Looking for my unicorn lift...

Alright everyone I am new (ish) to the Toyota world and have some questions about choosing a lift that I have not been able to find answers to.

I bought my 2017 DCLB TRD OR 4x4 Tacoma basically a year ago. My plan is to wait until the 36k bumper to bumper warranty is up before doing any suspension mods but my search for what I want is already on.

Problem is, I don't know if the perfect kit for me exists...

My goal is to maintain as close to stock ride quality while rolling with a 33/10.5/R16 or 17 or equivalent tire. What is also important to me is maintaining the trucks stock 6500lb tow capacity. I do not tow often, but enough that its important to me to not give up the rating the truck has from the factory.

The truck sees plenty of time in 4wd but I am certainly no rock crawler. 80% of the time im in 4wd is in the snow and the other 20% is backcountry access for hunting/fishing. So I am not in need of anything that is designed for MOAB or the rough rocks.


I come from a Jeep background where things are easy up to about a 33'' tire and then mods get a lot more expensive to be done right. Based on my Tacoma World reading it seems like people are a strong NO on any kind of spacer lift (jeep world has similar view). I am not opposed to giving up a bit of tire height to keep overall costs down (not needing to add UCAs/LCAs or regear) but I want to do this right as I spent over 35K on the truck. Buying cheap parts that will rapidly wear down other suspension parts is not something I am excited about. No sense in picking the cheap route that diminishes the truck I spent a pretty penny on.


Anyway, enough rambling. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.


Steve from Oregon.

 

Wheew!!! Seems like you have a little time to plan this out!

Tons of info on here to help you along the way, welcome!

 

A moderate 2-3 inch lift shouldn't wear out components of your vehicle. If you want 33s you're going to need to saw some shit up, a lot of people claim they don't need to on here but I personally had to chop a lot. CMC, inner fender cut and mold with heat gun, it's a process. I still rub at full lock and stuff when wheeling on my inner fender. Since you don't plan on going over intense rocks and want a good highway ride I'd avoid a Load E 33 tire. No matter what suspension you throw at your truck the ride quality is going to go down with a Load E. I ride with Fox extended coilovers and rear shocks the setup is pretty good. My only complaint is I wish I'd gone with 14" 650lb springs instead of the stock 13" 600lbs. If you add any weight to your truck those stock springs sag a bit.

If you don't plan on adding any serious weight to the back of your truck a progressive AAL will probably be all you need. Bed rack other shit you might want to invest in a new leaf pack. There's a ton of info on here on Tacoma World and most people are down to answer questions. Good luck on the suspension hunt.

 

following... I am in a similar situation and am thinking one of these:

Toytec BOSS (TTBOSSTAC-2016) OME TAK16 <- the URL here states 05-15, but the page clears states 16+

I'm pretty much trying to research which rear option is better at this point. I bottom out my rear with a full load and/or when towing a trailer. The Heavy Dakar Leaf Pack (661 Lbs. Constant Load) sounds appealing for this reason, but I have not found a post comparing it to the AAL. The remote reservoir on the BOSS rear would also be nice for a lot of the washboard I end up driving on. Maybe I could do the BOSS and then add the heavy Dakar leaf pack.

 

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

I think there's a better thread on 255s on stock trucks, but this is something to check out.

Start here, this may be a nice fit for you, or a nice starting point for research.

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/c126/Bilstein_Kits.html


Talk to Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road. They do good things.

 

Thank you to those who have replied so far. I’m at work today but will he trying to get some further discussion going when we slow down a bit.

 

I would recommend what i have if those are your requirements.

888’s on 5100’s
Dakars in the rear
Stock uca’s and waiting until I need tires to buy bigger ones.

Past 2 years of my life review using the 17’ lifted taco:

The kids, wife and I offroad 3-5 hours every few weeks on local trails and powerlines. Sometimes we’ll push it but not often. I do have one weekend every year that involves serious offroading with some rock crawling to get to a fishing spot with my brother. The suspension performs very well for what it is.

I installed this lift on my truck when it had 430 miles on it. Ive had warranty work and general service through the whole time ive owned and have 26,000 miles on it know.

I tow a 32’ formula twice a year for 6 miles (from my house to the marina) I’ll take a stab and say its 8500 lbs. Its fairly common to see me on the road with 2 dirtbikes on the back on sunday funday morning with all the gear. Thats where the dakars shine. Minimal sag.

33’s are essentially 285’s so if you go with a wide 285/70/17 your trimming bro. Although if you run a 255/85/17 your all good with out trimmage.

Happy hunting.

 

The real question is if you have the inner strength to wait until 36k. That was my plan. Guess what, i have 6k and I have a stage 4 icon, SCS wheels, and 33s.
I'm weak.

 

I am in the exact same boat. 2017 dclb OR and waiting till 36k for the lift. Interested in what others have to say

 

Hey Steve from Oregon. Go with a skinnier tire like a 255 if you want better towing power and better control...wide tires suck for towing, power, mpg, etc. they are more for looks. Just my 2 cents

some cupped airbags in the back for towing is another option that works great.