3" lift suggestion

I just bought a 2009 4x4 Tacoma this past weekend and im looking for a lift. I only want 3" and a smooth ride post installation. My buddy reccomended Bilstein adjustable 3" lift with 5100 shocks. Just wanted to post this on here to see what everyone else had to say. My price range is 600-800$. I am new to all this stuff so im still trying to learn along the way. Any input is appreciated . Thanks

 

I'm in the same boat as you. I did some research. some ppl recommend spacers and leaf kits, while other say go with the full kit suspension kits. Its confusing. I still event decided.

 

If you lift that high you will need adjustable upper control arms. Those alone will run you $400 or more.

 

I have a 2009 TRD 4x4 and i have a 2.5 inch spacer lift, and I'm currently looking at the same thing as you. From my friends who have a 3 inch lift, he runs 5100's with OME 885's and a spacer and his UCA are just fine. So i think I'm going to go the same route. Just trying to convince myself to fork out the money haha.

 

Yeah I need to do some more research myself. Are you leaning towards anything?

 

5100 shocks with factory springs would get you 2.5" in the front for a couple hundred if you do the install yourself. Not sure I'd ever trust a 3" block lift in the back, myself unless you're never leaving pavement, but in that case I'd say don't lift that high just for looks.

Just doing 5100's all the way around and something like Dakar leaf packs in the back would probably run at least $1k for parts and would probably ride funny and be tough to align. Like moondeath said, if you go a full 3", you'll need new UCAs in the front, and you'd probably want new coils in front as well, which would be another couple hundred or more.

I did a ~2" lift with 5100's all around, OME885 coils and Alcan leaf packs, and that was about $1200+ in parts and two weekends worth of installation that needed a pretty thorough tool kit (multiple jacks, stands, Impact gun, etc) to accomplish, plus needing an alignment after I was done, then I got another 1/2" or so going up to 32" tires (which cost another $1200 for all five wheels).

Anything you could do for $800 would either involve a lot of used parts, or not ride well, or both; save some more money until you can do it right.

 

Youre not understanding. The factory UCAs are not adjustable. You cant get the correct alignment once you go up to and above 2.5" of lift. Adjustable UCAs are the only way to get correct alignment.

 

Alright, I'll end this thread right now.

http://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p440/Coil/Bilstein_5100_Kit_-_(HS05BK-1).html

 

I too am in the same position. I purchased my 2009 this past June. Can anyone provide factory pics of the front end suspension. It has what I can make out to be a 2" lift to it already w/ 285/70/17 on it when I purchased it. Plan on changing that to a 3" lift, but I am still trying to reference what is currently on the truck. thanks for any help

 

This ^

From hearsay on this site you can go up to 2.5" with out needing new UCA's.

You can get a complete lift that is better than blocks for ~$700-$800. This includes 5100's all around. OME or stock coils for ~2.5' of lift in the front and an Add a Leaf in the back.

If you really want that complete 3" you can do it, but it will be an extra $400 minimum for new UCA's in addition to everything else.

 

Here's my opinion. Go with 5100's and 885 springs and pay the assembly charge. That will get you 2.5 inches up front. For the rear, do the 1.5" deaver add a leaf and get new U-boats with it. Also get the carrier bearing shim kit cuz it's cheap. Do not get the differential drop kit, not needed. Get it all through Headstrong Off-road and it will all be in your budget range. Upper control arms will not be necessary, at least in my case they weren't. Also add in the driver side 1/4" spacer. Don't get hung up on the 3" number. There will be plenty of space in your wheel wells. If you have stock size tires they will look small so start saving for larger ones. Nuff said.

 

i went with a toytec, 3" kit and then total chaos upper control arms and have had great luck, clears a 33" tire easily

 

USUALLY....in most cases, beyond 2-1/2" lift you will need aftermarket UCA's. But not ALWAYS. Simply not the case. I have 5100's (set @ 0") with 885X's and 1/2" plate spacers that give a full 3" front lift. I got 2.9 degree positive caster with stock UCA's. VERY uncommon, but it does happen. Rear is a 2" Deavers AAL. I also installed a U-Bolt flip kit at the same time.

With struts assembled, 4 Bilstein 5100 shocks, OME 885X coils, Deavers 2" AAL, and the 1/4" lean spacer, Headstrong Off Road shipped to my door for $733. Flip kit brought total to just over $800. (I make my own 1/2" plate spacers)

I've installed a total of 9 (so far) Tacoma IFS lifts. (I do 'em in my spare time for a little extra cash) 4 were 3" lifts. Only ONE (mine) aligned OK with stock UCA's. Other 3 got less than 1 degree caster, which made 'em wander bad enough the owners went back and had new UCA's installed. Odds are, more than 2-1/2" lift will need UCA's. Stock specs call for 1.5 degree caster. The higher you go, and the bigger the tires, the more caster you'll need. 3 degrees is the target for a 2-1/2" to 3" lift.

Best advice I can give, stick with 2-1/2" (or less) use 885X coils (for 2-1/2) or 884 (2") Don't preload stock coils to get lift. (Ride quality not as good that way as compared to shocks set @ 0" and using longer coils) 887 coils give full 3", but you will probably shell out another $400 to $800 for new UCA's.

Flip kit isn't essential, but it's a good time to install one while you're doing rear lift.

My advice is based on my opinions (and my personal results) Weigh ANY opinions (mine included) with a grain of salt..... Call Headstrong Off Road. Listen to Marie. She knows her business. She'll give you straight facts.

 

What he said!

 

When I did a 2.5" front lift on my 2011 offroad my caster was not able to be corrected and it drove like shit. I only went with 1.75" on my 2013 to avoid the issue.

 

If it's worth lifting it's worth lifting properly.

Spacers = No (spacers are for looks only and don't really provide any functionality)

Bilstein is perfectly fine for a quality budget oriented suspension system.

If you decide you want to get into off-road I'd look at higher end stuff. I have Old Man Emu setup, and though I like it, wish I'd have splurged on Icon or something early on.

Also - @HeadStrong Off-Road is the place to go! Great prices and good support.

 

No not yet. I need new tires first as my factories are worn. Thought Id get new rims and tires, but thats expensive as it is. So Im gonna spend some money on the tires first and then start saving up for a lift kit. Maybe like what @EatSleepTacos suggested. I want to do it right the first time.

 

It's a great lift, and you won't be disappointed! I've been on mine for 7k miles and love it.

 

Also, I think what would make the decision making easier is what do you plan on doing with ur taco? I myself do light trail riding. I do not have a trailer hitch, but maybe I'll get one in the future. I do plan on getting armor bumpers (front and rear). Other than that, 96% of the time, my taco serves me as a DD.

 

Oh im so sure I will love it as much as you @EatSleepTacos ! But since reading a few threads and getting everyones opinion, I might not go all in with the 3" lift. Im thinking 2" or 2.5". I just don't want any issues later down the line.

One question though, if doing a lift, what else should be done (thats necessary) while under the taco? Might as well get everything done all at once right?