Cut the frame to lift 6"?

Guys I’m new in this forum. I have a 2019 tacoma. And I have a question. I want to lift the truck 6 inch but I hear that the have to cut the frame to do that. Is that right?

 

Yes. I absolutely love my BDS 6” Suspension System! Truck is super badass! To each their own tho

 

You cut a cross member for the drive shaft to pass through after the drop bracket is installed.

Do your homework on here before you pull the trigger, its not for everyone.

6" is primarily for looks, and big tires.

 

Pure opinion

Everything else was spot on tho

 

They cut one of the cross members but drill holes in the remaining center part and insert tapped sockets. Then they bolt the new dropped cross member to those two holes as well as two other long bolts at each end of the new cross member. The cross member is cut to allow for the front driveshaft to stay at stock height while the rest of the truck is lifted.
It is not impossible to re-weld either the piece that is cut out (provided the shop that cuts it out does so in one clean cut) or you can always get a shop to fabricate anew piece should you ever want to go back to stock.

18" rims are a necessity to allow for more clearance on the new spindle that will be added to achieve the lift. Otherwise you could always go with wheel spacers, however assuming you'll be going with rims that have less offset, the stress created by that offset plus the offset created by adding a spacer will add to potential premature stress on bearings.

Most drop bracket lift kits come with very large rear blocks as well. Axle wrap is a bitch but can be combated with traction bars.

Do lots of research and if at the end you decide a 6" lift is for you then do it! They look awesome and definitely allow you to clear larger tires with a little less cutting/massaging but they do present problems just like any other lift out there.

Good luck and post pics if you go the 6" route!

 

What’s your ultimate goal for your truck? Not to be snarky at all but it’s true a 6” lift on a Taco is mostly for looks. If you’re looking to really Offroad look at other options. That said if you’re doing it for looks and to put 35’s on it, well I’ll be honest I do think it looks cool. Just be realistic with your goals before you pick a direction.


This is my 17 with a 3” lift and 255 85 R16’s. It’s the ideal compromise in my opinion.

Again not knocking your idea just have a plan before you start spending.

Welcome to TW

Keep in mind you’ll need 18” rims and prob want to swap gears so your truck has some kind of power and gas mileage still. It’s a pricey direction to go.

 

How you liking them 55s? Is there a noticeable difference between those and 265s?

 

I love the 255’s there’s a lot of big advantages to them depending on what you’re doing. My truck is purely a mild Offroad and serious camping vehicle and they fit my needs perfectly.

They wear like iron, get great traction, and allow me to run 33’s without the cab mount chop. I dog there look too.

Here’s my truck as it sits today.

 

Looks fantastic!
Do you have any front pics?

 

Agree. It’s not for everyone! Disagree. It’s not just for looks and big tires. That’s just a typical statement made by individuals that do not care for 6” Drop Bracket Suspension Systems.

Agree.

Here is a great install video to give you an idea of what is involved in a BDS Suspension System. However, there are a lot of different Suspension Systems out there other than BDS.

https://youtu.be/OKKeRZ1y8Og
As for rims, most people buy rims once after they get their truck. Some can’t make up their mind and switch out rims all the time. If I were you, I’d figure out what size you want to go with first and go from there. I originally purchased 17x9 for my 295/70R17 Nitto Trail Grappler Tires and absolutely loved them. However, I had 18x9s in my cart at the time of purchase and switched last minute to the 17s. If I had went with the 18s for my original purchase, it would have saved me money when I made my switch with my Suspension System. Instead, I purchased a brand new set a second time going with 18x9 for my 35x12.5R18 Nitto Trail Grappler Tires. I was lucky and was able to sell my original set and didn’t lose much money at all. So do your homework on what you want first before you just go with something to go with something. Both of my sets were/are -12 offset with 4.5 backspacing.

Yes. The rear suspension system does come with a Block, but you do not have to use it. It is up to you. You can do your research on whatever System you want. Again, it just comes down to money. However, any System you run, if it’s a true Suspension System worth a damn, it is going to cost you. There is no cheap way around it. Here is some pics of my rear suspension system:









I went with the following:

• Fox 2.5" Remote Reservoir Rear Shocks, DSC w/ RR Mounting Frame Bracket - Thanks to AccuTune Off-Road, Inc
• ArchiveGarage Hammer Hanger w/ Stock Shackles (Provides 1/2” Lift) - Thanks to @ARCHIVE
• Archive Specific U571 Deaver Spring, 4”+ Lift with Stock Weight- Thanks to @ARCHIVE
• ArchiveGarage HD U-Bolt Flip Kit Option 4: 3.25"OD Pedestal mount for thread in bumpstop, with 3/8-16 flange nut welded in, with 3" tall Wheeler's SuperBump BumpStops - Thanks to @ARCHIVE

I do not have Axle Wrap and I do not have Traction Bars installed on my truck either. I have not had to cut on my truck with any of my setups/tire sizes/etc. other than the one cross member for the Drop Bracket.

Stock



3” Lift



6” Lift



I did choose to do the CMC recently but I did not have to do it. I purchased the plates thinking it was going to be a MUST after hearing everyone say it was with 35s and it wasn’t. However, since I had them already I decided to not let them go to waste. Plus it is a minor mod.

All systems present problems down the road. It depends on the owner whether it be sooner or later on how you operate and maintain your truck. I agree, do you research. I did research for 2 years before I settled on my final setup and I absolutely love it. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Looks, performance, etc. you name it, I love what my truck is capable of doing and what places it can take me. In the end, that is what you need to be able to say to yourself. I agree with @Dr. Emmett Brown

Again, any good Suspension System is going to cost you. Please do not listen to the statements regarding 6” lifts are primarily for looks. There are so many trucks that have them it’s crazy. I would say if you are going to be a rock crawler, then don’t do it. However, anything else off road or not, you will be more than fine with whatever you choose. Take your time and go with what your ultimate goal is for your truck and life direction. Good Luck!!

 

Even if it makes you butt hurt, it’s MOSTLY just for looks. That said your truck LOOKS AWESOME, first of all if it was really built for Off-roading you would absolutely NOT have those steps hanging down. Well not for long anyway...

 

Also what’s the story with that rear bumper and lights? Are those the bumper covers with a hole cut in for LED backup lights? Those are sweet...

 

That is a BAD lookin truck my friend.

 

Oh I don’t get butt hurt over people making comments about “just for looks”. I just want to make sure the OP knows that’s not really the case. The only reason I have the steps is because I have little ones, a mother, and other family members that would not be able to get in the truck without them. I have contemplated going with Rock Sliders since the beginning but my family has taken the upper end on that one. Thanks for the compliments. Recently installed my DiamondBack cover and currently working on finishing up my Roof Rack and Bed Racks.



However, if I ever go that route for Rock Sliders, I already have a guy near me that I will use to fab me up some

Yes. I installed Baja Designs S2 Sport, Wide Cornering, Flush Mounted to my OEM End Cap Covers.



I have them connected to my SwitchPro and they also come on with the Trigger Wire for my Reverse Lights.

 

Thanks man

 

Do you have any offroading pics for an example of this newfound capability? It is a good looking truck . Bear in mind OP that some skid plates and bumper combos may not jive if you want to go that route. Also with a bracket lift and cheesy skids it gives more leverage down low to bend the frame if you get to bashing . I would pay more attention to suspension set ups of those that actually do it like

#1 Marlin crawler
#2 4wd action
#4 expedition overland
No bracket lifts here and these boys go there and know there stuff.

 

Yeah it just looks so clean and I've never seen a bracket lift truck go where a 2-3" lift didn't go. No one said they couldn't go offroad . I've just never seen to many do it other than say at the beach in Hawaii.

 

I’m trying to find a member here with a 6” lift on his blue 3rd gen who off roads pretty damn hard on TW, from my iPhone search I’m having hard time finding him.

Anyways,
This subject has been beaten to death. Not getting butthurt since I have a pro comp 6” myself on my truck but I feel the need to point out some truth, and some bullshit I’m seeing put into this thread.

A member mentioned that you would need to regear. Yes, highly advised if you’re planning on running a true 33” tire with an auto trans. Manual comes with 4.30 gears so you’d prolly get by depending on what you do with your truck. If you run pizza cutter tires like 255 wide 33’s like how some guys do on their 3” trucks, prolly don’t need to regear regardless.

Another member pointed out with the DB lifts, many skids offered by companies will not simply bolt up. Bravo to this member for pointing that out, I found out this the hard way after already installing my lift and wanting to skid the truck.

One more thing, you do NOT need to run 18” and larger. Just get a proper sized 17” rim. I’m using SCS stealth 6 with no wheel spacers so I ain’t messing up my ball joints or wheel bearings prematurely.

OP, do you’re research. It’s been beaten to death out there and there’s a lot of info out there.

I personally had started off with a 3” lift, but due to the terrain I go on, it was either drag my brand new truck bumpers on volcanic rock, or go higher for bigger tires. To each their own like everything out there. TW does not like DB lifts, like how Mac users dislike windows.

Still gets the job done.