1st Gen Lift Questions

Alright so I have a 1997 Tacoma 2.4L 4x2 5 Lug. I live in Colorado so going off road is pretty common. I've been taking my truck off road lately but I can tell I need more clearance from hitting rocks. What are my options as far as getting bigger tires, rims or maybe a lift? My tires right now are 215 70R 14. Other then buying a 4x4 what would you guys do?

-Andy

 

Long travel kit and a locker.

 

What are the rocks hitting? Lifts, whether body or suspension, aren't going to raise the low hanging drivetrain components; IE rear differential.

Only reasonable way to raise the ground clearance will be taller tires, and then you are looking at 'lifts' to clearance the larger tires.

Body lift are going to be the cheapest route.

 

The rocks are hitting the drivetrain, rear differential and also the hitch/bumper at times. Could I do a 2" front suspension lift and a 2" body lift? If I could do that I would like to get 15" rims and larger tires too. I'm new to this stuff so any help would be great.

I really like the look of the pre runner, my truck looks too small.

 

You could. I have no experience on your model truck to help you with. I went from 14" wheels to 15" wheels by simply adding a body lift on a previous truck decades ago. Of course, then I had tire rubbing issues to contend with. Not much you can do to get the driveshaft/diff higher up (affordable). You could ditch/replace the rear bumper. Armor is probably a better way to go; bumpers, sliders, skid plates.

A 2wd truck is very capable in good to optimum conditions and will take you pretty far. Sometimes got to take an easier route.

And carry recovery gear. A winch could drag you over some obstacles you can't drive through..

 

Don't ever get a body lift. It is true, the cheapest way to achieve clearance.

 

I'm new to this Sicyota04, so why would you not do a body lift?

 

She's been great so far. I've taken her to Utah and drove her down into some dry river beds and never got stuck. Also in Colorado I've been onto some pretty rocky roads that are only for 4x4's. But I think it's time to upgrade her.

 

Body Lifts fall into the love 'em / hate 'em area. Google 'Body Lift Pros Cons' and you can read the interwebs opinions. Much like anything else, there are 'good' body lifts and 'bad' body lifts. One of the best (IMO) out there come from 4Crawler Offroad.
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/BodyLiftKit.shtml
The 'Introductions' section would be a great read to better understand the pros and cons.