Fat bobs lift 2012 reg cab spruce mica

After many searches, decided to go with fat bobs lift for my 2012 reg cab 5 lug and opted for the longer add-a-leaf for the rear. Took about a day to do the install, not too difficult. It was helpful that none of the bolts were seized. Here are a few pics of stock truck, then with 235's, and now with 31" wranglers and the lift installed.

The truck rides a bit stiffer now but very happy with the final product. I like that the fat bobs kit still keeps the rake of the truck since I regularly load the bed with tools and tow a mower. Little bit of power loss due to the larger tires but the autos came with 3.58 rear, same as the prerunners with the 2.7 engine so not too bad.

Had the dealer do the alignment a couple of times to get it right. Still think that the camber needs to have more positive lean // \\ vs \\ //. The shop mgr said that was the best they could do so will make do for now.

 

truck looks great!

 

Thanks, I really like the lift so far. I'm looking for a good topper for the bed to add a little protection for my tools and add some weight to the back end.

 

Very nice!!

I just got a cap for my tools now looking to upgrade the suspension, and this is what I want!
Don't think I will go that big with my tires though

 

The fat bobs lift is the way to go on these 5 lugs and they are american made parts. It upgrades the load handling quit a bit. I carry tile, tools, and lumber with my work so the heavier duty rear makes a difference. Thanks to Tacoma World members for providing the info on the kit. Was going with the ready lift until I read all the posts and liked that fb's lift came with a longer aal. Around $310 shipped. I used the ready lift install video though. Ive installed aal kits on some older landcruisers and the short aal's tend to put stress points on the factory springs so the longer ones are better to me. Only one snag on the install that wasnt in the instructions: had to figure out how to turn the front struts in the spring housing about 180 degrees after the spacers were installed so the bottom strut mount lined up with the lower control arm. I mounted the top of strut loosely then took a rod and insterted it into the lower eylet and twisted it until it lined up(Thanks again to posts on TW)

I had 235's with only 5k miles on when I installed the lift. They were great tires for that size truck, but like with all things, bigger is better, so found the 31's on sale at wally world for $640 installed and took the plunge. I get scrubbing on the sway bar at full turn with the 31's, but I just don't turn it full tilt and its been ok. I do like the taller tire when driving around the farm roads. Ive had bfg mudders 33" on previous landcruisers and they didnt last very long. These goodyear wrangler authority's are really nice and from all the reviews and the install tech said these last a long time. They do throw up some rocks with the aggressive tread but am happy with them overall.

 

Looks good man! Does this thing have a LSD or locker?

 

stock 3.58 rear with factory LSD

 

10,000 mile update since upgrades.
Lift and tires have been great. Goodyear authority 31x10x15s have hardly any wear despite trip out to colorado and back. Fat bob's lift has finally broken in and handles great on and offroad. Rides much better when weighted down and handles pulling my 14 ' trailer much better than before. Would recommend this set up to anyone with the second gen 5 lug tacoma.

 

Nice Truck bro!
by any chance, did you purchase that center console through Amazon? I really like the way it looks on your truck, looking to buy one for mine. thanks

 

Thanks, it has 72k on the clock now and I'm very happy with it. I bought the console at either Autozone or Advance Auto Parts, can't remember which. It makes the bench seat much more practible and provides much needed storage. It opens from the back and flips up to hold a notebook under the top. Adds two more cup holders as well for a total of four, two shy of a six pack. I bought a used ARE DCU with ambulance doors that is on it now.

 

Sweet lil truck, really diggin the cabin and land to.

 

Thanks, I built my little 24x24 cabin myself. Took about 6 months to build. Inside is all reclaimed barnwood from an old tobacco barn. Started raising sheep last year, still building the flock. Had three lambs this year so far.

 

Any chance you could take some photos of that center console? I can’t seem to find it anywhere! Good oooking truck!

 

https://www.etrailer.com/comparison.aspx?pc=RA39423&pc2=RA39223

 

That looks beautiful
That looks like a dream to me
you did a great job

 

What mpgs did you start to see with the lift, 31s and auto trans? Love the color of your truck

 

When it was stock I got about 22-23 mpg. Now with the 31" tires, non corrected, I get about 18-19 mpg according to the tripmeter reading divided by gallons at fill-up. If I calculate the 15% for the larger diameter, it is about 22-23 Mpg's. So it's not that big of a difference from stock, but I drive conservatively. Ideally, I would re-gear to 4.10 to bring back the stock performance power, especially when towing a small trailer. No regrets on the lift and bigger tires. No black box mod is needed, although I get a little rub on the front sway bar when full clocked left or right.

 

Thanks for the info. Impressive the mpgs didn’t take that much of a hit- is that driving conservative on flat roads or stop and go?
Any chance there’s a build thread for the cabin?

 

My Taco is a two wheel drive base so it's lighter than 4wd version. I mainly drive two lane hwy on low rolling hills, small town stop and go, and rough dirt roads with conservative driving, regular gas. No matter how hard I try, I can't get better than 23 mpg, average about 21 overall, but I'm happy with the truck.
Thanks for the interest on the cabin, it would be cool to make a cabin build thread. I've got pics of my cabin build on an older computer so will have to figure out how to transfer the pics to the current platform without going online. Maybe in the near future.

 

Thank you for all the info. In the comes weeks I’m going to do the same lift. Did you use the fatbobs shocks or add other shocks? Or did you just stay with the factory shocks?