Tacoma Suspension Mods

Hello all,

I know there are a ton of posts already about this, but I haven’t really found what I am looking for. I really want to narrow it down to 5 or 6 different kit sets and because I’m new at all of this I am getting a little confused. So long story short - I have finally (after 4 years and 30,000 miles!!) worn down my tires enough (somewhat) to justify buying new tires to my wife, which of course will require a new suspension. I am starting to get interested in overlanding (but am somewhat limited since everything on my truck is stock ATM).

I just wanted to know what the suspension mods everyone made to their truck are (including brands and kit names) and if they would do it again. I will probably be getting BFG KO2s so I need a decent lift (I think around 2 inches, which is also ideal since it sounds like I won’t need to make to many unnecessary changes outside of the UCAs, shocks, etc).

So what mods has everyone made and, if your comfortable, can you give me a rough cost estimate???

I am a DIYer so am not so concerned with labor costs unless it gets too complex (which based on the other posts doesn’t sound too bad).

Thanks in advance for everyone’s time and responses. I will keep you all updated with what I decide (with pictures too)...

-Mike

 

Having had icon, ome, kings, back to icon.
I prefer the ride of the icon coilovers but simplicity of the old man emu setup. Kings were to stiff for my liking. If your only looking for 2in ome is a great kit and hella tough.
Tires I’m loving my Cooper st maxx best tire I’ve ever had.

 

While a drive a prerunner. I went with Toytec 3” coilovers, jba uca’s and 275/70/17 Nittos G2 my third set of Nittos never had an issue. Also have a factory limited slip rear end. Takes me where I need to go.

 

You didn't say what size tires you are planning to run. Stock size BFG KO2s don't NEED a lift, but if yo uare doing 33s or something, yeah.

I'm still running OEM sized tires and will be bumping up just to 1 inch over when I wear these out.

Do you have a price range you are looking into? I hear wonderful things about Dakar leaf springs for the rear, but I'm running Deavers (few hundred dollars more) and love them.

Front I have Icon Coilovers, but honestly I'm no connoisseur of suspension, I'd prolly have just grabbed some adjustable Bilsteins and saved the money if I did it again. I have bilsteins out back and they seem good enough for me.

 

Bilstein 5100s, AALs, cutting/trimming, CMC, and 35s!

 

I just went through this. I have bilstein 5100s. 2.5 all the way up. And I raised the rear 2.5. And just recently did spc upper control arms. It drives ok. But I wish I would have spent the extra money and did a proper lift. Do lots of research. And research again. After the money was spent I should have gone with a proper lift

 

What part do you feel wasn't proper? Did you do a block in the back? Still OEM shocks back there?

 

I did 5100s all the way around. In the rear I used an 1.5inch leaf pack and a 1 inch block. My personal opinion after it was said and done, is I've had alot of lifted trucks this is the first time I've ever done a strut lift. With a proper lift even though it's more money in the beginning you keep factory steering geometry. I've had more success with this.

 

I'm currently running 265/70/17s long trail. I'm going to continue to run this setup. My truck is mostly a street queen. Just take your time and do it right the first time. I'm looking hard at a bds 4inch lift. But have a kid in college.

 

Guess I just don't understand what other type of lift you'd do other than a strut lift, unless you are talking about a drop bracket lift or doing an entire SAS.

I would think doing 5100s is a proper lift, much better than spacers for sure.

I'm not trying to argue, just really curious/confused

 

O, gotcha, you are talking about a drop bracket lift. Makes more sense now!

 

I also did a front diff drop and front bushing on the drivers side

 

Front, ICON coil overs and Camburg uppers. Rear custom springs (local Shop) with ICON shocks and bump stops about 3"+ lift running General Grabber X3s 285s. (Rear lift is actually more like 4in but I keep a FWC installed 6 months of the year and kept the unloaded rake so it leveled with the camper....).
ICON coilovers were actually the most expensive part of the whole lift setup. (Unless you count Re-Gearing as part of the lift...)

 

Thanks for the responses everyone!

I’m planning on moving to 275/70r16 and don’t really have a firm price range in mind. Like everyone, I’m really just looking to get the best bang for buck. From my initial research it seems like <$1500 for just the suspension should be very doable.

Yeah, I’m just now getting into the research phase and am trying to do it just once. I’ve read a lot of people pushing the bilstein 5100s and the leaf pack saying those are fine- good options. If you were to do it all over again any kit you have in mind?

I’ve heard a lot of good things about each of those brands, I was leaning ome based on what others have said. This is the kit I was somewhat thinking:
https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/...3hxF-IcYynJ5yJYluqGUin4WxanBjbmAaAqnhEALw_wcB
I would probably get medium duty since I want to add a steel bumper and rooftop tent.

 

I’m running a similar setup with the icons (with resi’s), tc uppers, st maxx’s, and ome standard springs and I’m pleased with the ride quality.
Edit: Also 1/4 spacers. 265/70/16

 

So you have coil overs maxed out??!

 

My lift parts are coming through the mail slowly but surely. This is what I'm doing having had spacers and a AAL on my last Taco which equated to hot garbage. I'll never do AAL again, too stiff in the rear.

So this time it's:

5100's All around
Eibach Pro Lift Springs 14"- 2.5 in.
1.5in. Rear Cast Blocks from Wheelers
Spidertrax 1.5in. Spacers
Motometal MO951's machined black

 

5100’s, 885 coils, AAL, and JBA upper control arms! Running 285’s

 

Matthew, that’s a great looking ride. Not trying to steal the look your truck has, but this is really the kinda look I was going for. How does it ride? Also did you install it yourself? If so, how was it? Any changes you would make?

I think you and Matmo215 are convincing me I may need to switch to 285s. Both of your trucks look great. Quick question for you, With that much of a lift did you need to do anything for your differential, etc? Also did you do this lift yourself or have a shop do it? I’m trying to decide best course of action. I’ve heard of a lot of the headaches that come up when doing this type of maintenance(???) and i May just be better off passing that on to someone else who knows what they’re doing (I’m going to need to get it realigned and probably have the speedometer recalibrated anyways).

 

From what I’ve seen Headstrong Offroad has the best pricing. https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p440/OME_Coil/Bilstein_5100_Kit_-_(HS05BK-1).html I would suggest that you keep it fairly simple to start and go from there. The kit I linked is a good way to start.