Need Help on Lift Decision

Hello,

New to the forums, every time I did research on lift kits it always seemed to steer me back here!

To preface, I lifted a 2011 4D Wrangler 6 years ago and hated it. While it was great for off-roading and looked great I absolutely could not stand the performance. I ran a 3.5" AEV setup with metric Goodyear MT's that came to about 34". Between the on road performance and lack of acceleration I sold it and bought a 2017 TRD Offroad which has been my favorite vehicle I've ever owned. Living in Colorado and doing my fair share of dispersed camping I'm looking to beef up my Tacoma.

This vehicle will be used 80-90% of the time as my urban road warrior but on the week-ends in the summer I do a lot of dispersed camping. I need some additional clearance that looks good but doesn't sacrifice too much for on road performance. I'm not completely opposed to keeping it stock and getting a bigger tire as well.

It seems like everything I read keeps circling me back to Bilstein 5100s. After doing my research, it seems like these would be the two options I'm looking at (although I'm open to others if you see fit):

https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/...ISyviTOXM6DWkP7JN515-fKQq_z-0F-saAjJdEALw_wcB

https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/...arAb-1HeTZ0R2ZuRcXtIsBUJFLg4Ml0QaArsSEALw_wcB

I also have a RCI rack with a Tepui tent on the back of my tacoma. This adds about 225 lbs. of additional weight to the back of the vehicle. If possible I'd like to run 32-33" tires and have been looking at KO2's. If any of you have a different suggestion for tires or kits I'm open to almost anything.

Appreciate the advice and thanks for including me on the community!

 

Your on your way back to this. /\ /\ /\

 

Why do you say that? Is the difference in performance that big simply lifting it 1-2"? Part of the issue with the jeep was putting 34" tires (MTs), and the fact that it's a box built like a giant wind sail which is horrible for on road performance in the mountains.

Maybe naively I assumed going with a smaller setup on a tacoma wouldn't suffer too much on road performance. I obviously know it won't ride stock but I'm trying to stay away from such a sever difference on my last setup.

 

You already said you have added weight. And your increasing tire size. May not be as bad as what you came from. But my statement is still correct. You ARE "on your way".

I just came out of a 2007 JK.

 

Give us a call at Toyteclifts with your questions my man!

 

@ColoradoHoosier

Something to consider, it's what I've done and I'm happy.

This will almost level the front allowing the weight addition you have in the back.
Bilstein 5100's, use stock coil on 2nd clip it will lift front 0.65" or 3rd clip for 1.1" of lift.
5100's rear and use sumo springs to enhance load carrying ability and stabilize reduce any sway.
All for $375 for Billstein's & $215 for the Sumo's
Add some 265/75-16 or 255/85/16 for ground clearance on stock wheels you should get away without tire clearance issues (no CMC needed)

Ride will be slightly improved over stock OR ride, appearance is IMO personally better than stock, and load carrying improved over stock.

I don't wheel trails like I used too, but my job sites will keep me in the need of 4wheel drive and the slight appearance (level look) and additional ground clearance via tires, and rear load stability. I'm happy, I'm sure one day the stock leaf packs may fail but maybe not as soon since I have the Sumo's. If they fail I will then look for a new leaf pack.

Good luck man, I agree reading all this will make you crazy, I have been down the same road and I just could not justify $3K plus when I'm just not a desert running, crazy trail, rock crawling rig owner. I went bang for the buck and could not be happier, just waiting for my stock 265/70/16's to wear a little more then put on 255's on for that addition height and look.

Best of luck!

 

Hi OP. I'm working on the setup you describe for camping. Last fall I added Bilstein 6112 in front on 4/5 and 5160's rear with a wheelers off road 3 leaf AAL. I have 265/75/16 Duratracs C load. This raised the truck about 1.5" all around. I plan on adding voo doo rack system for factory tonneau cover and the ruggedized tupui tent that weighs in about 180 lbs + rack.

I have some concerns that carrying 200lbs on the bed daily will affect how it drives/handles but I have nothing to base that on. I hope the AAL will really offset that concern because. With the 6112 and 5160's the ride is very nice and I like it a lot better than factory which had about 7k miles on it when I put the new suspension on.