New Member: Feel Free to Roast as Appropriate

Howdy y'all,

Just bought a 2017 Tacoma Sport 4x4. This is my fourth Tacoma but the first one I'm wanting to modify. I'm a former Jarhead and helicopter mechanic so I know my way around tools but I know close to nothing about trucks other than simple things like oil changes, tire rotations, and brake jobs.

I'm your typical city boy ground pounder street driver dork that wants to lift his 4x4 to pull chicks. I drive 110 miles per day for work so I know it's very irresponsible and dumb of me to do but I'm 42 years old and trying to make up for my lack of youth by making a truck that makes me LOOK younger.

I almost bought a new Tacoma that was lifted from the dealer and that was what started me wanting to lift this one. I decided to buy the truck I have because it has things the lifted ones offered by the dealers around here did not have (sunroof, etc.).

The two trucks I was looking at had different sized wheels but appeared to have similar lifts (to the very untrained eye). The sizes they had were 285/70 R 17 and 295/55 R20. I like the look of both but I know that for off-road the 17 is better (at least that's my understanding). I've read like 658,000 posts already about lifts and wheels and tires and have learned a LOT from Tacoma World already but I feel like I may never get the answer I want unless I just ask. Hence, the reason for this post.

I am not trying to build a baja 1000 trophy truck. I don't plan to race this thing across the desert at mach 3 and jump ravines in it. I also don't plan to do rock crawling or whatever. However, I am likely to take it off road from time to time. Nothing serious, just enough to get to some cool places with my special lady friend and dawgs.

That being said, what would be your recommendation for lift, tires, and wheels? I don't want to jeopardize the ride quality on the street (not that I expect it to be a Cadillac) but I don't want to spend a fortune either. I would consider $3000 a "fortune" for a lift kit. However, I've seen some cool looking (to me) lifts on Toytec that go for under $2000 like the BOSS system that I have not read much about. Everyone seems to talk about the Old Man Emu, King, and Icon systems. They all look awesome but I suspect that they're a little more for serious off roaders (not for city dwellers like me). From what I read, there are a number of "short-cuts" I could take to get a small lift such as Bilstein shocks in the front.

Oh well, I'll just shut up. I'll keep reading and reading and reading and will probably find my answer. haha. Hope you're kinda mean to me for doing this.

 

Welcome to TW. Guess you already know it all happens here.

 

Welcome to TW! Entertaining first post. Unfortunately, I know next to nothing about lifting trucks, but plenty of TW members do. Also, Thank you for your service.

 

Welcome! Toytec is a good resource, but @HeadStrong Off-Road has been well documented on here as the goto place for info/lifts. If you’re unsure on how to get started give them a call

 

Welcome. For what you're talking about the boss system I think fits your needs perfect. How much weight do you usually have in the bed? Tgat will determine your leafs or add a leaf you will need but seems you already know what you want.

 

Oh man, when I first read this (on my phone) I read "I am trying to build a baja 1000 trophy truck" "I don't plan to race this thing across the desert at mach 3 and jump ravines in it"
I had a couple minutes to run up to the computer and get on the attack! Re-read it and realized I am in fact an idiot. Hahaha.

Anyways, you're not far off with what you're asking for, but as you mentioned there's 658,000 posts on the topic. Ride quality is very much an opinion and two people with the same vehicle and same suspension can experience a very different ride.

If you're open to a really nice quality system, Icon offers a "Stage 2" system for just under 2k. Really nice quality parts, but it certainly is expensive. You'd have top notch coilover and shocks with digressive valving which helps for a slightly firm on road feel and good stability.
I've read good things about that BOSS system, but never used it myself so I can't fully comment on it.
Old Man Emu (OME) also a very popular choice but the leaf springs may be a tad firm for your use (unless you'll occasionally tow or haul then it would be a nice advantage).
Bilstein is more than likely the most popular among TW. Quality parts, well priced and very similar to stock feel. This would be more than capable for moderate off road use.

The big change between like the Bilstein shocks and a set of coilovers is the body size and the amount of oil inside. The larger coilovers (while more well valved and some other changes) hold more oil thus staying cooler for longer and faster off road use. The bilsteins work great, lots of friends with them, but they will overheat after hours of abuse on the trail. YMMV.

As for the tires, this will also play a huge role in ride characteristics. Avoid E range tires and opt for a P rating or a C load tire. This will keep the sidewall more flexible and more comfortable. P load isn't the bed for offroad use, C would be better, but also firmer. There's always going to be a trade off one way or the other.

 

@The Driver you need to fill this guy in how it's done properly in his age bracket.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to the community!

 

hahaha. I guess the small font on the phone got you ready to really let me have a piece of your mind. hahaha. Thanks for the feedback to you and everyone else. I feel like I'm earning an unofficial PhD in Truckology right now. Between the different kinds of lifts, the different wheel sizes (offset? didn't know what that was until now....same with back spacing and many other things.....haven't even taken the class on load strengths and stuff yet), the different tire sizes (holy mole, this stuff is insanely complicated.....I'm used to dirt bikes where you have two or three choices), and all kinds of other stuff, I feel like I could study this for decades and never learn anywhere near everything there is to know. hahaha. I just wanna look cool and pull chicks.

 

haha, my truck does not makes me look younger. My physical activities (running, trail running, rock climbing, skiing), do that!

 

Can this be nominated for quote of the year? Haha.

Wanted to really let you have it but I fudged that up right out of the gate

As for wheels and offset read this and hopefully it'll help understand all of this better - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...lifted-info-inside-complete-with-poll.514755/

You've come to the right place to learn. This will also help to understand the different lift options and what is all involved there - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...2016-tacoma-presented-by-toytec-lifts.395798/

Then you can fine tune in on really what you'd like to have and you'll know what questions to ask

Oh, and most wheels for our trucks have a load rating between 2100 and 2500 lbs, plenty strong for our usage. With tires there's P or SL (passenger or standard load rating), these tires have the softest sidewall and are intended for on road use. Obviously there's nothing stopping you from taking them offroad but the tires aren't near as thick meaning it's easier to puncture.
Then you get into LT rated tires C (6 ply), D (8ply) and E (10 ply). The higher the number the stronger the tire, but that also makes it heavier and more stiff. It's all about finding the right balance for what you really need. I'd go with a C load rated tire if I were in your shoes.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

And what about that coconut oil? Still using that?

Seems like that might be more helpful to his goals than a lifted truck.........

 

Oh heck yeah, still using the coconut oil DAILY!

 

Welcome aboard semper fi. I was a amtrax mech. Thanks for your service.

 

Welcome!