Finally getting a lift, a few questions

So I have researched not only this forum but a few shops around me and have narrowed my lift down to two possible configurations. Either way I go I plan to have it down by Mule in Issaquah, Jon has been very good at answering all my questions and they have had the best price. My local dealer is not even close and will not budge.

1st option:

5100's all around
2.5" Front
1.5" Rear using Deaver 3 Leaf Overload Replacement
285/70R17 on 17x9 wheels with -12 offset

The real question for option one is, with the -12 offset on 17x9 wheels is 1) will that rub still being that big of an offset, 2) will it stick out to the point it looks bad on the fenders?

2nd option:

Falcon Sport Tow/Haul Leveling Kit
2.25" Front
1.5" rear with block

The biggest question with this is agian, tires/wheels.. I could drop down to 275/70R17 but like the 285 look.

If it will rub then I will need to budge in new wheels, if I go that route then I will get the 4Runner TRD Pro wheels.

Thanks for the replies in advance.

 

-12 offset isn't really that big. May want to consider new UCAs that will allow you to get your alignment back in spec and will help pull your wheels out of the rear of the fender. Of those two options, I would do option 1. I won't spend another cent on Falcons. (currently have them on my wife's Jeep...your money will be better spent elsewhere).

 

Yeah, you'll rub off road with 285s for sure. You're going to need a CMC too. What back spacing do you plan to run? -12mm should push the tire past the fender well in the rear but not likely very much in the front, if any.

Highly recommend new UCAs, too.

 

I was thinking of UCA's, every shop I spoke to said I would not need them with 2.5 or lower, in another thread on this forum that was the general census also...

I am trying to stay in a reasonable budget and already planned on doing ECG's and dif drop, which I forgot to add to the two options above.

 

You won’t need UCAs for 2.5” of lift. I went ahead and purchased the high caster jbas and had a world of fun trying to get a shop to align it with caster set high enough so my wheels didn’t rub EVERYTHING! And rubbed it hard too!

Anyway with stock UCAs you’ll have to trim a small piece of plastic off with a -12 17x9. I have exact same wheel size and tire size you’re mentioning. Personally I’d highly advise from my experience in the last 7 days to get lift wheels and tires then alignment. Find a tech that can adjust the castor a little higher than stock then go from there to see if you need new UCAs or not.

 

Diff drop not needed. I didn’t change any bearings either. If one day I have the need then I’ll cross that path.

 

You might want to do some more research.
There's alot more to lifting these trucks than just installing a set of coilovers and springs.
Good luck with your truck.

 

I hear ya. I mean you can always try the stock UCAs and see what happens. It's just good to be able to have some added camber/caster adjustability when you add bigger tires. You want to make sure they can be aligned properly.

I would also get the total chaos cam tab kit to ensure those tires stay in alignment if you go off-roading at all.

Don't worry about the ECGs, replacement them if/when they fail. The diff drop isn't worth it in my opinion, it doesn't even change your CV angles much at all and you loose all that clearance you gained with the bigger tires.

 

I forgot to add earlier. I would consider option one as your only option out of the two you listed.

 

UCAs aren't required, that's true. However, it's highly recommended. Most lifts that guys on here use are 2.5" or less, including Fox, Kings, Bilsteins, OME, etc. Yet, most eventually end up doing UCAs. Adding the UCAs will infinitely help you in getting alignment back to the correct specs. Not required though.

 

I been doing research for 3 months, spoke to 4 different shops and two dealerships plus read a lot what was posted on these forums (which unfortunately can be hard to decipher as some counter others).... so maybe you could give a little more depth to your answer to help out.

If I do not know what I do not know then it helps from someone that knows.

 

I will talk to Jon about UCA's see how much they will add to the cost.

 

Do you plan on wheeling your truck?

 

If you have standard tool sets at home like wrenches and sockets up to 22mm, a hammer, some channel locks or vice grips, and a torque wrench it’s extremely easy to install yourself. If you’re interested anyway and can cut your costs tremendously.

Jba is about cheapest uca I found and very good. If you’re looking for spc they’re very adjustable and there’s a brand new set on marketplace now for 500 shipped to your door.

 

I’m running freedom off roads currently on my icon stage 2 w 285/70/17

 

I plan to do light off roading, like forest roads a few trails. Rock crawling is not on my list.

 

I was thinking of that but I do not have the proper tools and no place really to do the work.

 

If you take these trucks offroad, might want to look into spindle gussets, Marlin Crawler HD LCA braces, and rear spring hangers. That shit will bend all up just wheeling around a lake. Trust me on this. Good luck with your truck Brother.

 

I'm not sure who you were aiming that at but incase it was me, I'm happy to elaborate a bit.

You have a brand new truck, probably cost you 40k, right? So make sure you don't go cheap on the parts you put on that beast.

I think what you are going for is aesthetics, which is totally fine. If you want 285/70/17s, you'll need a CMC with some fender trimming unless you don't mind rubbing and trust me when I say you will. Picture this... You are at the mall, windows down, wind blowing through your hair, listening to your favorite jam, everyones looking at you in your VooDoo blue Tacoma, big smile on your face then you turn a corner and hit a speed bump and your truck makes a loud ass bassy/farty/grindy noise. Then everyone starts laughing at you and you panic! You backup and turn around at full lock causing you to rip your fender off. You get even more embarrassed and gun it out of there leaving your fender dangling off the side hitting cars as you leave the parking lot. You get back home and start another thread stating you got some damage wheeling and ask TW how much it will cost to fix when one of us makes a post with a Youtube video asking if that was you from the mall earlier. That video already has 500,000 views and it's only been an hour.

I'm kidding...

None of us are trying to steer you wrong here just providing our opinions and here is mine:

Without aftermarket UCAs a shop will not be able to align you tires properly so you'll get uneven wear on your new expensive tires, not to mention it's unsafe. You can get a good set of UCAs for $500-$600. Totally worth it. I'm partial to Total Chaos but there are a ton of good ones out there. It really depends on how much maintenance you want to do. Definitely research this more.

I like your idea of getting Deavers over the block because you will have much better ride quality depending on how stiff the leafs are. If you aren't carrying much in the back then I would get light duty, or Stage 1. Keep in mind this will lift your truck and cause a rake, which I think is rad and the way a truck should look, but to each their own.

When you have oversized tires the weak stock cam tabs on the tacoma will wear causing you to get out of alignment much easier so I recommend getting the Total Chaos cam tab kit. This is a lot of work to install and requires welding but cheap for a shop to do. Maybe, $150?

The diff drop if something I've been told by many people that I'm wrong but I honestly feel with a 2.5" lift in the front it won't alter your CV angles enough to make it worth it. Diff drops limit you on what skid plates you can install and lowers you front diff which defeats the purpose of the larger tires, clearance wise. Not to mention other things.

The ECG is not worth spending the money on yet. If it ends up failing, spend the money then to replace them and use the saving to get some UCAs!

What wheels are you looking at by the way? SCS perhaps? I'd recommend the bronze on that Voodoo blue. Would look badass imo.

Last thing. If you like the 285s, get 285s. Don't compromise because you will regret it a few days after. I would recommend going up a size actually, 315/70/17s. This will require a major CMC or cab mount relocation kit and some serious fender trimming. Worth it though!

 

I was gonna get a 3” lift all the way around with fox shocks but the shop ( and rightly so) said 2.5” is the spot and anything after that will required aftermarket UCA’s. So that plus the extra price for the fox to get .5” wasn’t worth it in my mind since I was buying other mods from that shop like pro grille and skid plate rims tires etc. so I kept it under $3600

5100’s
OME 887
Falken 285/70/17
Fuelly rims


Stay at 2.5 and your good. Unless you got the cash then get the Uca and lift it higher