Ignorant New Modder

So the reality is that after about four months of research and browsing different forums I still feel lost when trying to decide how to lift my 09 taco. I'm on a severe budget right now so the cheapest option is what I'm looking for but not at the cost of turning my truck into a massager that doesn't ride smooth. Please help me by spelling it out in simple terms what is my cheapest but quality option??


Thank you

 

cheapest lift= spacer but that means worse ride quality. 2nd cheapest would be 5100's up front and AAL or block in the rear. Most people hate rear blocks due to axle wrap and weak springs in the rear already. But it does maintain factory feel where as an AAL is going to ride slightly stiffer.

 

Severe budget?

I wouldn't buy any lift.

 

Wait

 

Dude, get yourself an ImMrYo mirror relocation bracket. Cheap, and makes your truck WAY nicer to drive.

 

Then you can get yourself some plasti-dip and screw around with badges and emblems!

 

I'll say this; I have a spacer and it rides like it did before the spacer. It didn't make the ride any worse. But if you OffRoad HEAVY, then they should not be there. They can cause crap to break if you beat your truck. But spacers are cheap.

The next step is 5100s with an AAL or a new spring pack.

Next step is cheapo off road stuff like pro comp.

Next best thing is new coilovers like King or Icon.

Don't be so afraid of spacers though, nobody likes them but they do their job. If you have a good paying job, I'd just do the 5100s and a new leaf pack. If you end up getting spacers, just don't run your truck in the desert at 50mph.

 

Definitely avoid any sort of lift if budget is an issue. Cheaping out sucks. It never works out well. I relocated my hitch plug through my bumper to up my departure clearance, too. It's a bitchin' mod. Then replace all your interior lights with LEDS! And mount a flashlight to your seat! You've got DOZENS of cheap mods to do before you have to start saving!

 

If u spacer dont hit bumps onroad either..... toucan snapped his strut in half onroad thanks to a shallow dip

 

OP - If you can't run with the 'big dogs", stay on the porch. You'll find that out soon enough on TW.

 

Stange. I've off-roaded fairly hard in my taco with spacers and nothing snapped. I am weary that something will break though cause I am that unlucky.

 

Yeah if you have enough money, skip the spacers. Spacers are basically last resort. I wish my truck didn't come with them, but it was such a good deal that I bought the truck anyways. I plan on switching out my shocks asap though.

 

OP, What kind of money are you willing to spend?

 

look for toucanV13 or somethi g

 

If you WANT to lift and install yourself 5100's are the way to go. Especially if you have the factory Leaf Spring TSB. If not AAL won't cost much more. But no matter what you will have to factor in the cost of installation and alignment unless you do it yourself.

If you are on a really tight budget save your money for a more useful mod that will help you everyday or mess around with plastidip

 

5100's is the way to go.

 

Any brands I should stay away from. B/C I'm seeing cheaper options from Skyjacker, etc...

 

Nooooo!

 

OP, what is your budget? That will help us pick out some things for you. 'Severe budget' is very subjective.