Selecting a leveling kit that helps, not hurts

Boy, am I getting schooled on my 2nd gen Tacoma upgrade project. Coming from 18 years in an old '95 Nissan PU that rides like a wood wagon stock, lifted, or upside down, this 2009 Tacoma is turning out to be an expensive and complicated little project.

Here's the situation: I'm working on some modifications for my 09 TRD Access Cab to handle slow, capable 4x4, on rocky and semi technical trails in mountainous terrain that also gets from home to the dirt. I'm planning to re-gear the diffs, upgrade CV axles, UCAs, etc., but the challenge today is how to select shock and spring base kits that:
(a) Allow for a slightly larger than stock tire (~32.0-33.0" x 10-11")
(b) Meet or exceed Toyota quality
(c) Are durable for regular off-road use in mountainous terrain
(d) Safe on the highway and offer reasonable ride quality (not wood wagon, not limo; +/- a couple clicks from stock)
(e) Repairable and costs are reasonable-ish (i.e., $5k+ for the base leveling kit is likely out)

To help answer this, I came up with a basic decision table (all subjective assessments, some may be misguided) to think through the options I am aware of:

(!) EDITED: Revision 1, added additional kits, multiple corrections, and new attributes (15-Feb-2021)

*I could be wrong about a great many things in here, open to feedback to tune the table.

The question I am trying to answer is; Given all of the lift kit (I recognize they're actually "leveling kits") options in the 2.0-3.5" range, is there an option that helps preserve geometry and doesn't simply subtract from your down-travel and add to your up-travel?
If you read all of that, Thank You.

 

@whatstcp - thanks for the fast reply and straight advice!

Yes, the chart feels all over the place because it is organized in order of priority of attribute (it’s to help prioritize decision-making, not organize data), so things like being able to find individual parts takes greater precedence than something like the max height of the lift.

Per the note about starting with budget, I definitely hear you. All of these basically could fit the budget, so the goal now is to get the right foundational kit - not necessarily the most expensive, unless there’s a super compelling reason. I’d prefer to find the kit that also doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to repair when needed, and the one that introduces the fewest points for potential failure (e.g., extra hoses, fittings, and such in the wheel well).

I’m super curious where one can get parts and individual pieces of the Icon, Fox, and Toytec coil-overs / systems. In my searches, I have not yet found a single unit shock (always seem to come in pairs, and complete with springs), of any of these brands. If you have any pointers for where parts can be located, I’m super interested to know - it would definitely change around my decision process.

And, to your points about rebuild-ability, I’m very curious if any of the options stand out as having fewest barriers for a skilled home rebuilder. That would also change my course. Do any require specialized equipment, or just a lot of patience and detail orientation? Haven’t gotten this far in my research...

 

I did not read that chart but you must be an engineer to plot that lol, just go with a set of adjustable kings or icons and a tubular UCA and call it a day.

 

@6 gearT444E - I like your style! I wish my brain was geared that way -- for some reason, I always over analyze this stuff. In the end, I will likely end up picking one that you mention and calling it a day... after a month of dithering and fussing over the details.

@whatstcp -- Aha! So, I now need to correct my table because it does appear that more of these are rebuild-able than I thought. In fact, like the good ole game of Minesweeper, your heads-up just opened up a big swath of information that I was previously not seeing. Will look at costs of rebuilds and ease of doing so.

My reasons for wanting to know this type of information is that I tend to keep vehicles until they're down to the last thread, and I've learned that it's important to buy into "systems", rather than just parts, and a major part of the system is how accessible and repairable parts are. And most importantly, to look at what the cost of parts and rebuild are in relation to total replacement.

Homework to research rebuild kit, parts, and costs of each of these shock options commencing this evening.... thank you for the helpful replies so far.

 

It's a hard pill to swallow as far as price goes but my theory was always "buy once cry once". I've had the same shocks and UCAs on my truck for over 10 years and they have treated me well. You also have to figure everyone has a different opinion of what a comfortable ride is, and what their end goal is. I take my truck rock crawling, but it's not my DD. It certainly doesn't drive as smooth as a Cadillac but by no means a jaw breaker when I hit a pothole. Not sure if I'd change my setup if I drove it every day, but it certainly would be given more thought. I've got Icon 700 lb springs with adjustable coilovers and TC UCAs, king rear shocks with OME dakar leaf springs and shackle flip.

 

Great motto -- and I agree. I'm trying to figure out just how much crying I'm up for now. Your setup sounds well tuned and informed.

It's looking like the rebuildability by brand of shock goes about like this when prioritized by parts availability and price of parts:

1. King
2. Fox
3. Icon
... with all others trailing because locating parts and kits for performing the rebuild is difficult or requires dealing directly with the manufacturer (e.g., Toytec, OME, etc.) And, of course, all models have to be evaluated independently, but it seems that King, Fox, and Icon have made an intentional effort to keep parts available and clearly packaged. In a quick glance around the web, it looks like King certainly is home workbench rebuildable which is very alluring.

Speaking of, what's the reality of ease of adjustment of these brands and models for setting ride height? What should one look for and avoid if being able to tune ride height is important?

 

Fox customer service is non existent not sure it that matter to you or not though. That being said i still think they are one of the best.
ide consider radflo and ads also.

 

There is a tool used to spin the collar, not super easy when they are on the truck but do-able. I don't know where you're located but if you're in the salt belt I'd steer clear of Fox, their coating they use (or don't use for that matter), makes the shock look like a 100 year old ship after just one season. Unless they've changed their manufacturing process, which possibly someone could confirm that's bought new shocks within the last year or two.

 

Great to know, because if I need parts, it sure would be nice to be able to talk to some about getting them. Radflo and ADS were not on my list, but are now.

Yes, I certainly don't want shocks that look like an old ship! haha. I'm in Colorado, and they started salting the roads heavily in the last few years to accommodate worn out and bald tires in winter. So, we've been inducted into the salt belt and it's a constant battle to keep our cars from dissolving into rust heaps now. Excellent tip on Fox's poor resistance to corrosion -- that is especially important for these rebuildable shocks.

 

Added more data to the OCD decision table. Edited the original post, rather than polluting the thread with repeated iterations.

Overview of new realizations and additions include:

• The range of shock options is from non-adjustable AND non-rebuildable all the way out to fully adjustable and fully rebuildable
• Only a couple of the options include piston rod dust and chip guards (odd to pick on, I know)
• Some of the options may not handle corrosion and a full range of temperatures as well as others
• Costs are all over the place, and picking features for use does not always mean the most expensive option is best
• Being able to adjust the shock and ride height is incredibly important for a loaded truck and perhaps to prevent "taco lean"

All in all, starting to get a grasp on the range of options out there, thanks to the wide range of info on this forum and to those who replied so far.