Getting started with blank 21 Off Road 4x4

Hi and thanks in advance. Im a new member, and just got my 21 double cab Off Road in silver. So far I have added LED fogs from Diode Dynamics, a hard cover from Rough Country, interior lights upgrade,Pro grill, and some storage stuff. About $1400 already.
My question is I want to start by leveling the stance, but I’m not sure whether to do 2” or 3”. I was thinking Nitro with the springs already on the struts, but I don’t know enough as to whether this is a good choice or not? I have only read the reviews. Also will I then raise the rear, and again not be level? I also plan on larger tires and maybe wheels.
The intended purpose is going to be when I go to Co. and Utah, to be able to go off road, do Black Bear, and Imogene, etc and eventually be able to camp from it etc. I want to be able to have the freedom to go where I want( within reason). Also I’m 53 years old, with a neck full of titanium. So keeping a reasonable ride quality is important to me. I know I’m asking a bunch of questions. Sorry. But I’m kind of lost. And on a budget. Thanks.

 

I have not modified the suspension on my truck, but I hear many members of the forum are happy with the bilstein 5100s which IIRC have adjustable clips or something on the front struts that allow you to change where the spring rests on the shock tube which results in different ride heights.

I had a 2016 tundra with the bilstein 5100s. I did not install them so I cannot get too technical, but I know it had spacers above the coil springs which I felt made the ride quality worse (even though it was still better than stock).

Whatever you choose I would try to stay away from coil spring spacers to maintain the ride quality you say you want. And I would try to stay away from blocks in the rear which would mean not lifting the rear (and only raising the front), or if you really wanted to raise the rear consider and add a leaf or replacement leaf springs to gain height. But at that point you might as well go full on lift kit lol.

Good luck! Hope my 2 cents helped!

 

If I do a 2”or 3” on the front, is that even going to make a decent difference on what I can do off road? This is all new to me as far as a build.
Also the factory tires w/ the off road pkg, Goodyear 265/70R16 Wranglers. Are they effective at all Off Road?
I guess coming up with an order of doing things, is my problem. I know a lot of people say start with rock sliders. I have the predator OEM boards on now. Will they help or hinder me, especially with rocker panel damage? Thanks for responding.

 

Hey you're me. I did an Eibach pro truck, Southern Style bumper, Toyota wheels, bigger tires and all that minor stuff. Works great on the trail and at Costco.

 

Only thing that increases ground clearance is larger diameter tires. To fit 33's or 35's requires mods. Lifts do not help fit larger tires because the suspension still has to compress back to pre lift height. A lift will help with approach and departure angle.
Leveling looks good... until you put something in the bed. Then you have a nose high truck.
As far as ride, unless you go high dollar the lifted ride will be rougher. Same for tires. If you go from those P rated tires to E rated tires, expect a rough ride.
Food for thought. For every mod to gain something, there is something you will also lose.

My advice? That truck will go places... stock... that will scare the shit out of you. Drive it as is for six months and you will quickly learn what you need and what you don't.

 

^This right here^
Use the truck for a few trips then SLOWLY gather the things you need not what someone else has. And Welcome nice truck

 

I hear u can do imogene stock

Also why level it? Rake is great in my opinion, so when the truck is loaded up with gear it will sit level instead of squatted

I love my duratrac tires by the way if you’re looking to upgrade from stock, much better traction off road with the duratracs

I ended up buying skid plates to protect my truck while i took the time to learn more about how i actually use my truck (reality vs intentions) and learn more about the different suspension upgrades out there. Now my skids are beat to hell and I’m saving up for Fox 2.5’s

 

Consider staying stock suspension with 33s instead.

 

Congrats on the new truck! You're gonna get 100 different opinions here, but you're on the right track. Here's my 2 cents based on my experience. (This is long, but worth the read.)

After owning my first Taco for a year and keeping it mainly all stock for that time I agree with those that say the stock truck will go places you didn't think it would. Absolutely. I've done trails that people were very surprised by, haha.

The stock tires are not horrible at all (as the internet would have you think). Just air them down to 15-20 psi off road depending on your preference and terrain. I had no complaints with the tires. The only times I was limited was mostly due to ground clearance.

The best "mod" you can do for free is airing down your tires off road. No one has mentioned it, but make sure you have a good portable air compressor and an air down tool like the ARB deflator.

$91 Viair 88P Portable Compressor Kit (12V, 120 Psi, Forup to 33" Tires)

Viair 88P is a good one, but if you get 33s maybe look at a bigger compressor. Airing down off road will help your ride comfort in a big way, plus give you more traction. I like to air down quite a bit since my back bothers me. Carry some extra valve cores with you and an extra fuse for the compressor. You might know this stuff already.

Most of the larger tires are E rated once you get to 33s. They will be stiffer, but you can still air down when off road. With 33s there is usually some cutting of plastic involved and cutting/welding of the cab mounts at the frame for tire clearance. Also, maybe stick to all terrains since ride quality is priority for you.

Regarding lift, the best thing you can do is not lift the front over 2 inches. Once you get to about 3 inches the suspension doesn't have much down travel leftover from ride height. This is gonna make for a rougher ride. You might want to look at adjustable upper control arms like SPC if your alignment numbers aren't where you want after lifting. I think you'll be ok with stock upper control arms if you keep the lift to 2 inches or less. If it doesn't drive well (wandering and vague steering feel), you'll need the aftermarket upper control arms to add more positive caster.

A popular budget choice for suspension that many go with are Bilstein 5100s. You can use the stock springs with those and get anywhere from 0 to 2 inches of front lift. The front shocks have an adjustable coil spring perch to achieve the lift.
For the rear you could go with a 3 leaf progressive add a leaf like Headstrong's or Icon to gain about 1.5 inches of lift. The rear shocks will not lift the truck. You'll need the add a leaf or a full leaf pack. It's still wise to upgrade the rear shocks to match the fronts.

The typical stock Tacoma sits 1.5 inches higher in the rear when all stock. "Leveling" it would mean lifting the front to match that, but I would leave a little rake. These trucks tend to squat with weight in the bed when using the stock leafs (even with add a leafs).

Those are some common options for a suspension lift. I would avoid spacer lifts and block lifts since you want the truck to actually work well off road while being reliable.

If you plan on adding a ton of weight to the truck with add on parts or if you plan on hauling several hundred pounds of gear in the bed at all times, then go with a full leaf pack replacement like Icon RXT.

If you plan on hitting tight 4x4 trails lined with trees, stumps, big rocks or any difficult 4x4 trails then definitely get some frame mounted rock sliders ASAP. They are not cheap, but the body mounted side steps you have now are known as "damage multipliers" if you manage to ground them out. It all depends what you plan to do. If you go with rock sliders a 0 degree will be the best compromise of protection while still being a somewhat useful step.

This is what I've learned from my own experience so I hope that helps. Just get out there and enjoy the truck! You'll figure it out.

 

Wow awesome stuff guys, I really appreciate the time everyone took. I knew I was on the right forum.
The general consensus seems to be don’t do anything right away with the suspension. I didn’t know that the little difference front to back level, was not a bad thing. B/c I will have a cooler, tools, and probably 9 pairs of my wife’s boots. Seriously we do travel heavy.
I’m going to do a lot of reading here, and ask a bunch of questions before spending anymore money. And get the truck on some trails.
In the meantime, I added a badass TacomaBeaat sticker on the back slider. A $9 mod... I love it!
Thanks everyone!!!!

 

You are about to chase the rabbit so beware of the information holes you are about to enter.

That said, you can actually do black bear and imogene in a completely stock vehicle. Many of the passes in Colorado can be done in stock vehicles.

 

I still have the oem tires and they have never failed me. But they are more street I'd say. I have the same predator oem boards. I think generally they offer a good amount of protection at least from rocks flying up. But I feel like the low hanging steps would end up becoming a nuisance by being something that could get hung up in more serious offroading.

https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/...ith-eibach-coils-for-2016-2019-toyota-tacoma/

https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/...t-kits/2-arb-ome-lift-kit-2016-toyota-tacoma/

The first one is a good starting option that is well rounded I'd feel.

The second is what I plan on doing one day in the future. Only because of my previous experience with the same brand on a jeep in the past.

Again this is mostly my opinion so take it with a grain of salt. There are other members of the forum with greater knowledge about lifts than myself.

 

Take a look at the icon suspension system. You can start off with a stage 1 kit and add additional pieces like a upper contro arms when you save more money. The shocks are rebuildable and materials are top notch