Rough Country 3" Replacement

Hi All!
Brand new member and first time poster here. In '05 I bought an '05 Tacoma and then sold it years later. I'm now regretting it and and ready to pull the trigger on a '14 DC-OR-SB.

The truck already has a 3" Rough Country Level/Lift kit installed which makes it look sharp, but man does it make it ride like crap. There is a rubbing/vibration feeling under the driver side, it feels like driving over rumble strips before a toll. Weird thing is if you put it in 4WD the vibration goes away. Also, when you hit a bump at speed, the entire backend bounces to the right.

I am a daily driver, but appreciate the lift as our camping spot in the Poconos has many boulders and rocks in deep puddles trying to grab your underside. So, If I were to replace the Rough Country, but going for the same lift and level look, what would you recommend?

Please remember I'm a newbie and take it easy on the acronyms! Need your recommendations in English please!

 

Welcome to TW!

Is the truck a double cab, access cab, or regular cab?

6 cylinder or 4?

4x4 or 2wd?

 

Hi Pigpen,
Its a 6 cylinder, Double-Cab, 4WD, Off Road, Shortbed.

 

New suspension will be in order. The noise you hear could be the needle bearing, which is a fairly simple fix. As far as shocks and coils? The possibilities are numerous. Depends on if you want to spend 1k or 5k.

 

possible needle bearing for the vibe, telltale on that is if it goes away in 4wd, likely the needle bearing

 

check in with Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road (TW Vendor, lots of other great vendors on here as well) she can coach you on lift options once you narrow it down a bit. great service, great pricing, and always free shipping (I think .... always )

 

I forwarded the needle bearing idea to the service shop who is looking at the truck today.

If I stay with the RC Lift, do you think the needle bearing would get screwed up again? Is there another upgrade to consider to fix the geometry or relieve stress?

To answer spiralout463, I am not a hardcore off-roader, and won't be doing any crawling, just want to avoid some obstacles. I'd like to doctor it up for under 1K.

 

In that case, Bilstein 5100 or 6125 should suit you well.

 

East Coast Gear Supply has a bushing to replace the shitty bearing. Many of us run it.

 

Thanks everyone for your input so far. I am trying to make sense of it now.

So what I have is the Rough Country 745N2 kit which includes the N2 Shocks, Rear Blocks and Front Extensions.

Are you recommending that I replace the needle bearing with the bushing and the N2 shocks and it should be a better experience? Should I do anything with the rear to fix the "hop"?

 

Also, I think my '05 Sport had 5100's stock and I thought they were a little stiff. Any other softer rides out there?

 

JimboAnz and Pigpen,
I sent the bushing info for east coast gear supply to the dealer. At the same time they sent the truck to the toyota dealer to assess. Toyota recommended replacing the needle bearing. . . With a new needle bearing. My dealer took it back and placed the order from east coast.

Long story short, its now my truck and driving perfectly. Thank you for your help!

 

Good to hear. It's always a good feeling when problems get resolved.