New Taco Dad! Opinions about lifts vs spacers?

Hey TW!

Recently purchased a '21 Tacoma TRD Sport.... absolutely loving it! Driven it all over Utah and Idaho. I'm not much into off-roading (yet) but want to try it out sometime!

I got the KDMax tune on it and replaced the grille with a TacoVinyl raptor grille. Picking up a rooftop tent today to put on a bed rack. Seriously, if I'm not careful this truck will become my new most expensive hobby!

I'm stock on wheels and tires and want to get into the off-roading scene.. opinions on ability to off road with OEM configuration or should I consider a spacer or lift to get better and bigger tires?

Thanks guys!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
Keep it stock
Give it a year and rethink after learning your off road habits.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Better tires are 10x more important than a lift for starting off-road. 265/75/16 (32" tire) will fit with no lift no trimming, go with an AT tire. You'd be amazed at what you can get through with just good tires and 4lo.

Also, spacer lifts are for bros who just want the look and don't care if their truck rides like shit. Don't be a bro.

 

Welcome! You asked a really good question that I sat on for over a year. Back in late 2019 I wanted to get a spacer lift just for the lifted feeling but decided to wait a year and upgrade the suspension all around. I would really consider spending the extra few dollars on suspension kits then to go cheap on spacers. Going off-road is fun but doing it with spacers won't.

I currently have the Fox 2.0 adjustable performance coilover shocks set to 1.5 inches in front to level the truck. The rear shock was replaced with the fox 2.0 performance shocks and the springs are still stock. I upgraded my tires from the stock 265/70/17 to a 265/75/16 BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tire on the RRW RR5-S 16x8 -12 wheels. I really liked how it turned out and it was worth the money because I luckily haven't ruined my MPG yet lol.

Suspension - ~$1200
Tires - $800
Wheels - $900

If you plan on lifting your truck, I would suggest add-a-leaf instead of a spacer in the rear.




edit: I completely forgot I had a ~.5 inch spacer installed in the rear so I could maintain some rake. Its hardly noticeable lol

 

Thanks for the input you guys! I'll continue sitting on this information for a while before deciding anything major.

Thanks!

 

No spacer… pay once, cry once… get your build together and the on we’ll figure out a game plan for your lift …. If it’s anything like my mind….. I’m still have t figured out how what lift I wanna use….. after 4 years