Sore head

Brain hurts, need guidance. I will be putting a deposit on a new ORSB in January. Looking to do some mods pretty much after it’s driven off the lot (really want to get it over with lol). I agree with the words of many on this forum, my daughter told me this when she was 13, Tacomaworld you ruined my life!!!

In all seriousness I really appreciate all of the insights, reports, R&D that people are posting here. What I am trying to achieve are:

1) eye appeal – 80% (I can’t unsee some of the mods you guys have done)

2) offroad improvements – 20% (most of the trucks use will be on pavement & gravel roads, a lesser amount on unimproved roads, cut lines, offroad)

Current mod list: FN Wheels Five Star 16” +0mm offset

Cooper AT3 4S 265/75/16

That seems to be the easy part, achieving a small lift is where lots of questions arise. In a perfect world the truck would be lifted up to 2” front and around 1.75” rear. The leveled look really appeals to me but I will be hauling things occasionally and can see the inconvenience of a bro lean, looking for a compromise. I took an OR for a short test drive and enjoyed the ride although it did feel a bit like riding on marshmallows, would like to reduce some of the nosedive, corner lean reported here. If uca and bearing mods can be avoided that’s cool but if it would be best practice to do them I’m open to that as well.

So after all that rambling my real question is:

Does the gold standard for lifting involve a new leaf pack and new coil springs in addition to shocks or am I complicating the heck out of things and just need 4 Bilstein 5100’s?

If it makes a difference, we intend to own this truck for 15+ years.

Tldr: good lord not another lift post

 

The ideal/proper lift from what I've read up on would be new front shocks front and rear as well as leaf packs. A lot of the suspension lift part selections depend on what you do with your truck. Some people are happy with their spacer lifts while others want better performance than stock. Upper control arms are not required if you stay below 2 inches of lift, but they'll help with alignment. A full leaf pack replacement is a good investment if you use your bed a lot. I have a 200lbs camper shell so it was a must for me. I've considered the budget route going with an add a leaf and just the shocks, but I didn't want too look back and wish I would done something else. I am by no means an expert on suspension. I'm just saying what I've learned from reading through the forums.

https://ironman4x4america.com/nitro-gas-suspension-kit-suited-for-toyota-tacoma-2005-stage-1/
This was my first choice only because it was on sale and people seemed to like it, but I went with this kit plus the spc uca because it's an even better deal. Now I just have to play the waiting game.

 

You are over thinking this....
4 bilstein 5100
Set front 2 to the first clip on the stock springs
Put a 1 inch rear block or a 1.5 aal in the rear.
Call it done.

 

Kinda what I've been gathering also.

Are you saying they will help with alignments on lifts 2" and less, as well as those over 2"?

Yeah probably, just wired that way. Spending this much on a new vehicle I want to be as knowledgeable as possible regarding mods. It's a pretty big learning curve for someone who didn't know what a coilover was 2 weeks ago.

Would you consider that best practice? I know there are 6k suspension upgrades out there that I don't need. At the same time I only want to cry once with these upgrades. 5100's are a serious contender.

 

For what you are going to use the truck for, absolutely.
This will provide about 1 inch of lift, no need for upper control arms or u bolt flip kits...... it's a rabbit hole. Best to start basic and learn. The buy once, cry once theory is great, but it's a deep rabbit hole and usually throws you down alternate shafts, chasing noises and gremlins.

 

Is using the first clip (2" lift) limiting the shock's performance / extending the factory coil spring?

 

tell me about it!!!

 

I went 2/1.5 front/rear with spacers. I intend to upgrade suspension when I'm done adding armour.. but overall it's worked really well for me, and I do what you do. Daily driver, some gravel roads, then some light off roading here and there, forest service sand roads/ empty fields. But my ride is still very squishy. I like the marshmallow comparison

 

First clip is like .085 of lift
Second clip is almost 2
3rd is just over 2
4th is just about 3
The clip compresses the spring and the further you go up, the stiffer the ride.

 

Hey thanks for the replys! Trying not to be an askhole JaCado, but to acheive the 2" front, 1" rear with the 5100s you would go 2nd or 3rd clip on the front and 1st clip on the rear?

Is the block or aal creating the lift in the back with your scenario? Is one better than the other?

Good god I was worried this was going to happen...

 

If you want to go bigger than 1 inch, that's fine. Just know, that the more you compress the spring, the worse the ride gets. This is where the ome or eibach springs come in (not sure which one you need, length//spring rate).
Yes the springs achieve the lift, not the shock. The aal can be a tad stiff if there is no weight in the bed. The 1 inch block is fine, just really don't want to over that.
I had the lift I am describing and it was the best set up I have had this far out of 5 different lift combinations.

 

Experience w/ the 5100 paired w/ factory coils? Thanks!!!

 

Bilstein 5100 shocks in front and rear should give you enough clearance. You probably don't need anything other than that. Maybe new coils to keep it from wearing in and losing clearance over time.

 

They work fantastic, as long as you don't put them higher than the 2nd clip

 

Thats great! Thanks. I know there are MANY variables, but roughly speaking w/ the factory coils & first clip, what kind of front end lift? 2nd clip? I have a DCLB Off-Road.

2nd clip doesn’t compress factory coil to much and put strain on the strut (5100)?

In clip position 1 or 2 w/ factory coils, is that a better “on road” ride compared to clip position 1 w/ 885s? Thanks.

 

It seems like the more I read the more questions i have. This is the most research I've put into any purchase in this lifetime. Pretty much decided on new coilovers and a leaf pack. A local garage quoted me an OME lift with a Dakar leaf pack. I've read a lot of comments saying the Dakar squeaks and sags. Good lord help me!!!
Does the following lift make sense???
Eibach stage 2 coilovers and rear shocks with an Icon RXT leafpack on option 1
Opinions appreciated!