Offroad Noob Needs Lift Advice...

Hey everyone!

I know you read the title and rolled your eyes. That's fair. Let me hit you with the pertinent info then you can all tell me to read the other threads (I have!) before helping me out.

I love to trout fish. I am constantly scouting for new spots high in the mountains on roads that forest service markers have long been shot out and replaced by those in the know with things like "Blue Bear Road" (I have no idea). The thing is, those wild majestic trout I stalk are all only left in areas that people have a hard time getting to. Which is where you guys come in to help.

I hate 4x4ing. It's not my thing. It stressed me out and every time I hear my fly rods roll I bite the inside of my lip and say both a prayer and a curse. I get that lots of people totally dig the process and the adventure of the drive - my Tacoma is a tool to me and that's about it. I love it, but it has a purpose to get me to trout on roads my old F150 couldn't.

I've read the boards, asked others in the area that do lots of off-roading, asked service shops, and everyone has different advise for me. I'm hoping that some of you that have experience of what has - and has not - worked for you may help my situation as well. Some say a level kit should be enough, and others say I'll just total it if I don't do suspension lift. I'm 6'2", and these trucks SUCK if you're tall - riding a little more level would let me at least limit the rearview blind spot.

My truck: 2020 TRD OR 4x4 Double Cab M/T
Here are my limitations and goals:

1.) I have exactly 6" to play with from the top of my cab rack to the floor in my garage to play with so that I can still get my truck in at night.
2.) The goal is function here - This isn't a college kid asking you for the biggest tires I can put on it for looks. I am perfectly happy keeping my stock wheels if they get the job done and putting a more aggressive tire on for what I can get. I'm not going to be doing any cutting to the frame for this.
3.) Budget is under $6k total install
4.) I don't drive around town much at all - I walk to work and bike for groceries/needs. The truck is really just to go do fun stuff when it's not my work days.
5.) If any of this matters for weight/planning - Yakima OverHaul rack in the back, OEM cab rack, rear seat delete.
6.) Where I go is mountain terrain, so washed out dirt roads with few rocks/logs/etc but I'm not blazing new trails anywhere. The drops off the edges of the roads are significant (not survivable) so I need to be able to trust this rig under harsh circumstances, even if it's rarely needed.

I appreciate all of you for reading this, and appreciate even more of you who choose to share your advise and experience. I've never lifted a truck, and it seems like there's some strong opinions on every aspect of it and I just need it to get me as close to native brookies in California I can get.

 

I’m probably in the minority here, but you don’t need a lift right now. Put on some good AT tires (I run the falken AT3w) and start exploring. You can go up a size if you really want to - 265/70/16 to 265/75/16 or goto a skinny 33 (255/85/16) on the stock suspension.

if down the road you add significant weight, then buy suspension to accommodate it (heavier springs, etc).

these trucks in stock form will get you lots of places. I’ve been all over with the factory suspension and a good set of tires.

 

Wait, how are you getting to those spots now?

 

welcome aboard

 

If you're not willing to cut thw frame even just a little for the cab mount chop then the largest tires you can run are a 265 70 17 or 265 75 16 or 255 80 17 which can all be run on stock suspension.

Tires are your best "lift" as you're only as high as your diffs and a lift doesn't raise those, only tires do.

If you want a little better without breaking the bank and still being "stock" get Bilstein 5100's and an add a leaf for the rear and just set it for 1.5-2" of lift and that should be a perfect set up for you.

Or you can keep a sharp eye out for TRD Pro Tacoma take off suspension for a brilliant upgrade without going crazy.

Both those options are well within your budget.

($1k and $2k approximately)

For a really sweet ride look into some Fox King Icon ADS rad flo sway away coil overs and smooth rear shocks with Deavers or similar rear leafs that should still be in your budget but approaching the $6k cap but will give you an adjustable lift and the best ride especially on washboards and washouts.

 

I have put 275/70/17 on me 2nd & 3rd gen without any modifications to the wheel well, cmc, etc. The correct wheel will position the tire outboard enough to clear the uca without causing rub at full lock, aside from massaging or removing (or replacing with low profile ones) the front mud flaps. The 4runner TRD SEMA wheels are ideal for this but any wheel with the same specs will work.

If OP wants to max out lift and tire to get whatever he can out of it, should he need to, I'd say 2"+ front suspension lift with 5100s or 6112s and the light springs (I love how well the 6112s rode on rough pavement), UCAs of whatever flavor and blocks or AAL in the rear. Personally, I'd go with shellshock's advice and try some tires first and see if there are still limitations that limit access to the desired locations.

 

What Shellshock said.

My previous truck was an 18 ORP. I had 255/85r16 Cooper ST Maxx’s on pro wheels. 33x10. No lift. I honestly can’t remember if the stock wheel size is 17 on these but they make the same size for the 17 I believe. The skinny 33’s fit just fine without a lift and are perfect for what you’re looking to do. You already have the rear locker, this truck will take you crazy places with a good set of treads. With tires you’re right around $1500 because you really do need a spare the same size if you go 33.

You could do a small lift like the wescott or do Bilstein 5100 adjustable ride height shocks. Probably get the lift done for around 1k also. You really don’t need a lift though. Invest in some maxtrax type recovery boards and other trail gear just in case.

These trucks are already incredibly capable as they are, the stock tires just suck! If off roading isn’t your thing there’s really no need to spend a lot of money on much more than tires. If your budget is 6k, spend 1-3k on tires and a small lift and the rest on a rack for fly rod holders! If you don’t have one already

 

@KCrow I used to live just up the road in Paradise an am very familiar with the roads in the area. What these folks don’t realize is that a service road up there goes from fire road to Rubicon trail in a corner.

As other have mentioned tires are a must as they will give more ground clearance under the diffs. Next I would look at some rock sliders, skid plates, and maybe a bumper for a winch. Nothing like getting stuck being up at Long Lake for a weekend in July and getting a bunch of snow overnight.

A “low” lift should really be last so that you know what weight that you will be compensating for. There’s lots of brands/configurations available for the Tacoma and the sky is the limit on price. What you have to ask yourself is how the truck will be used. If you’re not planning on running dirt roads for long durations at high speeds you really don’t need an expensive setup with remote reservoir shocks.

Upper control arms should be considered if lifting over 2” to keep your geometry in spec and lessen wear on the upper ball joints. Fox, Icon, King, Old Man Emu, Bilstein, and all the other manufacturers make some great products. I was set on either doing a Bilstein or Fox lift and then stumbled upon a 25% of sale on IronMan 4X4 lifts. Suited my needs for trail driving to get to to the fly fishing spots I frequent.

 

255/85R16 tires on your stock wheels and some sliders is your answer.

Spend the rest of your budget on equipment that keeps the fishing gear safe while in the truck.

 

Get some 265/75r16 tires and you'll be fine. Here's mine with zero lift. I've never had an issue where I thought if i had a lift i would've made it.

 

First... a lift does not give you more ground clearance, tires do. You can go up one size from stock without any cutting and chopping.

Second... a lift will increase your approach and departure angles, meaning your front and rear bumpers won't drag as much.

That's it. Those are the two facts to modding for offroad.

My advice is to learn to pick the best line (route) when you are in the bad stuff. This might mean getting out and checking the ground firmness. Also, don't be afraid to stack a rock or two to go up an obstacle. Use common sense and never go further than your courage.
Lastly, your truck will never replace your feet.
I live near a trout stream and nine miles of it are inaccessible, even by mtn bike. We've tried lol and we carried and pushed more than we rode. The fish know that of course and stay where people can't get easily.
Good luck.

 

I google earth off-the-beaten-path locations with good water, sync my GPS unit with waypoints, drive as far as my truck will let me, and backpack in/hike in the rest of the way. I still go pretty far with my stock truck, but after the last route it made me rethink my setup. The roll/pitch/yaw screen on the dash? I don't know why it beeps at you when you get into the red - like it's a surprise you're about to roll your truck and that 1 second late beep does anything to help you? Things I've learned I wished I didn't know existed...

 

Ohhhh you get me! In case you know it, 27N28 is what led me to this thread - tried to sneak over all the way to 36 but I got snowed in and really was just scouting the back of Mill Creek not planning on a whole day... Thanks for the advice!!