Ranger that I put a 4" Suspension, 2" Body Lift, and 33x12.5 BFG A/Ts on 15x10 rims (can't remember the model). Currently, I'm driving an '02 Jeep Liberty Limited that I equipped with a 3" Suspension lift and 245/75/16 Revos. I know, a Liberty? It's actually been a great vehicle and I couldn't stand to go any further in moding it, because I was still going through school and needed to be able to commute and also couldn't really afford anything better. Now I need a new Vehicle and can finally afford to get what I want. So...

I've been looking to Lift 3" and go with either 32" or 33" tires. I'm cool with UCAs if needed and will trim if it's a must (but would like to minimize it for resale purposes). But here's the crux of the matter: I need this to be Daily Driver ready. I'm fortunate to just have a 3 mile drive to work. So, that's not a huge deal. BUT, I also need this to be ready for trips from Kansas City to Michigan (650-700) a couple times each year during the winter.

So, what say the experts? What would be your recommendations for Lifts, UCA, Tire Sizes, Tire Models, etc... Price isn't exactly unlimited, but after buying the most affordable lifts I could for the past two vehicles, I'm willing to spend a bit more for true quality and reliability. If I could keep it all under $2000, I'd be happy.

Thanks in advance.

 

Bump.

 

I am a new owner. And I am asking myself the same questions. Mine is a daily drive and occassionally will be the vehicle used to do 10 hour drives with the family to MI. In this latter case I can't have a rough ride on the freeway. So, for me, I will keep the lift to less than 3" and tires to no more than 275 and less agressive AT tread.

If I were to go with a big lift then it would need to be all out so that I keep the needed shock travel otherwise the truck will ride like my trans am. When I am ready to do the lift I will be working closely with a knowledgable and reputable vendor like ToyTec to make sure I get the right package.

Maybe this should be in the suspension section to get more responses. And keep in mind that lots of folks are working and won't get to replying until tonight.

 

Check out my build thread.

I didn't want to do a 3" lift because of the need to UCAs to help with alignment, would need bigger tires to fil the wheel well more, which would kill your mpgs.

I put billy 5100s up front to 1.75" and had the rear spring TSB done at the Dealership for free. My truck sits higher than stock Tacos and it sits perfectly level. I had 265/75/r16s which looks perfect.

My truck is my DD and I plan on doing long road trips a few times a year. Just came back from Vegas which was 400 miles each way. Truck did great.

 

Oh yeah Remember that thess trucks are very capable off road when they are stock.

You can still have a nice looking truck that handles extremely well off road for under 500 bucks. You just gotta decide if its really worth spending the extra 2k.

my .02

 

Welcome

 

Check out this thread too: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/107036-best-lift-highway-driving.html#post2049345

 

best bet mild lift 1.5 to 3". Old Man Emu, 5100s, coilovers etc. and 265/75/16 or if you like the skinny look 235/85/16. If you go sport it will have 17" wheels then tire size would be 265/70/17.

 

Thanks for all the great info. This has been very helpful.

I have what is probably a silly question: What is TSB? I'm sure it should be obvious, but I can't figure out the accronym. It seems to have to do with replaceing what are apparently faulty rear 3-Leafs with a 4-Leaf setup. And apparently Toyota is doing this because of complaints? Toyota Servce B...?

I'm sorry if that all sounds rediculous, but I keep finding bits an pieces about it, but no actual definition.

Once this is answered, I have other questions

 

Wait a minute, I just committed an internet crime. Google says "Technical Service Bulletins". That would make sense.

So, in this case, what is the problem? Did I describe it properly, relating to the 3 vs. 4 leafs that should be installed?

 

Here is what I would go with:
OME 885 front springs
OME Dakar springs rear
OME struts front/OME shocks rear

If you go with the TRD offroad, I would go with these tires, depending on what you tend to drive:
Cooper Discover S/T
BFG MT Km2
I would go with the 255/85/16 tire size. It is a true 33, but doesn't require any trimming since it is a narrower tire.

If you want UCA's, that is fine. If not, that is fine too. I don't have any on mine, and was able to keep a good alignment.

Links for parts:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?skipOver=true&width=255%2F&ratio=85&diameter=16&x=17&y=16

 

My main recommendation for you is on the tires: there are alot of great options out there but for you doing alot of commuting I gotta advise you to not get mud tires. Mudders are great but but it's basically just a waste of tire for highway driving.

I got some sweet new Cooper STT mudders and love them... my shop used to be 2 miles away and 2 weeks after I got the mudders we upgraded to a new place about 30 miles away... now I'm basically just spreading my sweet tires across the highway. Even though I wheel alot, with the amount of miles I'm driving now makes my overall mileage probably like 95% street... total waste of tires.

 

I guess I should go ahead and just post my questions, rather than wait.

Since I'm looking at a new truck, what should I look for, to make sure is already done?

• Should I look at the rear Leafs to make sure they are already serviced, or is this more of an option?
• Are there other TSB that should have been done?

Another issue I'm thinking about is the tires. Seems sorta funny to buy a brand new truck with beautiful new tires, just to scrap them for bigger and better tires. Do you all recommend just posting them online for sale? Or should I talk to the dealer about keeping them (seems sorta unlikely since I'll probably be installing the lift and need to get it home somehow).

Here is sort of what I'm thinking:

• Order the for front and back w/ AAL.
• Then, can install the AAL and adjust the fronts when I'm ready for bigger tires.

Am I missing anything?

Do the Billis work with the Stock springs up front?

Will I need any sort of wheel spacers? I have 1.25" on my Liberty. I've seen some posts reference a .5" spacer (that can't be for the front coilover). Seems awefully small and ebay only lists 1" as the smallest, but if that's what I need, so be it.

 

TSB in the rear, Billy 5100 @ .85 up front. So about 1 inch of lift
265/75R16 Goodyear Duratracs. So about another inch above stock
No rubbing, vibrations, trimming needed. Great in the mud, snow, or highway.
More than enough traction and clearance.

 

My truck is my DD. That being said, I have the OME lift kit with 884s and top plate spacer in front. TSB and AAL in rear. Stock UCAs because I didn't need them. Stock tire size but Revo 2s, I will be upgrading when I need tires to 265/75/16. I also have AFE intake, TRD exhaust and get 19mpg mixed driving. Full day of work driving is 97 miles.

 

mine is a daily driver and is not my first lifted truck i have driven every day. I have the old man emu kit, 3" lift with all terrain tires on it.

 

x2 and mines a 4x2 PreRunner