Best 3" lift?

also, say I go with OME kit, Headstrong offers the sport rear struts instead of N182's….any big difference?

 

885's for 2.5" of lift and you can get away with not buying UCA, 887's for a full 3" but you will likely need new UCA to get a good alignment.

@Bluegrass Taco and I have the same setup - Bilstein 5100 front/rear, OME 885 coils and dealer 2" AAL. You will not be disappointed.
Check out a thread I started after install https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/finally-lifted-with-5100-885-aal.424280/

 

I like the 885's. If you feel the need for additional lift beyond what they provide, you can always throw a 1/2 plate spacer on top of the strut. That would give you the same lift height as an 887....The 2-1/2" to 3" mark is just about the extent of lifting these trucks without causing issues (short of using a drop bracket lift) I personally prefer to stay at 2-1/2" just to be safe. So.....You can use the 885's and 1/2" spacers, OR, the 887's (without spacers) and be safe.

Geekhouse23, who posted in this thread, has 885's, plate spacers, and all the bumper/winch/armor and seems to be happy with the results. He does however, have different shocks (NOT Bilsteins)

I've installed 2 sets of OME shocks for other people, but I have NOT had any personal experience with them so I'd defer questions to someone who owns them.

 

Ok sweet, I'll most likely go with 887's +/- dakers. You agree though that much better ride than leveling kit only? and should I remove diff drop or leave as is?

 

You'll get a firm ride no doubt, but a better ride at highway speed. I'd be temped to just leave the diff drop alone. It's more a case of they just don't help anything than it is of their causing harm....

 

ok great, I appreciate everything!

 

I recommend you air down your tires.

 

On my second Taco now with 3" lift, currently I have a '15 TRD Sport DCLB with 885 + leveling Spacers (stock Bilsteins up front) and Dakars/5100/1"spacers in rear. Originally had Toytec BOSS shocks on the rear, but do not waste your time with them, the 5100s are so much nicer...... (first Taco was an '05 with identical set up minus the 1"spacers)... I am happy with this set up as I experienced a couple of leaf failures of the stock leafs.... no hard core offroading here (as I live in Illinois) but I am off pavement quite a bit and appreciate the extra lift and load capacity as I tow a boat frequently. The stiffer Dakar leafs do wonders for towing, the truck rides great.

What did you guys do with your parking brake cables? I noticed they were tight so I bent the bracket by the rear drum down to allow slack. Recently noticed when articulated the brake cables are super tight, is there enough slack in the oem cables to allow for slack. Searched an hour and only coming up with a bunch of 1st gen stuff. Thoughts? Thanks

 

I would get extended brake lines. Also for an Illinois guy

 

Bouncing back and forth between Icon and OME. What do I need to spend for what I will be doing? Is Icon overkill for my style? Will I regret just not going all out if I go OME?

Dirt road driving, camping, mountain lifestyle, snowy winters, day trips, occasional off-road trips with a club I belong too. Desert and Sierras terrain. Plans for bumpers and overland set up of some sort in the bed. Not extreme high speed driving off-road due to it being a daily driver. Saving money by staying away from Icon can get me a jump on my other gear. But I'm open to spend it on Icon suspension if it will benefit me. I dunno. Can't make up my mind!

Help!

 

I to am looking to lift my truck soon I was looking at the "pro" kit from All Pro with the addition of the Expedition leaf pack, just wonder what the thoughts were on this kit?

 

I did purchase extended brake lines, but have yet to install, however, it is the parking brake cables that are the issue. Are there extended aftermarket ones available?

 

Sorry I misunderstood.

I just cut the tabs where they attach to gain full flex. Since it doesn't sound like you will be getting nearly as much flex as me, you will be fine.

 

Are you set on Icon?

Our Chase Kit will get the job done! This kit comes with our Boxed Upper arm, King 2.5 Remote Reservoir Coilovers, King 2.5 Piggybacks in the rear and Deaver Mini Pack!



In the end, it will really come down to what you want to spend!

From what you described on how you will be using your truck, either options will be work!

JT

 

I originally had 5100's with 885 springs and it was a rough ride. Not sure where people had determined that the ride was "plush". I just upgraded to Icon front suspension with Icon UCA's and the ride quality is just night and day. I wish I would have bought this setup first.

 

I would go with the icons (or comparable rebuildable/ adjustable coilover). You spoke of regrets... Will you regret spending a fair amount of cash on a really good product or regret buying a pretty good product just to have it not meet your expectations and then go back and spend the money all over again for the really good one? That's money you could have used on upgrades. A build like you're talking about should be well planned and always start with a good foundation. Also, as you progress and add extra weight you can get a new 700# coil spring installed and get you shocks serviced at the same time- as good as new.
I'm not knocking the 5100's they are fine for what they are and I'm a big fan of bilstein stuff. If you want to split the difference go with the 6112. My opinion anyway

 

If lifting a 2wd truck that weighs about 230 lbs less up front, lift spindles are the way to go, not lift coils. Lift coils generally have a higher spring rate in order to achieve more lift. Also manufacturers typically spec these coils out (rate, expected lift height) based on the weight of the 4x4 model and not the 2wd. This is because it's easier for manufacturers to make a single coil that works for both applications vs. having to manufacture two separate coils. I currently own a 2wd truck myself, but have also owned 4x4s and am familiar with most lifts and suspension components. The beauty of having a 2wd truck is when lifting with spindles you don't take from the down travel to achieve lift like you do lift coils. You can also maintain the factory coils and simply upgrade the shocks (5100s being an example). A set-up like this will typically provide an excellent ride.

Basically what I'm getting at is your assessment of quality of ride from 5100 and 885s coils is an assessment made from someone that owns an under weight 2wd truck, this is something people should consider when reading your post. Not trying to sound like a dick, but to say the ride was rough should have been the expected outcome.

As far as the Icons go, my guess is the ride from these is even worse. I would say this based on my knowledge of Icons. I currently run FOX COs, but I also swapped the supplied 600 lbs coils with 550s which work better based on the weight and modifications made. I also changed the valving to compliment the type of offroading I do. I did these modifications because I understood this would be necessary in order to achieve the expected outcome.

Did you know COs are also designed based off the 4x4s? Yep the coil selection is chosen to compliment the weight of the 4x4 vs. the 2wd. Again this goes back to the "one coil fits all" thing.

Knowledge is power

 

I have a 2009 dcsb 4x4 and Was thinking of buying from headstrong either the bilstein 5100/ 887/ Dakar/ LR UCA for 3 inch lift and 285 70 17 ko2 tires. Or getting the performance kit with 6112/5160/ Dakar. I wanted to get a 3 " lift so that I would have room for the 285's. Not sure if this kit would get me 3" and if I could use 285s. Also not sure if I would need and UCA with that kit either. I am definitely a newbie, but I want to do it right the first time with little regrets. Any help or suggestions would be helpful

 

That kit up front will get you 3" but I wouldn't recommend 5100's or setting them at anything but 0 (bottom setting). You will still have to trim up front with that setup for 285's..so just be aware of that.

Let me know if you have any other questions