Best 2nd Tacoma lift on a high school budget?

Hi I’m in high school and I’d absolutely love to lift my truck 1.5-3 inches. Only problem is I don’t have much money everything I makes does right into my passion of the outdoors. What lifts should I consider with my tight budget

 

Keep an eye out for some used 5100s, and an AAL for the rear

 

5100's all around and an AAL.

Please no blocks no spacers. If you stick with the 1.75in setting up front you can get away without the need for aftermarket UCA's

 

Bilstein 5100s

 

I'd save your money for tires & gas. But yeah, 5100s and AAL, anything cheaper is throwing it away.

 

Could I get anyway with only front 5100s?

 

Welcome to The Forum Parker!

 

That’s what I did in high school. Front 5100s set at 2.5”

Alignment was never quite right, she’d wander on the highway, but I liked it overall.

 

On a 10 year old Taco, it’s very likely that the alignment cams are rusted. Replacing them is a medium sized chunk of money. If you lift it even 1/2”, the alignment cams will need to be rotated.

 

Thanks I appreciate your help!! I’m so glad I didn’t go for rough country.

 

Are you 2wd or 4wd? If 2wd check out maxtrac spindles

 

3'rd gen TRD OR take-offs. They're pretty much free.

 

Do you take it offroad? How hard do you drive it off road? Tire size?

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea that cranking up a spring's preload is called a lift kit. Sounds to me that should be called adjusting ride quality and the lift is a by product. The same goes for AAL, they change the spring's rate.

But whatever you do - do not write about actual lift kits because they are no bueno amigo.

 

Spacers are fine if you are staying on pavement/gravel roads.

Offroad go for Bilstein 5100 and AAL.

Id say just go with the 5100 and AAL for a good piece of mind.

Oh and when I say AAL i recommend the 3 leaf progressive

 

I don't get why everyone is always hatin on spacers. Now if you are a serious off road guy I understand but for every day and light off road no problem. I lifted my 15 Taco 6 months after I got it brand new. I spent less than 200 bucks for spacers and AAL and lifted it 3" put 33x18's on it and it still drives great today. Yea one day I plan on upgrading but if you are tight on cash to me its the way to go. I did do the work myself as well 200 parts 20 in beer and 8 hours of my time. DONE.

 

because for not much more... you can get the job done right and not have to worry about bottoming shocks before hitting bumpstops causing catastrophic failure.

 

I second 5100s with aal in the rear or beefer springs if you can afford.

Food for thought be ready to replace other things with a lift. I put a toytec kit with 5100s on all 4 corners and dever leafs in the rear, shortly after I had to replace all my u joints, center bearing and my upper and lower control arms. I had envisioned a simple lift but with the angle changes the costs added up pretty quickly.

When adding the lift get a center bearing drop kit or make one with shims. Had I done that from the get go I think my driveline components would have lasted longer.

Good luck and drop us some pics once it's all done!

 

Assuming you are an access cab or double-cab, I'm also going to vote the 3rd Gen take-off suspension. Most the time they go for $200 and you get front coils, 4x shocks, and leaf springs. It should give you 1" lift in front, and if you get yourself a 1" block for the rear, this is a nice little lift that you will still be able to align correctly without sacrificing drive-ability (or purchasing upper control arms.) Trust me, these trucks are really sensitive to the amount of lift you add when it comes time to do alignment. If you throw in a set of 1.25" wheel spacers front and back, you're looking at $500 max for everything, and it'll look sharp and drive nice.

Good luck!

 

Thank for all the information. I am a big fisherman take it on dirt and gravel to get to spots every weekend. Nothing super serious

 

I have my factory struts with a 1" spacer for when I need to send my 2.5s in for service, all good!