1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Suspension Lift Questions

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by explorationGeo90, Nov 11, 2012.

  1. Nov 11, 2012 at 9:19 PM
    #1
    explorationGeo90

    explorationGeo90 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2012
    Member:
    #89643
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    AJ
    Washington/Montana
    Vehicle:
    12 DCSB mag. gray
    Hey TW. I bought my first Tacoma in May (2012 DCSB TRD Off-Road) for work and it not only met and surpassed my expectations but blew them away. I work as a exploration geologist in North-Central Washington and we do quite a bit off roading and travel a lot of rough roads. I just bought a set of 285/70/17 Greenball Kanti Mud Hogs to replace the balding stock BFGs after 17000 miles. I've looked at a few lift kits and know I want a 3" lift so I can maximize my clearance without needing a drop bracket for steering. I've heard about Icon and Toytech but i'd appreciate any input on lifts and what stage to get. Thanks!
     
  2. Nov 11, 2012 at 9:22 PM
    #2
    the.sight.picture

    the.sight.picture Wishes he was in the woods.

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2012
    Member:
    #71180
    Messages:
    7,985
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    Blue Ridge
    Vehicle:
    2018 QuickSand
    Check out my build thread (Beginning of Money Pit)
    First Off, Welcome to TW!


    What is your price range for the lift?
     
  3. Nov 11, 2012 at 9:33 PM
    #3
    IluvTEA

    IluvTEA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2010
    Member:
    #30430
    Messages:
    1,129
    Gender:
    Male
    South Dakota
    Vehicle:
    '10 DC LB 4x4 SR5 Super White
    Cooper ST 265/75/16 on Flat Black TRD OR wheels, window tint, blacked-out badges, front mudflap trim, BHLM, Base Black Rear Bumper Swap, Color-matched grille, Custom Relentless Fab plate bumper powdercoated flat wrinkle black and "TACOMA" backlit with Drunknsloth LEDs, Camburg 2.5" coilovers, LR UCAs, Power sliding rear window, Back-up camera anytime, FX-R projectors/Morimoto 3Five Ballasts/D2S bulbs 5000K, Black WeatherTechs, heated TRD seats with Roadwire Graphite Leather, OEM Roof Rack, front mud flap delete, Black Level 8 Guardians, TreadWright 285/75/16 with KG ...
    Welcome to TW!

    I agree with the.sight.pic it depends on how much you want to spend, $200 or $2,000? There are a lot of different options out there.
     
  4. Nov 11, 2012 at 9:55 PM
    #4
    explorationGeo90

    explorationGeo90 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2012
    Member:
    #89643
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    AJ
    Washington/Montana
    Vehicle:
    12 DCSB mag. gray
    Thanks for the welcome! I'd have to say my max would be $2000. I'd like to keep the ride level as well. Knowing very little I think that a stage two would work for me. But again, input would be helpful. Keep the questions coming.
     
  5. Nov 11, 2012 at 10:13 PM
    #5
    the.sight.picture

    the.sight.picture Wishes he was in the woods.

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2012
    Member:
    #71180
    Messages:
    7,985
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    Blue Ridge
    Vehicle:
    2018 QuickSand
    Check out my build thread (Beginning of Money Pit)
    Well, Are you going to install yourself or pay someone?
     
  6. Nov 12, 2012 at 6:16 AM
    #6
    Kenpo

    Kenpo Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2012
    Member:
    #90787
    Messages:
    11
    Gender:
    Male
    kauai, hawaii
    Vehicle:
    stock for now
    im in the same boat but i hav eabout 500 more to spend maybe 1000, i would like 6 inch but i heard 3 inch gives just as much ground clearance, and 6 inch takes away from realiability and actgually reduces groudn clearance...go figure? depending on the kit you want...to bad the thread i put just got a bunch of smart ass answers when i was asking on first hand experience :-/
     
  7. Nov 12, 2012 at 7:05 AM
    #7
    explorationGeo90

    explorationGeo90 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2012
    Member:
    #89643
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    AJ
    Washington/Montana
    Vehicle:
    12 DCSB mag. gray
    I'm going to pay someone else. As much as I don't want to give them the business I'm going to have it done at a toyota dealership. That way if something goes wrong down the line (i.e. the front axle goes out or the steering slips) I can look at them and say "your techs did it and it's under warranty"
     
  8. Nov 12, 2012 at 7:18 AM
    #8
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Member:
    #39131
    Messages:
    38,400
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    '19 Ford F-250 6.7 SCrew
    F-250 Land Yacht Mod
    Actually, you'd have a tough time fighting that one... They'll point at the lift and tell you that the lift kit caused the part to fail unless you have a really good dealership.

    Depending on how much equipment you need to carry on these off road trails, you might want to look at the full OME kit with Dakar leaf springs and LR UCA's. The OME kit is very reliable and, unless you want to do high speed off road runs, will perform well also.
     
  9. Nov 12, 2012 at 7:52 AM
    #9
    the.sight.picture

    the.sight.picture Wishes he was in the woods.

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2012
    Member:
    #71180
    Messages:
    7,985
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    Blue Ridge
    Vehicle:
    2018 QuickSand
    Check out my build thread (Beginning of Money Pit)
    I agree with pugga OP. I think that OME full kit from DSM would be your best bet.
     
  10. Nov 12, 2012 at 7:43 PM
    #10
    explorationGeo90

    explorationGeo90 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2012
    Member:
    #89643
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    AJ
    Washington/Montana
    Vehicle:
    12 DCSB mag. gray
    thanks for your help! But you're going to have to break down those acronyms for me. Sad but it would help a lot, thanks!

    Also I learned where a tacoma can't go today. Luckily it didn't involve sliding off a snow covered road and rolling myself and my truck :D
     
  11. Nov 12, 2012 at 8:26 PM
    #11
    IluvTEA

    IluvTEA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2010
    Member:
    #30430
    Messages:
    1,129
    Gender:
    Male
    South Dakota
    Vehicle:
    '10 DC LB 4x4 SR5 Super White
    Cooper ST 265/75/16 on Flat Black TRD OR wheels, window tint, blacked-out badges, front mudflap trim, BHLM, Base Black Rear Bumper Swap, Color-matched grille, Custom Relentless Fab plate bumper powdercoated flat wrinkle black and "TACOMA" backlit with Drunknsloth LEDs, Camburg 2.5" coilovers, LR UCAs, Power sliding rear window, Back-up camera anytime, FX-R projectors/Morimoto 3Five Ballasts/D2S bulbs 5000K, Black WeatherTechs, heated TRD seats with Roadwire Graphite Leather, OEM Roof Rack, front mud flap delete, Black Level 8 Guardians, TreadWright 285/75/16 with KG ...
  12. Nov 12, 2012 at 9:58 PM
    #12
    explorationGeo90

    explorationGeo90 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2012
    Member:
    #89643
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    AJ
    Washington/Montana
    Vehicle:
    12 DCSB mag. gray
    So heavy coils and whats a trim packer?

    I went to high school in the Biterroot Valley but call Missoula home now. MT seems to be a great place no matter where you are. I went hunting in Lima, Lincoln, and Seeley the last time I was home. Just awesome country all the way around.
     
  13. Nov 13, 2012 at 1:39 AM
    #13
    4Wheelin4Banger

    4Wheelin4Banger Supercharged Toyman

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2011
    Member:
    #58306
    Messages:
    7,295
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Randy
    Ferntucky, NV Halfway between Reno & Falabama
    Vehicle:
    2011 4x4 Access Cab Supercharged Silver State Edition 245WHP
    3" OME lift 885s & Dakars riding on 33" KM2s
    [​IMG] Welcome to TW [​IMG] from Ferntucky, NV
    I agree with getting OME. I love my 885s & Dakars.
    884s & 885s have the same spring rate (885s are just a little longer) & the 886s are heavier and for use with the ARB (parent company of OME) plate bumper & a winch.
    The 884s will give your DCSB around 2.25" & the 885s around 2.75"
    I plan on adding a .25" spacer (spacers will give you twice the thickness in lift) when I add a non ARB bumper & winch.
    The trim packer goes under the driver side coil to correct "Taco Lean" caused by gas tank & battery on the same side (stock coils are a little longer on driver side).
     
  14. Nov 13, 2012 at 1:53 AM
    #14
    mynewtoy

    mynewtoy I like men

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2011
    Member:
    #55023
    Messages:
    2,559
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    greg
    Mississippi
    Vehicle:
    09 double cab 4x4
    Detriot locker rear ARB air locker front 4.56 gears OME 3" lift, SPC uca's , moto metal 951 wheels 315/75/r16 Treadwright guard dogs, homemade front plate bumper with smittybilt 9.5k winch, homemade skids, homemade Bed bars, Mobtown offroad high clearance rear bumper with tire carrier, Homemade rock sliders , U-bolt flip, Wheeler's super bumps, BORA 1" wheel spacers , Black headlight mod , black tail lights, Satoshi Grill , autoPage C3 RS-665 alarm with remote start, flowmaster 40 series exhaust, cruise control,bed/ground effect lights, wet okole seat covers, tinted,windows, weather tech floor mats, AVS vent shades, debadged, hidden cobra 19 cb, 7" offroad lights behind grill, rear diff breather relocate, abs kill switch
  15. Nov 13, 2012 at 7:41 AM
    #15
    explorationGeo90

    explorationGeo90 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2012
    Member:
    #89643
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    AJ
    Washington/Montana
    Vehicle:
    12 DCSB mag. gray
    That looks about perfect for what I need. I'll get the heavy coils because I plan on adding a bumper, winch and rear bumper this winter. What about UCAs? Its going to be under 3" but I guess I'll see when I get it on at the end of next week
     
  16. Nov 13, 2012 at 7:47 AM
    #16
    the.sight.picture

    the.sight.picture Wishes he was in the woods.

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2012
    Member:
    #71180
    Messages:
    7,985
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    Blue Ridge
    Vehicle:
    2018 QuickSand
    Check out my build thread (Beginning of Money Pit)

    I would recommend , if you can afford it now, to just go ahead and put new uca's on now while you have everything dissembled.
     
  17. Nov 13, 2012 at 7:50 AM
    #17
    bjmoose

    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2010
    Member:
    #42529
    Messages:
    6,009
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    San Jose CA
    Vehicle:
    '11 Std Cab 4x4 5sp
    OME suspension, ARB Air Lockers, CBI/Relentless/Pelfrey armor, HAM radio
    People are mostly guiding you down the right track, I think.

    A couple things:

    1. Don't be persuaded to get the "heavy" OME option with the 886 springs, unless you're putting on a heavy ARB bumper with winch.

    2. to run 285/70R17 tires, you're going to either need new rims with 0mm or -6mm offset, or spidertrax wheel spacers. Otherwise, those wider tires are going to rub your upper control arms.

    3. Since you're having the dealer do the work - I'd really err on the side of a little less lift and keeping the factory upper control arms so that you can get a good alignment using the factory alignment eccentric cams. The dealer's going to burn up your money awfully fast at their standard shop rate trying to figure out how to do an alignment using the new-and-different adjustments on an adjustable upper-control-arm such as the Light-Racing UCA. I'd be tempted to recommend 884 springs - but with a double cab (and you've got the V6, right??) you'll probably sit low enough on 885 springs to get a decent, if not great, alignment Caster adjustment number.

    You're gonna have to get into the wheelwell with a heat gun and wood chisel and start removing inner wheelwell plastic to avoid rubbing no matter what.
     
  18. Nov 13, 2012 at 8:08 AM
    #18
    4Wheelin4Banger

    4Wheelin4Banger Supercharged Toyman

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2011
    Member:
    #58306
    Messages:
    7,295
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Randy
    Ferntucky, NV Halfway between Reno & Falabama
    Vehicle:
    2011 4x4 Access Cab Supercharged Silver State Edition 245WHP
    3" OME lift 885s & Dakars riding on 33" KM2s
    What Steve said^
    Unless you are getting the ARB bumper (heavier than all others) & winch you don't want the 886s. 885s & if you need to add the spacer when you get your non ARB bumper & winch.
     
  19. Nov 13, 2012 at 8:09 AM
    #19
    Taco Dan

    Taco Dan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2011
    Member:
    #66435
    Messages:
    1,097
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Tuscaloosa, AL
    Vehicle:
    07 FJ Cruiser auto 4X4
    Snorkel, Cooper ST Maxx 255/80/17, diff breather relocate, Cobra ultra III cb radio set up Warrior Products front bumper
    OME w/ 885, dakar leafs FTW
     
  20. Nov 13, 2012 at 8:59 AM
    #20
    explorationGeo90

    explorationGeo90 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2012
    Member:
    #89643
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    AJ
    Washington/Montana
    Vehicle:
    12 DCSB mag. gray
    bjmoose, thanks for the insight very helpful. I've got a couple of questions/responses

    1. I figure that I will get a 3/16" steel bumper somehwere down the road with a winch but might have to wait until I start working again next spring or summer. 885s should work for this winter. But I am definitely going to invest in one because of the deer and the nature of my work sooner rather than later. I can always switch out to 886s when the time comes.

    2. Wheel spacers are going to be a must thanks for recommending spidertrax

    3. I think with that OME package it would sit about 2.25" of lift so I could get away with the factory UCAs. I might have schwab do them since I figure they might have more experience and could get it done quicker. And yes I do have a V6

    I predicted I'd need to get rid of some of the inner wheel well. Looks like I've got my hands full for the next few weeks between hunting and moding my taco :D
     

Products Discussed in

To Top