Questions about lifting 2018 Tacoma

Hello, I’m fairly new here & haven’t posted anything if I remember correctly but I really want to lift my 2018 TRD Off-road Tacoma & decided to post this. I was searching for posts close to this topic but for some reason can’t seem to find one that suits me. Anyways I wanna lift my truck 3” so I can install 33” tires w 16” or 17” wheels. reason for this is because I don’t wanna deal with cutting/trimming anything. I’ve been looking into lifts & suspensions lifts but obviously suspension lifts are too expensive. I don’t know with what lift to go with, or what else I would need & if I do lift the truck would I need anything else? or is it just a matter of lifting it & not needing anything else? I’ve done research but can’t seem to come to a decision. & of course don’t wanna throw money in the trash. I would be doing off reading but not that extreme, thanks!

 

A lift alone won’t make you clear 33” unless you get pizza cutters. (255/85r16 or 255/80r17).

If you want 33”, 285/75r16, or 285/70r17 you will need a rim that has around 0 to -10 offset. That will give you enough clearance that you won’t rub on your upper control arms.

Suspension lifts aren’t to expensive you can do Bilstein 5100 on all 4 corners and an add a leaf for about $650. That’s will give you 2” of lift.

If you go 3” of lift it’s going to be more expensive than going 2”. With 3” you will need upper control arms and a new leaf pack along with the shocks that accommodate 3” of lift.

Unless you go with spacers and blocks. Which is the cheapest way but rides like shit and isn’t good for off roading. I strongly recommend you don’t go this route.

I’m on 285/75r16. Bilstein 5100 on the top notch. It’s 2” of lift in the front. Icon add a leaf 1.5” of lift and Bilstein 5100 in the rear.




95% of people have to trim a little bit to fit 33”. Every truck is different and you won’t know until you start.

What I had to trim.

 

Wow thanks for the info! I’m looking into wanting 285/70/17, but don’t know if the speed rating or load range/index matter or can get which ever.

 

Above 2.5 inches you will run into issues w cv joints, not worth it. And don't plan on doing a 33 with no other modifying.

 

Probably stick to a C load tire if available so that it isn’t so harsh of a ride. Don’t think you’ll need E rated tires unless you’re towing. I’m looking at ko2’s 285/70/17 C load since they’re a lighter tire than competitors for that size, for the most part. Everyone has their preferences though. I like falkens but don’t want the excess weight. I also have an ironman 2.5” lift with upper control arms coming in. Not the most common setup but I’ve been researching and it seems like a good fit for my needs.

 

Always look at the weight of the specific tire, not the load rating, it can vary over 15 lbs from one tire to the next.

 

It varies from truck to truck from what I see. I’m on a 3inch lift with -6 offset wheels, and have the cmc. Started with 285/70/17 tires and I rubbed. Now I’m on 275’s and am happy with it. I can hardly tell the difference in size and I don’t have to worry about rubbing. I only say this because it can be quite the rabbit hole getting 33s to fit in my experience without any rubbing at full turning, flex, etc.

 

I really like my 275’s. They look purposeful and proportional on these trucks.

 

I was fortunate that was all I had to trim. Even at full flex, turning, and turning in reverse. I didn’t need cmc. I’m also at -6 offset.



My good friend has no rubbing anywhere and no cmc with OME BP51 on all 4 corners at 3” of lift, OME Leaf pack, 4Runner rims (+4 offset) and 285/70r17 KO2. He’s definitely the exception though.

 

I agree I think they look great!

 

Nice looking truck! Hopefully OP will have your experience fitting 285’s rather than mine

 

3in lift, have fun replacing cvs. I recommend alot of reading, but be wary, you will see some really bad and wrong info mixed in. And cheap now can alot of times mean expensive later on when equipment fails bc you didn't do it correctly the first time. If you want to stay cheap and look good with minimal work id reccomend 2in lift and 32s, or pizza cutter 33s.

 

In fact I am going to set my truck on a lower setting soon as I over lifted it and dont have much downtravel anymore. Lift only helps clear bigger tires at ride height and not when stuffed. Either you set bump stops lower or trim to make room for the tires. Your end goal is for your front axle to be as close to horizontal as possible at ride height.