Best Lift for Highway Driving

I just bought a 2010 Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab 4x4 and I am looking to add a 2"-3" lift.

I am interested in adding the lift to give the truck a more aggressive stance, with adding larger tires down the road. I drive more Highway, and very little off road.

I still want my truck to drive smoothly on the highway, and I do not want to spend a ton of cash. What is the most cost effective/best lift that will not change too much of my factory ride on the highway?

I've been reading a bunch of threads that say stay away from front spacers and rear blocks, but that seems to be the most cost effective combination. I am hopping that you more experienced Tacoma owners may be able to help, thanks!

 

There are tons. Spacers lift are good on highway but the ride still sucks. Most people will say no to spacers. However look at Tough Country, Readylift, Hell Bent Steel, Toytec and more.

 

i have 2.5" spacer and it rides fine. small bumps or potholes might be slightly rougher than factory ride, but it still drives like factory. spacers will drive fine on the highway because the highway won't be filled with bumps or rough terrain, but if you lived on a dirt or gravel road, the spacers would drive you crazy. as long as your truck only see's pavement, the spacers are going to give you the lift/look you want and they are cheap. now if you really did some off road stuff, then no, but it sounds like you don't. as far as the rear, i wouldn't do blocks. they are just metal blocks that push your truck up higher. think about that, you are riding on a metal block: not a very soft ride. the add a leaf will give you the same lift as a block, but it's actually a leaf spring that will flex when hitting bumps and it will give you extra strength if you ever tow anything. they are also the same price as blocks and have more benefits. i vote spacers and add a leaf. look on toyteclifts.com

 

how much do you wanna spend ? I had 4 5100s adjustable shocks at 2.5"( you can set like stock or lift max at 2.5") and they're better than stock supension. I also got TSB and 1" block for rear and it was turn out good . I mostly have normal driving and off road sometime but not too crazy like most members who had heavy mods .total cost about $ 400 bucks .

 

I'm looking to spend around $300, no more than $400.

I have been reading some threads on the TSB for the 4 pack rear leafs. If I were to get this done (for free), would this be in theory like adding an AAL to the rear? Would this be comprable to an AAL by like Toytec or Tuff Country?

Then all I would need is to level the front. Would you all reccomend just adding 2"-2.5" spacer, or would a Bilstien 5100 be a better option to level the front? Would adding the Bilstein 5100's be a waste of money since the TRD Sport comes with upgraded Bilsteins? Also could I just put the 5100's up front and leave the stocks in the rear?

Sorry for all the questions, but this is all very foreign to me and any insight would be tremendously helpful. Thanks again in advance!

 

Bilstein will ride better than spacer. What size tire do you want?

 

I will probably use my factory sport 17" w/ factory tires until they wear out, and then I will buy larger ones. I will put the largest size tire I can fit without rubbing and wheel well modifications. It looks like manufacturers recommend a 32" tire for various 2.5" lifts, so that is probably what I will end up with.

I will look into the Bilstein 5100 for just the front then, thanks!

 

If you ever know the Bilstein shock is bigger size than your factory TRD shock so the ride and handle are better. I suggest get a set as 4 and don't forget to add discount code to save some ponies .

 

No help on the "cheap front" but for the back I ran a 1" block for a while and it felt exactly the same as factory ride. IMO blocks are fine in the 1-2" range, its when you start going 4-6" blocks that axle wrap, leafspring wear, etc becomes an issue.

A 1" block about leveled out my truck at 3" in the front and was super cheap. Add-A-Leafs in the rear are also cheap and range from 1.5" to 3" of lift.

 

AAL leaf is heavy I think 300 to 400 pounds for 2 . If you don't tow just add 1" or 1.5" for rear to save your weight and you're fine .

 

lol, no. they don't weigh that much at all man. i have two 2" AAL's being shipped to me by ups right now and i just checked it's mailing status to see how close it is, and the package with two AAL's weighs 13.1 lbs, lol. not to be a smart-ass, just giving this guy the right info.

 

I just set my appointment for 8/20 to get the TSB rear leaf added (no questions asked!), and to install the Bilstein 5100 up front to level.

I measured the rake on the back and it is 1.5", and the new TSB leaf adds about another 1" when settled. The 5100 can be set to 2.5", so essentially this should give me a small lift and level stance for bigge rtires down the road.

Is it OK to just do the new Bilstein 5100 up front, and to leave the rear stock? Would it be stupid to do this, or should I just suck it up ($$) and put them on all 4's?

 

Le me put it this way, I have enough money to do the Bilstein 5100 up front and the TRD Cold Air Intake, or the 5100's on all 4's...What combination would you rather have?

 

The TRD Air Intake is a waste. It only makes your engine sound better, not perfrorm better. Get all four billies

 

if you want to maintain stock rake with 5100's + TSB rear leafs set them at 0.85"

setting them at 1.75 will give you a level look, maybe nose high, and def nose high when towing or when the bed is loaded.

if you set them at 2.5" you will need to do an AAL or blocks in addition to the TSB work

 

Thanks everyone for all your help. I have already learned so much stuff about these awesome trucks.

I ended up going with the Bilstein 5100 up front and the TSB rear leaf for now. In about a year when I need new tires, I will do Billies on the back to accommodate the larger size.

I ended up ordering the TRD Cold Air Intake from Town and Country Toyota Parts Outlet:

http://www.toyotapartsoutlet.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=-219

Talk to Blake there, he is great. Very knowledgeable and beat www.trdparts4u.com price by $5.00 and free shipping, so only $385!

I will be sure to take pics and post them when it's all done in a few weeks. Thanks everyone!

 

You have any pictures of what it looks like now after the billy's up front and the TSB. I just got a 2010 dbl cab TRD sport and have been thinking about doing the same thing to mine...

 

I have 5100's all 4 corners with TSB rear. I set the fronts to 1.75 and still have a slight forward rake.

 

What size tires can you run with that set-up without any rubbing or trimming the wheel well?