confused about lifts

I am a two week Tacoma owner. I have read and read on this forum about lifts. Suspension and body. I just want a body lift to put 285's on. I don't do much off roading, just "dirt" roading mostly. I can't seem to find a body lift for a 2012 double cab with everything needed to complete the job without having to buy extra parts. I have a trailer hitch that came on the truck and that is starting to be a problem. I would love to talk to someone here in southern West Virginia in person about what they have done to their truck. I am hoping to get rid of some of the confusion soon.

 

well put man, id never do a body lift or even ride in a truck with one. especially if you plan on using your truck as a truck (hauling, towing, etc)

i wouldn't want 1500 lbs in my bed resting on 3" poly spacers

 

body lifts are a no-no, even for the most mild of drivers

 

Do it the right way and do a suspension lift. Body lifts look stupid and could be dangerous. You just bought a brand new $30k truck. Don't cheap out. You'll thank yourself later.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/142677-suspension-lift-info-includes-pics.html

this one has pictures!

 

^^^ no wheels ?

Its a spacer lift

 

Jk its a body lift

 

1" BL and a small suspension and some trimming, clear 285s no problem.

NO lift and trimming and clear 285s no problem.

I keep thinking about a 1" but the bumper gap would drive me fucking crazy I think.

 

I have been driving a Dodge Dakota for the last seven years and don't know much about Tacomas. Where should I start looking for a suspension lift? And what would be a decent price for everything needed to complete the job. I just want to find a complete kit because I don't know what all is needed for a lift. Thanks for the help.

 

lots of guys do the ultimate lift.
if ur short on cash just get bilistein shocks on all 4 corners preload them. I think people are saying 400$ from downsouth motorsports (a vendor on here)

 

beat me to it haha

 

There are preload spacers. Spacers that mount above the whole shock/coilover assembly, but they're a bad idea. Then there are 5100s, a new shock that basically preload your factory coil without a spacer. Then there are lift coils that replace factory coils. Then there are coil overs that replace coils and shocks with a whole new adjustable assembly.

Kinda depends on how much you want to spend and what quality you're looking for.

I'd recommend lift coils myself. Spacers or 5100s work too.

If you get a full 3" chances are high you won't be able to get your caster angles (alignment) into spec, they'll be a bit low and though it won't wear your tires, it depends on you whether or not you're okay with how the truck handles.

Some don't notice, some feel like it wants to wander and requires more steering input to keep the truck tracking straight.

Some won't have that issue at all. To fix you'll need aftermarket UCAs with added caster and camber, another 400$.

Keep your lift low and maybe a 1" BL, no more, and you'll likely be able to get away with going cheap on your lift.


AAL in the rear.



Wheelersoffroad.com, really good guys.

 

Do you have a link by any chance?

 

X2

 

Pre-load spacers or 5100s might not ride as nice but IMO you have less chance of breaking shit since you're not extending the whole assembly however many inches your top spacer is.

 

I have about $500 to spend on the lift. Any suggestions. I want it to be safe and ride well on the freeway. Like I said, I do more "dirt roading" than off roading. We have a lot of back roads here in West Virginia and spend lots of time exploring them.

 

I love the setup I have and its right around your price rang. 5100s up front and back with eibach coils and wheeler's 1.5" AAL in the rear as well. I'm sitting at about 3.5" of lift though and have had the needle bearing issue that's pretty hit or miss with these trucks so you may want to keep it one notch down but it is definitely a pretty cheap way to look good and have some good performance too!

 

No you're not. I had a big long thread on here a while back and we determined that the billies were set on the second rung with the eibachs plus I'm a reg cab 4 cyl so not as much weight up front either.

 

Plus from center of hub to bottom of fender is a hair past 23.5" and I was told that that was about 3.5" beyond stock.

 

IMO you will sacrifice function for form with any $500 lift just to fit 285's.

I see no reason one must have 285's besides "looking cool" and to me getting them for that reason is just stupid.

IMO either do it right and spend way more then $500 or don't do it at all and buy tires that fit your truck as it is now.

If your an avid trail rider I would suggest a TALLER tire for more clearance, not a wider tire that does just about nothing besides provide a very miniscule amount of added floatation in sand/mud/snow and has you chopping shit apart to fit them.

Good luck OP. I would go back to the drawing board if I was you and seriously consider what you want. Form > Function or Function > Form.