Northern Virginia Roll Call

Oh so you're saying that even with 3" lift I'll need to body chop AND fender cut/melt+mold? I do admit I was planning on starting with a nice spacer kit for the 3" level/lift (one that includes bump stop spacer etc). Was going to hold off on diff drop unless I felt some vibrations/etc and maybe do later. I'd prefer to start with the 5100s rather than spacers, but the Sport stock suspension is annoying me and the spacer kit price makes them affordable immediately, whereas the 5100s price would take me a couple/few months to save up spare funds for. Can always replace shocks+spacers later with 5100s, right? Then maybe some UCAs, AAL, blah blah as time goes on. That was my plan at least.

 

Do it.

 

5100s might be more affordable than you think. Check out @HeadStrong Off-Road

 

Also, just for the record, my decision for the Sport over the Offroad was based mostly on daily driver frame of mind, and the fact that I wanted a stick, so some features like push-to-start and crawl control don't come on MTs. So came down to "softer" suspension on the offroad and the locking rear diff, versus the hood scoop and color matched pieces. I went with the cosmetic stuff because daily driver, and I wasn't thinking much about offroading/overlanding until after I got the truck haha. At this point, if my Sport got totalled and I got a new one, I'd probably get an automatic Offroad. I still really prefer to drive stick, but when crawling over crap or through mud/trails, I can't two-foot with three pedals haha! Wouldn't mind a 4dr Wrangler but I need the bed for house projects.

 

5100s are a good budget option. I would try to spend a bit more for something a bit better. I had a rear 5100 blow a seal after a couple years, with no real offroading done on them. Once at flagpole, once at peters mill. Neither would i consider a shock killer. Kinda soured me on them.

 

I would take a jeep but it would have to be the old 4.0 straight six.

 

I set up an OB group to head to Flagpole this weekend....in my fully stock Sport. Hopefully I come back in one piece!

 

They groomed Flagpole, so I heard its super easy now

 

if I may offer a suggestion? (since I was literally in the EXACT same boat as you were last year)

so a decent level lift costs what.... $200? what I suggest is grab the bilstein 5100s (just shocks) for $339, grab a single AAL on eBay for $55 (or you can even do a 1" block for even cheaper) but I dont like block lifs.

that gives you a solid start by setting the Bilsteins to the 2.5" lift setting and using your stock TRD Sport Springs (and getting rid of the crappy stock TRD Sport shocks)

then as you want to upgrade, you can buy OME springs, and drop your Bilstein front shocks down to the "0" setting since the taller springs will give you the lift instead of the shock.... and then do UCAs etc... as needed.


also, dont do a diff drop. no bueno for 3rd gens.

 

Music to my ears! Honestly I'm not big into offroading anymore (different situation when you're driving a brand new $40K Tacoma rather than a rusty 94 Ranger when you were 17), but I'm really loving the overlanding scene. So I embrace the offroading required to get us to a remote place to set up camp. Definitely around this area...need that escape from the people, pavement, and shopping plazas.

 

I drive with 3 pedals over all kinds of trails! Just takes some patience and practice. 4 LO gets you places.

 

you'd like Peters Mill then....

oh @fatfurious2 , I was watching some videos on Sleepy Creek.... I think I'm gonna run that early next month for a good trial run once I get the truck back together... you down one weekend in Oct? (I'm thinking the 14th)

invite goes to all you guys btw (it's about 25 min from my house) @boogie3478 @buyobuyo @TacoCat (one last hurrah before you trade it in) @ready6delta @Lots2Learn58 @jschona1 @Superman910 @Darkgoatracer @Sombretaco @ilubtimmyhos

 

My birthday is the 19th, so im down for a birthday run assuming im not at work

 

Yea ill go to Sleepy Creek again. October 14th im off work and no other plans as of yet.

 

are you trying to run it that weekend? or on the actual 19th? during the week sucks for me since my commute is so far and I usually dont even get home until 6

 

sweet! let's plan for it! I dont know if youre trying to camp there, but youre also welcome to crash in my guest bedroom if you prefer to sleep indoors. haha

 

I like camping there. And its on waterfront property

 

Either the weekend before or after is fine with me. Im gonna write it off as a birthday trip and expect everyone to bring presents...thats all. I just wanted to make sure everyone had ample time to save up for gifts

 

I always appreciate suggestions/recommendations!
So with 5100s in front only and AAL or block in the back, I'd get 2.5" in front, 1" in rear, would I still be able to possibly run 33s? or would I need to drop down to 32s? I wasn't aware springs alone add lift, I thought lift was always dependent on what the shock extends to....second guessing everything I know about suspensions now...