NTM 2016 SR5, how to spend $ in suspension

TL;DR I probably need shocks and leaf springs and don’t want to spend a lot.

I am a first time Taco owner, with a new to me 2016 SR5 4x4 double cab short bed. This will only get 3-5k miles a year the next few years taking me (46 y/o male) hunting, where there are a few logging roads but nothing crazy, and pulling a pop up camper with my family of four. In 5-6 years it will have a teenage boy driving as well. Currently has 265/70-17s on what look like 4-runner take-offs? It has about 120k on it. Shocks have never been replaced. Ultimately, I wouldn’t mind a level or a little lift because I like the look but I don’t need anything elaborate. I have done some research on here and had figured on bilstein 5100s to replace current shocks to level out the front at some point. Looking the truck over, I noticed a lean, and further inspection looks to my untrained eye like the leaf springs are shot or close to shot.
I’ve only got $5-800 right now to play with. Originally I thought I would just find some AT take-offs on facebook and tinker around with a couple other things to make it my own and address bilsteins later, but seeing the springs and knowing I’ll be towing the camper with the family I want to make sure its safe. If I need new leaf springs, shouldn’t I go ahead and put the bilsteins on then too? All the leaf packs I see add about 2” in the back and cost about $6-800. I don’t know that I want to go 3/2 lift was thinking 2/1 roughly, mainly because I doubt I’ll change wheels and don’t plan on changing tire size much because I don’t want to do much cutting. Are there leaf packs that only add 1”? Could I find take off leafs? Heard something about re-bending leafs? I’m probably realistically looking at doubling my budget in parts alone, is that about right? I don’t mind piecing it together, and I can be patient, am I on the right track though? 5100’s and a leaf set? I saw a rough country setup, but I also saw a lot of flaming in comments, so I guess it’s not advisable or worth it. Any other direction?

 

Do the 5100’s. Swap out the overload for add a leaf pack later if needed

 

I have the 5100’s all around and the Icon AAL in the rear. I’m very happy with the setup but I will be going to the full leaf pack soon just out of necessity because of weight on the rear of the truck.

 

Add a leaf don't do well with older leaf springs. I usually say first 3 years or don't bother.

Start with a simple block 1" in the rear, very common, even toyota uses 1" blocks on their TRD lift.

5100's set to 2" front and you're golden.

Don't do 3 and 2, 2 and 1 is ideal for these trucks, and its super easy and cheap to achieve.

 

Thanks for the quick replies. Think it’s possible the leafs aren’t shot and it’s just the worn shocks flattening them more? With what i am doing, occasional towing of 2500#, do i need beefier leafs than stock? If not, maybe i find a stock set and add a block as bishop mentioned.

 

Leafs come flat from Toyota

 

Go with add a leaf at the back. Cheap and will help with saggy rear.
You'll gain 1.5-1.8" at the back, then match the front to your desired rake with 5100 on stoke coil or replace coils with aftermarket.
5100 (w/stock coils)at all 4 corner and AAL should be within your budget.
I think I paid $750 3 years ago for 5100's, AAL and OME 885 coils
More options available for more money.

 

Interesting, so maybe i don’t have to replace the pack? What would a normal life expectancy be for a pack? I’ll have to get under again and see if there are any cracks etc. it would be great if i could just do bilsteins and a block.
As an aside, if I go with 2/1, is the existing tire/wheel combo going to look out of whack?

 

Define whack

 

True. I did a deep dive and you can find everything Tacoma world. I found plenty of examples of that wheel with Tacomas both silver and painted black. Looked good with that size tire. Not sure it needs lifted but if I need to replace shocks it might as well be 5100 I guess

 

Found the bilsteins for $450 +tax shipped, that seems pretty good from what I’ve seen. Guess I should pull the trigger

 

So I’m fairly certain the leaf pack needs replaced, one side is about 1.5”lower than the other and more than flat. I don’t want to spend a bunch of money on upgraded leafs if I’m buying the bilsteins too, but if I’m doing the work, they should be replaced at the same time. Could I just pick up some used ones that someone else is swapping out? I came across a couple on marketplace, a 2023 SR5 with 6500mi on them for $100, although it came from a long bed, would the springs be different? Or a set from a 2020 TRD off-road with 42k for $50. With a bilstein 2/1 I would still need either a block or AAL with either of these, correct?

 

While looking, I also found a TRD shock/spring takeoff with leveler for $100 with about 30k mi. Could I just do this with takeoff springs if I am just looking for at max a 2/1 or level? How much would I miss 5100s?

 

You need to add a block/AAL at the rear if lifting the front more that 1".
AAL is better if planning to go with oem leafs.
What color are TRD take outs?

 

Blue and yellow, so i think that means they are 4600 equivalent and not adjustable.