Need some advice from the Taco Gurus

Fellas,

I recently pulled the trigger on this 2012 4x4 Tacoma with 37,000 miles, and I'm ready to start the build process. I just need some of you gentlemen (I use that term loosely) to point me in the right direction on a few things. And please try your hardest not to bash me on the falsified TRD Off-road badges. Apparently the previous owner just thought the stickers looked cool.

I plan on running 265s because I don't really want to deal with the rubbing issues of running 285s (although I've been known to chase a wild hare a time or two). I also don't plan on running over ~2.5" of lift in the front because I would like to avoid buying UCAs in the near future. I've already got the toytec single add-a-leaf that I just never put on my old truck, and I already know I have to get new rear shocks. So that being said, the rear lift is taken care of. What I'm stuck on is what front lift (or complete kit minus rear lift option) to go with. I've already ruled out running 5100s without replacing the stock coils due to ride quality, but there's so many different options between the complete OME lift, the billie/885 lift from Headstrong, the billie/eibach lift with the billies set at the 0 setting, or even height adjustable coilovers from Toytec. I would like to maintain a nice ride quality, but I've heard some say that the billie/eibach or billie/885 are stiffer than the ome nitro/885 setup, but I've also read posts that say the opposite.

The things that I keep asking myself are:
- will a complete OME lift or similar 2.5"-3" lift make the 265s look too small?
- will running the billie/eibach with billies at 0 and the add-a-leaf have a crazy amount of rake?
- if I plan on eventually swapping to the Dakar leaf pack should I just go closer to 3" up front from the beginning? I guess this is where the height adjustable coilovers could help.

And last but not least, somebody please recommend some AFFORDABLE 16" or 17" rims to replace the stockers that are on the truck now. Preferably some that aren't black and that have the correct backspacing/offset to run 265s with no rubbing and POSSIBLY 285s down the road.

Pictures and brief descriptions of your lift/rim/tire setups as well as any other advice or help yall can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, and GEAUX TIGERS!

 

I'm running 2.5/2.75 front/rear with OME Dakars and 265/75/16s. They don't look small, there's an entire thread of 3" lifted trucks with 265s, actually.. but don't use that as any kind of ruler. Camera angles can make them appear like monster tires, or super tiny. I was in a similar boat and wasn't sure I'd be happy, but a good AT 265/75/16 looks great with a 3" lift. Higher than that, and I'd not recommend that size for aesthetic reasons, of course.

I'd not use 5100s with lift coils on any other setting than 0. Coils are pretty inexpensive, so if you get OME now and later upgrade to a full leaf pack, for $170 you can buy a new pair of coils that will match them. Consider that you can easily sell your take off coils for at least $100, and that makes the upgrade even less of an expense. Dakars are great leafs, but don't count All Pro leafs out either. I'm super impressed with them and will likely get those whenever my Dakars need replacing (if I still have the truck and the need). All the benefits of Dakars without the squeaks.

I'd go with OME coils instead of Eibach, since they're less stiff and will give you a better ride. I suspect they'll be easier to sell later when you're ready to upgrade, if you go that route.

 

Thanks for the input bud. And does anyone have any experience running the billie 6112 and coil pair setup from Toytec or Wheelers? It's looking like Wheelers has them on sale right now. Don't know if the ride quality is any better than the 5100/eibach setup or any closer to the OME ride quality.

 

If I may..

Check out HeadStrong Offroad for pricing. I saved several hundred dollars buying from Marie compared to the quote Wheeler's gave me, and that was before shipping costs (which Wheeler's doesn't tell you the price of, they just ship your order and add the shipping price to your bill after you've paid). Never seen another company who couldn't give you a full invoice amount that includes shipping, and I don't like that, personally. I want to know what I'm spending before I give my card info to a business, not find out what they charged me after I get my paid bill.

 

I believe the 6112 rides comparable to the 5100/eibach. The big difference in the two is size (i.e. volume). The 6112 is built for harder off roading and can handle heat much better. I know Bilstein recommends remote reservoir shocks for the back when using the 6112.

 

i just put some 265/75/16 duratracs on my 2015 off road
stock suspensions for now but i plan on using 5100s to raise the front just .85 for the same reasons as you. i don't want to have to get control arms or compromise the factory components.

i had the mud flaps off the truck for a while before i got tires so no rubbing