Advice please! What would you do differently first time purchasing a lift kit/suspension upgrade?

Honestly wasnt too impressed with the build quality of the Nitro Charger shocks compared to the 5100's. gas immulsion... no thanks, unless they have changed that.

 

@MR5X5 That's the thing i really have no idea if ill ever add additional items like a winch etc. Would like to plan for it and might as well now. Maybe i'm missing something but the price difference from option 2 to 3 is only $173 cheaper but option 2 includes DAKARS leaf pack where as option 3 only list DAKAR AAL or HS leaf pack. Is there a major difference between a DAKAR leaf pack and the HS leaf pack? if not wouldnt it make more sense to get 6112's vs 5100's? Funny how a lift can go from $800 to 2k in seconds. Additionally i am going to need tires fairly soon and would hate to get tires that will fit a stock setup and then look tiny when I add the lift. Do you think if i could install the front lift and maybe do a CMC if 285's would fit without rubbing and then hopefully within a few months install the rear? im sure it wouldn't be close to level and as long as it didnt look insanely stupid i would be ok with that temporarily but i am sure i am missing something where this wouldn't be an option. Timing of the tires is kind of a pain right now because i will need them soon.

 

Tires > lift. regardless of lift for 285's you will need a cab mount chop, pinch weld flattening and inner fender trimming / removal. The wheel well is just physically too small for 285's to cycle through suspension and turning in stock form. Regardless Get your tires first. 265/75R16 sized tires look great with a 2in lift all around IMO. No need to go 285's

 

@MR5X5 has a point here, I ordered a Headstrong 2" lift with no intentions of adding anything else to the truck. Two months later I have a 140lb C4 fab front bumper on the way, and I will most likely have to change out my springs to accommodate that. I've got 265/75/16's, and as cool as I think 285's look I've decided it's not worth the hassle of the CMC and loss of power/regear to compensate. They look great on a 2"-2.5" lift too, like @nd4spdbh said

 

More i think about it, read up on and with majority of opinions on here it i think im going to go with 265/75/16's. I need new tires bad and being new to this i also think its just smarter not to jump into 285's right away. Plus gives me more time to save and purchase the lift i would like. Ive read all of the 56373626749 threads on tire sizes and i get mixed reviews if 265/75's will fit on a stock 2nd gen. Thoughts? Really do appreciate yalls help

 

265/75R16's will fit with zero issues on any stock 6 lug tacoma.

 

I would replace entire spring pack, not do an AAL. 2 years later i had to get new packs

 

I went with dobinsons 2" , complete w leaf springs ,no cb drop ,no diff drop ,wheel bearings from member here , ecgs bushing and new 265 75 16 falken wild peaks that rub on mud flaps a littLe full turn , happy so far no squeaks , just a little brother lean which spacer is ordered , good luck on any decision

 

@Duckcall you like the wild peaks? I decided on those from everything I read. Everyone seemed very pleased and said they look more aggressive in person than pics online. Anything will be better than the stocks I have

 

So far so good , only couple hundred miles on them , had them off road this past weekend running trail cams 2 wheel peeled most all of it , not much road noise , and yes they look aggressive overall happy just hope 4 the milage

 

The real question is what kind of driving do you do. You can go with AT's but really they are going to be for the looks, and will hurt on road dry/wet/ice performance and add only a little off road.

 

Mostly city/highway but I camp a lot and want to get into over landing and off roading more. Nothing too crazy really. I also make a 1000 mile round trip once a month

 

Michelin Defender LTX M/S you wont find a tire that grips better on dry/wet/ice/light snow roads that will get insane tread life, super quiet and light. they make a NON LT 265/75R16

Yeah it might not look aggressive but again read above. Tires have taken me everywhere i have pointed the truck and never been an issue.

 

Headstrong Off Road. Headstrong Off Road. Headstrong Off Road. Headstrong Off Road.

 

Put some 255/85/16 pizza cutters on that rig! The difference between those and 285s is only 1.2 inches in width and you get a 33 inch tire that does not require a cab chop...

 

Hey, OP. I know there are many ways you can put your kit together, but I’d always go with a full leaf pack replacement, no matter what else. I like Dakars (they can squeak, though), but Dobinsons are good, too.

 

Op I was lost in sauce too. It’s overwhelming reading through all the posts and once you have it figured out, then you don’t. . I through headstrong off-road. Decided to go with billies 6112/5160 with a full Dakar HD’s and SPC UCA’s. I have 255/85/16’s and I’m glad i did. No rubbing (except on some plastic that I just pushed back).

I’m very happy with my setup. Buy once cry once.

 

Thanks everyone. Think i have narrowed it down and sounds like I'm going to save up a little more and go for the 6112/5160's. Might be an overkill for me(for now) but for not substantially more it seems to be the best way to go. Just need the extra cash now!

 

that will be a good setup. Though with the 5125 shock mentioned, you will get more use out of any full replacement leaf pack by a little bit (.32in longer extended length), and save some $.

 

I had 265/75/16 on stock suspension (but it was an '05 with original) and it rubbed pretty bad forward and reverse near full turn. The 2.5" lift helped but I still rubbed backing out of my driveway with a full turn. Not until I added the UCAs and got the caster in better shape (it's now at 3 deg) did the rubbing stop.