DFW BS Thread : ********NEW MEET!! CHECK POST #1*******

Let me look
Just cause I worked my big azz off getting it up and going

 

looks great, nice to finally see it up and powered

 

Hi there,

I am new to the Tacoma world and wanted to introduce myself as well as ask for some guidance. I live in Waxahachie and finally got my Taco after years and years of being on my wish list. I, by no means, have a lot of knowledge when it comes to mods so needing help from everyone on selecting the best suspension lift for my needs. I have had mixed message from a couple shops and some bad advice that has left me needing to fix a few things.

Please forgive the lengthy message but I feel it is important to share the full story with the shops, different recommendations, etc so you all might be able to guide me in best direction.

I have read SOOOO much on tons of threads but still a little confused as to what is best for me. I feel like I read too much, too fast, and am now more confused lol. I am sure it’s out there somewhere but I haven’t found discussions with my exact set up of 285/70/17 Nitto Ridge Grappler, Fuel Vapor 17x9 -12 offset (I’ll explain that hot mess in a minute). My Taco is a Sport w/2WD 6 cyl auto. I do not off-road but maybe couple times a year and when I do, it is nothing major. Camping, slight rough terrain in the country where my family lives, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to off-road more in the future but that will have to wait a few years.

I want to have a nice, smooth ride on road since this is my daily driver but also have the ability to drive in semi rough terrain like for camping, dirt roads, and family farm with some dips and muddy holes. I LOVE 3” lift but in reality, from everything I’m reading, 2-2.5” is the best fit without getting into too much mods and cost- that is if I understood correctly. I felt like Bilstein 5100 was best option at first, but some are saying it is not a very smooth ride and to consider 6112/ 5160.

So, here is what I have been through with trying to mod but having issues. I was referred to a shop that “specializes” in lifts here in Waxahachie, TX where I live. To what I understood, they are professionals and do nothing but lifts etc. (chain store). I talked with owner and told him I wanted to upgrade my tires and wheels as well as look at suspension lift options. He suggested rough country which was an immediate no for me based off of the many negative reviews. I told him I was interested in Bilstein, maybe 5100 and would also love to do 285/70/17 IF it would fit without major mods like CMC. I also asked if I would need to upgrade UCA if I went with bigger tires and also so I could get correct alignment. He said as long as I go with a 17x9 -12 offset wheel, I will not hit cab mount and don’t need UCA or alignment, but if it does need alignment, they will take care of it. Seemed odd to not need alignment but I thought, well, these guys are professionals and do this every day.

Bilsteins were on backorder so I waited until they came in. Then they called two weeks later and said they were in. Dropped truck off. They put tires and wheels on then called me and said bilsteins weren’t in like they thought so they put roughcountry on temporarily until bilsteins come in. I was NOT happy and immediately went up there. All that was on my truck were $40 spacers on the front. My steering wheel was waaaay off due to alignment. They said I need to take truck to a muffler shop they use for alignments. I had no idea they didn’t do the alignment in house and was not happy. Also, the wheels were rubbing really hard on plastic trim and fender in front which they said they would not. Wheels are VERY close to cab mount as well. Any decent bump, especially full lock, I’m hitting cab mount for sure.

Took truck next day to alignment shop, 20 min later they were done which was odd to me that they completed so quickly. Truck was still pulling to the right pretty hard. Drove right back, told them, and they said it was my tires because steering wheel was centered (it was not centered). Went to back to lift shop, told them what the alignment shop said, and they said no, take to dealer to align. They said it was common for muffler shop to have issue with alignments on lifted trucks. I WAS PISSED. Why the hell would they use them if they aren’t good with lifts????? So, I called Dealer and they said they will only set to factory specs and with my setup, factory settings won’t work.

I decided to take to All Off Performance in North Richland Hills, an hour away, have them look at it, and get opinion on everything. They told me they would have recommended a 17x8.5 with 0 offset wheel instead and the current wheel set up is making rubbing worse. He looked at front end with me turning the wheels hard left and hard right. He showed me that I’m EXTREMELY close to cab mount and may have to do a CMC which I already knew at this point but was glad he was being honest with me. CMC concerned me but he assured me they do them all the time and it is very safe. There is just something that makes me nervous when you mod to that degree. I know a lot of guys on here do CMC but that was the last resort for me.

So, he agreed with me that the Bilstein 5100 is great option for front and back, and suggested adding block in the rear so I’m properly level (I want rear even or slightly higher than front), another alignment, and possibly cmc if still rubbing. I don’t like the idea of a block in the rear. I’m not hauling anything heavy typically but feel I should steer clear of a block. If I do decide to haul something of significant weight, won’t the block be an issue?

I also wonder if I should get UCA due to the larger tires, regardless if I only go 2-2.5”. I just don’t want to tear up my truck that I busted my rear to save up the money and finally get.

Again, I’ve read so much but hoping you guys will look at my specific situation and give me some advice. Which wheels should I be running with 285/70/17 P metric Nitto Ridge Grappler. Also, I don’t have to do Bilstein, but thought it was great option for the price. I love ICON, Fox, and King as well but not sure I can afford them or even need them for what I am doing with my truck. OME I’m hearing mixed reviews, mainly about rear AAL crapping out quickly. I really want to stay at or under $2,500 with installation if at all possible.

I have no clue what shop to trust at this point. Do you guys recommend anyone or is there someone in the taco world community here who does this?

Pricing from each shop:

All Off Perf shop- $1285-$1450 for everything with labor.

Waxahachie shop- $700 with labor (no rear block or cmc) NOT using them but giving price for reference.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this. Please don’t brow-beat me. I’m brand new and obviously have a ton to learn I do look forward to getting to know you guys!

 

You already bought them?

 

Welcome, oof thats a lot to read at midnight.

i highly recommend the eibach protruck lift kit plus an icon 3 leaf add-a-leaf for a mild lift with better than bilstein ride quality.

a CMC isnt terribly hard to do, im sure someone in here may even be willing to help.

as far as offroad shops go, i really wouldnt trust too much around here besides tandem Offroad or i hear great things about goodes offroad.

ucas arent necessary but a good mod to do while youre doing everything else, esp for an ideal alignment

oh and round here, dont worry too much about things fittin, a sledge hammer, a grinder, and a welder is all u need

 

I have something in the works, will see if it works out

 

Don’t pay for an install, plenty of people on here (including myself) will help for pizza and beer. 5100s Will feel slightly stiffer than your stock suspension, but the sport is the stiffest of all the trims. You will want coils as not to preload your stock ones by adjusting the strut (OME 887 is what I would recommend). You can purchase the whole shebang from Headstrong Offroad and get free shipping. Get an AAL for the rear (I’ll sell you mine cheap as soon as I pull it from @ohwhale.taco ’s truck next week, if you’re interested). Tandem does the best alignments based on reviews and personal experience.

 

And yes, I would recommend purchasing UCAs — SPC has a popular option. The Eibach kit is excellent, too ^^^^

 

I bet you’ll need a BMC

 

Looks awesome, I’m a fan

 

did you do bmc?

 

Hell yeah. Cut it as far back as possible

 

fml.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/beef-nachos’-helga-build-and-b-s.549728/page-27#post-22935368

 

Sounds like you went to Texas Tire

 

It was a lot to type this late lol. Thank you for the advice. I was afraid you might say there aren’t a lot to trust around here. I would love to learn how to do this myself and am mechanically inclined. I just need some guidance and to make sure I have the right tools and I’m pretty sure I do not for the coils. There is so much to learn but working on and maintaining my truck is something that excites me!

As long as I know the CMC is going to be done correctly and safely, I’m ok. Sledge hammer, I’m totally down with beating some punch welds lol.

who do you recommend for alignments?

 

I plead the 5th at the moment. There’s a shop that owes me some money right now and the owner is out until this weekend

 

awesome! Hey, what is your opinion about JBA UCA’s?

Also, do you guys know anyone who does these installs that would be willing to teach me/let me assist? I would pay labor of course. Just want to learn.

 

Dude, that would be awesome if I could get some help. I will buy food and plenty of beer!!! I just want to learn. I have my Tacoma finally and excited to begin the expensive mod addiction lol.

I’ve contacted Headstrong twice and still haven’t heard back. I know they are also closed right now according to website and not sure if they will be back in 17th or not. I really don’t want to have a stiffer ride than what I already have so not sure if the 5100 is the right choice for me?

Would it be cool to shoot you my number to discuss further? I need to get these damn Spacers off my truck, check to make sure they didn’t screw up anything else, get the right suspension on my truck before I screw it up with these big ass tires rubbing this bad in some places.