Suggestions for Build

Hello everyone,

I'm new here and this is my first post. Having two previous Tacos that were lifted, I wanted to do the same to my current one. It's a 2011 double cab 4x4 TRD. Everything is bone stock and I wanted to bounce some ideas off someone. Currently, I'm looking at the 3" Toytec Ultimate Lift with some 275/70R18 DuraTracs on some 18x9 Moto Metal MO951s. Didn't want to go too big on the tires because I wanted to see a little more space between the tire and bottom of the fender opening. I was also unsure about what offset I should go with (was thinking of -12mm).

I'm looking to do something like this. Any help would be appreicated.

 

Welcome to TW. What are your goals for your lift? How do you plan on using it? What characteristics are important to you?

The Toytec at 3" is not going ride great as that is pretty much maxed out. CV angles will be stressed, you could do a 1" diff drop but then you effectively only got 2" of lift. The ultimate kit also does not include UCAs, which will be required to run it at 3" lift, so add $400 for the UCAs. Factor 275s are also pretty heavy and only come in load E, so they are also going to have stiff sidewalls which will give a harder ride. Not an ideal combo if you are concerned about ride quality. 275s are also heavy so they will zap power and mpgs. You could regear for about $1500 to get some back. The stock tires are 38lbs. 275 Duratracs are 55lbs. Why 18" wheels? If you off-road 16-17" wheels are preferred to give you more sidewall flex when airing down for better traction. 275/70R18 Duratracs spec a wheel width of 7"-8.5", meaning 9" is too wide for that size tire. -12 offset will push the tires past the edge of the flares, which will mean more dirt/mud/rocks get thrown on the side of your truck.

Some stuff to consider. Lifting 2-2.5" will provide a better ride and less stress on the CVs and better suspension geometry. Staying closer to 2" you won't be required to get the UCAs. If you air down for off-road use a max 8" wide wheel is best, this will hold a bead better when aired down than a wider wheel. 265/70R17 (32s) in load C are roughly 10lbs lighter, meaning less effect on power and mpgs. Their sidewall will also not be as rigid meaning better ride. The 1" difference between 33s and 32s only gets you .5" ground clearance gain. So the difference from 2.5" lift with 32s vs 3" lift with 33s is 1" ground clearance gain with several significant drawbacks. Not that it cant be done, or others don't do it. But it isn't worth it to get that last 1" IMO on a daily driven truck. I also look to run my tires at the edge of my flares but not past it, so I don't destroy the paint on the side of my truck by getting blasted with rocks. My wheels are 17x7.5" with +6 offset, and my 265/70R17s sit right at the edge of my flare.

Hope that wasn't info overload.

 

Hmmm...and this is why I ask before buying. I have a work vehicle, so I mainly use it for going to the gym and driving around town. I've had it nearly four years already and only put 20K on it. I don't do a lot of off-roading, but want to have the ability to function if need be.

Maybe I will do 17x8 ProComp Series 01 wrapped in 265/70s DuraTec and run the lift at 2". You think that would save me money, gas and a headache?

Oh and I meant to say 275/65R18s on the first post.

 

I have 2" front and 1.5" rear with 265/70R17s. Pics compared to stock are on the thread below for a point of reference.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/baja-tx-pro-kit-icon-aal.385619/page-2

He's running 305s on 9" wheels in summer and 265s on 8" wheels in the winter. I believe the 886s on his truck give about 2.5", so you can compare that to the pics of mine at 2".

275/65R18 in Duratracs are a little lighter at 50lbs. 265/70R17 C-load are 44lbs. The difference in height is .5" meaning .25" ground clearance gain for a 12% heavier tire.

 

Sounds good. I think I'm going to roll with 17x8 ProComp Series 01 wrapped in 265/70s DuraTracs. Suppose I can adjust the height once it's on somewhere between 2" and 2.5".

So the Toytec Ultimate lift is fine? What's the difference between that and the BOSS?

Was originally going to go with the 3" Bilstein kit on Toytec.com but figured the Ulitimate was better because it was adjustable.

 

I looked at adjustable a but figured I'd set it once and forget it. Many people run that kit and are happy with it, though the higher you go the harsher the ride. Don't think it is worth the premium for the threaded coils vs the slotted spring perches myself in the adjustable kit.

The boss kit is supposedly 5100s made for Toytec with upgraded shafts. Neither shock is known to be the best but is a cost effective option that many run and like.

The 5100s are still somewhat adjustable, they are just required to be set at install vs adjustable on the truck. For the rear were you planning on an AAL or complete rear pack? If doing an AAL I would suggest doing the 3 leaf progressive pack for a better ride.

A similar but more robust option if you want Bilsteins is to look at the 6112s + 5165s. Maybe overkill for your needs. (Scroll down on the page to the second listing):
http://www.headstrongoffroad.com/headstrong-kits-tacoma-05-6-lug.html

 

Ok...I have some Light UCAs on the way and I'm going to go with the Toytec BOSS 3". With that settled, what kind of offset and back spacing do I need. I don't mind if the tires come to the edge of the upper fender flare or even slightly beyond (less than a half inch). I really can't settle on a rim and tire size. I'm from Southeast Louisiana, so if I go off road it will be in the mud (no rock crawling here). Really looking at the 18x9.5 ProComp 01s in black with 275/65R18 Duratracs....struggling to make a decision.

 

A 275/65R18 duratrac will not mount to your wheel within spec. You need 8.5 wide or less. And if you do any off-roading I would suggest 8" or less. The offset will depend on wheel width.

 

I'm so confused....I've seen 275/65R18s mounted to 18x9 FN BFDs. So what size tires would I mount to an 18x9 rim and still have about a 32/33 inch tall tire? 285/65R18?

 

Different tires of the same size can spec a different size wheel, depending on load and sidewall construction. Look up the desired tires on Tirerack.com and click on specs to view the wheel width spec. Some less reputable shops may over stretch the tire to fit a wider wheel than spec, but a good one shouldn't.