Off-road level or lift question

Hello Tacoma family
I am new member and recently purchased a 2023 Tacoma Off-road. I am loving it so far. I’ve been researching leveling kits and lifting kits. I am not a rugged off-roader (yet) but do appreciate the idea of being able to go off-road and handle things well if needed. I’m leaning toward a 2” leveling kit, but my plan would be when I need new tires to be able to go bigger like 33”. I’ve seen some posts, blogs and YouTube videos that suggest it is possible with no rubbing problems. I called my local Toyota dealer where I purchased the truck and they recommended the 5100 Bilstein shock upgrade to level the front. Seems expensive for a new truck with only 500 miles so far and the stock 4600 Bilstein’s seem fine, but willing upgrade it if it allows for larger tires in the future. Any suggestions is appreciated.
Thank you

 

A lift on an IFS truck will not allow larger tires... when your suspension compresses, the lift is gone.

Only solution is to select wheels with an appropriate offset and to run skinny tires. Otherwise, you need to CMC and trim plastics.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-skinny-on-skinny-tires.529656/

 

It’s a common misconception that you need a lift to fit larger tires on Toyota IFS.

You can fit 33s on stock suspension, no lift needed. Just be prepared to cut/trim things. It’s not the height of the tire but the width.

Also stock trd OR is very capable off-road, more than you think.

255/85/16 (33x10) will fit without cutting/trimming, might have to remove mudflaps at most.

 

Don’t need a lift or 33’s to go off road. Wheel it stock for a while. Now, if it’s the off road “look” you want, well, plenty options, from a few hundred $, to thousands.

 

Fyi, stock shocks are not 4600's.

 

welcome aboard!

 

Do it, do it...

 

take it outside stock first with a buddy and ask yourself if you were ever missing something. the TRDOR comes ready out of the box, spend your money on some nice camp gear instead

 

The desire to have the lifted modded truck is strong in this community. Enjoy it stock for awhile do a pile of research and figure out what mods suit your use. There's days I wish my truck was stock yet. But then I walk towards that awesome looking rig and forget about the miserable fuel economy and additional maintenance and the addiction to just do more and more and MOOOOORE.

If you decide you want to do it yet keep the lift at 1-2" max find a competent shop to align it and look into a uca to help optimize your alignment at the lift you choose.

 

So I bought some 267/70 R17s for my SR5 and I am having some rubbing issues, not all the time just when I make sharp turns or when making a turn and the road dips. I think it is rubbing on the air dam not sure. Would a 2" lift stop the rubbing?

 

No, time to trim or take that chin spoiler off

 

If you don’t know if you need it, you don’t need it.

 

My response will be unpopular but I say leave it stock until you know you need it. A lift isn’t going to give you more clearance under your diffs or much else for that matter. I’ve been with people with lifts and have gotten everyplace they have gone. I went up in tire size to a 235/85/16 and a more off road worthy tread. I don’t have 35’s like some of the guys I’ve been with but I’ve made the same routes just the same. I just have to pick a different line. If you know how to pick your lines and have a good spotter ( big bonus) the stock Tacoma goes places most owner don’t even know about or try. And I’ve liked still having all the articulation without losing any down travel. Just my 2 pesos.

 

If you're going to do suspension, do something that will net you a little lift AND a better ride. Spacers are a step back and rough-riding 5100s merely prop you up a bit. If you're sticking with your current tires, like others have said, there's no harm in letting things marinate for a bit. When or if you're ready down the road, invest in some quality adjustable coil overs that will do more than just raise the front.

 

A "leveling-kit" is still a lift but it's marketed with a cheap spacers for front and nothing for the rear. They ultimately do more harm than good and a 2" spacer lift will probably lead you to a Carolina squat.

A more effective and affordable solution is the 5100's recommended by the dealer as this uses the factory coil and is an adjustable strut assembly.

"Expensive" options are going to be full coilover kits and shock relocations, I think all said and done I had about $6k into my suspension.

In the end, as others have mentioned, will NOT allow you to fit larger tires but you can probably get away with a tall skinny tire.

 

an OR with a better set of tires will go alot of places with no problems

 

“Leveling kit” also reduces departure angle, which already sucks on a Tacoma.

 

5100’s bottom clip and OME885 springs, rear AAL(different brands and models) and 255/85R16 for skinny ones or a 285/75R16 and prepare for CMC and possible clearance issues. And this is something you decide to go for, look for one of the forum installers. I’m located at Ventura, CA.

 

I’ve been using my OR stock until it tells me it needs a mod. The day I scrape something I’ll buy some armor… or pick a better line… either way I’ll blame it on my kids for being bad spotters.

 

I think my truck rides and handles a lot better on the 5100s than it did stock.