Starting from scratch

Just bought my third first gen Tacoma, being the first 3.4 (04 model). It's completely stock and needing some attention. Ball joints, tie-rods, shocks, etc. I'm looking to use around 32" tires, leveling kit or small lift. Looking at around a $2500 budget. Looking for some ideas to get this project started. Looking for any ideas pros cons experience suggestions on what I should use.

 

Welcome (back)! You have a healthy but not overwhelming list. What are your priorities for parts? OEM? Cheap? Beefed up? What will you be doing with the truck?

 

Light to moderate off-road, and on road use. Firm believer in you get what you pay for! Prolly start out with the bilstein 5110 package?

 

You mean 5100?

 

Yea with eibach spriNgs.

 

Probably OEM parts for ball joints then. People are split on tie rods. I went with Moog and and happy with them, others will say stick with OEM tie rods too.

Once you start digging into the front end it's easy to replace a bunch of stuff at once.

 

If I go with the 5100's and eibachs do I need to go ahead and get uca's or will factory be sufficient.

 

it will depend on what you end up doing tire and lift wise https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-thread-compiled-list-of-helpful-links.95271/

take a look under "Steering/Suspension" for some great resources

 

Ordering the bilstein 3" kit tmw, with aal in rear. Any hardware I need to order with the kit like ubolts or bushings?

 

I had to order a bushing / washer kit for $20.99 from ToyTec.com. When I ordered the 5100/Eibach set up from them.

 

My personal experience with this setup was that the add a leaf wasnt enough lift for me in the rear, I prefer to have some rake so I temporarely have a small lift block plus the extra leaf. Replacing the rear springs all together is the way to go.

 

3" springs for the rear or aal with new stock springs

 

3in springs, the aal is hard on stock springs and rides stiff but the aal can hold a lot of weight.

This pic is my truck with stock leafs and an aal carrying 1200lbs in the bed and before the aal the stock springs would sag with two bicycles in the back, pros of the aal are increased payload but same suspension travel as stock, 3in springs will give you more travel and will probably give you a higher payload then stock and ride better, and OME dakar springs arnt that expensive and i think are the best bang for your buck.

 

Is that the 3" bilstein lift

 

Yes

 

It held the load pretty well looks like. Do think it's worth buying or holding out for a better lift say fix or kings

 

Fox

 

Personally ive had this setup on a 4th gen 4runner and 1st gen tundra and never felt that the springs or shocks couldnt perform for what i do, I dont use my truck to win huck contests in the dunes but its my farm truck daily driving wheeling rig so i does alot. This lift is like the middle ground of suspension lifts its not the worst and not the best but it gets the job done

 

Theres also a bunch of people who run the bilstien kit without a sway bar as it does ride stiff, I removed it and it rides much better and it still handles well even without the swaybar

 

Good to know. Kinda advice I was looking for.