suspension question

Hi everyone,

Once I get my 3rd gen taco I'm looking at either a trd off road or trd sport trim 4 wheel drive crew cab long bed.

I am looking to add 2 to 2.5" of lift but no more than that.
I have seen just spacer block kits to full blown shocks struts the whole thing.

I dont go off road but do need a little more ground clearance for deeep snow and dirt roads.

Looking for thoughts, advice, opinions as this is 1 mod I have never done.

Also would I have to worry about acr replacement and drive shaft modifications?

Thank you

 

Hey, and welcome.

It is worth checking out this thread Tacoma Lift FAQ/Guide - READ THIS. There's a lot of good info in first few posts, including Q&A.

Maybe someone else will chime in with better answers...
Myself, I'm biased towards suspension upgrade, over spacers. It is mostly because I overpaid for my stuff, since it was "right thing to do" (of course there's no need to go over board).

?

 

I'd just move up to a decent set of 265/75r16 all terrain tires or the equivalent 17" rim size.

They're a bit taller than stock

A lift won't help you with dirt roads and deep snow. The offroad shocks will be more than enough for casual dirt road use.

 

A suspension lift doesn't lift the axle lines, so they are still the drag points.

Taller tires add actual ground clearance.

I'd suggest the OR and a nice set of tires, leave the OE suspension alone.

 

Drive the truck stock for a season. Its a capable vehicle just out of the box.

 

Thank you everyone. I asked this as in bad weather I may need to respond to a call in 2-2.5 + foot deep snow so wasnt sure aside from tires if a minor lift would help or not.
By the sounds different wheels and tires might do the trick.

 

Yup a lift won't help you there. Get good tires, a shovel, and maybe some traction boards. Haha.

 

255/85/16 bfg k02= 33" gives you more clearance.

I have 265/75/16 = just under 32"Firestone mt2
I put 2" lift front and 1"rear ,both blocked , I'd this just so I don't rub, my truck is 2016 dcbsb sr5 v6 and I put full set of skid plates from RCI ,goes past my transfer case

 

2" of lift isn't gonna help much in snow that deep. Your only hope is winter tires, studs, chains and recovery gear, depending on the type of snow and underlying road.

No need for wheels either. Just run the correct tires on OE wheels. Or, get a set of take off wheels from another Tacoma to run your winter tires on. Either way, no reason to spend a pile 'o bucks on new wheels.

 

265/75r16 on stock rims

 

My set up, I can go threw 2-2 1/2 get of snow pretty good.
The tires are going to give you true clearance ,best bank for your buck.messing with the scespention, just bring other problems if you do your self, better just not bother with it .

 

Yep, they work great

 

The great thing about the 3rd gen is you can get thr OR in long bed. Get that and upgrade the tires to some snow worthy pizza cutter tires 255/85/16 (better in snow than wide tires). The OR has the locking rear diff which would provide the most value to your snow situation

Take your stock take off tires and throw them on craigslist for whatever you can get.

Good luck

If you are in New England swing down to CT for our spring fluid film event.

 

^this

 

What tires do you have there?

 

Those look like duratreks

 

If you're pushing through 2+ feet of snow, a lift aint gonna do shit in the grand scheme haha. Good tires and good recovery gear are key. Start small and work your way up. Kinetic straps, traction boards, winch etc. Oh and a good shovel haha

Bottom line, if you really have to drive through that much snow, its gonna be a long drive..

 

Or just follow a buddy and ride in his tracks after he's plowed a trail with his grill

 

Oh I agree and usually would and do, but when a call comes in I am sometimes the first one on scene and they dont always plow our side roads that often during a storm.
Ill have to look into kinetic straps and traction boards as this is the first time I have heard of them.

 

Haha it's a running joke with @SR-71A and I. We play in deep snow together in Maine. More so him than I.