Tacoma Lift FAQ/Guide - READ THIS

Thanks for trying to remember, and for the input re: what you'd do now.

 

Great Info

 

Hey All..
Newbie to forum...Recently purchased this truck as my sons first new vehicle. Truck mechanically runs excellent but have had some issues with its suspension components. Aside from the broken leaf spring we had some issues with the front driver side strut rod breaking...twice...disconnecting it from the stabilizer bar. Cant figure out why its doing it??? Its obvious the front suspension has been modified but dont really know to what extent. Ive called around trying to find out who this set up was made by but have exhausted I believe all avenues.

Is anyone able to see from the pictures if this is a legit setup?
What is causing the strut rod to break?
Also, the suspension seems to only have about 2" of travel before the truck hits the spring bumper on the lower control arm...is that correct? Really? 2"???

Id rather keep as much of the existing components, so long as it doesnt pose a safety threat. Im sure my son would love a newer taller lift kit, but Im looking for something that simply works right without having to dump in a wad of cash.

Hopefully the pics are enough to tell...

 

I can't tell exactly what the deal is from the pictures, but:

-Geometry from the LCAs and UCAs looks very wrong. They should be parallel.
-Those struts look like garbage (see the way the dirt and dust stick to them? They're leaking)
- Lower ball joint is toast

I have a feeling the LCA or UCA stock mounting location has been moved. Please take more pics.

My impression is that some jack-hole did a half-ass job trying to lower the truck, and its causing major issues.

I hope you didn't pay good money for it, because if the last owner hacked up the front end this bad I fear what you will find elsewhere. Sell it back to the guy who sold it to you, and go find a pre-runner that some old guy has had in his garage for the last 10 years. It'll have low mileage, and it won't be a giant POS.

 

My plan lmk if I am on track...after reading all 26 pages of this thread and many others I am ready to place an order but want to do one last check with the knowledgable folks at TW before I do...lmk if I am missing anything...thanks everyone.

2013 DC TRD Sport 4x2 (I do not off road) just want lift for the look...do not want over kill...would like to keep nice ride

From DSM:

Bilstien 5100s all around $309 (set fronts at either 2.5 or 1.75)
Icon progressive AAL 1.5" $189

Use stock sport 17" rims...going to run P265/70/17s BFG rugged terrains

sound about right to accomplish decent lift? I wont need UCAs and I will not need to trim? right?

I wanted to go with wheel spacers and run 285/70/17 but I think I will need to trim right? so i need to stay with 265/70/17 if I do not want to trim?

 

I think you'll be happy tooling around on the BFGs and the lift you've picked out. The ride will be good, and the tire size will look good. The larger tire is just going to hurt your fuel economy.

 

OK, I am the proud owner of my first "Real" truck. 2010 2WD TRD Sport, PreRunner, SR5. My first was a 2005 Chevy Avalanche "Southern Comfort", and then a 2008 Infiniti G37s (lowered etc)

I will only be using my Taco for daily driving and when I get relocated to Guam here in a couple months, going camping, and scuba diving. No real offloading.

I have read this thread and my main question, is for my purpose I seem to think a leveling kit is all I should need, maybe put a tiny bit bigger tires on her. Do leveling kits tend to have less other parts that need to be changed as well? (UCA...)

Thanks in advance!

 

A leveling kit for a Tacoma usually consist of a top plate on the front springs and an add a leaf in the rear. Usually under $200. A better setup is to use Bilstein 5100 shocks up front set to 1.75 or 2.5 inches of lift. Talk to these people if you have any question.
http://downsouthmotorsports.com/

 

X2. Leveling kits or the billies won't require UCAs. UCAs are normally required for lifts over 2-3" in order to correct the front end geometry and allow for proper alignment.

The billies in front will perform better and give a better ride than spacers. They are more robust, and will allow proper travel. For that you pay a little more.

 

So on a stock TRD Sport that comes w Bilistiens, get JUST front 5100's?

How hard is the install?

 

Install is pretty straight forward with a good set of tools, nice jack, and jack stands. Plenty of good threads to step you through it on TW.

 

You can do a search here on TW on how to do it. You can replace the shock yourself or pull the strut (spring and shock assembly) and take it to a shop or parts store and have them do. Check around and see who will do it if you don't want to.

 

if I am doing an OME lift of about 2-3" do I need longer brake lines in the front due to a longer drop?

 

Not in the front but it is recommended for the rear.

 

if i have a 3inch body lift on a 2000 toyota tacoma can i add a suspension lift to it without having to doing anything extra? or taking off the body lift?

 

Recommended for front and rear.

 

Yes you can. But you should go ahead slap yourself for installing a body lift.

 

so i dont have to take off the body lift but it is recommended

 

Of all methods to obtain lift, a body lift is the least preferred. The one exception being a show truck that'll never ever see a trail.

You do not need to do anything to the body lift to add a suspension lift.

 

ok thanks when i bought my truck it came with a body lift and i wanted to add a 3inch suspension