Mild lift for new tires

Gonna get a new set of probably BFG A/Ts next go round, thinking of getting 265/75/16. What is a reasonable inexpensive lift that is not going to change the ride characteristics, yet give me enough room for these? I know this has probably been discussed to death, sorry. My experience with lifts for the last decade has been exclusively with Jeeps...

Any before and after photos of a 1st gen extended cab with a mild lift would be great!

 

You don't have to lift to fit 265/75/16s.

Though if you do want a mild lift you can get a set of Bilstien 5100s and set them at 1.75" up front. Then the truck will be nice and level.

 

How much do you think a set of those would cost? Ease of installation? Alignment necessary afterwards?

 

I did have 265-75-16 on mine with no clearance problems whatsoever. I will be going back to that size soon. I am running the stock 265-70-16 right now but they are wasted! I will go with the additional 1" of overall diameter with the 265-75-16, since they will fit with no lifting required. Hope this helps.

 

I have BFG A/T KO 265/75/16 on my 2003 PreRunner Double Cab with no lift at all. Though I do recommend a leveling kit, because the fronts rub on sharper turns at a higher rate of speed. Not much to bother anything on the truck.

 

I got mine at allprooffroad.com for $99.99 a piece.

 

Please excuse my ignorance...how does a shock absorber add any height?

 

on the 5100's, there are 4 different spring seat positions on the shock. this preloads the spring and lifts the front of the truck to varying heights. the settins on the shock are 0.0, 0.85, 1.75, and 2.5 inches.

here is a description from bilstein:
http://www.bilstein.com/Height_Adj_5100-Feb06.pdf

 

Does the higher setting make the ride harsher? This sounds too good to be true...

 

from what people on this site have reported, the ride on the 0.85 and 1.75 setting is stiffer, but worth the added height and clearance. however, on the 2.5 setting the ride is much stiffer. on all the lifted settings, the "taco lean" is minimized or negated. the front of the truck will also not plow forward during moderate to heavy braking.

 

Oh thank God. Thats one of the biggest issues I have with my truck is the damn lean when you hit the brakes.

 

Would an alignment have to be performed after installation? How about after each height adjustment?

 

yes... each time you change suspension height or modify suspension components, you will need an alignment.

from what i have read on this site, with the 0.85 and 1.75 settings, you can get a proper alignemnt. on the 2.5 setting, however, you may not be able to get a proper alignment unless you put on new upper control arms (UCAs) that are designed for the increased angles.

if you go 3.0 inches in lift, you will definately need new UCAs to get a proper alignment.

 

I think I will leave mine the hell alone!!!

 

UCA's are not needed for 3 inch lifts on pre-05 Tacomas, as for the alignment, its recommended you get one but I put a 3inch spacer and only thing slightly out was the front toe, so I would say have it done, but not "needed"

 

i'm with you on this, I've been down that road too many times. You change one thing, and it starts a domino effect, change after change.

 

Yep.

Was thinking about getting coilovers. So then I would need UCAs ($1600 for Icon C/Os and TC UCAs). Of course I'd need stuff for the rear. I'd get the Icon rear shocks and deaver leafs ($1000.) But if I upgrade the suspension all around I'll need armor. Sliders are like $400, full skids are around $500 (budbuilt.) Why not upgrade the bumpers while i'm at it. Shrockworks front bumper alone is $1000, haven't picked out what I want for the rear (can't really find anything for rear bumpers) Gotta get new wheels and tires for the truck now. Wheels (KMC Enduro (~$120 online)) and tires (not sure what yet, but assuming around $150 each) x5

So my wishlist is up to ~$6500 for parts. No shipping, no installation.

 

hmm Im very happy with the setup I got so far.
King c/o-400 off craigslist
bilstein 5125 rear shocks-100 for both off craigslist
rear AAL for rear lift-50-off craigslist
wheels and tires-550 hook up at dealer for tires and wheelers.com for rims
so with 1100 i have a pretty capable rig
It doesnt take much, just look around for deals

 

i put 265/70r17s BFG AT KO on my 04 taco trd and i think thats the biggest you can go without any lift. when i first put them on the front tires would rub when the wheels were turned all the way. i just cut out some of the plastic and cheap rubber moulding inside the wheel well to get rid of the rubbing though.

i have the tires for life program at my toyota dealership so those tires cost me $88 dollars altogether. when i need new tires in the future i will probbaly go the next size up and get a very mild lift and level out the front so the tires will fit perfectly.