Suspension upgrade to fit 285/75/16 with zero offset wheels and do light offroading under $800?

I have been surfing the forums for weeks trying to figure out what I want to do for a suspension setup. I have a 2011 DCSB OR 4x4. Seems like everyone in my price range is doing stuff similar to me, but each forum is a little different, so I wanted to get some opinions/advice for my situation. I want to stay below 800 if possible. I was looking at the Headstrong Offroad Billie 5100/OME kit with the Deaver AAL. I'm looking for 2-3" of lift, and i want to fit the KO2's that I just picked up (285/75/16) on some zero offset wheels. I do light offroading, but this truck spends most of its time on the street. A couple of questions I have: 885 vs. 887 coils (not adding any extra front bumper weight)? Will I need UCAs immediately, or is it something I can purchase later if my alignment can't get in spec? Any other info is super helpful!

 

Do you want to wheel off road?

 

Forget the other forums. All the Tacoma experts are here.

If you want the full 3", get the 887's. Even then you might need to bump up a notch on the 5100's, or add a small top hat spacer. Every Tacoma is different.
The single AAL is going to stiffen up your ride a lot. You'll be getting all your lift out of one leaf, so it has to be beefy.
I think you will need and want new UCA's, but you can also get them after you try it without. Even if you can get good alignment without new UCA's, you will likely need to chop the cab mount, flatten the pinch weld, remove the front mudflaps, and heat/reshape the wheel well liner to avoid rubbing 285/75's.
Might also need wheel spacers, but i'll defer to others about that.

 

If you don't want to spring for new UCA's you might be able to get by with the 885's, but I still recommend them. The 887's will lift you enough that you will definitely want new UCA's.

And you're gonna need a CMC and lots of fender trimming to fit the 285's.

Personally I'd save up at least another $400 and get what you want (c'mon man we all know you want more lift) and new UCA's. Possibly even a new leaf pack from dobinsons because the stock pack even with an AAL just doesn't cut it imo.

 

Thanks guys. In regards to the CMC, are you guys saying that it'll rub all the time? Or just offroad?

Also when it comes to UCA's, I think I'm gonna start off without them and possibly pick up a pair later on once I save a bit more if I need them. Same idea with the new leaf pack. How much of a difference is the height between 885s and 887s? Could I get away with 885's and pick up some top hats if I'm not satisfied?

Appreciate all the help

 

Rubbing depends on the tires you run. Go tall and skinny to avoid a CMC 255/80-17 or 255/85-16's.

 

Depends on your specific Tacoma and alignment, but you will rub on the cab mount when you turn and when you stuff.

There is 5mm difference in length between 885 and 887. You can do whatever you want. I did all sorts of different configs before I decided lower was better, but I still have a 1/4" trim packer on the drivers side for taco lean.

 

You seem to be running 885's on your double cab, same as I will. What kind of lift did you get, and how bad was the Taco lean? Is that spacer something I could add easily later?

 

With 885's on the lowest circlip ring of the 5100's, or zero, I got about 2". Mine is a long bed w/towing package, so you might get a little bit more. A 1/4" trim packer on the drivers side fixed most of the front taco lean (I also needed a 1/2" shim on the rear).
"Easily" is a relative term. You will have to disassemble enough to drop the front shock assy to add the spacer above the top hat. Pretty much the shop time to remove & replace a front shock.
If it's a 1/4" spacer, your 3 top hat bolts should be long enough to still nut up after reassembly. If not, you'll have to drive out the 3 spline bolts and press/hammer in new longer ones. All of that is super easy to me, but I've done it and really enjoy taking my truck apart.

 

It's been a few months, but I figured I'd give everyone an update. I went with the 885 coils, and I am super happy with it. I don't need a CMC, and just have to cut the inner fender liner on the front of the wheel well. A couple of things went wrong with the install though. First of all, one of the nuts on the inside of the frame for the sway bar bracket broke, and my sway bar is now attached by only two bolts (One on the other side broke, but the nut is still attached). Additionally, the bolts on the sway bar linkages got stripped, and both are now stuck on loosely. Finally, my UPC bolt on the passenger side stripped as well, which meant I had to install the shock from the LCA side. Overall, everything went in perfect, but there is some rattle going over bumps, from what I assume is the loose sway bar. Any advice on fixing some of these things (and if I even need to), and any other questions on the install, would be greatly appreciated. I'm attaching some pictures of the install before it had a chance to settle and my alignment specs.