Lower cost 3" lift suggestions for 1st gen

I've been looking around for a 3in lift kit for my taco but they are all around $500 for a cheap one with add-a-leafs, rear suspension, and new front shocks without the springs, which is no big deal. I am wondering if anyone has anything for sale cheaper or some ideas they could run by. i plan to get the lift, some pro comp tires 16x8, a 1in spacer, and some 285/75r16 BFG's... so trying to save some money, i'm open to pointers.

 

Any 3in lift around 500 is likely blocks and a spacer lift which is no Bueno. You'll be better of being patient and researching and saving for a proper suspension lift.

If your looking for a 3in lift make sure to add ucas (so you can get decent alignment) which are around 500-700 by themself


Saw this thread

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-lift-kit-ideas.501088/#post-15602761

Like others said Call headstrong, super helpful, just tell them whatcha got and they'll set you up. Plus you'll get a good idea on price so you can start saving, can't forget free shipping!

 

Do you want a reliable/high performance lift, or a cheap one? You get what you pay for...

Also: WHY are you lifting it? Looks (bro look or mall crawler), or performance (are you going to play in the dirt)?

You're already planning on spending probably a grand+ for wheels and tires, why cheap out on the lift?

That said, probably the cheapest way to get a decent lift is a set of 4 Bilstein 5100s and an AAL in the rear (downsouthmotorsports has a member discount on them for I think $299 for a set of 4) and ~$150 for the AALs. But, being a 1st gen Taco, you'll also want a diff drop kit (lowers the front diff to decrease wear on your CV joints - also typically means modification to your skid plate). Set the front 5100s on their highest setting and go get it aligned.

Then, if they can't get it aligned quite right, THEN look into upper control arms, but you may not need them.

Ideally, you want a set of matched springs and shocks that are designed to be a certain height/spring weight. As nice as the 5100's are, they are basically just making the springs stiffer when you lift it (same as wheat AALs do). For ~$1100, you can achieve that with the OME kit with shocks AND all new springs: For what it's worth, I was perfectly happy with my 5100s and a 1.5" extended rear shackle for 6+ years until I upgraded to Kings. I didn't go the full 3" lift.

 

Bilstein 5100's up front, stock coil springs, no spacers.

88-98 Chevy Rear Leaf Spring Packs. Take one or two of the Chevy leafs and cut them to fit between the stock Tacoma leafs and toss the stock Tacoma overload spring. So now its a progressive 4 or 5 leaf pack. No spacers.

Toss in some T100 rear shocks (10" of travel) or whatever out back.

This is what ive been running since 2013 on my '01. Clears 285/75/16 MT's on 16x7 stock steelies with Spidertrax spacers with pinchweld hammer clearancing, very minor rubbing when flexed, none while DD.