I am lost on lift choice/option

Alright. I have read through some posts here and I think I am more confused. Ive got an 03 Prerunner TRD w/Xtra Cab. I just hit 72k miles and the shocks have been shot for a few months now so when I turn or hit the brakes, it sorta bounces. I am also about ready for new tires.

Soooo I thought, lift and then some tires. Maybe some 265/75/16's which are a little bigger than I have now and a 2.5 or 3" lift. Now I am guessing that my front coils are prob about shot as well so I would just change them out and the shocks. I dont want to do coil overs since the expense. Originally I was thinking the Bilstein 5100's all the way around and some OME 881 coils up front as well but read here that that might not be good combo. <sigh>

Can someone please point me in the right direction for a 3" life with some new coils, shocks for front and rear etc? I know the bilsteins only give 2.5".
Is there a better way to get 3"?
Should I do the Bilsteins, maybe go an 1" on them and a 2" spacer for the coil or is that not a good idea?

Once I do the front, if I just put the 5100s on the rear will they work alone or will the front sit higher than the rear? Would I add a block to the back, or an AAL.

Thanks a lot
Carito

 

Thanks. Also I wanted to say that I do not do any offroading in the truck. About the only thing I will ever do is tow something.

I thought I had read on here somewhere that if you use the 5100s and the OME coils with the shocks set at 2.5 that the travel wouold not be enough and would give a rougher ride??? Maybe Im wrong.

Could I use a spacer kit and the 5100s. Like have them set at 1" or none and then either get 1 1" spacer kit or 3" spacer kit for the coils?

How about the rear? What is my best alternative there? Will 5100's there extend enough to level it out with the front being at 3"

 

Welcome

 

OK thanks. That would give me two up front. To go three though, would there be any prob using a spacer in addition to the bilsteins and coils?

You say to use an AAL for the rear. How does that compare ride quality wise to just using the stock leafs and a block in addition to 5100's back there.

 

Ahh ok.

So I need a couple of AALs, some 882s for the front, 5100's all the way around.

Sounds like it will be a fun weekend when I get it all ordered. Might seem like a dumb ? but Im guessing that since you dont recommend to use a spacer with the lift coil, that most of the folks that use the 3" spacer kits are "not" replacing coils and or are using only stock height coils?

Any paticular brand etc you recommend on the AAL?

 

OK guys. Reading some more posts. Would it just be better to get the OME shocks to go with their coils and them on the rear as well? Any idea how they compare quality/ride wise to the 5100's?

 

Chris will tell you this when he gets here...but the OME shocks are a lower pressure charge with more oil. So they stay cooler for longer and that reduces fade. OME makes the shocks to complement the springs.
So I'd say you can't go wrong with that combo (It's what I'll be ordering)

 

thanks guys!

 

I was faced with the same question a couple of months ago and arrived at my conclusion by considering a couple of points.

I am sure that there will be some disagreement but:
The setup of choice where money is no object is Icon Coil-Overs in front with Bilstein 5100 shocks in the rear with a complete spring pack replacement on the rear.

I was considering buying a Tundra last year and the myriad problems with 07's made me back away from that plan. 2008 came and went with the economic news being bad and now I have decided to keep my truck.

Faced with the reality that I was going to have to spend a minimum of 5 or 6 hundred dollars anyway, I decided to do it right. The only thing that I did not do was rear spring replacement. I went with the AAL from Wheeler's Offroad which is manufactured by Alcan.

The results are remarkable and I am quite happy. My truck is now set up to ride smoothly for another hundred and fifty thousand miles or so.

Bing0

 

Well, like I meant to say, it is ultimately completely subjective anyway but the research that I did led me to the conclusion that the Icons were the decisive best when it came to overall ride quality for the Toyota Tacoma.
There was apparently a great deal of R&D that went into this specific shock for this specific truck I think especially 01-04 model years.

At that time the company was Donahoe Racing. It is my understanding that these specific shocks for sale now, are shocks that were used to win a significant race for a specific class at Baja one year.

I am beginning to feel like I am hijacking this thread and I am new here so I especially don't want to do that.

Bing0

 

how can you have 11,300 posts???

 

oh
it is still something of an honor somehow anyway...

 

Carito,

I just put a 3" lift on my truck. The question here is.........would you be four wheeling, or is it just for looks only? If it's only for looks, the less expensive way is to add rear adjustable shackles that would give you a 3" lift and strut spacers up front. I had a friend that used this set up and he loved it and it also gave him a great ride. As for shocks you can use Bilstein 5100's or KYB's which offers great PSI and are great for heavy loads if you choose to carry heavy weight in your bed. Now, if you choose to go four wheeling, I'd purchase the Fabtech Basic System (Basic Coil-Over Suspension System), which gives you a 0-3.5" lift. It's designed to replace the front OEM shock and coil spring assembly. The 0-3.5" Basic System features a fully adjustable coil spring assembly for front height adjustment. The performance shocks are sealed units that have been pre-valved for smooth highway ride or moderate off-road use, and utilizes the stock upper coil seat for a factory-like fit. You can purchase this a 4 Wheel Parts. Call Carl at 4 Wheel Parts (1-866-832-3007), ext. 5122. If he's still offering a great deal, you can have them shipped to your front door between $658-$700 complete. If you're interested in knowing what the complete kit comes with, give him a call.