Perfect ride lift... or... Best tire / wheels for stock

I'm newbie to site... so be gentle...

My experience with Tacomas:
Owned 2002 4wd TRD OR DC - GREAT TRUCK!
Owned 2008 4wd TRD SP DC - Good Truck!

The suspension on '02 was awesome! Always felt tight, solid! The '08 was bouncy, and leaned in turns.

I will be getting a new '12 4wd DC OR, and hoping to get that same awesome ride quality. I'd like a lift, but have read too many horror stories on this site. Got quotes from local 4Wheel shop for ProComp 3" lift, but they said no need for UCAs and they want to charge big $$ for a 3 yr. warranty.

I've read a lot of positive comments on the 5100's, but despite reading many posts, I cannot understand how a SHOCK raises the truck? Maybe I just don't understand, but I didn't think the shocks set the height of the vehicle.

My real question is this: 1) Is there any lift in the 2" - 3" range that can be guaranteed to give a perfect ride (no vibs, like factory ride)? I know you will ask my budget... it is this: I'll only consider something that'll give me a PERFECT ride quality and reliability. i may or may not be able to afford it.

2nd question: If I cannot get a lift guaranteed to give excellent ride quality, can I see some posts of aftermarket tires / wheels combo's on STOCK suspension. I like the agressive look, but probably don't need mudders.

Truck will be 95% main driver, and 5% light offroad and snow.

Thanks!!

 

softest ride without losing road quality is probably 5100's with OME 885s. Leave your sway bar on if you do that. I run 5100's and eibach/toytec coils with no sway and the body roll is next to nothing but some people on this forum go crazy about people who take the sway off. Its a nice ride, especially after the springs settle in a bit

 

I have the eibach coil 5100 combo. I set the 5100's to .85. You'll get about 2.5 inches up front.

I went with a 2 inch AAL in the back.

Just search around the site for different lifts and do the research on em'

Good luck!

 

not trying to be a dick, but you will be hard pressed to find a lift that will give you the same ride quality of a stock truck because you are adding/taking shit off the truck that shouldn't/should be if that makes any sense to you.
but IMO i would do what everyone else has said and get the billies in front and back with a AAL and that will run you about 600-700. the front shocks are adjustable because there are three "notches" around the shock that allow a metal ring to sit in which changes how high/low the coil will sit on the shock. i have 5100's on all 4 corners and AAL with eibach coils and it rides MUCH stiffer than stock but that is what i wanted because i felt like i was driving a pillow

 

Not necessarily, I did the toytec ultimate lift with Dakar leafs and lr uca to me it rides better than stock it isn't stiff or bouncy at all. As for the vibrations that is kinda hit or miss dude you could have some stock many many people with completely stock brand new tacomas have a vibration/shudder under acceleration, others have slight steering wheel shake like a balancing issue that can't be found. Some have no problems I lifted mine 3" running 33" tires and I have no vibrations or anything like that.

 

So, the 5100s can use the stock coils in front (or aftermarket if you want a different spring rate)? And on the back the 5100s are just plain shocks (no coil), yes? I've seen some people say they set the 5100s at 0, does that mean no lift? I've also seen .85 and 1.7. Does that mean .85" / 1.7" lift respectively? The AAL in back seems like a safe, low risk mod, and most problems, if any, are with the front lifts, yes?

 

0 , .85 , 1.75 , 2.5

Inches of lift ( +/- )

 

Sorry, just updated post... 4wd!

 

5100's are great shocks and your eyes will light up when you see them in person, they are much nicer than the stock billys. I got a clunk after putting mine on but I also did them myself so I probably missed something or idk, but after the springs settle into place they are great and the ride is better than stock in my opinion. I have a TRD sport though and I believe that the stock shocks are valved stiffer than the rest of the tacos so that could be something right there. DO NOT GO WITH A SPACER LIFT IN THE FRONT....UNLESS...you are only doing it for the looks or bigger tires or anything not revolving around ride quality.

 

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