Need quick suspension advice

First off. Sorry. I've read all about lifting 5th gen 4runners (and have), and 3rd gen Tacomas. But have not read about lifting 2nd gen Tacos.

In 7 weeks I'm doing 800 miles of dirt and 4x4 roads with my buddy. My 4runner is lifted and all armored up and my buddies 2nd gen Taco is stock. I got him to agree to let me buy him a lift kit for this trip so I have about 5 or 6 weeks to get his truck lifted and aligned.

I am leaning towards Icon front coils
https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p281/Icon_-_2005-2015_TACOMA_0-3.5"_LIFT/16-UP_0-2.75"_LIFT_STAGE_1_SUSPENSION_SYSTEM_-_K53001.html

OME rear leaf pack medium duty
https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p775/Old_Man_Emu_Dakar_Leaf_Package_with_Bushings,_Ubolts_and_CB_drop_kit_for_2005__Toyota_Tacoma_(05TACODAKARPKG).html

I know we will need front UCA. Anything else? brake lines?

He's keeping stock wheels and tires for now. 3rd gen Tacos I know you need a body mount chop for larger tires, same as the 5th gen 4runner so we can get to that in the future.

Bump stops?

I'm assuming don't need a diff drop


or thinking of getting the heavy duty OME from Yota Mafia, softer valving, no diff drop, OME UCA, heavy duty dakkar leaf pack. Does it need extended brake lines? bump stops?
https://yotamafia.com/product/ome-old-man-emu-2-3-lift-kit-2nd-gen-tacoma/


Again, sorry for the noobi-ness of this post. I just want to get this ordered Monday to be ready by our drop dead date of 7 weeks from now. Am I missing anything? Anything I should be doing? There's no budget here. Just want a rock solid lift.

Another question - he has an access cab long bed. Would rock sliders from a 4 door short bed be the same and fit?

here's my 4runner (posting a pic to show I'm not a complete noob. I did everything on this 4runner except the alignment)...like i said I've just never read up at all about lifting a 2nd gen Taco and don't think I have time, and don't want to make mistakes or have loose and and need your help.
https://imgur.com/ExjjDL3

 

Tires are probably more important than lift

Sliders should be the same between AC/DCSB at least they are on 3rd Gen

Lots of people complain about the Dakars squeaking and flattening out

I wish I had a friend like you.

 

If sliders are needed I have a set ready to go. Cheap and bullet proof. Cheers! And enjoy the trip!

 

Bumpstops are one of the best bang-for-buck options on suspension. if you're going to be refreshing everything else, I'd definitely add them to the list.

We sell the only bumpstops with compression damping and multiple heights for different tire sizes - at half the competition's price. Been growing our tacoma install base recently. www.perryparts.com

You don't need a diff drop, a few folks have done studies and it doesn't help driveline angles much.

I know on the 4runners and GX platforms, you need extended brake lines once you go LT in the back. Might be worth looking at, but with leaf springs you might not have as much articulation, making that less of a problem.

 

watcha got?

 

Good to know about the Dakkars, thank you. Wish I had a friend like me too. And appreciate the tip on the sliders.

 

So now I'm leaning towards.
Icon 2.5 Coilovers, no resevior (had issues with reseviors on my 4runner, just a pain to mount correctly, and need a quick reliable build so want to keep it a little more simple.)
https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p39/Icon_2.5"_Coilover_Kit_-_Standard_or_Extended_Travel_05__Tacoma_-_58630_or_58635.html

leaf packs: Either Deaver stage1 or All Dogs off road - looking for about 2 inch lift - any opinions? are these 2 inch lift for a 3rd gen and 2.75 for 2nd gen?
https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/s...f_Pack_with_Ubolts_and_bushing_kit-_U402.html
or
https://www.alldogsoffroad.com/alld...-load-leaf-pack-for-2nd-3rd-gen-toyota-tacoma

rear shock - Leaning towards Elka 2.5. Looks like a great price and looking to get about 2 inches of lift. Simple and less expensive option.
https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p618/Elka_2.5_IFP_Rear_Shocks_(Pair)_for_2005__Toyota_Tacoma-_90053.html
or
The he ADS with reservoir and adjusters because having the reservoir hard mounted to the shocks seems amazing that you don't have to mount the reservoir, plus get the adjustability.
https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p467/ADS_2.5"_Rear_Shocks_for_2"-3"_Rear_Lift_with_Optional_Compression_Adjuster.html

Hammer Hangers - necessary? stock hangers fine? Says that Gen 3 is stock ride height and does not do any lift. Is that true for both 2nd and 3rd gen Taco's?
https://archivegarage.com/explore-archive/ols/products/tacoma-hammer-hangers

 

You should just call headstrong theyll hook you up.

Im running icon extended travel front and back..
Dakkars leafs and SPC UCA
Wheelers bumps front and back.
Wildpeak AT3 265/70/17
I like the ride and it climbs just fine.

 

Oh yeah
Sway bar delete and no front diff drop
Good luck

 

I just completed an installation of rago fab hanger kit. Super heavy duty, ideal for abuse and heavy weight in the back.

 

I did not pitch in on the shock side since you seem to got a preferred list of items. But anything will be better than stock. It’s all about being honest of what you’re actually going to be doing. At the end of the day it’s about having a good time in the dirt. Cheers!

 

Consider some new tars
Stainless steel brake lines since sounds like a buy once cry once.

 

Here is what I did.

rear AAL 1.5”, then a spacer.
Originally 4600, then 5100. OME lift coils. Maybe 885, then 887.
Taco lean correction spacer.

yes it was higher. More ground clearance. And it rode like shit.

ended up getting rid of that.

went to 6112/5160, which is the next higher up and what comes on TRD Pro 4Runners. Rides better. Comes with adjustable setting spring.
Picked up a cheap used set of Icon RXT because they are configurable and have good reviews. OME leafpack has bad reviews and squeaks.

OME propshaft spacer. Did not do diff drop. I don’t see how it’s needed. They reduce ground clearance and can cause damage.
JD Fab UCA’s. Nice parts, well priced.

alignment is within spec. Toe 0. Camber 0.
Prior lift had issues of positive camber.

Too much lift causes issues like reduced downtravel, worse ride, shocks bottoming, and bad positive camber. And maxed out UCA ball joints which is not good for them.

it costs money to play. Pay to play. Nothing in life is free.
Bigger tires also cause lift. 31” is 265/70r17.
Tall skinny is 255/80r17 33” but downside is load E heavy.
Or, 285/70r17 regular 33”, hopefully won’t rub or need minimal work to address rubbing unlike 35”.
35” looks cooler but the more of this kind of stuff you do the more the truck feels like it needs an expensive regear. Which makes you want to put in ARB Air lockers from ECGS while you’re in there.

I don’t see Icon as being competitive with 6112. Icon likely costs more and as thin as fuck. Why would anyone pay more money for a worse thinner shock that has less fluid and damping capacity.

even 6112/5160 was not deemed good enough eventually by Toyota by the fact they later switched to Fox.

these upgrades work on a tier system based on your budget.
If you have more money than that, then you start looking into things like Fox 2.5, adjustable, reservoir, and maybe Archive rear shock relocate.

archive hammer hangers also help ride in the rear.

bump stops I’m trying Perry Parts up front. Better priced than the competition.
Rear bump stops are stock but I eventually want Archive u bolt flip kit with the yellow poly bump stops kit.

I’ve also seen RXT leafpacks at junkyards.

sure. You can try 5100’s all around for like what, $450? Set the fronts a bit higher. Maybe a $90 AAL in back or whatever.
That’s fine. Just don’t complain if it doesn’t ride to your liking during daily driving because there is plenty of warnings about this online. you get what you pay for. 5100 is thinner and has no reservoir in back. They are about the same as 4600 but taller to allow for lift, while 4600 does not spec for any inches lift.

Depends on the area. But also not really. #1 if your local streets suck, you want better ride. #2 local streets wont matter if you use it for its intended purpose off road.
At which point you may not enjoy the ride quality of 5100.
For example. I followed my buddy on a forest road. He was in a 5th Gen. T4R that was upgraded to 6112/5160 and swayed my liking of them after riding in it.
In my 5100 Taco my teeth were falling out.
In his 6112 runner, he didn’t feel anything

there will always be those people who drive around in the daytime with fogs on and 5100’s
Choice is totally yours.
Because installing 5100 takes time in labor hours of busting your knuckles in the garage over the weekend and then needing an alignment, it’s probably easier to just flush the same money down the toilet.
It is not a good feeling wanting to go 6112 after that because then you have to go back in and do it all over again.

there’s a reason why they’re popular, were on backorder, and have a big thread

or if you want you can try various products from OME, Fox, etc - my experience is only limited to the parts I once had vs run now.

I have extended SS brake lines because rubber lines are due for replacement at this point anyway.

this work on a 2g Taco is basically the same as a 5G runner.
Body on frame. 1GRFE V6. 5AT. It’s the same vehicle since 2005.
Except rear Runner suspension is coil spring and not leafpack

if he keeps stock tires it’s kind of pointless. Especially if they’re not good all terrains. Bigger tires = more lift.
Small tires look goofy with a lift.
A stock or near stock truck is still capable in the right hands on a trail they just have to drive slower, careful, and choose good lines instead of just eating through gnarly ones

a full build isn’t needed for just dirt roads
But on that note, I believe 6112 digressive valving and larger fluid capacity means it will ride better and longer on dirt roads than 4600/5100

 

Cleaning my garage I forgot I bought armor and rock sliders for a 3rd gen but never bought a 3rd gen.

Would RCI rock sliders for a 3rd gen 4 door short bed bolt up to a 2nd gen access cab long bed?

Going to email RCI as well.

 

If I were you and wanted to get my friend a nice lift without going crazy expensive, I would do as follows.

Bilstein 6112/5160, SPC UCA’s and an Icon RXT or Dobbinson’s leaf pack. U bolt flip kit and bump stops of your choice. Don’t think you need to extend the brake lines unless you go over 2in. Although they aren’t that expensive just for piece of mind. Not sure if you need to do the ECGS needle bearing replacement on 2nd Gen but it’s highly recommended in 3rd Gen and everything seems to be pretty similar between the two.

Looking on RCI’s website their sliders look pretty identical between the two Gen’s and they use the same pictures for both. So I imagine they should fit but probably call them to check since they have them listed separately.

https://www.suspensionlifts.com/sho...15-5160-lift-kit-for-2005-2015-toyota-tacoma/

Mainly I recommend this setup cause it’s what I bought after 6 years of researching on and off and it comes highly recommended here for a mid price range but quality low maintenance lift.

Also you may be able to fit skinny 33’s without chopping and smashing.

 

True don't necessarily need extended brake lines but a nice stainless steel upgrade helps the pedal

ECGS solid spacer on a 2nd gen helps

 

appreciate the tip on the ECGS. the trip is going to be a couple thousand miles. Don't wanna have to worry about it so we'll do it preemptively before any vibration.

It's this thing right? I've seen some how-to threads. Seems fairly easy.
https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing-eliminates-needle-bearing.html

 

a quick google tells me U-Bolt flip kit helps increase ground clearance....THANK YOU!! will do this! appreciated! I'll post back here when i hear from RCI. appreciate you checking their website.

 

cheers!

 

that's where I've bought most of the suspension for my 4runner except for some stuff they don't sell. I liked working with them. They were very responsive and worked with me to find stuff with decent lead times. But I'm glad I posted here because I was unaware of the ECGS Bushing thing before this thread. But yeah - big fan of Headstrong.