Lift Questions... Again

Hey Tacoma World,

With help from a few of you I got my wiring harness set up for my new Cap. Now with the new cap and my rooftop tent I'm squatting. I read a few helpful threads here on the forums and a few articles online so I think the important details are:

1. I'm going to be driving on the road most of the time, I sometimes end up on dirt/logging roads to access favorite Mtn. bike trails or go fishing

2. I have a cap and a tent that total about 350 lbs. and plan to leave it on

3. I frequently have a hitch mounted bike rack loaded with 4 bikes for somewhere between 150-200 lbs.

4. Then I add gear

So I got confused today when the guys at Mudify told me to go with a standard lift kit as pictured

I'm a teacher so this is pushing my budget quite a bit, but I'm not convinced that standard load will be enough for the weight I will probably be carrying. I'm open to any comments/suggestions, even the ones that say I'm stupid for not reading all the old threads (because I read many of them but this is a foreign language to me).

Shout out to @nihil and @daveeasa for their help with my wiring issues this morning!

 

Welcome to the rabbit hole of all rabbit holes.
Remind us, DC, AC or RC? I think DC? Long bed or short?

I had a brutal time with my '05 RC (3400 lbs so fairly light) and my '02 Tundra (now 5500 lbs and fat heavy pig) but for 2.5 gen - 3rd gen (basically the same damn truck) the stock fox stuff has been butter.

@memario1214 can hook you up with specifics, just give him a budget to work with.

To save some $, go AAL instead of a new leaf pack but if you want to just get it done once and pay through the nose, new leaf pack is a nice way to go. I'm a deaver fan but they took 2 tries to get my Tundra right.

Don't worry about this being the last mod b/c after this you go shock relocate, hammer hangers, u-bolt flip, and then you scrap all that and go long travel, then you bob the bed then.....

 

Forgot to add that I have 255-70-R18 tires and don't really plan on going much bigger, so no need for UCAs according to the techs

I'm open to other combinations. I just want my truck to roll relatively smoothly and safely.

 

Hey, so, one thing about UCA's. Everyone has opinions on that. Most UCA's are focused on 2-3" lift situations (or more, but not focused on less). SPC's are adjustable so they work with a range of lift options. I have TC UCA's on my '05 and wanted it stock height, it has the least awesome steering of my 3 trucks. In hindsight, I'm an SPC fan. But lots of people are haters of SPC cause they are maybe less awesome with customer service. Heaps of options out there.

I would just stay at or near stock height in front, add some lift in the back to get nice rake, get good coilovers, and see if you really need UCA's before buying. I'm half tempted to go back to stock UCA (not joking) b/c the TC just make steering "odd".

Anyways, that's my take. Others will tell you their opinions too.

 

Sorry, DC short bed. I had a friend recommend the AAL route but when researching the manufacturers say that they don't help with increased load weight. I here you on the mods... fortunately I have a 5'4" angel on my right shoulder and two kids to feed to help me moderate my spending (somewhat). The current modifications are all to meet family needs for camping.

 

Yeah, if you can plan for it, new leaf pack is nice. Just don't get any real $ back for the stock leaf pack so it's a big cost differential.

Deaver stage 1 or 2 could work. I run a J66 cause I'm pretty light on my '16, works great, gives me an extra inch, if anything it's higher than I want it.

 

A constant 350lbs would not imo would be a standard load. What I would consider a standard load is a weight that is loaded for a trip and then unloaded not one that stays indefinitely. I’d get a set of leafs rated at at least 350 or 500 constant load.

 

@memario1214

Thanks for reaching out. I wouldn’t mind up to a 2 inch lift overall (or whatever is most functional), but I’m not really worried about the “lift look”. A little bit of rake would be fine if that’s what’s needed to set up the best handling. I just don’t want to squat. With the canopy and the tent on I drop ~2 inches.

A couple of people have recommended just a lift in the back for a functional fix but that sounded weird to me.

overall I want the rig to drive well on the highway, and dirt/fire roads so my wife feels happy as either a passenger or driver. (trying to get my family out more).

for budget thoughts, against better judgement I bought the cap on credit (and I’m a teacher) so I’m interested in the most functional long term solution without going crazy on cost.

thanks in advance for your help!

 

Last few questions, forgive me but I want to make sure I don’t forget anything.

1) all this is good for 2014 Tacoma double cab TRD?

2) are those 5100’s the straight shock or do they have Coilovers?

3) Is this a limited experience diy friendly install (I’m good at following clear instructions) or better to have a pro set it up.

4) when I add bikes and camping gear for another 200-350 pounds will that still be the right setup?

5) do you have that setup in stock for sale?

 

I would search the local forums and see if any of the 3rd Gen guys have a set of leafs in their garage with a 3 leaf aal on them. I know of 3-4 sets that guys would practically give away in the pnw. Most of us started with the 3 leaf aal and either went with deavers or the icon rxt leafs and have our old stuff sitting around. It’s an inexpensive way to get back some ride height in the rear. If you are handy and have the tools it’s a couple hour job in the driveway to swap them out.

 

Also price check the 6112's just so you know. This isn't something you want to do twice (the coilovers) if you don't have to. Rear shocks, easy peasy to change. Fronts are more work and swapping the shock while keeping the coil is the scary part.

Oh, and finding lightly used 600 lb eibach coils is pretty damn easy, I wouldn't bother recycling the OEM ones. Most guys going heavy get 650's or 700's and then nearly give away their 600's.

I have a pair of 550's (had to go to 500's on my RC) which might also work.

 

Bilstein 6112/5160 or 5100 with Icon RXT leaf pack seems to be the go to for a quality budget conscious weekend warrior lift. With the RXT leaf pack you have options to add or remove leafs per your weight which is nice. I've read horror stories of Dakar leafs squeaking and flattening out. Something to keep in mind, although I have not used them myself so can neither confirm nor deny.

 

Following this one. Similar loadout (same cap even), similar use case. 2015 DCSB, TRD Off-Road, 265/75-16's. Looking to recover some of the sag and give it a mild lift (2" or so would be fine). Would like something "complete" with coilovers, full leaf pack, UCAs, without breaking the bank and retaining the tow capacity. Not asking much, right?

 

what rim offset did you get? do they rub at all? thanks

 

I went with deavers I found used first. Assessed my needs then. Found used here. Then found icon 2.5 used and had them rebuilt. All under 2k.

 

I just put this 2.5 on my truck. I went with mid level and I have a shell and tent that weighs 350. The mid works great.