Is it ever really necessary to install a lift?

Sure, a mall crawler lift is pointless and bad for a truck. But what's all this talk about a lift being bad for the Taco? The TRD Pro comes with a 1" lift.

 

I’m in a similar category as you, trying to avoid loosing the factory OR ride quality. I run on some rough basaltic “roads” for Chukar Hunting in the high desert areas of CA, NV, OR, and ID. I haven’t lifted yet, run stock tires, do have sliders now for insurance. My factory skids have some dents and scrapes. Running with a topper and dogs +gear I purchased the 612-40 Sumosprings to help with the “Bro-Lean” when loaded (less cost and maintenance than airbags and don’t alter factory ride when unloaded). Next purchase will be aftermarket skids and an exhaust reroute. I’ve got a set of 265/75r16 KO2s ready for next season after I chew through whats left on the factory tires.

If I end up “lifting” in the future it’ll be to regain factory ride height after adding skids, sliders, topper, bed platform/drawers, kennels, etc... I may have to sacrifice the “soft” OR feel when that day comes, but I hope not! My tenative plan is 1/2” top plate spacer in front and new leaf pack in rear, potentially with 5100/5160s

Good luck with your quest.

 

I think im in the same boat, but more for money reason...ive been debating whether I want to drop the coin on a lift for my 18 OR. I think for the time being im just going get 255/85-16's and gain the extra 1"-1 1/2" of ground clearance/get a beefier tire and maybe lift it a little bit down the road. personally I don't think for 99% of what your going to come across (especially for what you described you want to do) you would need a lift

 

That's a purdy boy deal (looks only).

Rake is engineered in for a couple of reasons, including handling.

As @hiPSI says, other than departure angles, actual net clearance (axle clearance) comes from wheel/tire dia changes.

OP, if you want some lift, look at a thread I think is called 'the skinny on skinnys.' With the correct OE wheel you can run a 255 80 or 85 tire which is a full 33", no rubbing triming or suspension changes.

 

Tires. Skid plate. Shovel. Portable pump.

 

Start with the tires skid plates and/or sliders from @Mobtown Offroad . Then, once your gear is weighing too much for the stock suspension to handle, do a lift. The stock truck is plenty capable and can easily do everything you are mentioning, but the only issue down the road is that if you have a ton of gear, RTT, etc. in the bed, you might want to consider a beefier suspension setup to handle the weight.

 

Even though I'm new here, I'm sure this is one of the most asked questions. Unless you plan on doing true OR crawling adventures (not gravel roads to your camp site) then I would say you don't need anything. Just take a look next time you are out camping or wherever you go.. I guarantee you there is someone there in a Prius (hahaha, never fails). That may give you an idea if you NEED a lift or not to get where you are going with one of the already best ORV on the market. As we get older we just find bigger man Lego's to build with. The slope is slippery but for most not necessary. That being said necessity and want are two different things, and if you have the budget and need/want.. go for it. Only you can answer the question if you NEED a lift.

 

You can pick up a low mileage military Humvee for about $16000 which is about half the price of a new Tacoma. Even after you add all the goodies on your new truck the Hummer will still be more capable. Just a thought...

 

This is how I see it.

If your in situations that cause you to lift tires consistently when offroading you need a lift kit.

If your doing trails that keep all tires planted you will not need a lift especially if you have a locker.

 

You'll also be completely miserable, because they sorta suck at everything that's not off-roading, and they're too wide for a lot of offroad trails anyway

The stylin' ex-military offroad vehicle to get is a Unimog, imo

 

Actually I was just poking a little fun however the Unimog is really a cool vehicle but they are really expensive.

 

Another thing to think about is how much you're lifting the sheet metal (fenders, bedsides etc). A lift with the taller tires you mention will get your expensive painted parts 3" higher which is the reason why I do it. My 4x4 usage is almost 100% to get somewhere (hunting, fishing, camping, etc). If there's an easier way around an obstacle, I take it. Having a modest lift, taller tires and upgraded armor allow me to get more places while avoiding damage.

 

If you REALLY want to spend money on something much more worthwhile for off roading, go take a one day course on how to properly off road. Picking the correct line through a tough spot is much more effective at preventing damage than pretty much anything else you can do. The reason most people here need a lift and armor is they choose the wrong lines. A pro can take a Prius places that an amateur can't take our truck, and emerge with no damage.

 

Sure, lifted trucks look great. But I'd guess the majority of folks in here are like me, and use their truck as their daily driver. So, the truck has to be a "jack of all trades", and do most all things reasonably well. Still think your truck needs to be lifted to perform off road? Go back and look at the old Camel Trophy trucks. And look at what those rigs went through. IMO, there are more important upgrades to be done for off-road capability, besides a lift and tires.

 

@YOTA 4X4 - Can you really run 255/85 16s on a stock OR? That's like a 33.3" tire isn't it?

 

No. You will rub quite a bit. Most run 265/75-16 on stock OR suspension. If you want to go to a 285/75-16 or a 255/85-16 you will need to lift.

 

There's a whole 60 page thread that disagrees with you. The trick seems to be no mudflaps and the stock OR wheels and suspension. If you move the wheels in the wheelwells just a little bit it doesn't fit.

 

Yes and for the life of my i can’t find it right now.... any body help? You CAN run 255 85 R16’s no Lift. The key is these are narrow tires. If you wanna go wider and that tall no dice. Someone please find that thread I’ve been searching for 20 mins i think....

 

Most of the people that do "Overlanding" aka truck camping are never some where that really requires a lift. If you are doing forest service roads and stuff like that the truck bone stock is super capable. Honestly you could probably go most of the places the Overlanding scene goes in an Accord.

I would get out there and start exploring. If there end up being places you want to go that need a lift get one. If you never need a lift to go where you want to go wont waste the money.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/put-255-85-16s-on-stock-or-wheels-and-suspension.491079/

it's pretty much always on the first page