Best lift kit for B.C.

There are a lot of style of kits out there. There are also a lot of places you can take your tacoma. Up here in the wet coast the trails are mostly pretty tight with lots of rocks, roots, and long bumpy gravel roads connecting them. I'm looking to lift my truck and build it to handle everything BC has to offer-from tight atv trails that a baja truck wouldnt fit into to hauling ass down a rutted out gravel road. Right now it's stock, and I only want to build it up once, not do it in stages. [edit:] This truck is my daily driver, so road manners matter. I dont want my truck to feel like its going to fall apart at highway speeds.

Requirements for the build:
-fit approx. 35"x12.5" tires. doing any cutting and small amounts of welding(eg. cab mount chop) is not a problem
-not make my truck too wide (max +2 long travel kit)
-handle well at speeds and still be able to crawl around in the trees
-no kits larger than 4.5" of lift
-must cost under $10,000 for lift, tires, wheels, gears+install, front bumper, and kit install(if it is not completely bolt on or overly complicated)

truck as it sits now



2009 4x4 trd offroad

 

Unless you plan on doing a lot of backroad mobbing, i would go with a good quality 3" lift. Old Man Emu or step it up to some Icons

 

LT

 

why not 35's? More clearance, can run lower psi, roll over larger obstacles easier

 

Icons

 

Thats what i said

 

and 255/85/16's

 

305's

 

OZ-T you're all over the map

 

This is what I'd like to do:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...ytfu510s-2006-double-cab-trd-sport-build.html

Dude's truck is sweet in my mind!

 

Do some wheeling, then figure out what you need to add.

There aren't a lot of trails locally, so you will be travelling to trails. Travelling means more gas (especially if you are on 35's) and more roll in high speed freeway corners. You will also begin to hate the sound of trees scraping along the side of your $25-30,000 truck.

I would start with a new set of tires, and work up from there. You would be amazed what a set of 32's on a stock truck will do.

I would never take my truck deep into the bush because I am a pussy, I would buy an older truck for that, so I have kept my lift small.

I run OME 884's and Dakar's (I tow a trailer). Gives me clearance for 32's at full flex and never had a problem on the trails/Fire Service Roads I run.

You could also do what 99.9% of people in BC do. Lift their truck as high as possible, then drive it only on city roads.

 

I have the full OME kit which I like

 

The biggest issue for me wheeling on back roads in BC, other than pin striping, has been the departure angle, clearing cross ditches. Any lift kit I add to my truck will raise the rear as much as the front to preserve and increase departure angle, most lifts seem to want to "level" the truck, which seem silly to me, the truck was designed to run a bit nose down, leave it that way.

 

Thats what i run with a full icon setup, works good.

 

I want 35s because I figure that's what I'll need to keep up with my Jeep buddies. They all run 33-35s on vehicles with straight front axles. As for scratches, I've already added my share of B.C. Pinstripes. If I was worried about gas mileage then my future plans wouldn't involve a supercharger

 

Go with the OME and Dakar package and just get 32's or 33's. 35's wont get you very much more capability.

 

There are a few guys here that run 35's on mid and long travel kits. Spoonman, bulhas are on 35's , slimwoodshady... I think thats the username has a thread dedicated to 35's on 3" lifts. Cant link on my phone.

 

Lets break this down

In BC , you're probably looking at spending $2500-$3000 on your wheels and tires

Front bumper another $1500

Regearing will set you back another $1000 ( ? )

Leaves you $4500 for your lift and install

 

I like your thinking there. I've changed my plan to better suit the budget. Start with either a 3" kit and 33's, leaving me more money for bumpers and other fun stuff,
or
long travel +2 front and mid travel rear, 33's, bumper

I can wheel either setup and upgrade to 35's down the road if need be, and I'll have a solid suspension setup that will hopefully last a long time.

And I've priced out my tires and wheels to ~2300 after tax. gotta love Costco for tires

 

I would take front and rear lockers over 35's anyday of the week.