OK, I am ready for judgement...

Hi!

I am new to the forum and I thought I should say hi. I have been lurking here for around a month, and I think I have my set-up in mind. I would like to run it by you guys and see what you think before I drop the cash. I am impressed by the knowledge available here and I would very much appreciate any and all feedback. First of all, I just bought a 2015 2.7 5-speed manual Access cab, in black. My truck before that was a 97 4-runner (aka bertha the beast) <- she is for sale btw.

Anyhow, here is what I would like my rig to do:

1. Daily driver
2. Lot's of New Hampshire class VI roads, which border on stream beds at times. We are talking serious rocks here. I am lucky enough to have one right outside my front door! I fur trap for at least one month out of the year and I hunt a lot.
3. The occasional snowmobile trail in summer and fall - again like a field of boulders.
4. I would also eventually like an overland kind of thing for the Maine logging roads.

What I want out of a suspensions system:
1. I do not want vibrations, clanks and/or clunks, that will drive me nuts.
2. 2 to 3 inches of lift
3. It doesn't have to be able to cruise fast off road -> that is impossible here. But I would like things a lot smoother than stock off road.
4. I want my geometry to be correct!

Here is what I have tentatively decided - feel free to judge at will:

-Icon Stage 1 -> I like the re-buildable idea and the smooth on-road ride possibility. OME was my second choice, but if it clunks, I will loose it.
-UCAs -> not sure of brand, I just want the geometry to be correct
-Either 1.5 inch prog add-a-leaf or dakar full set -> I do haul a bit of weight quite often.
-265/75r16 -> I ran 265/70 on my 4-runner for years and hardly ever banged my diff, so I am OK with that kind of height. I drive slow and straddle a lot. Plus I am not ready to shell out the money for re-gearing.

My concerns:
- Possible CV joint problems
- Possible drivetrain vibrations

Well, am I on the right track or no? I look forward to learning all I can from you guys!

Sean

 

So, I basically deal with it if it happens? Carrier bearing drops, etc...?

 

Pretty much, there's no guarantee you won't have vibes, harsh ride, or steering problems when you lift a truck. I would never do it unless it was a dedicated off road four wheeler.

 

There's a good chance you'll spend a bunch of $$ and be disappointed. If the lift doesn't cause some type of noise or roughness, an aggressive tire will.

 

I am OK with noise and roughness, just not loud clunks like here about the OME shocks or crazy drive train vibrations. Perhaps I should give up the dream....lol

 

Ha. There is also no guarantee that you will have vibes, harsh, blah, blah, blah.

OP you're on the right track, with that little lift your CV angles will be fine and if you get vibes you can work them out then. Many a many Tacomas are lifted without vibration issues.

 

Toyota lifted the front end 2" from the factory on the Pro model, used the stock UCAs, and covered it under warranty. It is safe to deduct that a 2" lift will be well within the design limits of the truck. They also added 1 3/8" extended travel rear shocks on the Baja Pro, so it is safe to say the rear can be about 1.5" and still be within the design limits. Staying within those parameters should be geometry issue free. Then ride is all about the setup you choose. Aggressive tires don't have to ride rough if you stay away from E-load tires. That said these trucks are prone to rear driveline vibrations. I lifted my rear 1.5" and have none.

 

As long as your lift isn't too high, your vibrations should be minimal. I'm at 1.75" on my current tacoma with no added vibrations. Most of my vibrations came from my shit tires. No clunks at all. I wouldn't worry too much about clunks. As long as the suspension is correct there shouldn't be any clunky noises coming from it.

My last tacoma was lifted 2.5". That was borderline vibration territory. When I would crest a hill and the truck lifted over the hill, the vibe would begin. Then subside as the truck setteled back down.

 

The odds of no vibes are a lot better at 1-1/2" to 2" of lift than with 2" to 3" of lift. And at 2" you may not need UCAs. IMO that last inch of isn't anywhere worth the problems. It wont allow anyone to go any further on the trail, wont increase their speed, HP, or mileage, and wont make their muscles bigger or make them more attractive to women.

 

Sure it could. Lift -> bigger tars -> more trail clearance -> go farther

 

Yeah, but with no re-gear and a 2.7 I am sold on 265/75...he makes a good point about not going above 2 in my case anyhow

 

I am married, I don't worry about being attractive anymore...

 

Quit raining on my parade of quoting certain parts of a post and arguing them. This is my Friday!

 

LMAO! I am sorry sir....yes bigger tires...you were saying...

 

Along time ago, an old man told me that those who need big tires need to learn how to drive...

 

My big tires gave me like 32.5 more HP. That included with all my stickers and I don't even need a super charger now.

 

First of all, I like where this post is going. Second of all, nighthawk, that is the best signature in the universe. I want it on a t-shirt.

 

I laughed my pants off when I found that

The thread that I found that in was just tons of hilarious BS

 

Sounds like you are headed in the right direction

 

forget the taco, show us pictures of the 3rd gen you have for sale!