Slight Lift, Handling, and Ride

Hey everyone,
This is my first post on Tacoma World and I have to say that this site has a ton of handy information. I know that lift kits and shocks have been covered 342035 times and counting but I can't seem to find information in the terms that I need to make a decision.

I have a 2012 TRD Sport DCLB. I would like to give the truck a slightly better stance but definatly not a 3" lift or anything. I want to acheive a better ride so I can drive over curbs or bumpy gravel roads quicker and more comfortably but handling, road mannors, and ride are still important to me, but I dont mind a firm set. In a perfect world I would like to have close to stock cornering yet still be able to pop over a sizeable curb at 10 mph with ease if such a thing exists... Basically something vaguely rally inspired.

Currently I have the OME 18" chrome sport wheels. I think 16" wheels will definatly be an improvment. I think that it can only help but will it noticeably effect cornering and road noise (odviously a more agressive tread will be louder but in general the size/sidewall ratio difference)?

I want a minor lift (no more than 1.5-2") but technical superiority is the most important to me than anything else. In other words I definatly do not want to go with lifting blocks or anything that is half assed but I also i'm not looking to go the long travel route either. I was looking at a leveling kit, perhaps bilstein 5100's, and maybe new springs/ coilovers, and leaf packs if the general opinion is that they will provide me with what I am after better.

Also, I would like to know the largest tire I could run with whatever setup and avoid rubbing but that doesn't need to be anwsered until after I figure out the setup I would like to run.

I know that leveling kits and 5100's have been covered in great depth but I haven't been able to find anything that talks about optimizing a set up with both on/off road ride quality with handeling and road manors. Personal experience, detailed opinions, and pictures would be very much appreciated.

Thanks guys!

 

I would go with 5100's. Mine rides better than stock. Didn't change springs just the 5100's set at 1.75 in front.got the rears too. Best 300 bucks spent on the truck yet.

 

What's your budget for a lift?

Check out the Ironman lifts. They are a 2" lift and give you new coils, shocks and leaf springs.

I went into my lift with a similar mindset as you and ended up with 5100's, Eibach coils and Icon 3-leaf AAL for the rear. Overall lift is about 1.5" and the ride is nice. It's firm, but good. A similar lift can be had by using Old Man Emu 883 coils on either 5100's or nitrocharger shocks and the same rear AAL.

 

Sorry I haven't replied sooner but I was busy this week. I got all the free mods out of the way though. I trimmed the mudflaps and debadged my truck including removing the trd stickers. I also got a boss furry steering wheel cover that matches the interior quite nicely... no bug deal.

What tires can you run with the eibach springs and can you post pictures?

I will pay what it takes to do it right, and if one setup offers some advantages for a few more bills I'll probably go with it. I was thinking about $1500 which I think should be able to get me a pretty competent set up.

I want to get new leaf spring packs I decided. I want to back to be stiffer than the front becuase the truck oversteers. The softer springs upfront will give the front more grip round corners. Also I always feel like the front is harsh over bumps and the back is game for whatever. In addition this setup would also be better for hauling/towing (not that I very often)

Is it misguided to think that soft springs upfront will give me that 'go over anything' feeling? I know a lot of people use stiff springs for offroad, even the offroad has stiffer springs than the sport. Is it more about the shocks to get a smooth ride or does a stiffer spring actually help?

Are coilovers any better than new shocks and springs... I fail to see the difference besides they come assembled together.

What advantages do a new upper control arm offer besides adjustability? Will they offer more travel? Would they help maintain geometry even with a 1.5 inch lift?

Can/do bumpstops need to be changed to get the maximum performance out of a new set up?

Your help is much appreciated!

 

What is the general consensous on Camburg 2.5 factory or performance kit?

 

Excellent. A big step up from Bilstein 5100's.

 

Okay, so apparently my folks are feeling generous for my birthday and I'm gonna be able to finally get some parts. I have a few questions to hammer out the full setup for about a 1.5-2.5 inch lift.

First, Camburg vs. Icon upper control arms. From what I understand they both are good products and won't bind. Obviously the Icon part look amazing and is probably a touch stronger but I don't think I would even be close to breaking the camburg part as I take it easy on my baby. From what I understand the Icon uca offers more adjust-ability with alignment though? I live in cold areas with lots of salt and I have heard that the Icons hemi joints have issues with this? moving on...

Coilovers... From what I understand digressive valving fits my needs better. They will lower body roll and generally allow for better on road handling. I have heard a lot of good things about the icon coilovers but I heard that there springs have a tenancy to sag quite a bit. Any other longer length (as to maintain proper down travel)remote reservoir coil overs with digressive valving anyone would recommend?

Rear springs... I think I will go with Deaver springs with about a 1.5 inch lift or so. As far as shocks can anyone recommend something that won't limit down travel.

Other... can anyone recommend any other things I should look into maybe like tower gussets or bum stops. I really don't care to weld on the frame though as it's to new and shiny, don't wanna deal with it, plus I'm worried it would violate the corrosion warranty.

Let me know please and thankyou!!

 

...uh

 

Icon everything

 

Need pics of said "furry steering wheel cover" first.

 

Oh.... I haven't even put that back on this winter yet... it's somewhere in the back of my truck. If you really insist I guess I can go ahead and find it .

 

So... I have been out of the country for work and still haven't pulled the trigger on any setup as my truck has been in storage. I know, I know, I'm such a tease. But, I did get some new wheels 16" rims (had 18 inch chromes) and some 265/75/16 BF Goodrich AT tires. Here is a list of the things I already did to the truck a while ago.
weather tech visors
paint matched undercover se tonneau
removing all badges and stickers
trimmed mudflaps
(and trimming some in wheel wheel for rubbing but it still does a little)
I figured I'd post some picture to make this tread more exciting!

 

What kind of wheels are those. Look good.

 

From discount tire.. they were like 125 a corner, that's about all I can tell you. I was really pleased when I got them on the truck... I didn't think they would look nearly so good but they really ended up complimenting the truck nicely.

 

So I have been reading about some suspension set ups again because I will be going on a wheeling trip in about a month and wanna get everything all set up. I am thinking a little more practical, probably under a grand for the whole set up. I like the OME complete kit with the sport nitro shocks but that might be a little more lift than I was looking for. Also, as I understand it, the shocks really aren't long enough for full full in the rear which is kinda lame. I was thinking maybe go with the OME springs and then get bilstien 5100's (the longer ones in the back) but I kind of want something a touch beefier than the 5100 if I go for the whole OME kit. I was maybe just thinking to go only for the 5100's and call it a day. It's kind of expensive to go for the full kit and then have to get UCA's. All that is a little more lift than I'm looking for anyways. The problem is If I order the complete set of 5100's from Down South Motor Sports I may want to get longer springs in the rear and thus longer shocks which would require re buying which I want to avoid. Is there some set up that is in between the 5100's and the full OME kit with longer 5100's? I would much rather do maybe just new springs in the front, shocks all around, and UCA's because I would rather spend my money on proper alignment and ride than a huge lift. Maybe if you guys can even think of kind of a two stage plan that avoids re-buying parts? I'm open to whatever suggestions you all have at this point.
I would be really curious about some more interesting shocks and front spring only options perhaps?

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...ng-lift-4x4-p-r-tacomas-w-tsb-rear-leafs.html

 

Any ideas for some slightly beefier bilstien variants? I'm thinking if I'm gonna do it I'm gonna go for the OME springs (should I go for 884 or 885 with the DCLB?) some extended length bilsteins, and UCA's.
Which UCA's are the best bang for the buck (live in the salt belt)
Also should I get a drive line spacer or diff drop, which of these are recommended?
I know I'll need brake lines, whatelse am I forgetting?

I just backed into a rock yesterday and dented my exhaust and ripped off a mudflap . Not paint or anything though. It wouldn't have been a problem it was lifted though . I just have to do a little plastic welding to repair the holes mounting holes that split in the mudflap and get new mounting hardware. I lost some screws and all the plastic rivet like things. What do you guys think about cutting the exhaust off right behind the last hanger by the spare, like basically just before the last bend? That or I can try and straighten it out and put a TRD tip on, but I'm guessing this may not be the last time? I can only find pictures of people cutting it way up above the axle.

 

So i finally ordered it... I already have my SS brake lines from all pro. The lift will get in Tuesday. I got the complete OME kit with 885's and dakars in the rear with nitrocharger sport shocks. I think I will take out a leaf in the back for a more level ride. I also got Camburg uni-ball UCA's, wheelers offroad superbumps on all four corners, and 3 degree axle shims. The OME kit includes the trimpacker for the driver side coilover and and a carrier bearing spacer. I think I will just start out with the 3 degree shims and then maybe add the carrier spacer or the diff drop kit after I see how it all looks.
I don't know when I will actually install it though... It may not be for a few weeks.

 

Oh... I also put some weathertech floorliners in the truck too.

How are you for rubbing. Right now at stock with 275/75/16 I am rubbing (only a very little) even after trimming and removing the front mudflap and don't think I would want to go larger because I would think I would rub on the frame at full lock plus I don't want to rub at any given point in the travel. I think that the tire I am running is the biggest I would practical want to but I'm curious about your experience.