Best ultra-weaksauce lift for 2nd gen?

Finally may have found an overpriced but mechanically sound 2010 2.7 4X4 single cab.

Want to give it a bit of lift and put 33's on it. What's the cheapest way to do a small lift, like 3" or so? Suspension, not body.

I have never messed with this kind of thing, I have enough mechanical skill to replace a water pump, if that helps. Don't want to do anything major enough that Camber and transaxles need to be changed... Not going to be using this for baja type stuff. Just want a bit more clearance for slow speed trails.

 

Well camber caster and toe will need to be adjusted regardless after your lift. But for 3" of full lift you will be looking at new upper control arms which arent cheap. The reason for new upper control arms is because they will be maxed out after the lift and you wont have even tire wear. 2" lift with Bilstein 5100's and Eibachs or bilstein 5100's with an Old Man Emu 885 coil will do for 2" ISH of lift and you should be able to still get your alignment in spec without getting aftermarket upper control arms.

 

Sweet title name

That all I got

 

Well that is good advice! I will have to do some research. I like doing some technical stuff on washed out trails but no brute force mud-holing or high speed baja stuff... So nothing crazy, just want a little better approach angle etc...

I'll leave the heavy mods to guys with big b@lls and big wallets.

 

If i were you i would do some research on lift heights attained with certain suspension set ups on a single cab 2.7 4x4. What i mean by this is like i have an 06 access cab V6, with bilstein 5100's set to 0 (because they adjust) with 885 coils i got like 2 ish inches of lift. So with a single cab 4 banger you may get like 3" full lift. It may be better to talk to Marie at headstrong offroad and go with a bilstein 5100 and add a leaf set up and just adjust the C clip on the front shocks for your desired height in the front. Then get 32's instead of 33's because you will probably rub SOMETHING and have to cut away some metal.

 

What kind of budget would a 2" lift lift come in at versus 3" or greater with control arms? At what point do you you need to replace Front CV axles with longer ones?

 

2" lift will cost HALF as much or less as trying to get 3"..
3" of lift front and back cheapest way possible is still going to cost in the $1,000-$1,500 range if done correctly.

 

And yes, you need to do it correctly. No cutting corners unless you want unnecessary damage/wear on your truck parts

 

That's what I figured... With 2" lift what's the max practical tire size again? I want just a bit more clearance for fire road washouts, nothing crazy. (I know this topic has literally been discussed thousands of times, sorry)

 

Here ya go.
https://parts.olathetoyota.com/blog/4536/toyota-tacoma-tire-sizes

 

Still a bit confusing as it mentions the same tire size for a non-lifted and for the two inch leveling kit on 16" rims. Then above that though it mentions 1" tire increase for every inch of lift. I don't mind doing some trimming if necessary if it doesn't kill the cosmetics. Don't see much point in wheel spacers unless I'm missing something.

 

Pick up some 5100s. If your budget allows add new springs to the order...if not you can use your stock springs. Use an add a leaf in the rear. Tire options without cutting will be 265/75/16 or 255/85/16 if you remove mud flaps and make some minor adjustments to the fender liners.

I'd suggest @HeadStrong Off-Road, very knowledgeable, fair prices, FREE shipping.


Also, you should have bought a Nissan.

 

What's better with the Nissans of that year? I'm thinking I may bite the bullet and do the 3" lift and just get a kit from someone. Any major obstacles or non-obvious pitfalls do doing that yourself?

 

Nissan is better because resale value isn't as strong at the Taco

Go to the suspension forum and start researching. I think piecing together components to meet your needs is often better than an off the shelf kit. What's your budget for the lift?

 

Yup. that is a good point. I don't know Nissan components as well but this 2010 I bought is my last Tacoma I suspect. I have never done nor personally known anyone that told me how to do a suspension lift. No clue what the budget should be... Is under 500 for all components unrealistic? I want a "soft" feel... don't mind body roll. Not doing high speed stuff and like the feel of big older cars with body roll and soft suspensions. Maybe that raises the price.

 

Pretty sure the cheapest Upper Control Arms are light racing right now and they are like 425$ IIRC. So theres your 500 almost, and you still need shocks and coils for the front, as well as a rear Add A Leaf at the least.

 

Like i said earlier if you stay at 2" yes you could trim whatevers needed for your tire size. But being a IFS vehicle we are very limited on lift before the price goes from 600 bucks to 3000 just for like an extra inch of lift. Bilstein 5100 adjustable coilovers for the front from Headstrong should cost around $200. The Eibach coils should be around $175. So theres $375 For that better ride you are wanting. An add a leaf from wheelers will cost you about 80 bucks. $455 total not including any assembly labor or other fees.

And for 500-600 bucks it will still ride like a tacoma (being that you are in a single cab with a shorter frame) its always gonna feel trucky.